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Storage Solutions for Small Spaces!

August 22, 2017 By Lidia 18 Comments

Some people have asked me why my design blog features storage/organizational solutions and crafty things. It’s a good question! Here’s my take on good design – it goes hand-in-hand with having good organizational solutions for the space that you’re designing. And sometimes you have to get creative with how to organize all the things which brings out the crafty side of me!  So there you have it – that’s why my motto is: Design, Organize, Create!  Take these plywood boxes I found at the dollar store:

Storage Solutions for Small Spaces! www.designinsidethebox.comStorage Solutions for Small Spaces! www.designinsidethebox.com

In our guest room/office, I needed some space to house the little things: paper clips, post-it notes etc. When I found these plain plywood boxes, I thought they’d look really great stacked and mounted in an area right by the desk that’s out of the way – but they needed a little pretty-fying! (Is that a word?!) Here are the materials that I had on-hand to use:

Storage Solutions for Small Spaces! www.designinsidethebox.com

Each drawer unit was a bit rough so I gave it all a light sanding while still maintaining some texture. I then took inspiration from my business card and rolled on two coats of Decoart’s Light Lime acrylic paint on the exterior of each set of drawers:

Storage Solutions for Small Spaces! www.designinsidethebox.com

I used my trusty FrogTape to cover my new minty goodness so that I could roll on the light yellow that was going on all the dividers of each box:

Storage Solutions for Small Spaces! www.designinsidethebox.com

I also painted the inside of each frame with Decoart’s Coral Blush acrylic paint which at first I wasn’t sure about but it gives it such a nice hit of colour!

Storage Solutions for Small Spaces! www.designinsidethebox.com

Next up was making the boxes look pretty so I started by painting the same yellow colour on the inside and bottom of each little box:

Storage Solutions for Small Spaces! www.designinsidethebox.com

Then Mod Podge came to the rescue!  I found this gorgeous floral scrapbook paper that I cut to size and then used Mod Podge to adhere and seal them to each box:

Storage Solutions for Small Spaces! www.designinsidethebox.com Storage Solutions for Small Spaces! www.designinsidethebox.comStorage Solutions for Small Spaces! www.designinsidethebox.com Storage Solutions for Small Spaces! www.designinsidethebox.comStorage Solutions for Small Spaces! www.designinsidethebox.com

This next step was my favourite. I filled up the boxes, used self-adhesive bookplates that I had and used my label maker to identify what each box would hold (I LOVE LABELLING):

Storage Solutions for Small Spaces! www.designinsidethebox.com

The final step was putting it all together and mounting it. I used 3M Command Strips to do this and, as always, they are holding up beautifully:

Storage Solutions for Small Spaces! www.designinsidethebox.com

No wait, the final step is admiring your work!

Storage Solutions for Small Spaces! www.designinsidethebox.comStorage Solutions for Small Spaces! www.designinsidethebox.com

Don’t you just love darling storage that makes you smile?! If you’ve done something similar, let me know!

Storage Solutions for Small Spaces! www.designinsidethebox.com

In the meantime, check out three other talented bloggers participating in this August edition of There for the Making! I would love it if you would take a moment, stop by their blogs, and see what they made on a zero-dollar budget. There is some really creative inspiration to be had this month!  A big thank you to Sarah from “Flourish and Knot” for organizing this challenge!

Check out all the no-spend DIY inspiration in this month’s #ThereForTheMaking Challenge!

There for the Making Challenge | The No-Spend DIY Challenge | August 2017 | 4 Creative No-Spend DIY Projects

DIY Painted “Fall” Sign | 2 Bees in a Pod

DIY Storage Solutions | Design Inside the Box (That’s me!)

Easy Embroidered Maple Leaf Pillow (Ikea Hack!) | Flourish & Knot

Updated Glazed Tile | Green With Decor

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Comments

  1. Sarah says

    August 22, 2017 at 8:06 am

    These look so FAB! I absolutely love the paper you used: I’m a sucker for florals like that. Thank you for being a part of There for the Making!

    Reply
    • Lidia says

      August 22, 2017 at 9:38 am

      Aw, thanks Sarah! Thank YOU for organizing this challenge! (It forces me to think creatively about the things I already have!)

      Reply
  2. Debbie says

    August 22, 2017 at 4:50 pm

    I was holding my breath until the end for how the command strips would come into play! Love the final result!

    Reply
    • Lidia says

      August 22, 2017 at 10:41 pm

      So glad you like it!! LOL! If I can sneak them in somewhere you know I will!

      Reply
  3. Shirley says

    August 22, 2017 at 9:15 pm

    Nice job…as usual! i especially liked how you picked up that gorgeous purple colour from the wallpaper & used it for the frame colour…it really hi lights the whole finished project

    Reply
    • Lidia says

      August 22, 2017 at 10:42 pm

      Thanks so much Shirley!! I originally was going to go with white for the frame but I’m with you – I like the pop of colour this gives!

      Reply
  4. Ariel says

    August 23, 2017 at 2:29 pm

    Looks great friend!

    Reply
    • Lidia says

      August 23, 2017 at 9:51 pm

      Thanks so much cherie! xo

      Reply
  5. CaiTlin says

    August 23, 2017 at 2:44 pm

    This is such a great project! I love that you painted the insides with a bright pop of colour!

    Reply
    • Lidia says

      August 23, 2017 at 9:51 pm

      Thanks Caitlin!! xo

      Reply
  6. Emy says

    August 24, 2017 at 6:56 pm

    Love how cute these boxes are! <3
    Emy recently posted…12 Tips to Save Money on Home Improvement ProjectsMy Profile

    Reply
    • Lidia says

      August 25, 2017 at 2:45 pm

      Thanks so much Emy!!

      Reply
  7. Vicki and Jenn 2 Bees in a Pod says

    August 25, 2017 at 9:59 am

    Super cute project! Love that paper too…and the labels. Loved seeing how you put it all together. Thanks so much for sharing.

    Reply
    • Lidia says

      August 25, 2017 at 2:46 pm

      Aww, thank you!!

      Reply
  8. Jessica Vanderveen says

    August 28, 2017 at 8:37 pm

    That paper is so fun and colorful!
    Jessica Vanderveen recently posted…Tour Our Home: Open Concept Raised BungalowMy Profile

    Reply
    • Lidia says

      August 29, 2017 at 9:52 am

      Thanks!! (It makes me smile every time I see it!)

      Reply
  9. Amy Anderson says

    September 5, 2017 at 6:09 pm

    I LOVE the papers you chose! Very pretty – came out great!

    Reply
    • Lidia says

      September 5, 2017 at 9:32 pm

      Thanks so much Amy!!!

      Reply

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I’m Lidia! I’m excited to show you how you can always create, organize and design function and the pretty within whatever space you have - let's design inside the box!

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