One of my best friends convinved me to try it with her, and y’all, this wasn’t beginners’ yoga. This was “let’s take our legs and throw them around our neck like a scarf” kind of yoga with heaters running full blast in a tiny mat-covered room.
I wanted to die. And I kid you not, I passed out. Ha! So embarassing. I was so zen that I was basically unconscious on the floor. But I’ve been told by so many that I should try it again…maybe with better hydrating beforehand.
I used to be the same way with organizing. I’d stand in front of a crammed closet, feeling so overwhelmed that I’d completely shut down halfway through. It’s frustrating trying to break my pack rat ways. Until I figured out how to use my pack-ratness to actually get organized. How’s that for irony?
There are those wonderfully organized people out there who will happily drop hundreds of dollars on a pretty organization system. I am not one of those people. (I’d rather buy shoes, honestly.)
But for months now, I had an idea to start stock-piling diaper boxes to use them for our pantry that was desperately crying out for some help. (Who would have thought that having a toddler would actually help me get rid of clutter?)
So I put those babies to work by cutting off the tops of the boxes first.
I measured the width and height of the box, then added together the measurements for the bottom, both sides, plus about 8 extra inches. (Mine came to 40 inches.)
I had found the perfect faux wood print craft paper at Hobby Lobby for around $8 and just knew it was destined for greatness. I cut the width of paper I needed for my first box.
And using a ruler, I drew lines for my template on the white side.
I drew about a 2-3 inch diagonal line from each corner of the box and cut it all out to create four flaps.
To glue on the first flap, I brushed some Mod Podge on the perimeter of the front of the box, attached the paper to it, and smoothed it out.
For the inside, I cut the paper at a diagonal at the top two corners of the box and folded the edges in…
…Mod Podged the top inside of the box…
And smoothed the paper down.
For the outside, I glued down the excess edges too. Then repeated the process on the other side of the box.
For the last two sides, I folded the paper edges in for the corners of the box.
Then Mod Podged again. And that was it! Do you see that huge pile of boxes back there? Sheesh! What was I thinking? But, hey I can’t complain too much. It’s basically free, pretty pantry storage.
In person, they really are convincing as real wood crates. Somehow they look more fake in pictures.
For “chalkboard” labels, I just folded black card stock in half, cut, and glued on with removable adhesive strips. I like that they’re removable so if I choose to relabel them later, I can do it without messing up the faux wood paper.
I’d thought about buying real wood crates or even the cheaper ones from Walmart to stain myself, but even those are around $15 a piece plus the materials needed to fancy them up. For 10 crates, that’s over $150!
I’ll stick with my free storage, thanks.
At the moment, my kitchen is in complete chaos mode while I organize our pantry, but it really needs to be done. You’ll be seeing more of that tomorrow along with a few organization tips. (Cheers for sticking to New Years goals!)
I’m finally getting this organizing thing figured out, and I’m realizing it’s like yoga for the brain (or at least I’m assuming). I can think so much clearer without all of the clutter. And it makes we wonder if I should give yoga another go…without the passing out part. 😉
This is such a good idea. We have no shortage of diaper boxes, either, with a 20-week-old baby girl. I’ve been procrastinating getting our pantry together because it’s a mess. But it must be done!
Yay! Glad it came in handy, Brittani! I remember those young baby days. Sooo many diapers! You might be able to outfit 10 pantries by the time you hit toddlerhood. 😉
Hey! I love this post! I pinned it and have been coming back t it for months. Do you mind sharing what section of Hobby Lobby you found the paper? I looked in the scrapbook section but only found individual pieces. I wanted to try that before I bought the Amazon stuff (I seriously HATE to pay for shipping!). Also, how many rolls for how many boxes? Thanks so much.
Yay! So glad! It’s been a while but I’m thinking I found it where all of the specialty paper is in Hobby Lobby but maybe it was just at my location. It might not even be there anymore. I’m not sure. They do still have it on Amazon, but I feel the same way. I hate paying shipping unless I absolutely can’t find it anywhere else. I finally just broke down and gave in to getting Amazon Prime. I think it took about 3 feet of paper per box. 1 12 foot roll should cover 4 boxes.
I picked up this exact paper today at A.C.Moore. It was $7.99 and I had a 55% off card. I can’t wait to see how it will turn out. I am a little concerned about cutting it and not wasting the paper. The boxes look great on Pinterest.
Wow, you have given me inspiration!!! I have no access to diaper boxes But – I do have big Cat Litter boxes!! They would work too! I have no storage in my home – use them to store rolled up towels in the bath – the list is endless!! Thank you!!
Your “crates” are awesome! I just love that craft paper. And you should definitely give yoga another try! Start with a beginner or gentle yoga class. Hot yoga is definitely challenging!
Love this!! I did something similar with just black fabric for our closet to hold shoes, but I LOVE that fauz wood paper. When I saw the picture before even reading the post, I totally thought they were real wood! 🙂
I got this idea to take our accordian door off of our pantry and just have an open pantry, but have been really stuck on finding cheap and pretty storage solutions. I may go this route, what a great idea! 🙂
What a great idea! I don’t have empty diaper boxes (thank goodness!), but I’m sure other boxes would work and be a great storage solution! Can’t wait to see how you incorporate them into your pantry….. Thanks for sharing…..loving the organizing/de-cluttering posts! Blessings, Lanita
Wow! What a great transformation! I love that weathered paper you used on the boxes. Amazing! I bet your pantry is looking pretty spiffy about now. Hope your 2015 is off to a great start! Blessings, Nici
I love these! I’ve seen other projects similar to this, but your use of weathered wood paper covering puts them to shame. Awesome job! Now I’m regretting buying jars to organize my pantry…
Like your blog, but I cannot find your printable pantry inventory list. Have checked email junk several times. Can you resend this, please?
