DIY Upcycled Storage Box

cardboard box paint storage

This week, I got out my acrylic paints and the plastic bucket I keep them in broke right down the side. Paint tubes spilled out all over the floor. That was my inspiration for this week’s Make Something Monday’s craft project.  There’s a little bit of good in every situation, right?

Since I try to work on a lot of upcycled crafts, I had kept some cardboard shipping boxes from Christmas to reuse. I found one that would hold all of my paint and decided to turn it into a storage box. Now, I have to make a concerted effort to not buy any more paint because, as you can see, the box is pretty full (and I probably don’t need any more paint).

I’ve been trying to throw away less and reuse more and this is a great way to do it. I’m sure you have boxes stacked by the garbage to take out on trash day. Don’t do it! Get some decorative Duct Tape and turn them into pretty storage boxes.

upcycled storage box materials

DIY Storage Box Materials

  • Scissors
  • Duct Tape
  • Cardboard box

This might be the shortest materials list I’ve ever had for a craft.

Duct Tape decorated storage box

Step 1

Begin to layer the Duct Tape around the box in even strips.

Repeat until your box is covered OR move onto step 2.

decorative storage box

Step 2 (optional)

If you want, you can add a solid strip of Duct Tape to break up the design a bit.

upcycled box paint storage

Step 3

Pile in your stuff!

cardboard box paint storage

And you’re done!

I like this idea much more than throwing the boxes away. Do you know how much money people spend on storage boxes? Neither do I, but it’s too much. In my mind, the less crap I have the better. But I still have stuff that needs to be organized so I can find it. For that stuff, I use shoe boxes, shipping boxes, old jars and tins. That stuff is especially useful for storing my craft and art supplies.

So, next time you think about throwing away a cardboard box, take it to your closet instead, get some Duct Tape next time you’re out and beautify it. The tape is so great because there are so many designs, so many places to buy it and it lasts forever. I like to get my from hobby shops like Michael’s or Pat Catan’s, but you can get it at Home Depot, Lowe’s, Amazon, or somewhere else online. I believe they have a generic version at the Dollar Store, too.

Hope you all enjoyed! Happy crafting!

15 thoughts on “DIY Upcycled Storage Box

  1. Nice 🙂
    Everything in it’s place And a place for everything 😉
    I have gotten boxes from liqueur or hardware stores (they are stronger !) gotta get em before their compactor,,, I would never spend money on one.

  2. I love this!! I use like five boxes in different sizes to put things in or prop up by my bed… but I have like two that I put remotes, phone, iPod, and headphones in and they’re like skinny boxes but I’ve tried decorating them with sharpies, but you’re idea is so much better and creative!! I need to make a trip to Walmart soon! 😀

    • That’s awesome! It’s so easy to do it with boxes and jars. I don’t know why people spend money on those types of things. That circle patterned tape is Duct Tape brand so you should be able to find it anywhere. I like it too but it’s a little trippy if you stare at it for a while.

  3. Pingback: Craft Organization for Small Spaces | Make Something Mondays!

Leave a Reply

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