Alexei Volkov
Plastic storage containers are a great way to stay organised, but they're not always the most aesthetically pleasing. Luckily, with a bit of creativity and some simple materials, you can transform these mundane containers into stylish decor pieces that add a touch of personality to your living space. Whether you're covering them in fabric, giving them a stone finish, or repurposing them into something new, there are plenty of ways to jazz up your plastic storage containers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Materials | Air-dry clay, silicone molds, fine-grit sandpaper, spray paint, textured stone spray, fabric, jute, craft feet, paper mache, paper, glue, paint |
| Techniques | Sanding, drilling, cutting, gluing, painting, decorating |
| Benefits | Improve home organization, add a touch of personality to the living space, achieve a polished look, make storage solutions more stylish, functional and decorative |
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What You'll Learn
Create a whimsical fairy garden
If you're looking to jazz up a plastic storage container, why not try creating a whimsical fairy garden? Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get started:
Choose Your Container
Select a plastic storage container that suits your needs and preferences. Consider factors such as size, shape, and whether you want a container with straight sides or one that stacks. You can find plastic bins at stores like Walmart or even repurpose old containers you already have, such as jars, teacups, or buckets.
Prepare the Container
Before you begin decorating, it's a good idea to prepare the surface of your container. Give it a quick sanding with fine-grit sandpaper to roughen up the surface slightly. This will help the paint and other materials adhere better. If you plan to use fabric to cover your container, you can skip this step.
Paint or Fabric
Now it's time to add some colour and style to your container. You can choose to paint your container with spray paint, such as a stylish silver colour or a textured stone spray in shades of beige to create a faux stone appearance. Alternatively, you can cover your container with fabric. Choose a pattern and colour that matches your decor preferences. Cut the fabric to size, apply spray adhesive to the plastic surface, and attach the fabric. For a polished look, cut and fold the fabric at the corners, and don't forget to cut holes for the handles.
Add Handles and Feet (Optional)
To make your container more functional and elegant, consider adding handles and feet. For handles, you can use jute or any material of your choice. Simply thread it through the holes you drilled earlier and tie a knot on the inside to secure it. For an extra touch of charm, add craft feet to the bottom of your container to raise it off the ground and enhance its appearance.
Create Your Fairy Garden
Once your container is decorated, it's time to transform it into a whimsical fairy garden! Add some soil or potting mix to your container and start planting. You can use small plants, miniature blooms, dwarf trees, or even succulents. Don't forget to include some whimsical accessories, such as fairy houses, miniature furniture, or a fairy door. You can also create a water feature using blue crushed glass or clear blue glass stones to represent a stream or pond, as fairies are attracted to water.
With a bit of creativity and some simple materials, you can easily create a charming fairy garden in your plastic storage container, adding a touch of magic to your living space.
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Make a multi-holder organiser
Making a multi-holder organiser is a great way to jazz up your plastic storage containers and keep your space neat and tidy. Here's a step-by-step guide to creating your own:
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies
First, take inventory of the plastic storage containers you want to organise. Make sure they are clean and dry. You can also decide if you want to decorate your containers with paint, paper, or other craft supplies.
Step 2: Sort and Categorise
Before assembling your organiser, sort through your containers and lids. Decide what you want to store and where. For example, you might want to keep food storage containers in one place and separate larger containers for other items. Group similar-sized containers together and decide on a designated area for lids.
Step 3: Choose a Storage Method
There are several ways to create a multi-holder organiser:
- Baskets: Place two sturdy baskets side by side in a cabinet or on a shelf. Use one basket for containers and the other for lids.
- Magazine Holders: Place a magazine holder on its side in a cabinet or drawer. Stack containers or lids on top of each other, ensuring they are easily accessible.
- Desktop Mail Sorter: Place a desktop mail sorter in a pull-out drawer. Use the small compartments for lids and stack containers by size towards the front of the cabinet.
- Wall-Mounted File Holder: Hang a file holder inside a cabinet door for easy access to lids.
- Tension Rods: Use tension rods to create compartments in a drawer. Place the rods near the top, with one large compartment for containers, a medium compartment for water bottles, and a small compartment for lids.
- Upcycling: Use old baby wipes containers, coffee canisters, or cardboard boxes as storage for plastic bags or smaller items. Decorate them with paint, paper, or duct tape to give them a new look.
Step 4: Assemble and Decorate
Now, assemble your chosen storage method and place your sorted containers and lids into their designated spots. If you chose to decorate your containers, this is the time to get creative! Paint, add stickers, or wrap them in colourful paper to give them a unique look.
Step 5: Maintain and Refine
Finally, maintain your new organised system by regularly sorting through your containers and ensuring everything is in its place. You can also refine your system over time, adding more decorative elements or adjusting the layout to suit your needs.
By following these steps, you'll create a functional and aesthetically pleasing multi-holder organiser, transforming your plastic storage containers into a work of art!
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Use clay and moulds for an elegant finish
Plastic containers are versatile and functional, but they often lack style and creativity. With some simple materials, you can transform these containers into elegant and decorative pieces. One way to do this is by using clay and moulds to create a stylish and unique finish. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you achieve this look:
First, prepare the plastic container by giving it a quick sanding with fine-grit sandpaper. This will roughen the surface slightly, allowing the clay and any paint to adhere better. Make sure the container is clean and free of any residue or labels. You can cut off any unwanted parts, such as a lip around the top, with regular scissors.
