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Simple DIY Storage Box Using Denim (Ikea Pingla Hack)

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Every day I pick up “bits and bobs” around the house and I am never sure where to put them. Therefore I decided to make a fun DIY storage box for this random stuff with no home, using old jeans and a cardboard box.

I actually covered two boxes in denim and made them a bit more fun, by stenciling some words onto them. Just like I did with my denim draught excluders.

I stenciled one DIY storage box with the word “BITS” and the other “BOBS”. “Bits and bobs” is a popular term for random stuff in the UK.

This was an Ikea hack, as I used two Ikea Pingla boxes for this project.

How to Make A Denim Storage Box an Ikea Pingla Hack

I could’ve used any old cardboard box, but the Ikea ones were the exact size I wanted (not too deep). They come in a pack of two. This was perfect as it ensured I had two matching storage boxes.

Ikea pingla box

I got the idea from some fabric wrapped storage boxes I’d seen on Pinterest. However, I wanted to add more to my DIY storage box by lining it (like with my vintage map suitcase) and adding a fun stencil.

This is such a cheap and easy way to get some fun, handy stylish storage for your “Bits and Bobs”. It was actually featured as one of the top 100 Easy DIY Projects of 2018 on DIYIdeacenter.

This denim craft is also featured under the letter B in the list of A to Z of denim crafts.

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What you need to make a Denim DIY storage box

  • Ikea Pingla Storage Box – You can use other cardboard boxes of a similar size.
  • Pair of adult jeans
  • Repositionable Spray Mount Adhesive
  • Fabric for the lining – You can use a nice craft fabric, an old shirt or even burlap. I used a yellow patterned craft fabric.
  • Bulldog clips or clothes pegs.
  • Needle and thread.
  • Letter Stencils
  • White Acrylic Paint
  • Small paintbrush
What you need to make DIY storage box in denim

How to Make A Denim DIY Storage Box

1. Firstly, if using an Ikea Pingla box, then make it according to the instructions on the base. (Don’t bother making the lid you will need this later)

2. Next, measure the circumference of the box and the height. Then cut the legs of your jeans to fit.

I cut along the seam line of the jeans. This will give you a nice edge on the base of the DIY storage box. You want the width of your jeans to be at least an inch more than the height of the box.

One jeans leg will not be long enough to wrap around the box so you will have to sew two together.

Jeans legs cut

3. Next, to make two denim handles for your DIY storage box, cut the waistband off the jeans and cut 2 pieces about 15cm (6 inches) in length.

Wrap the jeans leg around the box (don’t glue at this stage but use clips to hold in place) and mark where the handles will go. Fix the waistband handles to the leg either by using a grommet tool like a Crop-A-Dile, or stitch them on.

adding denim handles

4. Next, you can fix the denim to the cardboard box. Spray the cardboard box with the adhesive, and wrap the jeans around the box as you go.

Making sure that the seam of the leg is flush with the bottom. Use bulldog clips or clothes pegs to hold it in place as the glue dries. Trim the overlap inside.

Denim covered box clipped
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How to line your DIY storage box

As my storage box was designed to be visible, I decided to line it with a pretty fabric. The method I used to line it was the same as the one I used for my No-Sew Denim Suitcase upcycle.

If you want a more rustic look you could use burlap (hessian) to line your box. I have also lined a festive wicker hamper in a similar way too.


 1.. First, I cut my lining fabric to the circumference and height of my box. Allowing for a seam allowance and some overlap. You may need to sew two pieces of fabric together to get one long enough.

2. Then, fold over the top edge of the fabric to make a small hem, and iron it flat. Attach the fabric to the inside of the box using the spray adhesive. 

DIY denim storage box lined

3. Next, cut the cardboard meant for the lid so that it fits just inside the base of the box. Again use the spray adhesive to cover one side of the cardboard with your lining fabric and place it inside the box.

Denim DIY storage box lining
DIY denim storage box lined

Stenciling the denim DIY storage boxes

I love to add personality to my crafts and upcycles and one of the ways I do this is by stenciling words onto them.

As these boxes were for my “Bits and Bobs”, I stenciled BITS on one side and BOBs on the other. You can, of course, stencil what you like you may want to put “STUFF” or “THINGS” on the side of the box.

I just used individual letter stencils and white acrylic paint to stencil my words onto the box. I used a small brush with a dabbing motion.

Stenciling DIY denim storage boxes
Stenciling denim storage boxes.
Unique and fun Denim DIY Storage Box for your "Bits and Bob". Ikea Pingla hack with stenciling. Very easy to make fabric attached with spray adhesive.
Unique Denim DIY Storage Box for your "Bits and Bob". Ikea Pingla hack with stenciling. Very easy to make fabric attached with spray adhesive.
Yield: Denim storage boxes

Denim Storage Boxes

Fun upcycled denim storage boxes with stenciling

Prep Time 30 minutes
Active Time 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Estimated Cost $5

Materials

  • Old Pair of Jeans
  • Cardboard box (such as IKEA Pingla)
  • Letter Stencil
  • White Paint
  • Fabric for inside
  • Spray adhesive
  • Cardboard for the base of box

Tools

  • Scissors
  • Ruler
  • Clothes pegs or bulldog clips

Instructions

  1. Measure the sides of the boxes and cut the legs of a pair of jeans to fit with a seam allowance
  2. Make 2 handles out of a denim waistband and attach to the cut denim with a grommet tool.
  3. Using spray adhesive fix the cut jeans leg to the out side of the box.
  4. Measure the inside and cut lining fabric.
  5. Use spray adhesive to stick lining fabric. Hold in place with clips while the glue dries.
  6. Cover a cardboard base with lining fabric and place in the bottom of the box.
  7. Stencil the words "Bits & Bobs" to the outside of the boxes.
© Pillarboxblue
Project Type: Upcycle / Category: Denim
Upcycled denim storage boxes


If you are wondering what to do with the leftover pockets of jeans you could save them and make my very popular Denim Pocket Organizer, or my iPhone Denim Pocket Pillow. There are also many more denim storage ideas here.
  

For more storage ideas, check out these upcycled old wooden crates.

what to do with old jeans no-sew projects

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. Judy Hussey

    I so love up cycling denim and these storage bins are great. I’m thinking of doing these and add a jean pocket outside or maybe inside for storage of little items as well as extra interest. What do you think?

    Reply

  6. Michelle

    These are so cool Claire. It’s amazing how some fabric and a creative mind like yours can transform a boring cardboard box into something so functional and pretty. Beautifully done!!

    Reply

  7. Kim

    These boxes are so cute! I love the bits and bobs, and I should totally make these because I have a TON of bits and bob laying around with no home!

    Reply

  15. Victoria @DazzleWhileFrazzled

    Love the expression “Bits and Bobs”! I may start saying that here and totally confuse my kids. Great ideas to have a central collection box for all the random items that somehow travel from their original location to, in my case, the kitchen. I’m constantly making a pile of Legos, books, clothing to carry back to the other side of the house! Visiting from BOB Tribe.

    Reply

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