12.30.2013

Make A Decorative Tray from a Cardboard Box

jewelry storage jewelry box do it yourself tray perfume bracelets

Oh my goodness.

Yep, going there. Checking in today with one of my favorite projects thus far for an end of the year project. A solution, per say, for all those cardboard boxes you are about to store away, or throw away. 

If you're like me, you might hate clutter and things that take up a lot of space up in your house.  And more often than not you throw away items (in this case: gift boxes) just so it's out of the way and is one less thing to store away for a year. Or, who knows, maybe you are a box hoarder? If you can spare one to make a pretty tray...here's a quick and inexpensive project for you!

Your supply list:
Cardboard box + another piece of cardboard to fit into the bottom of the box
Fabric (I got a yard of this awesome coral print from Hobby Lobby and used a 40% off coupon so this project cost me less than $5.00-if you already have fabric, then this project could be free!)
Hot glue gun
Scissors
What you do:

Find an empty cardboard box of the size you want for a tray. I just used an Express box we had on hand. I would try and use the sturdiest box you can find so that the sides of the tray stay put and that it's not very flimsy.

Add tape around the sides and corners for extra support... 


Cut another piece of cardboard to fit in the bottom of your tray. You want the finished piece to fit nicely inside the bottom of the tray. Cut a piece of fabric about 1/2" bigger on each side than the piece of cardboard you just cut and use your hot glue gun to fold and seal the fabric on the back:
 

For the fabric on the box, you just want to cut pieces of fabric that are long enough to go around all four sides of your box. Make sure it's wide enough and add a little extra room for the bottom of the tray:


Now all you have to do is hot glue the fabric all around the bottom of the box using that 1/2" seam allowance you allowed for. Fold the corners as you go around it and hot glue them. Then, your box will start looking a little bit more pretty...


Your last step is just popping the already finished piece into the bottom of the tray. Bam...you've got yourself a brand new tray to store anything you'd like!


These trays are so awesome because you can never have enough of them. You can literally store anything and everything on them. I wanted one for all my bracelets so that I could see and access all of them easily, but you can use this for perfume, watches, etc.

So if you're looking for an easy project and you have 10 minutes and $5.00 to spare, you too can have yourself a pretty tray. It's that easy, trust me.

And because I love me a good tray like I said above, you shouldn't be surprised that I have another tray tutorial using a shadow box picture frame if you're interested.

14 comments

  1. This is such a great idea! Love all your jewels too btw :) xoxo, Lindsay

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  2. Awesome idea!!! Just might head to Hobby Lobby on my lunch break to grab some pretty fabric to make one of these for myself!!! Love all your pretty bracelets too!!

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  3. Cute! now can I have all of your jewelry please & thanks?

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  4. Love this idea! A hobby lobby just opened by me I think this would be a good excuse/project to head over there for!

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  5. you blow my mind with your creativity! love it!

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  6. Cute idea, and so simple! What a great way to organize things around the house!

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  7. Such a cute idea, and I love all the jewels!

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  8. Cute Idea! It's so easy I think even I could do it - and that's saying something! P.S. Love the Daisy by Marc Jacobs spray :)

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  9. Love it! What a great idea! I think I need to make a few these for things around my house...

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  10. This is genius!! Love the fabric too! I want one!!! And look at all those fab bracelets!! Want to share your loot? :) Happy New Year, sweet friend!!! xoxo

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  11. This is SUCH a cute idea! I'd almost like to make one for my BFF because I have little to no jewelry and she's got more than she knows what to do with-- unless you want to send me some of yours, take me shopping, style me, and accessorize me!

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  12. This is brilliant!! I will have to make a few of these.

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  13. This is so creative! I can't wait to try this! I may get a bit carried away and make a bunch ;)

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  14. I made one of these today and it turned out so great!!! Thanks for the idea. I want to make a hundred of them now lol!

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