How to cover a square box with paper. How to decorate a shoebox with your own hands? Video: decorating a shoe box using decoupage technique

Beautiful homemade boxes may be needed as packaging for gifts to your family and friends. To create such original packaging unnecessary candy boxes, shoe boxes, postal boxes, etc. are used. It is important that the gift item has a neat appearance. For this activity, time and space free from work are allocated so that nothing can interfere creative process. Also, interesting organizers, all kinds of shelves, chests for writing instruments, notebooks and even jewelry are made from unnecessary boxes.

How to cover a box with paper - materials used

For a fruitful workflow you will need the following items:

  • Comfortable sharp scissors– they cut paper and cardboard.
  • Glue “Dragon”, “PVA” or “Paste”. “Dragon” is a polymer glue that holds different materials together very well, is sold in large bottles, and is easy to use. “PVA” - dries quickly, sticks to thin paper, is cheap and easily available. Paste is a homemade glue based on flour and water.
  • An unnecessary brush that will be needed to apply glue to the surface to be glued. If using “Dragon”, a small rubber spatula is suitable.
  • Scotch tape (double tape) or a stapler can be useful in difficult places where reliable fastening is needed.
  • A simple pencil, a pen - with the help of these accessories marks are made on paper or a box.
  • Long ruler - will serve to accurately mark the measured length and width of a paper sheet.

How to cover a box with paper - types of paper

  • It could be wrapping for wrapping gifts, sold in stationery stores and supermarkets.
  • Wallpaper - now there is a huge number of unique designs on completely different subjects on sale.
  • Interesting small-caliber repeating elements of flowers, lightning, hearts (textures) printed in high resolution.
  • To give the box a nice appearance, paste over paper with a pattern, strictly corresponding to the direction of the picture, ornament.


How to cover a box with paper - the process

  • If a large sheet of paper is available, the box is placed on this sheet. The most basic, and therefore conspicuous, parts of the box must be pasted over in one go, with a continuous sheet, so that there are no inconsistencies in the design.
  • Mark the bottom and allowances on the side walls with a pencil on the wrong side of the paper so that the paper fits well.
  • After marking, the resulting pattern is tried on and cut out. Avoid sloppy areas of paper layering. All irregularities should be cut out with scissors.
  • Mark the cut sheet with a number or “bottom” mark.
  • The same must be done with all other planes. The side of the box required for gluing is placed on complete sheets of paper and measured together with the tolerance for the corners. Then the pattern and the part of the box it corresponds to are marked.
  • After all the planes have been selected and cut out, it is time for gluing. Imagine which part is better to do first and last. The closing part and walls must be made without tolerances because they overlap the joints.
  • The glue is applied to the paper so as not to spoil the appearance of the drawing. And be sure to glue all the edges of the pattern so that there are no unevenness or swelling.
  • When gluing, you need to remember that the glue has an odor. After the final touches of the work, the box is placed in a well-ventilated place. Polymer glue dries and erodes longer than PVA or paste.


How to cover a box with paper - paper patterns for decoration

  • After the main gluing, the product can be improved with decorative paper tapes. To do this you need to choose a color and texture. If the box is plain red or brown, white and beige patterns will look good on it. If the wrapping paper has a pattern, then the decorating details may be plain or completely absent.
  • Multi-colored cardstock paper and quilling ribbons are great for such purposes (they are also attached with glue). Chipboard decorations (very thick cardboard) and decorative tape are also used.


Creative fantasies can take a needlewoman far. Therefore, you should be careful not to overdo it with the saturation of the appearance of the product. Bows and lace will look beautiful only when they are appropriate. Thin paper requires a special approach, the glue should be applied quickly, do not allow time for impregnation, because unsightly swelling or tears may result. It is best to use medium-weight paper, not thin or thick.

In every home there are always small things that give the room the appearance of sloppiness and clutter. An excellent solution would be to store such small items in boxes. You can find them in beautiful designs in stores, but it would be much more profitable and enjoyable to decorate the box yourself.

Great storage ideas

Simple and nondescript carton boxes from under shoes, sets of dishes and small household appliances can be transformed to a masterpiece look, you just need to show your imagination. The main criterion for selecting a suitable box is its sufficient density and strength. The shape also plays an important role - rectangular cardboard boxes are much more convenient.

The most suitable option is the use of shoe boxes. Depending on the size, they can be used to store a variety of things: jewelry, accessories, stationery, cosmetics, tools, children's toys, medicines, books, magazines, some food, industrial products, clothing, shoes, and much more. In addition to the main function - storage, decorated cardboard boxes will become an integral part of the interior, and, undoubtedly, a source of pride for the owner.

