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Plastic Drawers Makeover and DIY Sticker Labels

DIY Plastic Storage Drawers Makeover

This plastic drawers makeover is quite easy to do, and you can customize them to look however you like.

Plastic drawer bin makeover with DIY clear sticker labels

And after you have your pretty drawers done, you can create some magical DIY clear sticker labels so you can easily tell what’s inside them.

plain white plastic drawers storage organizers

I started with these two basic plastic storage drawers units that I’ve had for awhile. They’re practical, but they’re also very b-o-r-i-n-g. And, quite frankly, I don’t want to see what’s inside them.

You can find these plastic drawer units in all shapes and sizes. These are 9 1/2″ high, by 10 1/2″ wide, by 12 inches deep.

When I did my craft desk makeover a little while back, I mentioned that these days I’m feeling the need to work in a pretty environment that inspires me and makes me feel good while I’m creating.

I think we all need that, and it’s not that difficult or expensive to make practical things pretty. And to that end I’m continuing to give things in my craft room what I consider to be much-needed makeovers.

dollar store scrapbook paper book used to give plastic storage bins a makeover

I got this book of scrapbook paper at my local dollar store for $4. It has 50 sheets in coordinating patterns and colors.

Easy plastic drawers makeover with scrapbook paper

supplies to give plastic storage bins a makeover with scrapbook paper

I picked the six sheets that I wanted to use and gathered up the few supplies that I needed: my paper cutter, some clear packing tape, a measuring tape, and a pencil.

These scrapbook sheets are about 8 cents a piece, so this is a very inexpensive makeover.

Supplies needed for plastic storage drawers makeover

  • plastic storage drawers
  • scrapbook paper
  • clear packing tape
  • paper cutter
  • sewing measuring tape
  • pencil
cut pieces of scrapbook paper to size with paper cutter

STEP ONE: Measure the inside of your drawers: the front and the two sides. You want your pieces to be slightly smaller than the actual measurement. Then cut your scrapbook paper pieces to size.

My inside drawer measurement are 2 1/2 inches high by 9 1/2 wide for the fronts, and 2 1/4″ inches high and 11 1/2″ wide for the sides.

Those measurements will vary, depending on the size of drawers that you have.

Applying scrapbook paper pieces inside drawers

giving plastic storage in a makeover starting at the front area of drawer

STEP TWO: Start with the front piece. Do a dry fit to make sure it fits well.

applying clear packing tape to back of scrapbook paper piece

STEP THREE: Apply clear packing tape to the back of your scrapbook paper piece, leaving an overhang of the tape along the top edge. This is so it will adhere to the inside of the plastic drawer.

putting scrapbook paper piece in place on the inside front of plastic storage bin drawer

STEP FOUR: Put your front scrapbook paper piece in place, pressing down the tape along the top edge. The top edge of the tape should be just below the top edge of the drawer.

view of inside of plastic storage drawer after scrapbook paper is taped inside

STEP FIVE: Apply the tape along the sides and bottom to adhere it to the drawer. For extra durability, make sure to cover the paper entirely with tape.

view of the inside of plastic storage drawer after scrapbook paper is taped inside

STEP SIX: Do the same to the sides of the drawer.

TIP: Before putting things inside your drawer make sure the sticky side of your tape isn’t exposed anywhere. You don’t want things sticking to the inside of your drawer. If you do find a spot, just cover it with another piece of tape.

Pretty scrapbook paper inside plastic drawers

front view of completed plastic storage drawer makeover with scrapbook paper makeover

And that’s it. My first plastic drawer makeover is done. It’s so pretty, and it was so easy.

A this point I should mention that I decided to use packing tape for this project for four reasons. One; it was super easy. Two; not messy. Three: it’s clear. And most importantly; the tape can easily be removed if I ever want to change the look.

You could, of course, use decoupage medium to glue the scrapbook paper pieces in place permanently if you like.

one side view of first completed plastic storage drawer makeover with scrapbook paper makeover
other side view of first completed plastic storage drawer makeover with scrapbook paper makeover

I did the sides as well so I can move the plastic drawer units around if I ever want to.

other side view of second completed plastic storage drawer makeover with scrapbook paper makeover

Here’s one side of the completed second drawer unit.

one side view of second completed plastic storage drawer makeover with scrapbook paper makeover

And the other side.

Plastic drawer storage bin makeover with scrapbook paper version two

The fun thing about using different patterns in coordinated colors is you can change the drawers around if you want to.

