I think most moms can relate to the pain that comes with buying box after box of diapers. Not only do you go through an insane amount of diapers each month, but after a while, you are left with piles and piles of empty boxes.
I don’t know about you, but it honestly pains me to throw away good-sized boxes. First I used them to organize all of Judah’s clothes as he outgrew them. Then I saved some to wrap presents during the holidays. And then I put a couple in my car to organize Judah’s toys and overflow. But even after that, we still had more!
So in an attempt to make use out of the many boxes we’re left over with as a disposable-diapering family, I decided to repurpose them, but this time, in a pretty way that I could use for decorating purposes.
Turning a Diaper Box into a Basket
There are many tutorials on wrapping vases, shoe boxes, or wine bottles with twine, and I’ve even done one in the past and still love it. And I did actually entertain the idea of wrapping an entire diaper box in twine, but then I came to my senses and realized that with our schedule, I would probably have one box finished by the time Judah entered Kindergarten. And then I had a thought: rope!
So I headed to our Home Depot and grabbed two things of rope and got to work. I used leftover fabric that I had to line the inside with hot glue. (Disclaimer: I am no seamstress, and I WISH I had the skill and patience to have done a neat job.)
Then I just went around each row with dotted lines of hot glue and pressed the rope down. It took me two naps and I was done! It’s not the neatest job or prettiest, but it’s a finished job. And these days, those are the most beautiful! (Are you on Pinterest? Be sure to pin this if you love it and follow all the Red Stick Moms pins here!)
i just did 2 of these for a diaper shower. They turned out great! I bought fabric (a yard is perfect) and used about 100 feet of rope. I used a woven “camo” rope. I’m going to use smaller boxes for fun storage. Thanks for the pin
So happy to hear!! I recently used fabric for another one and loved it just as much as the rope. Thanks for letting me know about your success with it!
Hi Jenny;
Its feb 25, 2015. Im just now seeing this on my facebook page. We get our diapers delivered & like many, we’ve had all sizes of boxes hanging around. This new idea will be gifts now (fill w/useful items for differnt occassions), thanks. to your wonderful idea! We could all use storage boxes every now & then, for anything! Thanks again & look forward to many more thoughts & ideas♡♡♡
What a great idea! I never even thought about making smaller box baskets for gifts!
what an amazing idea! I love this! I have repinned and would love to share this post if that’s ok with you? I’m not all to crafty but I think even I could do this one!!
Sorry I’m so late to reply! I’ve been out on maternity leave, but I would LOVE for you to share it! Good luck with your crafting!!
What did you do for the bottom on the outside? Do you cover that I rope too or just leave the box showing?:)
I just left the box showing, and no one is the wiser. 🙂
what a great idea! I have turned a box into a sensory box by taping it up and cutting a smallish hole in one end then deco patching the whole thing followed by deco patch varnish….it’s lasted over a year of play so far and is great for hiding toys in, a favourite game for my little one!
Sarah! What a fun idea! I would never have even thought about using my boxes for sensory boxes. So clever!
Did you hot glue the fabric lining the inside of the box or just create a rounder basket with it and just secure the top edges of the box?
Hi Julie! I did glue it at some parts just to make sure it would keep its shape when I put things in it, so it wouldn’t pull. Hope that helps and good luck!
Do you know what type of rope you used and what size? Manila, nylon, cotton? 1/4″, 1/2″, 3/8″??
HI Jenny! I’m wondering If I can link to this tutorial in a round up and use one image in a post? Its a post on nursery decor. Let me know? Thank you!
Hi Carly! It’s certainly not a problem to utilize our posts and an image — just please be sure to credit (and link if online) Red Stick Moms Blog with whatever you are utilizing. Thank you!
Fleur
Managing Editor, RSMB