How to Give an Old Wastebasket a Makeover

Originally posted 2012-08-25 08:00:15.

Tidy Up the Office by Giving the Wastebasket an Update!

When I cleaned out my daughter’s room (see the Teen Room Makeover at Designs by Studio C) I found her old wastebasket complete with gum and candy stuck inside of it. I bought a new one for her and decided that this one was too great to throw away. I figured I could give it a makeover and use it at my own desk space! I’ll show you how to give an old wastebasket a makeover!

How to Give an Old Wastebasket a Makeover

Materials:

  • Wastebasket or other container needing a makeover
  • Paint & brush
  • Scrapbooking paper
  • Scissors
  • Mod Podge (<– affiliate link!)

How to Give an Old Wastebasket a Makeover old and unfinished

I started by giving the inside a through cleaning. I pried the gum and candy out hoping I wouldn’t have to paint the inside, but in the end it got a couple coats anyway! I also removed the cats from the outside and sanded with 220 grit sandpaper.

How to Give an Old Wastebasket a Makeover remove cat decorations

How to Give an Old Wastebasket a Makeover spray paint the inside

I decided on three pretty scrapbooking papers. I folded the first piece over one of the sides to mark the creases for the edge. With a scoring tool, I scored a line where the creases were in order to make nicer folds (A butter knife will work as well), then drew a line 1/2″ outside of the fold. I applied Mod Podge to the side and positioned the paper. I repeated the process for the other side.

How to Give an Old Wastebasket a Makeover apply scrapbook paper to the outside

How to Give an Old Wastebasket a Makeover apply paper with Mod Podge

Once the first two sides were dry, I traced the edges of one of the other sides on a second print of paper then cut it out. I applied Mod Podge on one of the remaining sides, then positioned the paper and repeated the process for the other side.

How to Give an Old Wastebasket a Makeover fold paper edges over sides

How to Give an Old Wastebasket a Makeover apply coordinating paper design

I cut strips from the third paper then coated the top edge with Mod Podge, and positioned the paper.

How to Give an Old Wastebasket a Makeover apply a third coordinated design to the top

That was it! So quick and easy, and no candy! This was a super-simple project and used up a few pieces of the many tons of scrapbooking paper I own. Any questions or comments on how to give an old wastebasket a makeover? Leave them below!

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