Plastic drawer storage bin makeover with scrapbook paper version three

It’s all about what you love.

Plastic drawer storage bin makeover with scrapbook paper version one

This is the look that I decided I liked the best.

Now it’s time to create some easy and fun DIY clear labels so you know what’s inside those pretty drawers.

Making easy DIY clear sticker labels

printed out label names on regular paper with laser printer

STEP ONE: Print out your labels on regular photocopy paper. I picked a font that would stand out just enough without getting in the way of the pretty papers.

I have a laser printer, but I have heard that this works on inkjets as well but I haven’t tried that myself so I can’t say for sure.

Supplies needed for DIY clear sticker labels

  • photocopy paper
  • clear packing tape
  • scissors
  • ruler
  • bowl of water
applying clear packing tape over printed paper labels

STEP TWO: Place the clear packing tape on to the paper so it completely covers the words.

burnish packing tape onto paper with a ruler to create DIY sticker labels

STEP THREE: Burnish the tape onto the paper with a hard edge. I used a metal ruler, but you could also use any credit or debit card.

cut out paper labels covered with clear packing tape

STEP FOUR: Cut your labels to size, making sure the tape completely covers the cutouts.

Now here is where the magic happens. I can’t explain it, but it works.

soaking packing tape labels in water

STEP FIVE: Place your labels into a bowl of water and leave for at least 5 minutes. I did just three at a time because I didn’t want any labels to sit in the water too long while I was working on them in the next step.

removing paper from back label to create DIY sticker labels

STEP SIX: Rub away the paper with your fingers. The paper should come off very easily. If it doesn’t, put the label back in the water for a little more time.

You’ll notice that the tape doesn’t feel sticky when it’s wet, but that stickiness comes back when it dries… which doesn’t take very long. It was almost dry by the time I removed all the paper.

DIY clear sticker label after paper has been rubbed away

And this is what you’ll when you’re done.

TIP: Make sure your fingers are very clean, and don’t wipe your wet fingers on your pants while you’re removing the paper backing. If you look closely, you can see a cat hair on this label behind the word pressed. With 5 cats in the house cat hair showing up where it’s not wanted is pretty hard to avoid. But I just put the label back in the water and cleaned the cat hair off, and I used a paper towel to keep my fingers dry.

Plastic Drawers makeover with DIY clear sticker labels

DIY plastic storage bin makeover with DIY clear sticker labels

And here are my DIY sticker labels on my newly made over plastic drawers.

I love that I can easily remove these DIY clear sticker labels and create new ones if I ever decide to change what’s in a drawer.

plain white plastic drawers storage organizers

Here’s the before again.

Plastic drawer storage bin makeover with easy DIY clear sticker labels

And here’s the after.

I have to say that I love them so much, and this plastic drawers makeover was even easier than I thought it would be. And inexpensive too, at about 50 cents.

I think that’s a lot of bang for my half a buck.

It would be greatly appreciated if you would pin this project to your favorite Pinterest board, and also share it with your friends.

Easy plastic storage drawers makeover with DIY clear sticker labels

Thanks so much for reading and until next time,

keep on keepin’ on!

XOX

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10 Comments

  1. Wow!!! Those turned out adorable!! The sticker idea is amazing…..have never seen that before. And I label everything. You better believe that this idea is going to get some use!!!!! Thanks…..again….for all your wonderful ideas!!!! Oh, and pinned!

    1. Thanks Dona! I haven’t always been a labeler, but from now on I’m going to be labeling everything too. 🙂

  2. Super cute Tuula! I have some large plastic drawers with wheels and was thinking of updating the ugly plastic fronts too. I think I can use this idea for those as well!

    Tania

    1. Thanks Tania! I just bought a large one on wheels for my craft room just yesterday, and I”ll definitely be prettifying and labeling it before I fill it up. It feel so good when things are organized, but also pretty.

  3. Amy Davis says:

    I love this Tuula! Definitely brightens up a room! Thank you for sharing! I love that it is easy too!

  4. I have several of these plastic drawer units in my home office/craft room that could really use being beautified like this. Love the bright and happy colors you used. Thanks for the inspiration Tuula!

    1. Thanks Marie! I have a few more that I still need to prettify, and then I’m done. Having pretty things like this in my creative space really does make me feel happier when I’m in there. I’m not constantly thinking about how I need to tidy up and organize. lol. It frees up the brain for creative inspiration.