There are all sorts of reasons you might want to make decoupaged boxes. Decoupaging a variety of boxes, from shoeboxes to check boxes, with the same or similar paper can make them look like they belong together. Decoupaged boxes can make a boring gift a little more exciting.
Supplies
A plain box to decorate (use a check box, a shoe box, or any other small to medium sized box you have lying around the house)
Paper to decorate the box with (I used decorative tissue paper, but wrapping paper, newspaper, magazine pages, photographs or pictures printed on plain paper would work)
Decoupage medium (I use Mod Podge because it’s a classic, but any thin glue that dries clear will work)
Foam brush
Scissors
Instuctions for Decoupaged Boxes
Cut out a piece of paper the size and shape of your box. You can simply trim a rectangular piece and have some overlap at the corners, or cut out the corners that would make an overlap when you put the paper on the box (drawing the shape of the box in pencil on the back of the paper will make this much easier). Make your cut out a little bigger than the box so you can secure the edges to the inside of the box.
You could also cut out an individual piece of paper for each side of the box, with a little overlap on all sides. The seams will be visible and this won’t look as smooth as decoupaging with one solid piece, but it is a lot easier to get the paper down smooth this way.
Using the foam brush, apply a layer of decoupage medium to one side of the box. Press the paper onto the glue, being careful to align it properly. Smooth it out so there are no air bubbles or ripples in the paper. Use a little more glue to secure the edge to the inside of the box.
Repeat this procedure until all sides are covered. Let the glue dry. If you would like to make a collage or place other paper over the first layer, do so now. When everything is dry, take your foam brush and apply a thin layer of decoupage medium to the paper, making sure you get all sides covered evenly. Allow to dry overnight.
Your box is now ready to use! If you’d like to make your box shiny or sparkly, you can buy decoupage medium that has extra shine built in!
This is about as basic as decoupage gets. Here are some more ideas for things you can decoupage:
picture frames
wooden boxes
tables, chairs and bookshelves for the kids’ rooms
glasses, glass vases or glass votive holders
terra cotta pots
There’s no end to the cute projects you can make with a little bit of paper, a little bit of glue and your imagination.
