I never met a box I didn't like.🥰 I look at it and try to imagine a way to repurpose it later, even if that's 15 or 20 years in the future. My family claims I am a box hoarder. NOT! I am just a recycler in waiting.😉 I do have boxes in my basement going back to 2004.😂

For this project a visit to the basement turned up Priority Mail boxes from 2004. They are not marked flat rate, full retail postage is required. That's not happening! I also came across some Regional Rate boxes that also require higher postage than flat rate. Doubt those will be used for shipping.🤨 My project also includes some trays that keep the meats cold in my weekly Hello Fresh order. In the garage I found a bunch of paint stir sticks. The last time the walls got painted was 2012. You don't have to use as many as I did, I get carried away with extra details, six will be enough.

I hope you have as much fun with this Cardboard Organizer Chest as I did. Remember a box is not just a box, it's something else, later.🤩

Supplies

3-Priority Mail Boxes
1-Regional Rate Box
6 Meat Trays (Queby likes to help. She thinks she's special)
18-Paint Stir Sticks, optional
Utility Knife
Scissors
Creasing Tools
Glue and/or Tape (I prefer Glue, it makes the boxes more sturdy)
Measuring Tools.

Step 1: Find Your Stuff

Head to the basement, garage, or wherever you keep your "I might use this someday" stuff. Pick out the boxes you want to use, find your crafting tools, pile it all up in your work space and "Let's get after it." (Chris Cuomo)

Step 2: Prep the Boxes.

For the drawer case boxes fold and glue the top flaps to the inside of the box, use painter's tape to hold them in place while they dry. Gluing the flaps in gives the side more strength and looks better on the finished project. If you are using boxes from shipments you received and want to glue, remove the tape and glue the bottom longer outside flaps to the bottom inside flaps. Use painter's tape on both ends of the outside seam and on the inside bottom flaps while they dry. Remove it later, carefully, to preserve the look of the box.

Step 3: Prep the Drawers

If you have boxes the exact size that you want the drawers just prepare them the same way as the case boxes. If you need to adjust them to fit follow this procedure:

Before you remove the tape or after you glue the flaps, slice across one end of the bottom of the box. Pic #1
Mark & cut the middle of that end of the box. Pic #2 & #3
Mark the new length across the inside bottom. Pic #4 (the vertical arrow and line are for reference only, do not mark or cut)
Slice each side of the bottom up to the new length mark. Pic #5
Using the smooth edge the creasing tool, not the round end, crease a groove across the new length line. Pic #6 & #7
Fold the flap up. Pic #8
Crease each side. Fold to the inside. Pic #9
Slice each side to the original flap fold. This cut opens the new flaps. Pic #10
Fold the bottom up and fold the sides around it. Trim excess, glue in place. Tada! 1 resized box! Pic #11 & #12

Step 4: Put in the Shelf

In this instance the "shelf" is known as the dust cover. It supports the bottom of the upper drawer and keeps dust out of the lower drawer.

From the extra box/boxes, cut a pieces the width and depth of each case section.
Cut 2 painter's sticks to match the depth of the case. Glue to middle of each side. Pic # 1
Glue the dust cover piece to the top of the painter's sticks. Pic #2

Step 5: Finish Up!

As I mentioned in the intro I get carried away with extra details. I cut and glued a painter's stick on the side of each drawer. It helps them slide more easily, but is really not necessary. Pic #1

Glue the drawer cases together in any configuration you like, to form the chest. I glued 2 cases together on the bottom and the 3rd one in the center top. I added 2 open sections made from an extra box. My finished chest is 24" Tall x 24".\ Wide.

If you want, decorate the chest to suit your style. See how I decorated mine in the "Trash to Treasure" contest later this month.

Enjoy!!