Pinterest freaks, you’re in a for a real treat today. We have a great DIY home decor tutorial from Brittany, who blogs at Mommy Words and Tip Top Nest. She is here to show you an amazingly easy way to take old cereal boxes and convert them into stylish storage items!
I have magazines, coloring books, kids school papers, medical forms and other paper all over my house. I found a way to organize almost anything by making my own storage from cereal boxes. Now, for just a few bucks and about an hour, I can store all those papers and more using empty cereal boxes and some fun paper.
Supplies you will need:
Large Cereal Boxes (I used the 1 pound boxes)
Scissors
Mod Podge for paper. I used matte finish.
Paint brush
Adorable paper. I used scrapbook paper but you could use wrapping paper or any other great looking paper you might have. You will need 3 sheets of 12×12 scrapbook paper. You can either choose 3 sheets of the same or choose a different pattern for your spine. I have shown examples of both. I think the contrasting papers look great.
I like to purchase the paper packs at Michael’s or Hobby Lobby and use the always present 40% off coupon (you can use your phone and they scan it). With the packs you will have a whole set of coordinating papers and can make a great set of magazine holders for a shelf that are not identical. Just one tip here – darker colors work better for hiding the cereal box. On my box with the white background I can see some of the cereal box if I look closely.
Packing Tape (optional)
Instructions:
Essentially this is all just a little cutting, gluing and folding. It is cheap and easy and the kids can help too. Who doesn’t love cutting and glue?
Cut the top flaps off your box.
I like to use packing tape on the bottom seam just to be safe, but I have done without and never had problems. Now trace the shape you want for your magazine folder. You can use a magazine holder you already have as a template or easily just draw a line. Here is the guideline. You want at least 5 inches at the bottom and 3 inches at the top to hold your magazines securely. Your total height should be at least 11 inches. You can use a curved shape as shown below or a straight edge. For a straight edge simply start at you height and draw a line across at least 3 inches. Then make a mark up at least 5 inches from the bottom. Use a straight edge and connect the two lines. Easy! The paper will be able to fold over either shape, but the straight box is a little easier.
Mod Podge.
Once you have your basic shape, paint a layer of Mod Podge on the box and lay your paper on top of the glue. When using 12×12 scrapbook paper, I lay the paper on the box and smooth the surface with my hand. I find I get the smoothest surface from laying the box down and smoothing from the inside and pressing down. Mod Podge has a little give at first so you will be able to move the paper around before the glue sets. I glue the entire page down, let it set and then cut my border. You want to leave enough on the shorter end so that when you do the other side the pieces will meet. On the long side you will have space. That’s fine. You can see in the picture below that I have left about 1/4 inch on the diagonal and top but a little more than an inch on the short side.
Adjust the Corners
To fold the corners simply use your scissors to cut a slit right at the corner and fold both pieces in. Mod Podge all the edges as you fold them in. I don’t worry about the entire inside but I do want a nice folded over edge. For the curved edge, I needed a slit right at the center of the curve to make the paper lay flat. Wherever you need a little cut, go for it. It will still look great. Once you have the first side just do it again on the other side. You can see that the long side has an empty strip and the short side is complete. Mod Podge all the seams and they will dry completely clear.
Complete the box side.
Measure your box side and choose the width of your strip. Cut the strip and Mod Podge it on, folding over at the top and bottom. It looks best to have a strip that is smaller than the total width so that your corners are totally smooth. As long as you have a simple pattern or are using a different pattern for your strip, this will look really nice. Cover your entire magazine holder with another layer of Mod Podge. It is not only a glue but a sealer. It will look a little lumpy at first, but it should not dry this way. When your magazine holder is dry it will be smooth and ready for your magazines and, in my case, dozens of coloring books!
Once you have this easy project done, you will be saving all those boxes and containers like I do. My son got a cowboy themed treasure bin (to store things on his bookshelf) from a fruit snack package and I made a kitchen bin to store chargers and other stuff. I have dozens of bins made from grocery containers that are super cute and very cheap. The best part is you can get whatever look you want!
I hope you like these as much as we do and find lots of new uses for old boxes!
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About the Author
Brittany loves nothing more than being mom to her 3 kids 5 and under, but any crafty or home project run a very close second. She blogs about motherhood and crafty stuff at Mommy Words and recently started Tip Top Nest to share her love of homes and help you get your place in tip top shape with maintenance and design tutorials. When the kids are asleep and the projects put away, you can find her chatting it up on Twitter or being inspired on Pinterest.
