Recycle a cardboard box and some newspaper into a storage device. This is the cheapest way to make your clutter vanish behind a classy decoy picture frame ideal for your book shelves, cubbies, and pretty much any ledge.

Supplies:

cardboard box
packing tape
scissors
newspaper
hot glue gun
Mod Podge (matte finish)
party streamers
gold paint
photo (for finished frame)

Step 1: Find a Cardboard Box.

Step 2: Cut Off Flaps.

You can choose to spray paint or cover the cardboard but this section will be out of sight so it doesn’t matter for visual purposes, just depends on your preferences.

Step 3: Measure the Storage Space and Cut Frame Strips.

Take a measurement of the cubbie or storage area to decide what size you want the picture frame to be. Box can be stored length-wise or width-wise, but frame-size should be comparable to box-size. Using 1 of the long box flaps removed in Step 2, cut into 4 cardboard strips to form frame foundation. I chose to make from frame 12" by 12".

Step 4: Use Double-sided Tape to Stick Together Corners of the 4 Strips.

Step 5: Add Dimension to the Frame With Another Layer.

Using 1 removed flap from Step 2, cut strips that are about half the size of foundational frame piece, width-wise.

Step 6: Use Double-sided Tape to Layer New Flaps Atop Frame Foundation.

Step 7: Cut Even Thinner Strips Using Left Over Cardboard From Step 1.

Step 8: Use Double-sided Tape to Layer New Flaps Atop Frame.

Step 9: Make Accents for Corners of the Frame.

Roll up strips of newspaper and wrap in packing tape to make foundation for twirly design structures on the corners. On my 12″x 12″ frame, I used newspaper squares that measured about 3.5″ in length and 1.5″ width. Fold paper width-wise half an inch at a time and then wrap in packaging tape. Make 12 strips total, 3 for each corner. Using hot glue gun, glue strip on spiral formation onto itself. Do this for 8 of the 12 strips.

Step 10: Adhere 2 Twirly Strips and 1 Flat Strip to Each Corner.

Using a hot glue gun, take flat strip and glue 1 end to the frame and the other end on top. Then take 2 spiral strips and glue one on either side of the circular strip on the frame. Make sure structure is securely glued to the frame. Do this for every corner.