How To DIY Mini Storage Boxes Using Old Toilet Paper Tubes

If you are looking for a DIY project that uses materials you have plenty of around your home, look no further than your toilet paper roll tubes. An average family of four goes through about one roll per day, and they can stack up quickly even if you live alone. Plus, if you want more rolls, check out some genius ways to start using toilet paper in your garden. Once you have a pile of rolls to get started, these DIY mini storage boxes are a great way to make use of the abundant toilet paper tubes instead of simply recycling them. These affordable little boxes are easy to customize to look cute in your home, give away as gifts, or match any theme, making them the perfect party favors and decor.

If you are ready to make these adorable mini boxes, you will need some supplies. Gather your toilet paper roll tubes, scissors, a ruler, a scoring tool, a bone folder, and a hot glue gun. Depending on the look you want to achieve, there are a variety of materials you can use to decorate your boxes, such as paint, stickers, stamps, pens, pencils, markers, colorful paper scraps, faux flowers, or any other creative items that fit your vision for the boxes. Just keep in mind that the boxes are not the sturdiest, and lightweight materials might be best. Finally, to add closures to the boxes, find some eyelets or buttons and string.

YouTuber Bohemian Crafting shows how to create a vintage version of these boxes. Start by flattening the toilet paper roll, using the bone folder to get a crease on both sides of the roll. Choose one creased side, draw a parallel line 1 centimeter away from the crease, and score the line. Then, refold the tube so that the scored line is one crease, and flatten the tube again to create another crease. When lifted, you should now have a box shape with 1-centimeter tall sides. 

Next, lay the box down and flatten it along two of the existing creases. Use your ruler to measure, mark, and score a line that extends from crease to crease 2 centimeters away from the open edge of the roll and another parallel line 3 centimeters away from the open edge. Flip the tube over and repeat those two lines on the other side so that the lines wrap around the whole box. Then, cut along two of the creases from the opening, past the 2-centimeter line to the 3-centimeter line, so that one of the large flat sides of the box has a flap. Carefully cut along the 3-centimeter line on the other three sides of the box so that only the one flap remains. On the cut-off piece, add another crease so there are three 1-centimeter sections. Fit this to the bottom of the box and cut off the excess from the sides. This piece will be glued on after decorating, and the box will be complete.

Pause your box building to decorate before you glue the bottom on your box and secure the shape, as it is easier to work with on a flat surface. Paint will give you a nice solid surface, while dye can make the box look more rustic or vintage. Also, consider trying faux painting techniques that will make a big difference in your home on a much smaller scale to get some cool effects. A solid white surface with some flowers and the couple's names can be great for wedding decor, and a bright color with small balloon stickers would be great for a birthday party. For seasonal decor, pastels suit spring; bright and bold are great for the summer; warm oranges, reds, and browns evoke fall coziness; and icy colors are perfect for winter. Once your box and bottom piece are decorated, glue the bottom piece to the box. Punch a hole and add your string and eyelet or button so you can close up the boxes.

Overall, these boxes are an affordable, simple, and highly customizable way to repurpose old toilet paper roll tubes so they can be used in a variety of ways. Whether you glue on flowers for a sweet spring aesthetic or gift wrap and ribbon for a cute holiday look, these mini boxes are extremely versatile. You can even adjust the measurements of the box itself to create slightly different shapes to better fit little treats. If you still have toilet paper rolls around, learn how an empty toilet paper roll can help organize your craft room.