Fabric Covered Storage Boxes

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

For your convenience, there are affiliate links below. That means, at no additional cost to you, I may make a small commission on your purchase. Thank you so much for supporting MHB. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

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)

Spray Adhesive

Scissors

Rope for handles

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!