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Fancy Up Your Sterlite Drawers

May 27, 2012 Maria Manore Gavin 87 Comments

A while ago I saw the most ingenious idea on Pinterest: use scrapbook paper to fancy up clear Sterlite drawers. I have several sets of Sterlite drawers in my classroom and I got a head start on my summer bucket list by lining ALL of them. Like so many of you, my love of bright colors has merged with a polka dot romance and I just HAD to incorporate brightly-colored polka dots in my fancy Sterlite drawers.

I walked into the scrapbooking section of many crafting stores before I finally found the perfect paper for my classroom. Hobby Lobby carries a fabulous set of scrapbook paper featuring many designs in a bright color scheme, and it includes polka-dot paper! This particular set of paper features 3 sheets of each design shown in the borders of the pack and I truly cannot say enough good things. All of the colors (except brown) match my classroom design perfectly.

I did a little research and the online store for Hobby Lobby shows a product with the same SKU # (159319) as my scrapbook paper set, but the cover looks a bit different and it has one review online complaining about the color selection.  I truly hope that the cover is the only thing that has changed, because the papers in my packet are lovely.

Here’s a close-up photo of the Sterlite drawer makeover. I featured polka dot paper in the drawer front with coordinating stripes (also from the paper set) lining the sides of the sides and upper front portion of each drawer.

 

Directions: (you’ll need a lot of time and scotch tape)

I started with the polka-dot paper. A piece was placed in the front of the drawer and I used a pencil to trace along the edge. It took some trimming and re-sizing until I got it just right. Then, I had a template to trace and use for the remaining drawers. Once those pieces were taped into place (I taped mine down all the way around the paper on the inside of the drawer), I cut pieces for the sides and added those with plenty of scotch tape. (The sides are simple because they are flat). Finally, paper was added to the upper handle area of each drawer. These pieces were a hassle because the drawers have a curve in this area and it was very difficult to get the paper trimmed to the proper size so they could lie flat and happily against the curve. It took lots of tracing, trimming, and refitting before I got exactly the size I wanted. Similar to my first piece of correctly-sized polka dot paper, I used the first piece of striped paper for the handle that I was able to successfully create as a tracing template for the others before it was taped down.

Yes, the project was a bit tedious, but my type-A personality secretly relished every moment of the process. And as you can see, the end-result is fabulous! I have three more sets of Sterlite drawers under my computer table and they look great as well. Check back in the fall to see the rest of my polka-dot storage drawers as well as updated classroom photos!

A follow-up to this original post has been published. The update answers many questions about how well Mod Podge would work for the project and also provides info for making templates easily. If you intend to Fancy Up some drawers of your own, you will want to check it out.


Since this was one of my all-time favorite and most popular posts, it’s a perfect opportunity to link up with Throwback Thursday at the First Grade Parade! Come join the fun as we revisit our blogging oldies but goodies!

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Comments

  1. Wild about Teaching! says

    May 27, 2012 at 7:28 pm

    I looove this! 🙂 Great job!
    -Lacey
    Wild about Teaching!

    Reply
  2. Becky says

    May 27, 2012 at 8:41 pm

    They turned out so stinkin cute!! I want to do this.. but my classroom is all packed up! I must remember this for the fall! I am also a bright color/polka dot junkie.

    Reply
  3. Christi at Ms. Fultz's Corner says

    May 27, 2012 at 9:53 pm

    So cute! We’re running with the polka dot theme next year. I actually have that paper pack already. Wanna come do my drawers? 😉

    Christi ツ
    Ms. Fultz’s Corner

    Reply
    • Maria says

      May 28, 2012 at 5:38 pm

      Ohio’s not that far from Michigan! Maybe we could have a sterlite decorating party!