Now, let's talk about the clay and moulds. You can use air-dry clay, which is readily available, or you could even make your own clay using a dough recipe. Before working with the clay, dust your moulds with cornstarch. This ensures that the clay will release easily and you achieve clean, crisp designs. Fill your moulds with clay, slightly overfilling them, and then use a ruler to remove any excess, leaving you with refined clay impressions.
Get creative with your clay impressions by experimenting with different arrangements on the container. Once you've found the perfect design, use an appropriate adhesive, such as tacky glue or a glue gun, to secure the clay impressions in place. Let the glue dry overnight to ensure the clay designs are firmly attached.
At this point, you can further enhance the look by adding colour or paint effects. You can use spray paint to create a stylish background or complement the clay designs. For a unique finish, you could try creating a faux stone appearance by using textured stone spray in various shades of beige. Apply light coats and build up the texture gradually for a realistic stone effect.
By following these steps and getting creative with your clay and mould choices, you can transform ordinary plastic storage containers into elegant and functional works of art.
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Cover with fabric for a chic look
Covering plastic storage containers with fabric is a great way to give them a chic look. It's a simple DIY project that can transform mundane containers into stylish decor pieces. Here's a step-by-step guide to achieving this:
Choose Your Fabric
The first step is to select a fabric that matches your style and decor preferences. You can experiment with different fabrics and designs to find one that suits your taste. Consider the colour, pattern, and texture of the fabric to create a stylish and functional storage solution.
Measure and Cut the Fabric
Take measurements of the plastic container to determine how much fabric you will need. Place the container upside down on the fabric and trace an outline to create a pattern. Cut the fabric according to the pattern, ensuring it reaches the desired height of the bin. You may need to trim the fabric multiple times to get the perfect fit.
Attach the Fabric
There are several ways to attach the fabric to the container. One method is to use spray adhesive. Apply the adhesive generously to the plastic surface of the bin and then carefully lay the fabric on top, smoothing out any wrinkles or bubbles. Another method is to use Mod Podge, a type of fabric adhesive. Brush on a layer of Fabric Mod Podge, let it dry completely, and then add another layer. Allow the final layer to dry for at least 24 hours before using the container.
Add Handles and Feet (Optional)
If you want to add handles to your fabric-covered container, drill holes in the desired locations before attaching the fabric. Then, poke through the fabric at the drilled holes and thread your chosen handle material, such as jute, through the holes. Tie knots on the inside to secure the handles firmly. You can also add craft feet to the bottom of the bin to raise it off the ground and enhance its overall appearance.
Finishing Touches
To achieve a polished look, cut and fold the fabric at the corners, creating neat seams. You can also use pinking shears to trim the edges of the fabric and prevent fraying. With these simple steps, you can create chic and personalised storage containers for your home.
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Paper mache for a quick transformation
Paper mache is a great way to quickly transform plastic storage containers. Paper mache is a versatile craft that can be used to create a variety of textures and designs. While it may not be very strong on its own, it can be used to reinforce pre-existing containers and add a unique touch.
To get started, gather your materials. You'll need paper, which can be shredded or turned into a pulp, and an adhesive such as paste or clay. You can experiment with different types of paper and adhesives to create the desired effect. If you're using shredded paper, you can add it directly to the adhesive and mix it together to form a pulp.
Once you have your paper mache mixture, you can start transforming your plastic storage containers. Begin by giving the containers a quick sanding with fine-grit sandpaper to roughen up the surface, which will help the paper mache adhere better. Then, apply a layer of your paper mache mixture to the container, using your hands or a brush. You can add multiple layers to create texture and strength.
For a more decorative touch, consider using paper mache to create designs or patterns on your containers. You can use strips of paper to create a textured look or try your hand at paper clay to add more intricate details. Get creative and experiment with different techniques to find what works best for you.
Let your paper mache containers dry completely before using them. You can speed up the drying process by placing them in a warm, sunny spot or using a hairdryer on a low setting. Once dry, your transformed containers are ready to be displayed and used for storage!
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Frequently asked questions
There are many ways to jazz up your plastic storage containers. Here are some ideas:
- Use air-dry clay and silicone moulds to create a faux stone finish.
- Cover the container with fabric and add jute handles.
- Paper mache the container with pages from an old book.
- Cut up and attach pieces of plastic bottles of different sizes and colours to create a unique design.
You can use a variety of materials to decorate your plastic storage containers, such as:
- Air-dry clay and silicone moulds.
- Fabric and jute.
- Paper and Mod Podge for paper mache.
- Plastic bottles.
- Spray paint.
Instead of throwing away plastic containers, you can repurpose them in the following ways:
- Create a mini greenhouse for plants.
- Use them to store plastic shopping bags.
- Make a squirt bottle for salad dressings, oils or paint.
- Organise your tools and accessories by storing extra drill bits and nails.
- Build a whimsical fairy garden.
To make your plastic storage containers more functional, consider the following:
- Drill holes in the container to add handles for easier transport.
- Add craft feet to the bottom of the container to raise it off the ground and enhance its appearance.
- Cut up the bottom of the container to create a multi-holder organiser for utensils, makeup items or crafting supplies.
