I recently decided to try out a DIY project I saw an idea for online. I saw a post talking about upcycling a diaper box and turning it into a nice basket, and I thought, why not try to do something similar but maybe a little easier? So I turned one into a toy box!
DIY Diaper Box Upcycle
DIY Toy Box Supplies:
My supplies are simple because I’m not very crafty or into complicated projects. Of course, we start with the empty diaper box. I bought some contact paper and found matching fabric (total win!) – and that was that. I also used regular scissors to cut the fabric and contact paper into the right size, and some spray adhesive for the fabric. Ah yes, let’s not forget the measuring tape and duct tape (to secure the flaps). I also used clothespins to hold the fabric in place while fitting it onto the box.
Diaper Box Upcycle Directions:
After folding the flaps down and securing them inside with duct tape, I measured out how much fabric I needed and cut. Then I sprayed the adhesive just on the fabric that is folded around the top of the box. The rest of the fabric sits around the inside of the box but can shift around as needed, so it doesn’t run the risk of stretching and tearing.
Next comes the contact paper fun. I measured the sides of the box and cut the contact paper to be a bit longer than that, to allow it to be folded over where the fabric is wrapped around the box flaps.
I did that all the way around the box. You can see how the fabric inside the box has a basket-y feel with it hanging loosely off the flaps.
It is by no means a perfect job, and I learned a good lesson here. If I am going to do this again – I’m spray-painting the box white! You can see the green diaper box design through the fabric and contact paper!
But, it came out cute and it does the trick. Now instead of a messy playpen full of toys to trip over, we can contain them in this lovely box. Plus, Baby H is loving pulling toys out of the box and is learning how to put them back in the box. Also, he loves standing in the box. So I call this project a win!
Haley Bradley says
I love this! I have several diaper boxes and I hate throwing them away. With 3 kids we are always needing toy boxes.
Julie says
I hate tossing good boxes too but I always think I won’t need them until later I wish I had a good sized box. This is a fun way to give an unused box some purpose. Maybe this could make a good decluttering project too, to have multiple nice looking boxes around for storage of stuff that lays around otherwise.
A Cornish Mum says
What a brilliant idea, I love reusing things for a new purpose and reducing waste 🙂 This looks lovely, thanks for linking up to #PicknMix
Stevie x
Julie says
Thanks Stevie 🙂 Although now he has more toys than fit in the box so I might have to make a few more hehe.
Lisa (mummascribbles) says
Ooo what a fab idea! I literally bought a wicker basket for some of Zach’s toys that constantly seem to be downstairs but love this idea of upcycling! Well done – it looks great 🙂 Thanks so much for linking up with #TwinklyTuesday
Julie says
Thanks Lisa 🙂 A wicker basket is cute too, and maybe even more cost effective by the time you get fabric and contact paper and all that heh.
Fiona - Coombe Mill says
Oh I love this, we put toy boxes in all our holiday properties and I’ve never thought to upcycle one like this. Genius idea! Please pop over and link it up on Trash2Treasure with me, it is perfect. Popping by from #Picknmix
Julie says
You got it! What a fun linky! Thanks Fiona 🙂
Fiona - Coombe Mill says
Thank you so much, Now I know what I’m going to do with our old duvet covers!
Debbie says
Last night I was just thinking about doing something like this! Thanks for the tip to spray paint it white first. Very helpful!
Julie says
Thanks Debbie 🙂 Hope you make an awesome toy box and show it off!
April says
Such a cute idea! and suddenly I must go find a diaper box 😉
Julie says
I have a feeling you won’t have a hard time finding one lol
Tina Marie Ernspiker says
Very cute Julie! I wish I was crafty 🙂
Julie says
I’m very much not crafty, that’s why I’m so proud of myself on this one.
Nicki Lewis says
Always great when you can find another use for things instead of throwing away. This is a great idea. Good job. I have started saving my salsa jars to cover and use in my craft room to hold things.
Julie says
Ooh great idea re-using salsa jars. I need to start coming up with other things I can reuse to help organize my storage of small things 🙂
Jennifer @ The Champagne Supernova says
what a great idea! I have so many diaper boxes lying around (it’s embarrassing, really). Cheers!
Julie says
I used to toss them, but now I’ve been trying to come up with other uses, like storing all my under the sink stuff in them.
Autumn says
That is such a neat idea!! Love the patterns you chose 🙂
Julie says
Thanks 🙂 I picked a yellow pattern because it happens to be Baby H’s favorite color. He only picks up yellow toys heh.
Katy @ Experienced Bad Mom says
That is super cute! I love the fabric you chose. I’m almost able to believe I could do something that good. Almost. (This gal has a 3rd grade crafting level!)
Julie says
No really I’m about at that level too. That’s why this was so easy and exciting for me. The pattern of the contact paper doesn’t even line up on all sides but still looks good! 🙂
John Adams says
Great re-use of a diaper box (or nappy box as we would say in the UK). As it happens I’m about to do somehting similar,. I recently took up home brewing beer and need to make some crates ot store my beer bottles. I’m not buying them; far too expensive! #twinklytuesday
Julie says
Ooh that sounds like a fun use of discarded boxes too.
Diana says
Cute! Super clever idea.
Brandyn says
This is so cute! I did something similar awhile back to make a container for all my records and am currently in need of more storage for some of my daughter’s things. I’ll have to try your method next!
Thank you for sharing with us at #mommymeetupmondays!
Julie says
Ooh a records container is a great use too 🙂 I use un-prettyfied diaper boxes for under the sink storage, but this called for something more fun.
Stephanie says
That looks great, and so much more stylish than it was 🙂 #sharethejoy
Shecki @ Greatly Blessed says
Cute! And certainly much cheaper than the big 31 bags I’ve been using for baby toys! 😮
I recently did a recycle where I added pretty duct tape to a puffs container that I cut in half. We’re using it for our colored pencils now. 🙂
Julie says
Ooh what a great project idea! I like that as a pencil cup – did you do a post on that? I’ve used coffee containers for thread and button storage but I haven’t prettied them up.
Shecki @ Greatly Blessed says
I mention it in this post: http://grtlyblesd.blogspot.com/2015/09/our-week-in-which-we-replace-ac.html We used it as our “still life” for an art lesson. But I didn’t really think adding duct tape to a circle could be stretched into a whole blog post, lol. 😉
Jenni says
Such a good idea! I love it 🙂
Julie says
Thanks Jenni 🙂 I think I might do this again, I need a basket for “take this stuff upstairs” collection heh.
Dee says
Omg, this is a super cute box!!! I think it’s perfect =)
Julie says
Thanks Dee 🙂 I’m super proud of myself for my first on my own project like this hehe.