How To Upcycle Storage Containers Easily and on a Budget
I’m sharing an easy and inexpensive way to upcycle storage containers. You can hide what’s inside and give it a facelift at the same time. I’m so excited to share my plastic drawer makeover with you! These plastic containers are so easy to update and wow, what a difference it makes with just a few craft supplies. Go from ugly plastic storage drawers to modern storage solutions in a few minutes.
I have these 3 drawer storage containers several places in our home. Sometimes I like that I can see what’s in the drawer, and other times I do not.
You’ll need the following items:
- Drawer(s) you want to upcycle
- Contact paper of your choice
- Regular paper/butcher paper
- Pencil
- Scissors
- Ruler
- Electrical tape
- Razor blade
Plastic Storage Container Upcycle
I pulled out the plastic bins. I used butcher paper to trace the clear plastic drawers front to make a pattern.
I measured the top down to the handle, and it was about 2 1/2″. The indent portion of the bottom half of the drawer would take more contact paper than the upper portion. I needed to cut my pattern in 1/2 to accommodate this.
I cut my pattern out.
I then traced my pattern onto the back of the contact paper and cut the contact paper.
I pulled off the backing and put both 1/2 on the front of the drawer front.
I used white electrical tape to cover the lines of the two sections.
I trimmed off the extra contact paper using a razor blade/Xacto knife.
Here it is all finished, and I love the way it turned out! It is a great way to hide what’s inside the drawer. You can use label makers if you like to say what’s on the front of each drawer. This DIY project and simple idea is so easy and has a big impact. It brings new life to this quick upgrade. With just a few items from the dollar store I created one of the easiest plastic drawer makeovers and covered the clear plastic surfaces!
Other choices to give create plastic storage bin makeovers:
- scrapbook paper with spray adhesive
- acrylic paint
- drop cloth
- gold spray paint
- washi tape
I have these 3 drawer storage containers in several places in our home. Sometimes I like that I can see what’s in the drawer, and other times I do not. I came up with an easy and inexpensive way to upcycle storage containers – hiding what’s inside and giving it a facelift at the same time.
Yes you can paint plastic storage bins, you’ll have to make sure the paint you use is okay for plastic.
I measured the drawer, then cut contact paper to fit on the front of the plastic drawers, and then placed it on the front of the drawer.
I used contact paper on my storage containers to hide what’s inside and give it a nice appearance. You could Mod Podge fabric or paper onto the front and sides as well. You can also spray paint them with a paint that is safe for plastic.
I have placed these and used these all over my home including:
- craft room
- bathroom
- closets
- kitchen
- family room
- kid’s rooms
- toy room
- for office supplies
- laundry room
Find out “What Exactly Does It Mean To Repurpose Or Upcycle“, save money, and create the most amazing things.
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How To Upcycle Storage Containers
Equipment
- Scissors
- Razor blade
Ingredients
- Drawer s you want to upcycle
- Contact paper of your choice
- Regular paper/butcher paper
- Pencil
- Ruler
- Electrical tape
Instructions
- Use butcher paper to trace the front of your drawer to make a pattern.
- Measure the top down to the handle, and cut your pattern out.
- Trace the pattern onto the back of the contact paper and cut the contact paper.
- Pull off the backing and put both 1/2 on the front of the drawer.
- Use the white electrical tape to cover the lines of the two sections.
- Trim off the extra contact paper using a razor blade/Xacto knife.
- Enjoy your new container!
SHARING IS CARING…PLEASE PIN THE BELOW IMAGE:
I have one of those. Great idea to make it look better!
Thank you Linda. Sometimes you want to see what’s inside, and sometimes you want to hide the mess 🙂
That’s a brilliant idea. I would rather prefer not seeing the mess.
Thank you so much, and thanks for stopping by.
That looks very nice! I’ve never been a fan of the look those basic storage drawers but somehow they always manage to hold the things that would be so much easier to access if they were outside a closet, lol.
