Flat Rate Movie Shelf

I recently moved across the country and all my stuff didn't fit in the UBox I rented. I ended up shipping about $500 worth of flat rate boxes to get all the rest of my stuff from Oregon to Massachusetts. I Goodwilled a large portion of my furniture and I'm here without shelves for my movies but a bunch of USPS Large Flat Rate Boxes. Here's how I turned these boxes into shelves and what I learned doing it. I'm sure you could use other boxes, but its obviously most uniform if all the boxes are the same size... but maybe you don't want uniform, feel free to be creative.

Step 1: Measure and Cut

I oriented the seam in the box vertical, my reasoning being it would provide more support, but that probably doesn't matter cause then the one on the outside is horizontal.

The box will be sitting on its side when we're done, so pick your orientation. The top flap will be cut at 4 inches from the top (which means you'll be cutting off about 2 inches). Measure and mark a line 4 inches from the top on the top flap and 4 inches from the top on the side flaps. The side flaps are vertical, so we're not cutting these pieces off we're making horizontal cuts to make two flap pieces on the same side. (May need to skip ahead to see what we're doing as I may not be explaining this super clear) I found that if I cut the side flaps about 3 7/8 (almost 4) inches from the top it all lines up a bit better, but I plan to cover mine in white tissue paper so you won't see if they're lined up exactly.

I then found it necessary to cut a small strip off the bottom half of the side flaps and the bottom flap (about 1/4") so that they would fold inward without hitting the bottom of the box.

Comments

[BarginsTech]

Spray paint it :P ooooorr any other fancy paints stencils, designs you'd like :]

As for sturdiness? Hmm maybe some old broom sticks or rods to keep it upright? Maybe against the back line of the shelf to add weight to the back so it doesnt fall forward? Maybe threaded and/or glued on?

For supplies keep an eye out on the trash nights! And craigslist has a free section locally :] Im sure you could drum up some ideas!

Cool idble! Simple and interesting! :]

[BarginsTech]

also maybe threading the boxes together to each other will add stability?