Where to begin

Before you start modifying shoe boxes, you need to provide everything so that you don’t get distracted from the work process by little things:

  • choose a suitable box, think over its design;
  • choose a comfortable, well-lit workplace;
  • find a sufficient amount of material;
  • prepare tools: scissors, stationery knife, tape, glue, etc.

Choosing materials for decoration is very simple. You can simply paint it with paints, cover it with paper for decoration, colored paper, wallpaper, newspaper, sheets of music, geographical maps, napkins, stamps, jute rope, woolen threads. Products covered with various types of fabric, ribbons, leatherette, and oilcloth also look impressive. Children's boxes can be covered with candy wrappers, sheets from coloring books, stickers, key rings, matches, drawings of animals or favorite characters, parts from construction sets, and mosaics.

The most popular way to decorate shoe boxes is to cover them with paper or fabric.

Even wallpaper will come in handy

Wallpaper is great for decorating shoe boxes with your own hands, the remains of which can be found in every home. To cover a box with vinyl or non-woven wallpaper, you will need wallpaper glue, and if the selected wallpaper is paper, then PVA glue will do. First of all, you need to measure a piece of wallpaper of a suitable size, taking into account the margin for overlap, and attach the box itself to it. Use a pencil to trace the outline of the bottom, then fold the wallpaper from the parallel sides of the box, pressing it tightly against the walls, and smooth the folds with your fingers. Unfold and do the same on other sides. After trying on, you need to cut off the excess pieces and you can start gluing. First you need to coat the bottom, apply it to the pattern, then the sides, carefully pressing and straightening the canvas, and then inside.


In the same way, the boxes can be covered with fabric. In this case it is good to use as an adhesive element Double-sided tape, since the glue can saturate the fabric, leaving streaks on it.

Decor using decoupage technique

The decoupage technique is based on gluing a cut-out design to the surface of an object and fixing the resulting composition with varnish.

Great for decoupage paper napkins. First of all, you need to paint the shoe box and let it dry. Usually you have to apply several layers, it all depends on the original background of the box. Then you should make a composition of napkins with suitable pattern or drawing. After careful fitting, you need to attach the napkin to the box, face up, and carefully apply glue to it using a brush. There is no need to apply glue under the napkin. This way all the elements of the picture are glued. After complete drying, varnish is applied. You can paint the elements yourself to hide where the patterns combine and give the image a finished look. One more coat of varnish and the work of art is ready.

It should be noted that if the box is glossy, then you need to first get rid of the top layer using sandpaper.

Original design

One of the most impressive materials for decoration are buttons, due to their variety of shapes, colors, and sizes. The boxes can simply be completely covered with buttons, you can glue only the lid, or some separate side, or you can lay out a certain pattern or design from buttons. To simplify the work, the first layer of buttons can be glued by placing them face down on the table, coat the surface of the box with glue, apply it to the buttons and press firmly. You will have to work hard on the next layer of buttons, gluing each one separately to hide all the gaps. If you decide to depict any kind of design, first the surface of the shoe box will need to be covered with either paint, paper, or fabric. Then draw the image on the surface and paste it with buttons.

Similarly, you can decorate a cardboard box with coins, sequins, beads, rhinestones, matches, counting sticks, and colored pencils.

Each decoration method has its own nuances

In work with different materials there are always pros and cons (see table)

Decoration methodAuxiliary tools and materialsFeatures of work
Covering a box with paper productsscissors, pencil, ruler, brush, varnish,PVA glue, stationery knifemake quickly and easily, materials are available
Covering with fabric, ribbons, etc.marking soap, glue or double-sided tapeRich appearance, good for making jewelry boxes
Decoupageacrylic paints, sandpaper, cut out drawings,painstaking work requiring skill and patience
Coloring acrylic paints paints, brushes, varnish, pencil,sandpaperthe manufacturing process is delayed due to the need to wait until each layer of paint and varnish dries
Use of buttons, sequins, coins, rhinestones and similar materialstransparent glue-moment, paper or fabric for the baseoriginal look finished product, the work will require diligence, since gluing small parts will take a lot of time

The exciting process of turning a nondescript box into a work of art can be a very rewarding hobby for anyone. It’s better not to stop at just one, but to try different ways decor. This will require a lot of time and patience, but the end result is undoubtedly worth the effort.

Every home accumulates a lot of shoe boxes that you hate to throw away, but you don’t want to store. Of course, such boxes are very dense and durable, and they can be used to store various small items. And to improve the appearance, you can use different ways to decorate a shoe box using different materials.

