• About Us
    • Contact Us
    • Work With Us
    • The Creative Team
    • Disclosures
  • Subscribe
  • Shop Our Products
  • My Account
  • Cart
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • DIY & Decor ▾
    • Crafts
    • Home Decor
    • Home Improvement
    • Technology
  • Recipes ▾
    • Breakfast
    • Appetizers
    • Side Dishes
    • Easy Dinner Ideas
    • Slow Cooker
    • Fun Food
    • Desserts
  • Clean/Organize
  • Kid Ideas ▾
    • Birthdays
    • Castle Playroom
    • Outer Space Bedroom
    • Teacher Appreciation
    • Travel Tips
  • Free Printables
  • Holidays ▾
    • Christmas
    • Gift Ideas
    • New Year’s
    • Valentine’s Day
    • St. Patrick’s Day
    • Easter
    • Cinco de Mayo
    • Mother’s Day
    • Memorial Day
    • Father’s Day
    • Independence Day
    • Halloween
    • Thanksgiving

Ideas for the Home

You are here: Home / Cleaning and Organizing Ideas / How to Make Pretty Storage Boxes

By Lori Greco on November 21, 2016 4 Comments

How to Make Pretty Storage Boxes

Cleaning and Organizing Ideas· Home Decor Ideas

  • Share
  • Tweet

See how easy it is to make your own pretty storage boxes that are unique and can be made to fit in any space in your home.

Hi everyone, it’s Lori from Greco Design Company here to share a fun and easy storage solution that’s also so pretty that you’ll want to show it off!

How to make pretty storage boxes

Add Storage To Your Home Office

I refinished this mid-century dresser over a year ago and I loved how it came out. Click here to check out that post. It sits in my home office and it’s a much-needed storage piece but it also looks pretty and is a big focal point in the room. I wanted to make the piece look less like a dresser so I removed the middle drawers and wanted to replace them with some open storage.

A refurbished dresser with DIY Storage boxes

But, I looked everywhere for something to fill these three open shelves and I couldn’t find the right solution. They’re very shallow openings and the top 2 shelves have notches where the baskets or bins would sit. It’s a great feature but this made my options even more limiting.

In addition, I didn’t want to compromise the mid-century style of the piece. I couldn’t use many baskets because they looked too rustic and country. And plasitc bins looked too contemporary. So I decided to make my own storage box. And over a year later, they have held up so well and still look super pretty!

DIY storage boxes inside open shelving

Disclosure: This blog post contains affiliate links for products or services we think you’ll like. This means if you make a purchase from one of these links, Ideas for the Home by Kenarry® will make a small commission at no additional cost to you so we can keep the great ideas for the home coming your way. All opinions expressed are derived from personal experience.

How To Make DIY Storage Boxes

Here are the instructions if you want – or need – to make your own storage boxes.

Supplies

You’ll need the following materials:

  • Foam core – my piece was 35″ x 26″ flat. The size of your foam core will depend on your final box dimensions. See below. I got my foam core board at Staples.
  • Decorative paper – I used 4 sheets of this specialty paper from Paper Source but you could also use heavy duty wrapping paper or even adhesive contact paper.
  • Spray Mount Adhesive (unless you’re using adhesive contact paper)
  • White duck tape, along with another color for decorative purposes. I used metallic gold.
  • X-acto knife, ruler

Directions

1. Determine your dimensions

You first need to figure your dimensions: Since my boxes are going inside the dresser openings, I need to be very specific with my dimensions. So I need to make all 3 of my boxes fit inside the recessed area.

I love these notched areas, they keep my boxes secure and not move around too much. My final box dimensions are 22” wide x 13” deep x 6.5” high. This is slightly smaller than the dresser openings.

Measuring the dimensions of DIY storage boxes

2. Cut Out the foam core

Cut out this final dimension from your foam core. I drew a diagram so it made sense to me and how to trim my foam core board.

The top and bottom dimensions are the length of the box. The left and right dimensions are the depth of the box and the notches that are cut out of each corner are the dimensions of the box height.

A sketch of the dimensions of DIY storage boxes

I find it’s best to use a sharp X-acto utility knife and ruler to cut the foam core.

Scoring the sides of the foam core

3. Score the edges of the foam core

Next, with the BACK of your X-acto blade, score the bottom edges of your foam core board. To score the board means you are creating a light notch in it so that it folds easily, but you are not cutting all the way through it.

Folding the sides of the DIY storage boxes

This will allow you to fold the sides up without ruining the board. I use the BACK of the X-acto blade because this is still sharp enough to make a mark but not too sharp to cut through the board.

Gluing the boxes together

4. Fold the edges of your board

Now fold up the edges of your box and tape the corners together with the white duck tape. You can wrap it onto the inside for a little extra support.

Attaching decorative paper to the outside of the DIY storage boxes

5. Decorate your DIY Storage Boxes

I used this specialty paper from Paper Source. It’s slightly heavier than regular wrapping paper and it’s just so, so pretty.

I’ve been working with self-adhesive contact paper lately and I think that would be a good option too.

If you’re using paper without an adhesive on it, you’ll just need to trim pieces to the size of your box sides and attach them with the spray adhesive. I cut my sheets slightly larger than the sides of my box so that I could wrap them around the sides a bit and into the inside to give the boxes a more finished look. Don’t worry too much about the corners, we’ll be addressing that in the next step.

Adding Duck tape to the corners of DIY storage boxes

6. Add Duck Tape to the corners

After your box is covered, add a strip of your decorative duck tape to the corners. Originally, I used washi tape but it was too thin and didn’t adhere as well. Ideally you’ll want your duck tape to go vertically so that it’s centered on the corners. This adds a nice finishing touch and keeps the decorative paper in place. You can extend the tape around to the insides too.

