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!
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.
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!
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Here are the instructions if you want – or need – to make your own.
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
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. Ths is slightly smaller than the dresser openings.
Step 1 – You’ll need to 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.
I find it’s best to use a sharp X-acto utility knife and ruler to cut the foam core.
Step 2 – 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.
This will allow for you to fold the sides up with out 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.
Step 3 – 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.
Step 4 – Now that your box is constructed, you’ll need to decorate it. Again, 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 with the spray adhesive. I cut my sheets slightly larger that 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.
Step 5 – 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.
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.
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.
I hope you enjoyed this post and be sure to check out these following related posts for additional storage and decorating ideas.
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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!
This is really amazing and looks perfect. Many thanks for sharing all the details.
You’re so welcome, Amy!
Amazing storage boxes and very detailed instruction on how to make it. Often times I also create storage boxes using recyclable materials at home.
That’s a great idea to recycle materials you already have!