Let's remember that there are simply no unnecessary things; every little thing can be used very rationally. It is enough to resort to the help of your imagination or pay attention to our tips and recommendations. And even old shoe boxes can be decorated different ways, and then they will fit perfectly into any space and decorate the interior of your home.

  • 1 What can you store in decorated shoe boxes?
  • 2 Decorating shoe boxes
    • 2.1 Ways to decorate a shoe box
      • 2.1.1 Briefcase - do it yourself
      • 2.1.2 Original gift
      • 2.1.3 Organizer for small items and handicrafts
    • 2.2 Placement of shoe boxes
      • 2.2.1 Shelves
    • 2.3 This is also interesting

What can you store in decorated shoe boxes?

Children's toys - from various construction sets to themed little things, for example, a collection of mini-figures from Kinder Surprises or outfits for dolls. Puzzles and small puzzles are stored well in such cardboard boxes.

Women's accessories - from hairpins and elastic bands to specialized hair or body care products.

Means for charging equipment – great way collect all the chargers in one place, and on the lid of the box you can write which charges are stored in it to facilitate subsequent search.

Great advice! In the box itself you can store not only a charger, but also a “carrying device”. By inserting the chargers into it and making small holes on the side, you can bring the wires out of the box. All that remains is to sign or attach stickers with the name of the device to the container and then all that remains is to connect the phone or tablet to the desired wire. The good idea is that the interior will not have a huge number of wires that always get in the way on the floor or other surfaces, and the interior will look stylish and harmonious.

Art supplies – small pencils, brushes and tubes of paint will find an excellent hiding place in shallow boxes. You can make a box with exactly the same design bigger size for storing drawings and blank paper.

And, of course, the shoes themselves - no matter how paradoxical it sounds. And why not, because in this case it won’t be a shame to open the locker in front of guests and very original box get the pair of shoes you need.

Decorating shoe boxes

Shoe boxes can be decorated in several ways - painted with acrylic paints, glued over them cotton fabric or paper using PVA glue, self-adhesive film, paper wallpaper, old magazines or geographical maps. After processing, the boxes become very durable.

Small ones can be used as decoration. paper fans, buttons, beads or rivets. You can create different style boxes in the process of gluing. And such items will not need to be hidden from prying eyes; on the contrary, they will serve additional decor for the interior of your home.

An excellent material for creating such boxes and decorating them will be the pieces and sections of wallpaper left over from the renovation; in addition, you will need double-sided tape or PVA glue.

Fabric is also suitable - for example, a piece from a damaged dress, old jeans, a skirt that has become too small. Using natural material you can turn any thing into an exclusive sample.

You can also decorate the box using a regular rope or braid; just apply glue and stick it on. It can be either straight stripes or various zigzags and convolutions.

Ways to decorate a shoe box

A shoebox can become a unique decorative object, such as a briefcase, and no one will suspect what it is made of.

Briefcase - do it yourself

It is enough to use old straps, thick braid, buttons, buckles or buttons for decoration.

Original gift

For registration gift packaging shoe boxes are perfect. It is enough to show a little imagination and this item itself will turn into an excellent gift.

Just cover the box with fabric, add bows or artificial flowers, and the beautiful organizer is ready for use.

Organizer for small items and handicrafts

If you're into crafts, shoe boxes are a great way to store all your essentials.

And by making a hole in it, you can store chargers, which will always be in one place.

Placement of shoe boxes

Decorated shoe boxes do not need to be hidden; they will fit perfectly into the interior and serve as an additional decoration.

You can store decorated shoe boxes on shelves, shelves or racks.

You can also make small shelves from shoe boxes for various pleasant little things.

Shelves

You can also use a shoebox as a decorative object on the wall, turning it into a shelf. It is enough to remove the lid, cover it with paper or paint.

Then attach it to the wall using the material you find most suitable and add a few decorative items. Just keep in mind that these items should not be too heavy.

If you need to make a small cardboard box for gift wrapping, then options, models and templates can be seen and downloaded in this article.

Some practical advice for those who decided to decorate shoe boxes with their own hands using scrap materials:

Before you start work, carefully measure the material for packaging packaging and think over the overall design concept of the product.

Boxes need to be decorated not only on a spacious surface, but also with good lighting. It is advisable if the lighting is natural.

To work, you may need sharp scissors, good PVA glue, thread, a stapler and staples for it, a ruler and a stationery knife, chalk, a simple pencil and much more.

And for dessert, a useful video for visual reference.