      Reply
  4. Corinna says

    May 27, 2012 at 11:52 pm

    I love it!! I am still working on my new color scheme for next year, but I will keep this in mind:))

    Aloha,
    Corinna
    Surfin’ Through Second

    Reply
  5. Busy Bees says

    May 28, 2012 at 4:21 am

    These look awesome…gonna have to try this one!!
    Robynn
    BusyBees

    Reply
    • Anonymous says

      May 30, 2012 at 8:55 pm

      Robynn, I just had to mention that you’re the only person I’ve seen besides my sister who spells her name with 2 n’s 🙂

      Reply
  6. Nicole says

    May 28, 2012 at 5:09 am

    LOVE this!! I was looking at these bins yesterday at Target – now I DEFINITELY need them! 🙂
    Nicole
    Rowdy in Room 300

    Reply
  7. Judy says

    May 28, 2012 at 5:17 am

    I love the way they turned out! Just wondering, would it be better to make the first correctly cut piece (template) out of something other than the scrapbook paper? I imagine that I’ll waste a lot of paper trying to get it right! Would hate to waste the good paper!

    Reply
  8. Lisa R. says

    May 28, 2012 at 6:26 am

    Oh.my.gosh! I am in LOVE with this!!! You did such a great job & we just got a Hobby Lobby right down the road from my house. Guess who’s planning a trip there now? LOL. Another thing to add to my summer to-do list! Thanks for sharing!

    Lisa
    Learning Is Something to Treasure

    Reply
  9. Mrs. K says

    May 28, 2012 at 6:47 am

    Oh, my slightly OCD-teacher-self loooovvesss this project!

    Reply
  10. Sweet Bee Cottage says

    May 28, 2012 at 7:37 am

    I’m in! Only 9 more days and then I’ll have all summer to get this project done. Thanks!

    Reply
  11. Kristin Young says

    May 28, 2012 at 7:51 am

    Love your drawers and {bonus!} I already have that paper! 🙂 I’m a new follower as well. Yay for new kinder friends!!

    http://littlemissglamourgoestokindergarten.blogspot.com

    Reply
    • Maria says

      May 28, 2012 at 5:38 pm

      Don’t you just LOVE the cute paper?!?

      Reply
  12. Kelly B aka Queen Bee! says

    May 28, 2012 at 8:17 am

    Love this………..I actually did this on a smaller level last year, so now I want to do it big just like you did! I have three more units to tackle! Thanks!

    kellybrown28021@gmail.com

    Reply
  13. Michelle Rist says

    May 28, 2012 at 8:24 am

    This is fabulous! Thank you for sharing! Now I know what my next project is going to be!!

    Reply
  14. Lita Lita says

    May 28, 2012 at 8:50 am

    OH! This is so beautiful!
    You are everywhere on pinterest! I will be doing this cute project during the Summer.

    Reply
  15. The Paisley Apple says

    May 28, 2012 at 9:11 am

    I was just looking at these type of drawers at Target yesterday. I wanted them….but, decided to hold out for something more decorative! Today, I found your CREATIVE design work and will now head back to Target to get these! Thanks for the AWESOME idea! Love this!

    Reply
  16. Rachel says

    May 28, 2012 at 9:25 am

    Love this idea! Could you use mod podge instead of tape?

    Reply
  17. S. Simpson says

    May 28, 2012 at 9:29 am

    That is FANTASTIC!!! My life this summer is going to be spent organizing like a crazy person so this will be a great way to spice things up. Thank you so much for sharing such detailed directions. I am your newest follower and am looking forward to getting more great ideas from you.
    Stacy

    simpsonsuperstars

    Reply
  18. loveycakes says

    May 28, 2012 at 9:38 am

    Super cute! I am so making this during the summer!! I also love your pink chair in the pic–where did ya get that? I need a new one for next year. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Maria says

      May 28, 2012 at 10:22 am

      I love the pink chair too. I picked it up last summer at Big Lots. They didn’t have any in stock during the school year but I hope they get something similar again this year during the the back-to-school/college dorm season! Best of luck in your search!

      Maria

      Reply