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DIY Ideas: Cute Storage Boxes

I knew I needed some cute boxes or bins for my living room.  My boys have a playroom but spend a lot of time in the living room.  Since the toys tend to end down here anyway, I needed some grown up cute ways to organize the toys.  I didn’t want kids decor in my living room anymore.  I’ve recently seen the big diaper boxes being turned into storage boxes over here and immediately knew I wanted the same idea.  However, I knew that my kids would immediately destroy cardboard and that I needed something sturdier.  I wanted wood.  Luckily the wood would be covered in fabric so I could go super cheap.

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I bought one sheet of  plywood for $6.50 and then cut it into the sizes I needed to make the boxes.

I made mine 12x18x12, I wanted them to be deep to fit under the TV table.

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I wanted to use the nail gun because the board I bought was thinner than I thought but since it was night time and the kids were sleeping, I used my drill and screws.  It took a little more patience but got the job done.  If you’re more patient than me I suggest using skinny nails.  The boxes done and ready for fabric.

I bought 3 Canvas Drop clothes at Home Depot. They were 5′x5′ and a perfect size.  I cut out squares of the corners, stopping a couple of inches from each corner.  Then I cut a slit into each corner.

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See I cut the slits that way so I could fold them over and the edges don’t show.  This was super easy especially with hot glue.  I did this with all for sides and each box.  I chose not to cut the extra canvas off and just staple it down on the inside of the box.

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All done and ready for decoration.

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I got some cute fabric on sale at Joann’s for $8 to trim the top of the boxes.

I ironed the edges back and then just eyed how far down I wanted it and glued.  I did fold it over into the box for a complete look.

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For me, I wasn’t going for perfection, I just wanted cute boxes and a cute look.  I eyed it and it worked out pretty well.  If you’re not good at this then you can measure from the top.

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Boxes with the fabric and ready for some extra cuteness!

(sorry for bad lighting, this is what happens when you’re up at 1-2am finishing crafts like me!)

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I printing some large numbers in a font I liked and cut them out to use as stencils.  I traced one number on the front of each box, then I painted them a blue turquoise color.  I just use a $1 acrylic paint I already had.

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Ta-Da! All done!

I absolutely LOVE the way these turned out.  Right now I’m still having to use them for toys, but hopefully soon I can put magazines or cute rolled up blankets in them!  This was a great, fast and cheap way to help organize my living room.

It cost me $33 in supplies.  I already had the hot glue, screws and paint.  Overall a great deal since you can’t but wooden custom boxes this big for $11 a piece anywhere!

Now they are really heavy, which I like so the kids don’t play with them.  But I like that they’re durable.

I may add handles to them eventually.

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Thanks so much for letting me share with you.  I hope you get inspired to organize your home!

Now to pick out an entertainment table design I like to build. Hmmmm, new project soon?

What have you done lately to help organize your home?

10 thoughts on “DIY Ideas: Cute Storage Boxes

  1. They turned out great! We just use a sturdy woven basket/box–one of the wire framed ones wrapped in rattan stuff. We shove it under the coffee table and pull int out when they want to play. It holds a lot and the rule is that if it doesn’t fit in the basket (and under the table!) it doesn’t stay downstairs. Works great!

  2. Love it! Exactly what I have been wanting to do… so glad I found you through Tattertots and Jello! Hope you stop by and say hi sometime. I am one of your new followers.

  3. Love the boxes! Just saw your link on Tip Me Tuesday and had to come over and tell you how cute they are! What a great idea to just use fabric to dress them up. I was going to pin it too but I see Meredith already did. Great job!

  4. Turned out great. Love the numbers.:) Would love to have you link this up to my {wow me} wednesday link up party going on right now over on my blog. 🙂 (New follower, cute blog!) 🙂

  5. Just popping over from I Heart Organising and just wanted to say how much I love your idea. It is hard to find boxes the right size and I’ve got a couple areas where I’d like to make some. This has given me the inspiration I needed. Thanks again so much.

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