I’ve seen this idea floating around online for years and I’ve always thought it was totally ingenious. What does every mom of young children need? More storage. And what does every mom of young children have plenty of? Diaper boxes! Why not save money and minimize waste by turning those boxes into cute storage?
I love this idea and I plan on making several more. I simplified the versions that I’ve seen in the past and used a quick no-sew “doesn’t-have-to-be-perfect” method.
I didn’t line mine since this is just going in the basement for books and puzzles, but you certainly could line it if you want the inside to look as cute as the outside. You could also use any type of box for this, but since diaper boxes are plentiful for moms of young kids, that’s what I used.
Fabric-Covered Diaper Box Tutorial
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- Fabric
- Diaper box
- Box cutter
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Elmer’s Glue-All
- Glue gun
- Disappearing fabric ink pen
- Ribbon
- Buttons (optional)
If the sewing machine is your friend, here is a great tutorial for lined boxes: Positively Splendid. I actually used this for the cutting/measuring technique, and then just glued everything instead of sewing.
If you’re more like me and you prefer the “no-sew” method for virtually everything, then here’s a tutorial for you that shows an easy way to make the inside of the box look cute too: A Girl and a Glue Gun.
Step 1
First, I cut the flaps off of the box with a box cutter. Then, I laid the fabric out upside down on the floor, placing my box in the center.
I used a disappearing fabric ink pen to mark 2-inch long diagonal lines coming out from the corners. Then I used my measuring tape as a guide and marked perpendicular lines from the corner of my diagonal line to the end of the fabric.
This created squares in the corners which I cut out. This reduces bulkiness and prevents bunching in the corners. I then cut along my diagonal line, creating a slit at each corner. (See tutorial links above for more photos of each step.)
Step 2
I folded the long sides up first, gluing them to the sides of the box and smoothing the fabric out with my hands. I wrapped the “flaps” around so they overlapped the short sides, gluing them down.
After my long sides were glued on, I then started on the ends of the box (aka short sides). First, I folded the sides of the fabric in about an inch or so and glued them down, creating a hem.
Then I applied glue to the end of the box and folded the fabric up and over, gluing it to the inside also and smoothing it out as I went.
Step 3
After all of my fabric was glued onto the box, I then used my glue gun to attach the ribbon.
I applied glue to the end of the ribbon, adhering it to the box. Then I wrapped the ribbon around the box, folding the other end in about a half-inch and gluing it to itself, then glued it to the box. T
his creates a cleaner look and prevents frayed ends from showing. (Or, just place the fabric flowers over the point where the ribbon ends meet.) I made fabric flowers which I also attached with my glue gun, and I glued buttons to the center of a few of the flowers.
Will you be making some of these? What would you use it for?
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Tanya from Dans le Townhouse says
Such a genius idea! I have to try this.
So much inspiration here – your blog is lovely. I came over from AT (congrats on the nomination!). I was nominated too, so I’ve been perusing crafty blogs I had yet to discover. I’m a bit of a DIY fanatic myself. Your blog is gorgeous and I am heading back to AT to vote for you (I love that we can vote so many times, for different blogs). I’ll be vote #9 – yay!!
Erin Spain says
Thanks so much for the kind words and the vote! I will check your blog out, and congrats on your nomination also! I’ll head over and give you a vote too!
leanncox says
So stinkin’ cute!!! You and I are destined to be BFF’s!
LeAnn @ This Southern Girl
Erin Spain says
Thanks LeAnn!
Home and Garden Blog says
It’s the simple ideas that are the best. Will definitely be giving this a go.
Erin Spain says
Thank you! Glad you like it!
marykaytiffany says
I am so excited to try this for the playroom/family room in our new house! We have a TV unit that has open shelving, but the shelves are too big for store bought baskets…I have a ton of paper boxes that I plan to use and do this to, which I’ll use to keep toys hidden and still look pretty! FOR CHEAP!
Thanks!
Erin Spain says
This would work great on open shelving! Glad you like the idea!
Mandy says
I’ve used the free USPS priority boxes for this type thing too! 🙂
Erin @ DIY on the Cheap says
Great idea!
Rissa Glick says
I hope you used the ones that had been already mailed. The boxes are not really free. They are intended to be used for mailing through the US Postal Service.
Maria says
Wonderful idea! I have two-year-old daughter and I have a lot of diaper boxes at home. Now I know what can I do with them. I needed boxes where I could put her toys so this is amazing idea! Regards!
rita says
This is really a fabulous idea .. I just wanted to know what kind of fabric have you used and from where can I buy it ?
Erin @ DIY on the Cheap says
Thank you! I used upholstery weight fabric. I got this a few years ago, I think it came from Hobby Lobby.
Tracy says
How much fabric did you use? I’ve seen anywhere from 1-3 yards. I’ve got diaper boxes coming out my ears lol.
Erin Spain says
I used a yard of fabric and this is a small diaper box. I would use a couple of yards if you are using an extra large box. I didn’t line the inside though, so if you want the inside lined too then maybe a yard and a half would suffice.