Matching Storage Boxes with Book Pages

You don't have to spend lots of money to get pretty and practical craft room storage boxes. Just use the containers you already have and cover them with old book pages.

That's what I do!

I painted this tall ice cream carton with white craft paint to cover up the bright design. Once it was dry  I brushed Dollar Store school glue over each section and laid down pages torn from a throw away book. In this case, an old paperback. The older books have nice golden hued pages that look great overlapped like this.

I smoothed the pages down with the same stiff brush dipped in more school glue. Let it dry thoroughly.

Then you can seal the box with spray acrylic or a layer of Mod Podge in whatever sheen you choose. I especially like their gloss hard coat for finished projects.

I add chalkboard labels so I can list what's inside my boxes.

I use a mix of lots of different kinds of containers in my studio and also use loads of book pages, Dollar Store contact paper and Mod Podged tissue or gift wrap on my storage. Even plastic coffee containers look good with a bit of contact paper and a new label! I like how all the designs blend with my jars full of supplies.

Here are bankers boxes we used for our move which I have covered and prettied up for my craft room. Now I just need to add labels and fill them up!

Once you start recycling containers with book pages and other papers, you will save money and have a neat and practical way to store your stuff.

I call that a win win!

Easy Matching Storage Boxes with Book Pages

For the shelf above my desk I've been using a whole row of black wire baskets, which look good when they're empty but when they are full to overflowing they just look messy and unkempt. I didn't want to buy/waste money on new matching desk boxes. Hmmmm. The little cubby shelf I restyled with book pages and wrapping paper came out like this...

I love the way it looks now! Stylish and vintage at the same time! So I decided to make matching storage boxes for my shelf and here's how their new look...

I like how the Mod Podge medium actually darkens the edges of the pages, giving them a golden hue. And notice the red edge to the pages? Gotta love that. Here's what I did....

I picked out some good sturdy boxes in various sizes, including a round box that looked like an old ice cream carton. First I glued the pages on then finished with a layer of Mod Podge and matte spray sealer. Easy peasy and CHEAP too.

There is no set plan to this project, altho when my daughter, Insanely Creative Christy, decoupages with book pages she uses smaller, neater, well trimmed pieces applied in nice designs. Me? Not so much, lol!

I used a silver pencil to give the label frames a pewter looking finish then used chalkboard paint on the labels so I could change them up.

I'm still thinking about adding gold or copper brads to the labels to give them a vintage hardware look. But I like the way these boxes turned out and the cost was mere pennies.

Here they are on the shelf above my desk, and you can see how well they go with the little book page cubby shelf and even my burlap ruffled bulletin boards. So for a bit of effort and creativity but not alot of money, I'm getting a desk/office makeover that is making me very happy.

And if I'm happy at my desk I'll blog more, take more photos and be more creative, right? That's my story and I'm stickin' to it!

I took this idea one step further and totally redid my craft room with book pages and assorted boxes. Let's hear a cheer for cheap, easy, stylish and pretty craft storage!

And THIS room makes me very happy! Win win!