Thank you Ashley, I so agree. I have a few of them to store my crafting and sewing supplies and just thought I’d give it a try to hide some of the “stuff”. 🙂
What a great idea! My daughter has drawers like this in her room and we were trying to think of a way to make them look a little better! Found It! Pinned. We just started the Whisk It Wednesday link party and I thought you might be interested in sharing there too! Thanks, Carrie
Thank you Carrie, and thank you for the invite. I’d love to stop by 🙂
so clever – will share w/ my daughter!
Thank you Sue 🙂
It looks so much better!! Thanks for linking up to More the Merrier Monday. Can’t wait to see what you’ll be linking up next week.
DIY Home Sweet Home
http://www.diyhsh.com
Thank you, and I love Merrier Monday 🙂 Can’t wait to see what everyone is making next week.
how long do you think it would take the average person to do this?
Hi Skyy, so this was my first try at this. It took me about 25 minutes to do the whole 3 drawer set, and taking my time with it. Please let me know if you have any other questions.
Thanks for posting this great idea!! Just curious how these have held up over time? I did this to a small drawer cart in my closet and over time the edges started to peak up. I’m thinking of mod podging using the furniture formula, but wanted to know what suggestions you or anyone reading this may have. Thank you
*peal up
Thank you Nicky, and they’ve held up great, I have 2 of them that I did and I use them all of the time. If you are having trouble with peeling, Mod Podge is a great solution. A quick fix might even be spray adhesive like Mod Podge sealer, Mod Podge Ultra, etc.
Fabulous way to dress up a plain storage container!! Love the contact that you chose!
Thank you so much for sharing your fabulous upcycle with us over at Waste Not Wednesday!
Thank you Sam, and the contact paper came from Dollar Tree – added bonus! Thanks for stopping by.
I have some of these drawers and definitely need to do this. Thanks so much for linking at To Grandma’s House We Go link party! Your project has been pinned. We hope to see you again this Wednesday!
Thank you Sheri, and thank you for the Pin. I’ll be sure to be there again, thanks for having me.
What a neat idea! I just love this!
I would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Thank you Jess, and thanks for the invitation – I’d love to share 🙂
I love the pattern you chose, Chas! I’m working on my linen closet and I will look for a neutral pattern like that too.
Thank you Zaleina, and I would love to see yours when you are finished with them.
Thank you for this wonderful idea. I have several of these various places in the home. Now I will be able to decorate each one to the decor of the room. Thank you again.
Thank you Julie – if you decide to try it, please send me pictures 🙂
It’s totally transformed! What a great idea to use the contact paper. Did you know that here in the UK we call it sticky backed plastic!
Thank you Julie, and I didn’t know that. What a fun name for it, thanks for telling me, I learned something new today 🙂
I love this idea. I have one in the kitchen full of spices and cookie cutters. I also am using one for a night stand. This project will dress them up so they feel more like custom furnishings. Thank you. You did a beautiful job.
Thank you Phyllis, and I’d love to see pictures of yours if you give it a try 🙂
I’ve had these done like this for 8 years If you get tired just hange the paper. Heaped than new dressers!
I’m confused on how to do the handle again and wondering if itwould be the same if I just put the contact paper straight onto the draws. Advice pls. I have 3 of them so it would tk me much longer lol. I love the idea tho.
Hi Rose, you can put the contact paper inside the drawer but the sticky side will be what is attaching to the drawer so to have the pattern side facing out you would need to come up with a different way to attach it – like Mod Podge. I do have the video that you can watch which might help you with the handles. I made a pattern with regular paper and then cut my contact paper to match. The electrical tape is what covered the seam between the top and bottom piece. https://www.facebook.com/Hometalk/videos/2549637881720419/
Love this. Am going to Dollar Store today to buy contact paper for 3 of them. One of them is in my home office and the sides show, so I think I’m going to cover them also. Thanks for the great idea.
Thanks Sharon and I’m so excited you want to give it a try 🙂
I love the way you gave your storage bins such an amazing face lift. These bins are great but are a real eyesore. Great idea! Thanks for sharing!!
