Fabric-Covered Diaper Box: Cute, Easy Storage

I saw this idea floating around the Internet recently, and 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.  There are many tutorials floating around online, but of course I simplified the versions that I found 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.

Materials that I used for this project: Fabric; diaper box; box cutter; scissors; ruler; Elmer's Glue-All; glue gun; disappearing fabric ink pen; ribbon; and 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.


Here is what I did:

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.)

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.

Glue sides first, overlapping the ends of the box.

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. This 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.  Here is a link to tons of different types of fabric flower tutorials:  Tipnut.

This project creates a storage solution that is not only cute, but very practical.  Best part: It's so easy!  Especially if you use the short-cut method that I used.  You can customize these in so many ways and match them to whatever decor you want.  Use any color or pattern of fabric you'd like, with any type of ribbon or embellishments you choose.  There are so many possibilities!  And who doesn't need more storage?  You could use these for toys, nursery supplies, DVDs, books, puzzles, magazines, video games, craft supplies, etc.  These would look great as storage on a nursery changing table, or in cubbies or on book shelves.  And you don't have to use a diaper box.  Any box will do.  If you already have fabric lying around, then this project is basically free.  If not, then for just a yard or so of fabric (a little more if you want to do the inside too), it still costs way less than purchasing store-bought baskets or bins.  I will be making more of these very soon!

Check back tomorrow for a brand NEW Ask Five feature!  If you're an HGTV-junkie like me, you'll enjoy it.