DIY Cardboard Box Laundry Basket

How to turn a Costco type cardboard box into a “laundry basket”  with some leftover fabric.

The Idea: Creating a cardboard box laundry basket

No matter what people tell you, words and ideas can change the world. – Robin Williams

Have you ever had an idea in your head and thought it would be easy? In my head, this cardboard box would just “magically” get covered in fabric and be cute. 

In reality, it was a little more in-depth than that, BUT please don’t let that scare you.  It just took a little more thinking and planning than my original – slap the fabric over it and call it a day. #lazycrafter  

And, if you are a regular reader here, you know the Mister is the one that deals with exacts, like this DIY Wood Framed Floor Mirror, and that’s just what he did here with this project #thankgoodnessforthemister

Cardboard Laundry Basket Supplies

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• Leftover Queen/Double Sheet/Fabric
• Rotary Cutter
• Cutting Mat
• Cardboard Box(s)
• Extra Cardboard Pieces (if needed)
• Glue (decoupage/fabric)
• Pen
• Scissors
• Paint Brush
• Tape Measure, Yard Stick, and/or Ruler

Laundry Basket Instructions

Quick tip – We also used a pizza box to build up the two sides of our box which you can see in the top picture.

1. 1. Cut any additional cardboard pieces to make all sides at the same level. 
   2. This cardboard box was able to fold apart and become flat.  It at all possible, this is ideal.  If you have a box that will not lay flat, you will need to cut your material differently.
   3. Determine what surfaces you want to be covered by the material and mark them, on the box, with a pencil/pen so you can tell which sides will be covered when measuring/cutting.
   4. Layout cardboard out in the middle of the sheet/fabric – PRINT SIDE DOWN. 
   5. Measure enough to cover the front and back of the cardboard.
   6. In the corners, or areas that fold over that don’t need to be completely covered, just wrap over by an inch or so to get a smooth/rounded edge.
   7. Measure the distance you want to be covered with fabric – inside and outside.  Mark lines with a pen to see when cutting fabric.
   8. Cut the fabric on a mat with your rotary cutting tool.  
   9. Cut a hole in the handle on the side that faces outward and fold it inward – glue down.
   10. Draw out the line of the handle, on the fabric, for the inside, and cut it out on each side.
   11. Once all fabric is cut, apply glue to box and fold the fabric onto the box. 
   12. Next, the box was then folded back together.
   13. And finally, decorate your basket as desired.

*Another option you is to use contact paper like THIS rather than fabric

MORE CARDBOARD PROJECTS

We love using cardboard for lots of different crafts.  Here are a few to try out.

• DIY Cardboard Sunflower
• DIY Cardboard Pallet Heart Valentine Garland
• Corrugated DIY Shamrock Wall Art

Other Cardboard Box Uses

Of course, boxes are great to reuse in shipping packages, moving, and donating items to your local thrift store.  But there can be so many more uses.  We have added a few but would love for you to share any ideas you have.  

• You could easily turn this into a pet bed.  If you ant more pet upcycle ideas?  See this post on 21 Upcycled Pet Projects For Your Fur Babies
• Use smaller boxes for organizing.
• Kids and forts, need we say more?
• Oil spill mat
• Postcards
• Weed control
• Signs
• And yes, you can compost them.  Here is more information on composting: COMPOST 101: Things You Really Should Be Adding to Your Compost

Thanks for stopping by today.  Our goal is to help make the most with whatever you have by sharing budget-friendly, time-saving, and reusing/DIY ideas for all parts of your home and life.  If you enjoyed this cardboard box laundry basket, we would appreciate a share on any social media: Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest.  Plus, don’t forget to follow us as we share even more ideas on each account.

UPDATE – We made this basket back in early 2018 and it’s still going strong as of 5/2020.