Easy DIY Fabric Storage Boxes

Turn boring cardboard boxes into beautiful fabric storage boxes with this easy tutorial. 

As I was designing the console for our super awesome coffee bar, storage was a must! I try really hard to declutter, I throw away stuff all the time. I even got caught throwing out my kids artwork. Yikes! Luckily I was able to talk myself out of that one.

But even though I do not feel like I am anywhere close to being a pack rat, I also feel like there is always a pile of stuff I cannot find a home for. That is why I had to make sure I made our coffee bar with lots of storage.

The two drawers were a good starting point, but then I got crazy and added 4 of these easy DIY fabric storage boxes. Now I have lots of storage space for all those little piles.

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Coffee bar station shown with diy fabric storage boxes.


I knew I wanted to put storage boxes on our coffee bar. We need the space to store extra K-cups (we love our coffee so we buy in bulk), random tea and coffee stuff that isn’t pretty enough to be displayed.

One of the boxes hides our wireless router, and the other is perfect for me to stash anything that accumulates on the edge of the kitchen island when company is coming over (always a good idea to have an empty place ready for this exact reason)!

DIY fabric storage boxes in green and white polka dots, blue with birds and multi.

The problem was I couldn’t find boxes that worked with the dimensions I wanted. I know, when you build it yourself you can make it fit anything, but most boxes are 12x12x12 and that dimension just didn’t work. It was too big for the console.

I didn’t want to change the size or height of the console, so I made the only change I could. I made the space for the boxes smaller. I knew I could come up with the perfect solution, hey that’s why I DIY 🙂

Easy DIY fabric storage boxes four shown on book case.

I found this amazing tutorial from Craft Passion and knew I wanted to make my own DIY fabric storage boxes for our coffee console. So I started trying to find some boxes that would fit the space I made for them.

Apparently, that was too much to ask for too! I needed boxes that were 10″ wide x 10″ tall and about 13″ deep. I figured it wouldn’t be to hard to find a 10x10x12 box, but I was wrong! I couldn’t find anything but 12x12x12.

I eventually came across some boxes that were 9″ tall x 13″ wide x 13″ deep. So close to perfection. I figured I could work with that so I grabbed 5 (always good to have an extra).

4 DIY fabric storage boxes shown in coffee station.

How to Resize Cardboard Boxes:

You can make any cardboard box smaller before covering them in fabric. And it is easy with some glue and scissors. 

  1. Cut apart the tape at the bottom of box.
  2. Cut the box apart at opposite corners.
  3. Cut the front/back panels of the box to the desired size, plus a couple inches for a tab.
  4. Trim the sides of box also if needed.
  5. Fold over the tab so the front of the box is the size needed.
  6. Glue the tabs the inside of the sides with hot glue.
  7. Re-tape the bottom of the box closed.

For the side panels I cut them to size plus 2 inches. Then I folded the sides at the 2 inch mark. Using hot glue, I glued the 2 inch tabs to the back side of the front panels. Then I glued the bottom panels together and was ready to go! I ended up with a box that was 9 3/4″ x 9″ x 13″. Perfect.

empty card board box to be used for diy storage boxes

Sadly I got the boxes resized then left them uncovered for way too long! I do that way too often. I filled the uncovered boxes and put them to use, but if I’d have known how easy they were to finish, I would have done it earlier (I think).

How to Make DIY Fabric Storage Boxes

Supplies:

Start by cutting out the fabric. For each box:

  • cut one piece that is the length of the front, bottom, and back combined plus 2-3″ by the width of the box front plus 1″;
  • cut two pieces that are the height of your box plus 2-3″ and the depth of your box plus 2-3″

For each box I cut 1 piece at 10 3/4″ x 34″ for the front/bottom/back and 2 pieces at 15″ x 11 1/2″ for the sides.

decorative fabric shown with rotary cutter

Fold over 1/2″ on each side of the front/bottom/back piece and press (this is where the seam gauge comes in really handy).

cut fabric shown being ironed

Stitched a line 1/4 inch from the edge with a contrasting color for some added detail. I used a stitch on my machine that does a duplicate stitch (forward three, back one, forward three, back one, etc.) so it looks like a thick line of stitching.

If you don’t have this stitch on your sewing machine you can always use a thicker thread to get a similar look.

two pieces of fabric shown after being stitched

Now it’s time to glue. Add spray glue to the side pieces of the fabric. Be careful not to get it on the front of the fabric because it is permanent. 