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What a novel idea!
Natalie@FourJedis recently posted..Spring Fashion Wish-list
Twitter: BrittanyVandy
says:
It is so super simple and now we get beautiful boxes everywhere!
Brittany recently posted..How to Protect Your Family from Carbon Monoxide
This is such a fun way to upcycle boxes.
JDaniel4′s Mom recently posted..Read.Explore.Learn.- red sled Fun
Twitter: BrittanyVandy
says:
Yes and not spend a lot of money on plastic containers
Win-win.
Brittany recently posted..How to Protect Your Family from Carbon Monoxide
Twitter: LifeandKidsBlog
says:
Such a great tip! Pinned this to the Mod Podge rocks board!
Anna recently posted..My Big Fat (Hairy) Greek Neighbors?
Twitter: BrittanyVandy
says:
Oh Mod Podge – it rocks so many days of my life. Love it!
Brittany recently posted..Working With a Staircase Nook
Twitter: clairity2
says:
This is such a brilliant idea. Thanks for sharing.
Clairity @Hip2bMom recently posted..There’s something about books
Such a great idea…and they turnout wonderful….so pretty.
Leslie recently posted..Planning a Tea Party – My Table Setting
Twitter: BrittanyVandy
says:
Thank you Leslie!
Brittany recently posted..How to Protect Your Family from Carbon Monoxide
Great idea. This is something I think I could actually do!!
mom said recently posted..New Awareness – Essential Oils Lavender
This is great to see. I will try this out. I was needing boxes to put old photos in. Thanks.
Kristi Bernard recently posted..Peeny Butter Fudge by Toni Morrison & Slade Morrison
Twitter: kg_photography
says:
I love this idea! I have three cereal boxes waiting to go out to recycling – now I have something clever to do with them. I’m in the process of decorating my home office and this will be a nice addition.
Thanks!
Kimberly Gauthier Photography & Photography Blog recently posted..Simple Wedding Photography | An Introduction to Wedding Photography
Twitter: kenziegreeneyes
says:
This is so completely awesome!
Holly Mackenzie Cupp recently posted..Valentines Day 2012
Ohhh I love your scrapbook paper selections!!! I did one too a few months ago…with a huge fruit snack box…LOVE it!
http://mejiamamma.blogspot.com/2011/11/prepping-calistas-craft-corner.html
Mejia Mamma recently posted..DIY: Envelope Pillow Case Tutorial
Twitter: BrittanyVandy
says:
Scrapbook paper is amazing isn’t it? You could find it to match any decor. And that cowboy box – underneath is a huge fruit snack box!
Brittany recently posted..Vintage Sheet Music Art {Tutorial}
Twitter: TheWineabe
says:
Wow! Great Idea!! I so wish I would have seen this 3 weeks ago…before I went out and bought magazine holders! Ok, next time I’m so doing this. Beautiful and fun!
Thanks for sharing!
Suzanne @The Wine{a}be recently posted..A Valentine’s Poem…
Twitter: BrittanyVandy
says:
Thanks Suzanne! I’ve got a lot more of these…what about drawer dividers? Small boxes would be great for socks and undies and bras and all that stuff
Brittany recently posted..How to Protect Your Family from Carbon Monoxide
Twitter: TheWineabe
says:
Oohh…yes…great ideas!! Thanks!!
Suzanne @The Wine{a}be recently posted..A Valentine’s Poem…
Twitter: beloveltyblog
says:
What a great idea!! Those are so cute CHEAP!
xx Madison
http://www.belovelty.com
Madison recently posted..How To :: Classic Beauty
I saw something like this on pinterest, very cool!
Stephanie recently posted..She’s Dropping
holy moly, what a great idea! I’m definitely going to try this out! Thank you for sharing!
Sara recently posted..Whimsical nursery mobile
What a clever and cute idea!!
Twitter: risacookiej
says:
Nice! Wow! Your directions are as organized as your organizers! Great Job!!!!
risa cookie j recently posted..Get Your Vibe ON!!!!!!!
Happy Saturday, SITStahs! Drop by my blog today for some Saturday Silliness..guaranteed to make you smile!
Eva Gallant recently posted..Friday Fiction: Welcome to Country Connections, Chapter
Twitter: Seemomwork
says:
Wow! The best idea I’ve seen! This will save lots of $ and stress with paper clutter.
