Alexei Volkov
Plastic storage totes are a great way to keep your belongings organised and secure. However, they are usually designed with functionality and simplicity in mind, leaving room for customisation. Decorating plastic storage totes is a fun and creative way to add a personal touch to your living space while improving your home organisation. With a few simple materials and a bit of creativity, you can transform these ordinary containers into stylish and functional decor pieces that suit your unique style and preferences.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Materials | Plastic bin, fabric, spray adhesive, paper, stickers, paint, ribbon, duct tape, construction paper, permanent markers, clay, faux stone paint, sandpaper, cornstarch, mod podge, etc. |
| Tools | Drill, scissors, paintbrush, stencil, sandpaper, etc. |
| Steps | 1. Drill holes for handles and feet. 2. Cut and attach fabric with spray adhesive. 3. Add handles and feet. 4. Paint, stencil, or apply duct tape or contact paper. 5. Line with patterned paper using mod podge. 6. Decorate with clay molds and paint. |
| Tips | Choose a fabric pattern that matches your decor. Use duct tape for small containers to add personality without bulk. Smooth out paper and apply mod podge evenly. Sand the surface before painting. Use airtight lids or locks for protection from dust, moisture, and intruders. |
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What You'll Learn
Use fabric or paper to cover the storage tote
Decorating plastic storage totes with fabric or paper is a fun and creative way to improve your home organization while adding a touch of personality to your living space. Here is a step-by-step guide to achieving this:
Selecting the Right Fabric or Paper
Choose a fabric or paper pattern that matches your style and the decor of the room where the storage tote will be kept. For example, you could use polka-dotted fabric in a room with polka-dotted wallpaper or zebra-striped cloth in a room with black and white furniture. If you opt for paper, consider using textured and cleanable contact paper, which can be easily wiped down with a damp cloth.
Preparing the Fabric or Paper
Cut the fabric or paper to size, ensuring it is large enough to cover the exterior of the tote. If using fabric, you may want to cut up the sides of the fabric where it will overlap at the corners to achieve a more polished look. If using paper, smooth it out to remove any creases or air bubbles.
Attaching the Fabric or Paper
There are a few different methods for attaching the fabric or paper to your storage tote:
- Spray Adhesive: Apply a generous amount of spray adhesive to the plastic surface of the tote and carefully press the fabric or paper onto it, ensuring it adheres smoothly and without wrinkles.
- Mod Podge: Apply a layer of mod podge to both the back of the fabric or paper and the plastic surface of the tote, then press them together. Once it has set, apply another layer of mod podge over the top and let it dry.
- Glue: If using paper, particularly for creating labels, you can simply glue the paper to the tote.
Adding Handles and Feet (Optional)
To add handles to your decorated tote, drill holes on each side and poke through the fabric or paper at these points. Thread your chosen handle material through the holes and tie a knot on the inside to secure it. For an elegant finish, you can also add craft feet to the bottom of your tote, raising it slightly off the ground and enhancing its overall appearance.
With these simple steps, you can transform mundane plastic storage totes into stylish and functional decor pieces that reflect your unique style and personality.
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Add handles and feet to the tote
Adding handles and feet to your plastic storage tote is a great way to combine style and functionality. This is how you can do it:
First, drill a few holes into the sides of the bin. These holes will serve as handles, so be sure to space them evenly for a balanced look. You can use jute or any other material of your choice for the handles. Thread the jute through the holes and tie a knot on the inside to secure it firmly.
Next, flip the plastic bin over and drill four holes, one in each corner. These holes will be used to add feet to your decorated bin, raising it off the ground and enhancing its overall appearance. Craft feet can be purchased from craft stores or home improvement stores like Home Depot.
If you want to take your project a step further, consider adding wheels to the bottom of your bin for easier mobility. You can also experiment with different fabrics and designs to match your style and living space.
By following these steps, you can transform a basic plastic storage tote into a functional and stylish addition to your home organization system.
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Decorate with paint, markers, or duct tape
If you're looking to decorate plastic storage totes, paint, markers, and duct tape are all great options. Here are some ideas and instructions for using these materials effectively:
Paint
When using paint to decorate your plastic storage totes, it's important to first prepare the surface by washing the container with dish soap and warm water. Once it's dry, gently sand the surface with fine-grit sandpaper and wipe it down with rubbing alcohol. Use painter's tape to cover any areas you don't want to paint, then apply a coat of primer. Once the primer is dry, you can use spray paint, acrylic paint, or enamel paint to add colour or create designs. Stencils can be very helpful for creating specific patterns or shapes, such as zig-zags or checkerboards. If you want to give the illusion of wooden drawers, for example, you can use spray paint and glue knobs onto the totes.