2 completed DIY storage boxes made out of foam core

Now you have your own custom-made storage boxes that are also very pretty. I use mine to hold artwork and supplies in my office and they’ve held up really well.

Pretty floral storage boxes made out of foam core inside open shelves

This is a great solution when you can’t find that perfect piece in the store. Or if you just want to custom make your own to add a unique touch to your home.

Don’t miss our post on Kitchen Organizing Ideas with Photo Boxes if you’re looking for ways to organize your new boxes.

How to make pretty DIY storage boxes for your home office

I hope you enjoyed this post and be sure to check out these following related posts for additional storage and decorating ideas.

wood-crate-rolling-cart

Wood Crate Rolling Cart

upcycled-desk-organizer

Upcycled Desk Organizer

nautical-bathroom

Nautical Bath Makeover

What’s Next?

While you’re here, be sure to check out other cleaning and organizing projects on Ideas for the Home by Kenarry® –

  • DIY Mason Jar Pencil Holder
  • DIY Jewelry Box: Turn A Book Into A Jewelry Box
  • DIY Jewelry Organizer: 16 Brilliant Storage Ideas

Updated March 2020.

  • Share
  • Tweet

Cleaning and Organizing Ideas· Home Decor Ideas

About Lori Greco

Lori is a freelance graphic designer living in the Boston area with her husband, their three kids and a yellow lab puppy. She started Greco Design Company in 2014 when she realized that her love for design was extending beyond the corporate advertising world and into all areas of her life. She shows us some unique but simple DIY projects, gives some great ideas for home design, provides her outlook on current fashion trends, and loves to do beauty and product reviews. She incorporates her graphic design background through her free printables, paintings, signs, art prints, invitations and stationery on her blog and in her Etsy shop. Lori believes in the importance of surrounding ourselves with good, purposeful design that can help streamline our lives and still be affordable. Her tutorials are easy to follow as she shows how you can make anything you set your mind to!

Lori shared her great ideas on Ideas for the Home by Kenarry® from June 2015 - September 2019. Follow Lori on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and Instagram.

In this ultimate guide, you'll learn how to make a burlap wreath with ribbon for your home. The FREE eBook includes easy step-by-step instructions plus inspiring craft and decor ideas to make wreaths for fall, Christmas, Easter and other holidays.

Subscribe today to get ideas in your inbox plus FREE exclusives only for Idea Insiders!

Almost there! Now just check your email to confirm your e-mail address and get your free eBook.

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

You're already signed up! YAY! As an Idea Insider you have instant access to our Kenarry Idea Insider Resource Library with exclusive printables, offers and other freebies as soon as you confirm your subscription.
Previous Post: « Holiday Home Decor Signs and Free Printable Gift
Next Post: Easy DIY Holiday Banner for Your Mantel »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Amy Tang says

    March 22, 2017 at 4:56 am

    This is really amazing and looks perfect. Many thanks for sharing all the details.

    Reply
    • Carrie says

      March 23, 2017 at 9:47 pm

      You’re so welcome, Amy!

      Reply
  2. JB says

    August 22, 2017 at 9:34 pm

    Amazing storage boxes and very detailed instruction on how to make it. Often times I also create storage boxes using recyclable materials at home.

    Reply
    • Carrie says

      August 23, 2017 at 2:35 pm

      That’s a great idea to recycle materials you already have!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Welcome

Carrie Ypma from Ideas for the Home by Kenarry®Hello, I'm Carrie! I'd love to personally welcome you to Ideas for the Home by Kenarry® where we curate and share great ideas you can create at home. Whether you're cooking, crafting or creating for your family, you're bound to find inspiration. Please pour yourself some coffee and stay awhile. We're glad you're here! Read more...

Sign Up and Get a Free Gift

Subscribe to become an Idea Insider. You'll get our weekly newsletter plus special deals and other resources that are only for subscribers -- all for FREE!

Almost there! Now just check your email to confirm your e-mail address and get your free eBook.

There was an error submitting your subscription. Please try again.

You're already signed up! YAY! As an Idea Insider you have instant access to our Kenarry Idea Insider Resource Library with exclusive printables, offers and other freebies as soon as you confirm your subscription.
In this ultimate guide, you'll learn how to make a burlap wreath with ribbon for your home. The FREE eBook includes easy step-by-step instructions plus inspiring craft and decor ideas to make wreaths for fall, Christmas, Easter and other holidays.
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
  • Shop Our Products
  • My Account
  • Cart

Footer

Disclosure: Posts may include affiliate links for your convenience. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. All opinions are our own. You are reading and following advice from Kenarry, LLC at your own risk. Always use safety precautions. You should read and follow manufacturer’s directions for the products and tools you use. Read more.

 

Privacy Policy: The privacy of your personal information is important. We make every effort to safeguard your information and will never sell it to third parties. Read more.

Terms of Use: You are welcome to link to this site or use a single image and brief description to link back to any post. Republishing posts in their entirety is prohibited without permission. All images are property of Kenarry, LLC. Do not crop or remove watermark. Do not reproduce without link back or permission. If you do link to this site, please contact us to let us know. All free printables offered are for personal use only. Pinning is always welcome and appreciated. Thank you!

As it relates to comments and content posted on this blog by those other than the owners, any such content that contains the copyrighted and/or proprietary work of others is expressly prohibited and will be removed. Repeated posting of such content by the same user may result in that user being banned from this site.

Copyright © 2020 Kenarry LLC � Powered by Captivating Theme on Genesis Framework � WordPress � Log in