Can’t wait to get started!
Elle
Twitter: greenearthbazar
says:
Such a good idea! I love that you’ve upcycled old cereal boxes instead of tossing them into the garbage. Thanks!
Peace.
Michelle recently posted..There’s Something in My Car and it Stinks!
Twitter: TheMommyMess
says:
Love, love love!!!
Adrienne recently posted.."Fishers of Men" Bible Craft
Twitter: jmroubinek
says:
Hey Brittany! Great tutorial!! Glad to see you on SITS!!
Jamie @ Roubinek Reality recently posted..InstaFriday
Twitter: MyPixieBlog
says:
Pinning this right now. What a great idea!
Charlotte recently posted..The Ivy League of Dating
ohhh I love this! I’m doing this! thanks for sharing!
Victoria Hamel recently posted..Catching Pre-Spring Fever!
Twitter: brookeleiberman
says:
this is so simple and so useful! I also blog about upcycle decor and crafts, love this and I am following you now!
Twitter: Thoughts_n_Such
says:
This is such a GREAT idea! I will be making magazine holders in a few days. I collect a few magazine subscriptions, and now I know what I can do with them. Thank You!
Angela recently posted..Children & Bullying
Twitter: BoonieSooze
says:
This is very clever, and it really looks great! I saw Martha Stewart’s very expensive line of home office organization items, and she had items LIKE this, but if you made these yourself, you’d have the option to choose an adorable paper pattern that goes better with your own home decor than what Martha offers.
Susan in the Boonies recently posted..Reverse Bucket List (or the Top Ten Things I Never Want To Do Again)
How cute! I never would have thought to do that!!
Mollie recently posted..Little Mermaid Cake
Twitter: teacher_viviene
says:
This is wonderful!! I love the idea =D
viviene @ thejourneyofawoman recently posted..Night of Dancing and Singing…
This is a very clever way to re use the boxes…
Sharm’s Outlet recently posted..Do I believe in Fairy Tales…
Twitter: elanalyn
says:
Wow! I have to make those! Thank you so much for sharing!!
The Preppy Post Grad recently posted..Currently Coveting: Kate Spade’s Sailor’s Knot Collection
Twitter: fiftycoop
says:
Maybe I can do this if I have kids one day.Creative.
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Kristine Scott-The Fifty Co-Op recently posted..University of Houston Small Business Development Center-Workshops and Online Trainings
Twitter: 3Quarters2day
says:
I sooooo need to do this and take over my kitchen counter again. I can see not only magazine holders, but round containers for pens, keys, misc stuff that just “appear” It would look so much nicer.
Dawn recently posted..#9/52: Shamrock Shake, It’s That Time of Year
Twitter: charityhitt
says:
This is AMAZING! The ultimate upcycle
Thank you so much for sharing I can’t wait to try this.
Charity Hitt recently posted..The Cake Mix Remix: Part 3 Easter Egg Cake Pops
Hello:) I absoulutly loved your step by step guide on how to achieve these gorgeous magazine holders! I am creating a Youtube channel soon. It’s based on D.I.Y and I would very much like to use your step by step guide on how to achieve making these. Would that be okay with you? I thought I should ask first xx.
I LOVE THIS IDEA!!!!! OMG, and I have everything I need already!!! Wow, thanks!!
Sadi recently posted..The Picture Wall
Original idea! The results are great =)
Ana recently posted..How to make a (oh so adorable) strawberry dress
Original idea! The results are great =D
Ana recently posted..How to make a (oh so adorable) strawberry dress
What a cool idea, and looks amazing! Would love to get my house organised and these type of storage ideas are just perfect, thanks
Jenny recently posted..The Art of Filling your Christmas Stockings – The Elf Way
Twitter: jugglingactmama
says:
What an awesome idea – I’m loving this!! I pinned it and can’t wait to finish some cereal so I can give it a try, lol!
ang recently posted..VGo is Breaking Boundaries
Love this idea as well, what works best for me is a large kitty litter box, I have a cat so I buy the large 28+ lb box and once I use the kitty litter, I repurpose the box by making the paper storage box and is the perfect size for magazines or 12×12 paper. If you would like for me to send you pics, post a reply to this comment with your email. If you don’t have a cat, you can always donate the kitty litter to a local pet shelter and reuse the box. The kitty litter box also has a handle on it, so it comes in VERY “handy”!