Wrap the extra around the sides of the box and make sure they are glued down (use the fabric glue if you need extra glue, don’t try to spray it again or you will get it all over). The corners on the bottom of the box will need to be cut to lay flat.

cardboard box shown with fabric on two sides

Spray glue the front/bottom/back piece and center it on the box. Smooth it over the whole thing and wrap the edge inside the box. 

Originally I did not use extra glue on the edges of the boxes like the original tutorial called for. But my sweet children quickly made it necessary to use a stronger glue on the edges. I wouldn’t recommend skipping this step unless you don’t have kids 🙂

finished diy fabric storage boxes shown on shelf

Next, secure the handles. I didn’t take pictures since Joanne’s tutorial is so great. Make sure to check it out to see how to attach the handles. They look so great and I just love the decorative brads!

close up of fabric covered diy storage boxes with handles

To really make the boxes look fabulous and not homemade, don’t skip the step where you cover the unfinished inside edge with a fun ribbon. I couldn’t believe the difference it made.

The uneven, unfinished edge was instantly hidden and made to look even. I used a 3/8 inch wide ribbon so it was super forgiving. And it makes me smile every time I open a box.

diy fabric covered boxes shown filled with boxes of coffee

I was able to knock out all 4 boxes in about 4 hours, including the extra sewing! You can whip them up faster than you can binge watch a season of your favorite show on Netflix! And then you can quickly stash all of your unsightly piles and fake a perfectly clean house 🙂

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set of two fabric covered diy boxes shown in coffee station

How to Make Easy Fabric Storage Boxes

Yield: 1 Fabric Storage Box
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Active Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Estimated Cost: $5

Let me show you how easy it is to turn inexpensive cardboard boxes into beautiful fabric storage boxes with this easy tutorial. 

5.0 Stars (153 Reviews)

Materials

  • Cardboard Boxes
  • Fabric
  • 1″ wide webbing
  • Fabric glue
  • Decorative brads
  • Ribbon

Tools

  • seam gauge
  • quilter’s rulers
  •  rotary cutter

Instructions

  1. Start by cutting out the fabric. For each box cut one piece that is the length of the front, bottom, and back combined plus 2-3″ by the width of the box front plus 1″.
  2. Cut two pieces that are the height of your box plus 2-3″ and the depth of your box plus 2-3″.
  3. For each box I cut 1 piece at 10 3/4″ x 34″ for the front/bottom/back and 2 pieces at 15″ x 11 1/2″ for the sides.
  4. Fold over 1/2″ on each side of the front/bottom/back piece and press (this is where the seam gauge comes in really handy).
  5. Stitched a line 1/4 inch from the edge with a contrasting color for some added detail. I used a stitch on my machine that does a duplicate stitch (forward three, back one, forward three, back one, etc.) so it looks like a thick line of stitching.
  6. Add spray glue to the side pieces of the fabric. Be careful not to get it on the front of the fabric because it is permanent. 
  7. Wrap the extra around the sides of the box and make sure they are glued down (use the fabric glue if you need extra glue, don’t try to spray it again or you will get it all over).
  8. Spray glue the front/bottom/back piece and center it on the box. Smooth it over the whole thing and wrap the edge inside the box. Secure the handles and you are done!
© Kati
Project Type: Storage / Category: Sewing

And the colors I chose work with our dining room bench perfectly! The dining room remodel is looking so good (only a couple more things on my to do list).

68 thoughts on “Easy DIY Fabric Storage Boxes”

  2. Hello! I wonder if you can tell me what type of material you used? Is it like bed covers/cotton or thicker like curtains?? I hope that makes sense… ?

    • Hi Barbara, I used a thicker home decor fabric. Like the stuff you use for curtains. Look for upholstery weight fabrics cause they will hold up better over time!

  3. Thank you so much for these instructions. I have been thinking of covering boxes, didn’t know how. now I will have beautiful boxes to store my quilting fabric in.

  4. I love your site except the pop-ups and the stuck OVER print Pinterest, Facebook Tweet, G+, and email boxes. This is freaking annoying cause I’ve gotta move it back/forth to read. I want to try some of your projects. Pls take these off!

    • I am not sure what pop-ups you are having on the site Mel, I do not have any pop-ups at all. What browser are you using?

  5. Hello, my 6 yr old granddaughter and I just Absolutely Love Your Fabric Box Storage Idea! We are going to use her Pale Pink with Black Polka-dot fabric along with cordinating Black with Pale Pink Polka-dot fabric to cover the boxes in. She can’t wait to put her Pretties and Toys in them! Thanks So Much for Sharing! Great Rainy Day Memory Maker for us!