Thank you so much Catherine, I’m so excited with the way they turned out 🙂
I’ve done something similar with paper or materail inside the drawer
Thank you for sharing Carol 🙂
This is such a grand idea… I love it and will try it soon. So glad to hop over here from the link up today. Happy Blogging! I will share this in Pinterest!
Thank you Susan, thanks for the Pin and stopping by. I would love to see pictures of yours when you’re done 🙂
Such a great way to ‘pretty-up’ those drawers! Thank you for sharing at Party In Your PJs!
Thank you Ann, and thanks for stopping by 🙂
What an amazing transformation. It doesn’t look like a plastic cart at all anymore. Thanks for sharing at Merry Monday.
Thank you so much Jenny, I am excited how they turned out. Thanks for stopping by
This is so brilliant. I have several of these type of bins and I really need to do this! Love it.
#friendshipfriday
Thank you so much Jennifer, I really fell in love with the transformation just a little contact paper made.
I’ve always thought those storage containers could be nicer to look at, and you’ve really done it, Chas! Sharing on the Hearth and Soul Facebook page!
Thank you so much April I appreciate the share and I always enjoy your party. I hope you have a wonderful week!
That is a great idea for obscuring the contents of the storage containers. I think that you could make something out of nothing over and over again!
Thank you Amy, it was great to cover up the “messy” appearance of what was inside.
That looks great. I have so many of these drawers on my craft shelves, and they would look so much nicer this way. For some reason, I never even thought to cover them.
Thank you Pam, I’m really enjoying their new look – plus hiding all the clutter that was in them.
I’ve featured it today at TFT – congrats!
You are so very sweet Pam, thank you so much!
I’ve had this on my list to-do list in my craft room forever as I have lots of these plastic storage containers. You’ve motivated me to finally get this done! Have a happy Easter!
Thank you so much Allyson, I’m thrilled you want to give it a try too 🙂 Happy Easter!
Great idea! Just put one in my office yesterday, and something like this would really make it stand out! Thanks!
Thank you so much Sarah and I’m thrilled you like the idea too.
Great idea! I love that that you can see through the bins when you’re using them in a craft room. But yes, in some spots it would be better to hide the contents.
Thanks for sharing with Creative Compulsions!
Michelle
mybijoulifeonline.com
Thank you Michelle, I agree with you entirely – sometimes you want to see inside and other times not so much.
I have several of these unsightly storage containers in my home office. Great idea for dressing them up!
Thank you so much Marie, I’m thrilled you like it.
I have two of these cabinets I really should move to my craft room instead of letting them collect dust in the basement. Maybe a project like this will motivate me to do that. They look great. #HomeMattersParty
Thank you so much Donna, I’m thrilled you like it and might give it a try.
Lovely diy Chas – those drawers look so much better! 🙂 Congrats on your feature at Thursday Favorite Things! I knew I recognized that project! ❤️ Take care and stay safe!
Thank you so much Barbara! I’m so thrilled for the feature and love how these turned out.
I have one for my little granddaughters clothes I lined the inside with pink strip wrapping paper. Bit it doesn’t fit exact. I’ve been thinking I might redo and this would be perfect. Thanks
Thank you Joy and I am thrilled you might give this a try.
Thank you for sharing at #OverTheMoon. Pinned and shared. Have a lovely week. I hope to see you at next week’s party too! Please stay safe and healthy. Come party with us at Over The Moon! Catapult your content Over The Moon! @marilyn_lesniak @EclecticRedBarn
Thank you Marilyn, I hope you are having a wonderful weekend.
Such a great way to hide messy drawers. Thank you for sharing at Party In Your PJ’s.
Thank you so much Ann 🙂
Chas,
What a great upcycle. I have a couple of these that need a face lift. Congratulations, you are being featured at Over The Moon Linky party today. I hope you stop by.
eclecticredbarn.com/2020/04/over-moon-linky-party.html
Hugs,
Bev
Oh wow! Thank you so much Beverly! I appreciate the feature and support. See you at the next party.
I do have several of these. What a great idea!
Thank you so much Amy, they’re such great containers.
That looks so pretty an I love that the items inside the drawers are hidden too.
Thank you so much Joanne