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3 Ways to Upcycle Cardboard Boxes for Storage

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What’s better than recycling? Reusing! I’m sharing 3 ways to reuse and upcycle cardboard boxes and use them as functional storage around your home. There are so many creative things you can do with a cardboard box, check out these 3 fun ideas and tell me what you have created in the comments!

3 ways to upcycle a cardboard box

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Online shopping has created a plethora of boxes in my home. I love the convenience but the packaging is just too much sometimes. Amazon has been doing a great job of being responsible by grouping shipments and pairing down excessive packaging.

I still have a lot of boxes, but I try and save and reuse them as much as I can. Here are 3 ways I have used boxes of various sizes in my home. Be sure to watch the video for all the details and to see the techniques I used for each box.

Paper Covered Shoe Box

paper box supplies

A shoe box can be used for all kinds of storage, without any alteration! But to help a basic box blend in with my decor I needed to update it just a bit.

I used scrapbook paper and Mod Podge to add some color to this box. Just cut the paper to size then use Mod Podge to adhere the pieces around the box. Adding a top coat will keep this box looking good when it’s in use.

My daughter is using this colorful cardboard box to hold her camera and film in the playroom.

cardboard box with paper and mod podge

Rope Box

rope box supplies

A small cardboard box with the flaps cut off makes a convenient place to keep pens and paper. I used jute and hot glue to cover this box and turn it into a basket.

Upcycle cardboard boxes of any size using this technique! You can store large blankets or small office supplies like I am. This box adds a natural look to my office and functions well by holding a few essentials.

rope on cardboard box

Fabric covered box with handles

fabric box supplies

A larger box is ideal for corralling kids stuffed animals and toys. This box sits in my daughter’s room and holds her special animals next to her bed. Instead of using the box as is I added some fun fabric and rope handles.

Using my go to spray adhesive I wrapped fabric around this box. I punched holes in each side and threaded rope through to create handles on the box.

fabric covered cardboard box with handles

These methods to upcycle cardboard boxes are easy and don’t require many special tools or supplies. I used extra fabric, rope and paper from my craft room to dress up plain boxes and create functional storage.

I hope this post answered the question: How to upcycle a cardboard box?

Want to try these techniques? Pin this now and be sure to share it.

Upcycle a cardboard box

Which method do you want to try? LEt me know in the comments, and tell me what you have upcycled and turned into storage in your home.

Thanks for visiting!

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Phi!icity

Saturday 21st of March 2020

Excellent, I need ideas for Photo Albums/Scrap books, files and memoims

Linda Krenz

Tuesday 25th of February 2020

I love this idea! It's great to re-use boxes because we are always looking for more storage.

faith bremmer

Saturday 21st of March 2020

wow I love this idea

Duffy A Grove

Saturday 21st of March 2020

My favorite is the jute covered box.......just an idea.......you could use the flaps to make boxes more rigid by gluing them to the sides.

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