    • I love that you are going to make them together! This will be perfect for all her pretty things.

    • Those boxes are really nice !
      I’m going to make some big to organise my dressing with Konmari method,
      Pullovers and trousers will be placed in them.
      Thank you for exchange.
      Noëlle from France

      • Thanks Noelle! I use some of these in my closet to organize my clothing too. Works great! Thanks for taking the time to say hi from France!

  6. I could see adding labels to the front of boxes, especially if you make them for a craft room. You could either glue a small chalkboard to the front or tie on a decorative cardboard label. I did something similar to those cardboard pattern boxes that you can purchase at most fabric stores and I even covered the lid. I just wrapped the cloth vertically around the box, gluing down the edges that overlapped the bottom and the inside of the box. Where the ends met, I folded the top edge about 1/2 inch and glued it over the raw edge of the under edge.

    You can find nice fabric choices in the quilting section of a fabric store. There are even coordinated sets of fabrics to mix and match. Even lightweight home decorator fabric would work.

    • Hello Lynsey. Are there specific supplies you are wondering about? The spray glue, fabric, ribbon and strapping was bought at a craft store. You can use any cardboard boxes you have. If there are specifics you need help with just let me know.

      • I can’t find any fabric as pretty as that! Also, the grommets. The only ones I can find are circular with a hole in the middle. How are they secured on the inside of the box?

        • Well, I’m guessing the reason you cannot find the right thing to attach the handles is because I called them the wrong things! Sorry. They are brads not grommets (grommets do have a hole in the center). The brads will have two flat posts on the back that are opened up once inserted through the handle and box to hold them on, but make sure to use glue too, the brads are just a secondary way to secure them. I found the brads I used at Michael’s Crafts. They were definitely the hardest to find, check in the scrapbook section. For fabric I would definitely check Fabric.com (where I found mine) or Hobby Lobby, they have really great options. Good Luck and let me know if you have any other questions 🙂

  8. Just when I’m ready to admit that I have no talent and will never be able to do any of these clever crafts or decorating ideas, I see things like this, so clearly explained and so attractive, and I start to believe that there is hope for even me!

  9. Hi, lovely. 2 questions: what do you mean by double stitching, looks like one row reg st to me? Also not on your nor Joanne instr do I see anything about grommets? I think grommets are eyelets you put like onto a shower curtain did you mean the brads or am I missing something? I would think actual metal grommets would be a good idea to preserve the hole of the handle, but not clear. Wonderful tutorial and thanx for the helpful links.

    • Hello Barbara! The stitch I use goes forward one, back one, then foreword again (like a backstitch) so it is like a double thick stitch. It makes the stitches look thicker and a bit more noticeable. Also, you are right about the grommets, they are brads! My brain is getting away from me 🙂

  10. Maybe I missed it, but what kind of spray adhesive do you use to attach the fabric to the box?

    • Sorry Penny, I used Loctite brand spray adhesive that was for heavy bonding. I’ve used the 3M brand as well and like it. You can find the spray adhesive at the craft store or home improvement store.

      Hope that helps,
      Kati

  15. These are so pretty! I would never have imagined they were made from a cardboard box! You can really make some beautiful, customized storage with these!

  16. These fabric covered boxes are amazing! Thank you for sharing your posts with us this week at Brag About It!
    Pinned and tweeted.

    • I know, buying storage is a rip off! But we want to be organized so we pay it. Now we can just make pretty boxes without the cost 🙂

  18. Wow! Amazing! Who knew you could make your own pretty boxes like that! Love it! TFS! Visiting from Dream, Create, Inspire

  22. Great idea, I was looking for coordinating storage boxes for when I finally do my laundry room revamp – now I can make my own just using some of the fabrics I already have.

  26. Cute boxes and so useful. I love that you have an empty one for when company comes over. I’m always just stashing stuff in another room, just to bring some of it back out again. I didn’t realize they were cardboard boxes when I saw the first picture. Love this.

    • Sometimes I feel bad that I plan for stashing my shameful piles, but I’m realistic! I love how they look so nice, not at all like cardboard boxes.

  29. You did a beautiful job on your fabric boxes and I love your coffee station too! Found you on Diana Rambles party – Pinning!

  31. Wow, those look awesome! I am always trying to find the right-sized box for my projects, and I never can, so I will definitely use your tips on cutting down the box. I think the stitches and ribbon really finish them. They don’t even look like cardboard boxes from the front.

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