Repurposing/Upcycling Used Moving Boxes into Useful & Amazing Household Objects

Changing locations could be one of the most daunting tasks one can have though; it’s also very tantalizing. Just that aspect of being in a different place from where one has always been can be exhilarating – it’s as though you have a new life. I’ve moved a few times now, and pretty much every time, it was the same story.

But uh, those moving boxes.. ugh. I don’t know how it is with you, but they stress me out. Especially when you see dozens of them all over the place. The sight is a bit melancholy and depressing. AND MESSY!

It’s not that I don’t know how to deal with them like, obviously, there’s recycling. But just the thought of them occupying space in my house the very first few days before everything is in order irritates me more than you can imagine. And I can imagine that it’s something similar for you, as well.

So, I figured, why not make something out of them? Of course, you can’t use every single box because there’s too many of them, but even using a few would make me feel better, plus it’s a chance to let my creativity run wild.

I’ve thought of a couple of things to do with moving boxes, so let me show you.

First – Hire a Moving Company

If you haven’t already done so, you’ll obviously need that moving company to do the actual moving (obviously). But also to provide you with all those boxes that you’ll later use for your upcycling projects.

If you aren’t familiar with what the average cost of moving will be, how many companies there are, how long the actual moving will take, or what the distance threshold for moving is, I’ll provide you with a short table with all the necessary data so that you can make a swift decision.

So, if you live in Atlanta (like I do), you’ll first have to pick a moving company in Atlanta (from approx. 150 that exist). You’ll have to pay them anywhere from 1500-2300 USD, and the actual moving process will take anywhere from 4-6 hours (on average).

SUPER IMPORTANT: Before you hire them, check if they actually offer moving boxes!

How to Turn Moving Boxes into Storage Solutions

Cardboard boxes are super versatile, but sometimes, the moving company you use really wreaks havoc on them and they get smushed and unusable.

That’s why I like to use only reliable companies (be sure to pick one that also has a great reputation (check online reviews and customer testimonies). And I don’t really have a magic way to get to them, unless you consider Google to be magic. So look them up online (e.g., any search engine, American Moving and Storage Association directory, moving.com, Angi, HomeAdvisor, Facebook groups, or in the Yellow Pages, etc.).

The first step to using the boxes is to have them be usable.

Provided you have functional boxes, here’s what you can do with them.

DIY Storage Bins

This is one of my favorite ways to use storage boxes, and probably the most obvious one, so here’s what I did.

I chose a couple of boxes with appropriate sizes, secured the seams with duct tape (you can use glue, too) and made sure they were sturdy. Then, I added some wallpaper to the outside to make them almost decorative.

You can also use fabric and paint, but that seemed like more work, so I opted for wallpaper.

Then I just labeled them, and voilá – aesthetic storage bins that cost me realistically $0.

Drawer Dividers

Drawer dividers are an excellent way to keep your drawers neat and tidy, but honestly, I can never remember to buy them.

So, cardboard boxes to the rescue. Measure the drawer to make sure the dividers will fit snugly, and then cut out sections to make the dividers. Again, I used tape to secure them and I covered them with wallpaper, but you can use glue and paint, as well.

I love these dividers for pens and sticky notes the best.

How to Make Decorative Home Items

When moving, and you take a look at all those boxes, the word “aesthetic” doesn’t really come to mind. Clutter, trash, annoyance, that dang thing I tripped over, my cat’s new toy-house-thingy, etc. Basically, you (probably) think of anything other than decor.

But with a little work, even a plain cardboard box can actually look rather nice.

Wall Art Frames

A flat cardboard box can easily be a picture frame and I was surprised how easy this was.

You first cut the box into the shape and size you want, and then customize it. I chose to use fabric for the frames instead, but you can paint them or use decorative paper on them, too.

I mainly use them for some motivational quotes and I find that while it’s beneficial to put up your pictures and artwork (more so if you’re renting), this way of presentation is perfect.

Cardboard Planters

Since staying close to nature has its benefits for one’s mental state, tending to house plants and other greenery is always a wise move. However, pots are not that economical, so I thought, let’s try the cardboard instead. And? It works!

Join and mold the box into the dimensions of a planter, and then cover the inside with a waterproof material (sealant works pretty great, and it’s probably the easiest to apply – I learned that one later). In my first few tries, I used a plastic sheet, but a thick bin liner would suffice as well. And these work great, but are a bit more complicated to work with than just applying sealant.

Conclusion

Who would’ve thought that you could use simple boxes for something that amazing? Not me, anyway. Not until I’ve actually tried it. So I encourage you to try as well. The next time you’re moving and you find yourself with a hundred extra boxes, instead of recycling all of them, keep a dozen and try out new ideas – or any of the above!

Even if you feel like you’re not that creative, don’t worry. There are enough suggestions above, I feel, to get those cogs spinning. And you can always find more inspiration online.