Markers
For a simpler approach, coloured permanent markers can be used to decorate your totes with different designs by hand. This method is straightforward and requires fewer materials, allowing you to easily customise your storage containers.
Duct Tape
Duct tape is a versatile and easy-to-use option for decorating plastic storage totes. It comes in a wide variety of colours and patterns, including bold fluorescent hues, animal prints, and monochromatic designs. To decorate your tote, simply choose the tape you like, cut the desired length, and start wrapping it around the container. Make sure to apply the tape slowly and evenly to avoid folds or bubbles. You can cover the entire container or just add tape to specific sections for a pop of colour or pattern. If your container has a lid, you can cover that with duct tape as well, ensuring that it still closes properly afterward.
These methods provide simple and creative ways to decorate plastic storage totes, allowing you to personalise your space and blend your containers with your home décor.
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Use clay moulds and faux stone paint
Decorating plastic storage totes can be a fun and creative project. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use clay moulds and faux stone paint to achieve an elegant and functional decorative storage solution.
First, you will need to prepare the plastic storage tote by giving it a quick sanding. Use fine-grit sandpaper to roughen the surface slightly, which will allow the clay and paint to adhere better. Work gently until you achieve the desired texture.
Next, you can add some elegant clay designs to the outside of the tote. Before working with air-dry clay, dust your moulds with cornstarch. You can create various clay designs and patterns on the tote, allowing your creativity to flow. Once you are happy with your clay designs, let them dry completely before moving on to the next step.
Now, it's time to add the faux stone paint. Start by applying a coat of silver spray paint to the entire tote, including the clay designs. This will provide a stylish background for the clay designs and enhance the faux stone finish. Make sure to allow the silver paint to dry completely.
After the silver paint is dry, you can create the faux stone appearance. Use a textured stone spray paint with various shades of beige to achieve the stone effect. Apply several light coats of the spray paint, allowing each coat to dry before adding the next. Building up the texture gradually will result in a more realistic stone finish.
Finally, you can add any additional touches, such as handles or craft feet, to your newly decorated plastic storage tote. Enjoy your stylish and unique creation!
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Line the tote with patterned paper
Decorating plastic storage totes can be a fun and creative way to improve your home organization and add a touch of personality to your living space. One way to do this is by lining the tote with patterned paper. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to line your plastic storage tote with patterned paper:
First, choose a patterned paper that you like and that complements the tote's environment. Consider using bright pastels for a baby room or light, muted colors for a kitchen. Cut out enough paper to line the inside of the tote, making sure to smooth out any creases or wrinkles.
Next, prepare the mod podge, a type of adhesive commonly used for crafting. Apply a layer of mod podge to both the paper and the inside of the tote. Carefully stick the paper to the plastic, smoothing out any air bubbles or wrinkles. Allow the mod podge to dry completely.
Once the first layer is dry, apply a second coat of mod podge over the paper to seal and protect it. Make sure the paper remains smooth during this process. And that's it! You've successfully lined your plastic storage tote with patterned paper, adding a unique and decorative touch to your storage solution.
Feel free to experiment with different patterns and colors to create a stylish and functional space. You can also try using fabric or paint to decorate your plastic storage totes, depending on your personal preference and the desired look.
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Frequently asked questions
Cut out a piece of patterned cloth that matches your style and is large enough to cover the container. Apply a layer of mod podge to the back of the cloth and the plastic surface of the container, stick the cloth to the container, and apply another layer of mod podge on top. Alternatively, use spray adhesive to stick the fabric to the container.
Wash the container with dish soap and warm water, then gently sand the surface with fine-grit sandpaper. Once the container is dry, paint it with spray, acrylic, or enamel paint. You can also use stencils to paint specific designs, such as zig-zags or checkerboards.
Find a pattern of duct tape that you like and press it onto the container. Duct tape is a versatile and quick way to decorate your container without adding bulk.
Start by sanding the surface of the container to roughen it up slightly. Then, add some elegant clay designs to the outside of the container using air-dry clay. You can also paint the container with faux stone paint to create a stylish decorative storage solution.
You can use a variety of simple materials to decorate your plastic storage totes, such as paper, stickers, ribbon, or permanent markers. You can also add handles made of jute or other materials, or craft feet to raise the container off the ground and enhance its appearance.
