DIY Spray-painted Wooden Box
If you have a plain wooden box laying around, I’m sure you’ll be eager to give it a little spray-paint makeover by the end of this post.
I’ll be the first to admit that I hoard boxes. Be it product packaging like shoe boxes and jewellery boxes, I always have a hard time parting with them because I usually think it will definitely come in handy – if not now, then sometime in the future. I also have a stash of plain craft boxes I purchased at Michaels for those “one day” DIY craft projects, as well as wooden boxes received as tokens at past work events.
Before you think I have a problem, I want to show you why.
These babies can be transformed with little effort to add glam storage to different spaces throughout your home.
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DIY Spray-painted wooden box
Quick Links to Information in this Post
Update: I recently made a video showing how I spray-painted a wooden box and decorated it. If you prefer to watch a video showing my actual, spray-painting technique (and what to do if things go wrong) you can watch that video HERE or click below to watch the video in post.
The video has chapters so you can skip straight to the wooden box project of you’d like. It’s at timestamp 3:54.
Related post with the pink and gold wooden box: How to Paint a Wooden Box (New Post)
Prefer to read? Continue on for the written tutorial.
I got this particular box at a work event some years ago and used it briefly for stationery. However, it was packed away for a couple years and when I came across it recently, I decided it was time to give it a little makeover.
Here’s how I did it.
Materials used:
- Wooden box (old)
- Spray paint(s): I used this grey gloss paint and my fav gold spray-paint
- Clear sealant (not pictured..oops)
- Decorative item – stone in this case
- Putty and putty knife
- Adhesive
- Felt sticker for the bottom
Instructions:
First, I had to get rid of the imprint on the top of the box so I’d have a smooth surface to work with.
I spread on some putty with the putty knife, smoothed it out and let it dry. Ideally, I would have sanded it next but couldn’t find the sandpaper. So I made sure to smooth it as much as possible with the knife (and my fingers lol). And it was fine.
Next, I lightly sprayed the box with 3 coats of grey spray paint. It’s important to build the colour and not try to get full coverage the first time around. If you overspray, it causes drips and the paint can even puddle in some places. But if that’s what you’re going for then hey… do you boo! 🙂
In case you missed it in the video, this is what I did when I over-sprayed and the paint started to run and drip down the box I painted recently.
Also, I didn’t prime it first but would definitely do so for bigger projects.
I let the paint dry for a couple of minutes between coats. Be sure to check the specific instructions on drying times for whatever brand of paint you’re using. Mine said about a minute.
While the box dried, I sprayed my stone with gold spray paint – it took only one coat.
Can we just pause for a minute to acknowledge the greatness of Gold Spray Paint?
I’m a devoted fan! It instantly glams up anything. If you need proof, just check out my DIY projects to try board on Pinterest where I’ve been saving inspiration from other blogs over the years and you’ll see who has a starring role. 😉
Ok… back to business.
When the paint was dry to the touch, I sprayed the box with clear sealant.
I was initially planning to leave the inside of the box as is but later spray-painted it as well. If you wanted to paint it a different colour, be sure to tape up the outside of the box so you don’t ruin your paint with spillage.
I was done with all the spray-painting in about 30 minutes. I waited about 10 minutes before glueing the stone on to the top of the box. Then, I let the entire thing sit overnight before beginning to use it, just to be safe.
And there she is! Isn’t she pretty??!
3 storage ideas
The boxes can be used any number of ways but here are 3 ways in which I personally use them.
Hair accessories
Because of its small size, it’s perfect to store small but very easily misplaced items like hair pins, clips and bands. That’s how I use another one of the boxes I painted some time ago and it’s been a blessing. It’s the small things I tell you.
Jewellery box
It’s perfect for your everyday jewellery like earrings, ring and delicate bands and necklaces. I personally like keeping my items covered in a box instead of an open tray.
Desk organizer
If you’re into minimal desktop accessories and keeping the bulk hidden away, the box is the perfect place to hide smaller office supplies which can be easily misplaced such as a sharpener, pencils and a couple of pens etc.
And there you have it. This simple DIY spray-painted wooden box will instantly add some glam to that corner of your desk or dresser.
How would you use it? And please let me know if you hoard boxes as well! I can’t be the only one. 🙂
Feel free to pin for future reference.