Check your inbox. I just sent it! Sorry about that.
Thank you, Evette!
Beautiful job! I love that paper you got from Hobby Lobby! And you’re right, diaper boxes are great for that application….they are so sturdy!
Thanks, Florence! They’ve been great! We’ve been using them for over a year and they’re still holding up perfectly.
This is such a good idea. We have no shortage of diaper boxes, either, with a 20-week-old baby girl. I’ve been procrastinating getting our pantry together because it’s a mess. But it must be done!
Yay! Glad it came in handy, Brittani! I remember those young baby days. Sooo many diapers! You might be able to outfit 10 pantries by the time you hit toddlerhood. 😉
Hey! I love this post! I pinned it and have been coming back t it for months. Do you mind sharing what section of Hobby Lobby you found the paper? I looked in the scrapbook section but only found individual pieces. I wanted to try that before I bought the Amazon stuff (I seriously HATE to pay for shipping!). Also, how many rolls for how many boxes? Thanks so much.
Yay! So glad! It’s been a while but I’m thinking I found it where all of the specialty paper is in Hobby Lobby but maybe it was just at my location. It might not even be there anymore. I’m not sure. They do still have it on Amazon, but I feel the same way. I hate paying shipping unless I absolutely can’t find it anywhere else. I finally just broke down and gave in to getting Amazon Prime. I think it took about 3 feet of paper per box. 1 12 foot roll should cover 4 boxes.
I picked up this exact paper today at A.C.Moore. It was $7.99 and I had a 55% off card. I can’t wait to see how it will turn out. I am a little concerned about cutting it and not wasting the paper. The boxes look great on Pinterest.
That’s awesome! Hope it turns out well!
Wow, you have given me inspiration!!! I have no access to diaper boxes But – I do have big Cat Litter boxes!! They would work too! I have no storage in my home – use them to store rolled up towels in the bath – the list is endless!! Thank you!!
They definitely come in handy! I’m sure any kind of box could work. 🙂
Wow! This is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you for posting such a detailed tutorial! And you are hilarious too, that’s an extra bonus.
Aw yay! I’m so glad it helped. Thanks for the love! My hubby’s the comedian around here. It must rub off on me. 😉
Hi, I hopped over from Be Inspired. Your crates are genius–repurposing at its best. I am also drooling over your pantry! Blessings, Cecilia
Thanks so much, Cecilia!
I love your faux crates! Very clever and cute.
Thank you 🙂
How great! I would never guess these were diaper boxes!! I have plenty of those 😉 Thanks for sharing!
Thanks! I kind of wish I had more!
Your “crates” are awesome! I just love that craft paper. And you should definitely give yoga another try! Start with a beginner or gentle yoga class. Hot yoga is definitely challenging!
Thank you! Yeah starting with hot yoga like I did was definitely not the way to go. Lesson learned. haha
Love this!! I did something similar with just black fabric for our closet to hold shoes, but I LOVE that fauz wood paper. When I saw the picture before even reading the post, I totally thought they were real wood! 🙂
Woohoo! Glad it’s convincing! 🙂
Amazing! I have to find the time to try this!Is your pantry open?
It’s not actually but I’m dying to replace the regular door on it with a sliding barn door. Maybe one day…
You are brilliant! Such an amazing idea and they look fantastic! Thanks for sharing at Think & Make Thursday!
Leigh Anne
Houseologie.com
You’re so sweet, Leigh Anne! Thanks 🙂
I got this idea to take our accordian door off of our pantry and just have an open pantry, but have been really stuck on finding cheap and pretty storage solutions. I may go this route, what a great idea! 🙂
Yay! So glad it could help!
What a great idea! I don’t have empty diaper boxes (thank goodness!), but I’m sure other boxes would work and be a great storage solution! Can’t wait to see how you incorporate them into your pantry….. Thanks for sharing…..loving the organizing/de-cluttering posts!
Blessings,
Lanita
Haha Yeah count your lucky stars you’re not in a diapering phase of life. It has its perks too though. 🙂
Cool idea and cheap is good! Would love to see the organised pantry 🙂
Thank you! I just posted the pantry reveal actually. I love how it turned out. 🙂
Wow! What a great transformation! I love that weathered paper you used on the boxes. Amazing! I bet your pantry is looking pretty spiffy about now. Hope your 2015 is off to a great start!
Blessings,
Nici
You’re too kind, Nici! 🙂 I hope yours is off to a great start too.
Pretty clever I gotta say!! Who knew you could make such great things with weathered wood paper!!
Thank you, Dawna! I’d had this roll of paper for months just waiting for the perfect project. 🙂
I love these! I’ve seen other projects similar to this, but your use of weathered wood paper covering puts them to shame. Awesome job! Now I’m regretting buying jars to organize my pantry…
That’s quite a compliment, Christie! Thanks! I’m still a fan of jars in the pantry too though. 🙂