At any home improvement store you will find a variety of organizers and storage containers. But why spend extra money if it’s not at all difficult to decorate any boxes you have at home? All you need are decorative materials and suitable containers or boxes for storage. How to cover a box with paper with your own hands to make it look beautiful?

Interior storage boxes

Don't rush to throw away thick cardboard boxes. Using decorative paper or leftover wallpaper, you can quickly turn them into beautiful storage containers. Use boxes of different sizes; you can put cosmetics, accessories, children's toys and other household items in them. Packaging for shoes, dishes and fragile souvenirs is best suited for storage.

For decoration, you can use gift wrapping paper, colored or corrugated paper For children's creativity, remnants of wallpaper or pieces of fabric. If desired, containers can be signed, labels can be printed on a printer, or carefully filled out by hand. Additionally, decorate your storage containers with ribbons, bows, rhinestones, artificial flowers, beads or curly buttons.

Selection of materials and tools

How to cover a box with paper with your own hands? Start by choosing materials and tools. If you use paper wallpaper or decorative paper, it is best to glue it with PVA or double-sided tape. Fabric, foil or glossy gift paper will stick most firmly to the cardboard base if you choose Titan or Moment-Crystal glue.

A universal option for covering boxes with any materials is double-sided tape. The craft will look neater if the adhesive tape is thin and flat. Be prepared for the fact that you will need quite a lot of tape. As auxiliary tools you will need a pencil, ruler, scissors and a stationery knife.

How to cover a box with paper and what else is needed for this? Don't forget to choose a base - a box of a suitable size, as well as paper sheets for decoration or wallpaper.

The classic way to decorate boxes with paper

It is very good if you have a large enough piece of paper or fabric to cover the box. Place a box in its center and outline its bottom with a pencil. Then, also by trying on, draw the contours of the walls for cutting. Be sure to leave allowances of at least 1 cm at the edges of the elements. If you plan to cover the lid of the box, make the same pattern for it. Cut out the paper blanks and start gluing the box.

First of all, glue the bottom, use double-sided tape or glue. The most important stage of work is pasting the walls. Your task is to carefully seal the corners and prevent wrinkles from appearing. How to cover a box with paper evenly? Start gluing each side from the bottom, carefully smoothing and pressing. Then glue the paper at the top. Leave allowances designed to be folded inward unglued. Cover all four walls of the box with paper. Lastly, fix the allowances, beautifully decorating the top edge of the box.

How to beautifully cover a box with paper if there is not enough material?

Sometimes small scraps of wallpaper and gift paper remain from repairs or gift wrapping. If desired, even small pieces can be used to decorate interior storage boxes. Cut the walls and bottom with separate parts, do not forget to make allowances. If there is very little paper, the bottom of the container does not need to be covered.

How to properly cover a box with paper using small pieces? If your container is rectangular, start with the long sides. Then glue the paper onto the remaining sides. Lastly, the bottom is glued and the upper part of the walls is decorated.

Mosaic or collage is an interesting technique for decorating storage containers

You can decorate storage boxes in an original and interesting way by covering them with separate paper elements. Using this technique, you can make complex appliqué, depicting decorative patterns or pictures. Alternative option- arrange pieces of paper randomly, the result will be an abstract mosaic.

When gluing a container using this technique, be sure to use glue; tape will not work. You can use any paper - colored, packaging. If you want to create plot applications or depict some patterns, make templates in advance. Making them is very simple - draw the desired images on plain paper and cut them out. Then, using these patterns, cut out all the parts separately.

The abstract mosaic technique is much easier to perform. You can decorate a box in it by cutting out arbitrary elements of different colors immediately before gluing it to the base. Abstract or freeform mosaics are an excellent technique for children's crafts. Even a small child will understand how to cover a box with colored paper using this principle.

Decor of interior storage boxes

If you used thin paper to decorate the interior box, it can be varnished to give the product strength. Dry the craft first, it is advisable to wait at least a day. Colorless acrylic varnish must be applied in 2-3 layers. After the composition has completely dried, you can begin decorating the product.

You can make the box more beautiful and original by decorating it with ribbon. Just tie the container in the middle or step back a couple of centimeters from the top edge. You can additionally make a bow on the ribbon.

Do you already know how to cover a box? gift paper. But what else can you decorate it with besides the ribbon? For decoration original crafts You can use artificial flowers, rhinestones or large beads. If you plan to make several boxes that are roughly the same size, you might want to consider making labels for them. You can label containers using regular rectangles cut from paper or cardboard in a contrasting color. Using curly scissors or hole punches, you can create interesting designs on the edges of the label.