Thanks to Two Men and A Truck for sponsoring this project. My love and opinions for zero dollar decorating and awesome upcycling projects are 100% my own!
One thing about moving a lot is that we always have tons of boxes. Boxes of thing we have to store. Boxes of things we need to donate. Empty boxes we need to get rid of. I’ve been using old bankers boxes we had left over from a move to store some of my craft stash in my office. The problem is bankers boxes aren’t really pretty and I was craving something more appealing to the eye. Storage baskets aren’t cheap and the bankers boxes are the perfect size so I figured why not style em’ up a bit.
One thing about moving a lot is that we always have tons of boxes. Boxes of thing we have to store. Boxes of things we need to donate. Empty boxes we need to get rid of. I’ve been using old bankers boxes we had left over from a move to store some of my craft stash in my office. The problem is bankers boxes aren’t really pretty and I was craving something more appealing to the eye. Storage baskets aren’t cheap and the bankers boxes are the perfect size so I figured why not style em’ up a bit.
I took these plain ol’ bankers boxes and covered them in pretty fabric to create super stylish storage for my office. Let me show you how I did it.
Supply List
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Bankers Box (or any old cardboard box you have on hand)
Fabric – Something with a good weight to it is ideal (approximately 1 yard per box for a box + lid)
Scissors
Tutorial
This is a super easy project but there are multiple angles you can use to approach this. This is just one way and it worked best for me because I wanted all of my fabric to be going the same direction on the boxes.
Measure your box all the way around. You need the length of all 4 sides added together. Also, measure the height and add 1/2 inch. Cut one piece of fabric that size. For example, my box was approximately 32 inches in length and 10 1/2 inches tall. This piece will wrap around the perimeter of the box. Measure the length and width of the bottom of the box, then add 1/2 inch to both the length and width. That will be the size you need to cut for the bottom. Having that extra 1/2 inch will all you to fold the edges under for a more finished look.
Using a spray adhesive, glue the fabric to the outside sides of the box. Be sure to pull it taut while also smoothing out any wrinkles as you go around.
Spray and pull taut, each side of the box until you reach the final edge. When you get to the final edge, fold under any edge for a clean finish.
The extra 1/2 inch you have, fold over to the inside of the box and secure with spray adhesive. Fold over at the corners (like wrapping a gift) to get clean corners.
Do the same at the bottom. Then, take your bottom piece, with edges folded under and glue it to the bottom of the box using the spray adhesive. To be sure you get nice finished edges, fold under 1/4 inch on each side and iron seam. 
Handles are a fun addition. I used sisal rope because I had it on hand. Simply, poke two even holes in your cardboard and string through your rope, tying it in a knot on the inside.
For the top, lay the box lid out on your fabric like pictured above. Cut around the lid with about a two inch margin. Then, cut out corners (along the dotted lines), for easier folding/finishing edges. Then secure fabric on the box lid with spray adhesive on the top and the inside of the edges.
Simple as that! Best part? This is a zero dollar decorating project! I had everything on hand! Bonus, bonus? Really stylish storage boxes! Winning!
Great project Chelsea! I have emptied out a few of these boxes recently, never thought of repurposing them! Looks like great craft room storage!
It is perfect craft room storage! Thanks for popping in!
How fun is this. Great tutorial too. Love it.
Thanks Marty:)
Great idea, I love the fabric storage boxes. Very pretty!
Thank you so much, Terri 🙂
I love this idea! We always have tons of bankers boxes. For some reason growing up my parents used these for all storage needs and now all of my stuff from home is in these boxes. I never thought about making them prettier, and because of that, being able to keep them out where people can see them.
Thanks for sharing this!
>> Christene @ Keys to Inspiration
I’m glad you like them, Christene! If you have any cardboard projects be sure to enter them in the The Great Cardboard Craft Off going on now!
Have you ever considered selling these? I’m terrible with fabric, but I would LOVE to purchase some of these from you, if possible.
Ah, Anne! If only I had the time. I assure you it’s an EASY project. Give it a shot 🙂
I’ve been thinking about this post lately! I’m using the exact same boxes to store kid clothes and am considering doing a similar makeover rather than look for new boxes. How have they held up?!?
Megan, they are actually great! I use them in my office to store fabric and yarn and they are fab!
I’ve been dying for a tutorial for how to cover my shoe boxes that I store things in in my closet. This is perfect! Thank you so much for being so detailed!
actually sign petition for fuck, that 1000+ signatures are all non-qualify voter such as ah boy and ah girl who are easlly shaken by the opposition untrue packaging story. benn phua is one of them lor not cannot blame him, bcoz his lan cheow not develop yet.
Chelsea, I just love what you have done to those storage boxes. This is one great idea that I will be attempting. Great idea for tiny living. Love and hugs, Sherie
Hi Chelsea, So wonderful idea! Great!