Despite the best of intentions, office desks and home entryways can become disorganized quickly. These surfaces seem to breed clutter, whether it is accumulated mail, stamp books, pens or pencils. Mail sorters and organizers for these spaces are available at home and office supply stores, but they're often pricey and lack personality. This project allows you to quickly and easily make an organizer that's tailored to your room’s décor, color scheme or your own quirky tastes.
You need only a few materials to design and execute this project. The many possibilities for coverings include leftover wallpaper, contact paper, fabric and rug remnants. Having an organized workspace or a clutter-free key and mail area can make all the difference between feeling beleaguered or put together.
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Materials
- Tissue box (oblong)
- Scissors
- Pencil
- Box-covering material (wrapping paper, wallpaper, contact paper, etc.)
- Sheet of cardboard
- Tube of acrylic craft paint
- Fine art paintbrush
- Hot glue gun
- Tissue box (oblong)
- Scissors
- Pencil
- Box-covering material (wrapping paper, wallpaper, contact paper, etc.)
- Sheet of cardboard
- Tube of acrylic craft paint
- Fine art paintbrush
- Hot glue gun
DIY Everywhere
Instructions
1. Cut away the top portion of an oblong tissue box carefully with scissors. The box will now be completely open at the top.
1. Cut away the top portion of an oblong tissue box carefully with scissors. The box will now be completely open at the top.
2. Choose a decorative covering to apply to the exterior of the box, such as contact paper, wrapping paper or a wallpaper remnant.
3. Place the box, rear side down, on the covering, and create an oblong template with a pencil.
4. Cut two pieces of the covering with scissors, using the template as a guide.
5. Glue one piece of paper covering to the front of the tissue box.
6. Glue the other piece onto the back side of the box.
7. Repeat steps three and four, except create a template for the square box sides.
8. Repeat steps five and six, except glue the pieces to each side of the box.
9. Cut three pieces of cardboard to fit snugly inside the box widthwise.
10. Paint one side of each cardboard piece with acrylic craft paint.
11. Apply hot glue to the side edge of each cardboard piece that will face the box front.
12. Each piece should be oriented so that the painted side faces the left interior end of the box, and the unpainted, plain cardboard sides face the right end.
13. Apply hot glue to the edge of each cardboard piece that will face the interior front section of the box.
14. Place pieces inside the box, ensuring that the side edge of each piece adheres to the box interior.
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15. After the glue dries, the sorter will be ready to use.