Extreme DIY Cube Storage Makeover under $30

This DIY cube storage makeover cost under $30, was super easy to do and really transforms the space it resides in your home.

Ah the infamous cube storage unit with the storage bins and all. I feel like everyone bought these a decade ago when they were all the rage and held onto them. No? Just me? All jokes aside, our cube shelf thingy, whatever you want to call it, has been with us since college/early marriage, which was over a decade ago, and has served many purposes. We’ve used it to hold baby items like diapers and extra things, we’ve used it to store toys in our kids room, to store craft supplies for our kiddos and now currently as an entry way storage unit/giant junk drawer.

This cube unit sits right in our entry way and is one of the first things that you see when you walk into our home. I’ve been on the hunt for the perfect solid wood piece to replace it, but haven’t been able to find one within my budget that is the correct width. Sooo, what’s a girl to do but work with what she’s got to turn a boring piece of laminate furniture into something more beautiful and fitting with the rest of the house? The funny (or not so funny) part about this project is I tried doing this about 6 months ago, but failed miserably because I couldn’t figure out how to attach the legs. That was until I figured out how to actually do it right. So that’s what I’m here to show you, an easy, but beautiful transformation and makeover.

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FAQs

Where can I find basic cube organizers?

I found mine from Target years ago, but you can find them at Walmart, Ikea or even a thrift store.

Can I paint laminate furniture?

You can paint laminate furniture, but there are some special steps you need to take in order for it to be a success. I have an entire post dedicated to painting laminate furniture here, but essentially you want to first prime the piece with a shellac primer, then a good paint, followed by a layer of sealant, which is optional. Since I took all those steps to paint the organizer at the beginning of the year, all I did this time around was give it a fresh coat of paint, which made a huge difference.

Can I add legs directly to the storage cube?

You cannot simply add legs to a laminate storage cube because it’s basically made of paper, otherwise known as particle board. Trust me, I tried doing this my first go around and it does not work. That’s why we have to add a piece of wood to the bottom in order for the legs to have something to attach to. You can use one solid board or wood pieces you have laying around in your scrap pile. I think it looks best with one cohesive piece, but the goal of this project is to spend as little as possible on it, while still making it look refreshed.

How to DIY Cube Storage Makeover

Tools You May Need:

Saw (or have it cut at the hardware store)
Caulk gun
Cordless drill or screw driver
Scissors
Paint brush or paint roller
Hammer
Sewing machine
Iron and ironing board
Hot glue gun

Materials Needed:

Piece of dimensional lumber
Liquid Nails construction adhesive
Spackle spatula
Shellac primer
Paint (I used Behr paint)
Sandpaper
Spray paint sealer
Faux leather
Wooden dowel
Upholstery tacks
1-2 yards fabric
Coordinating thread
Wooden legs
Glue sticks

Directions

Step 1: Adding a Wooden Piece to the Bottom of the Cube

Measure the base of the cube and cut a piece of wood the same size. If you don’t have a saw, places like Home Depot and Lowes will cut wood for you.

Flip the piece of furniture over and apply liquid nails using a caulk gun, then spread it into an even layer with a spatula (or in my case a plastic knife).

Align the piece of wood on top of the liquid nails and ensure it is flush with the sides.

Place heavy boxes on top or clamp the wood down and allow the liquid nails to set for 24 hours.

Step 2: Adding the Legs

Flip the organizer over and then start in one corner and mark from the edge in 2 inches and from the bottom 2.25″ and make a mark. Repeat that for all four corners.

Place the middle of the mounting bracket over the mark you made in the previous step, then add the screws.

Screw in the wooden legs and ad scuff free pads (they came with the legs I purchased).

Step 3: Painting

Fill in any holes or scuffs with wood filler.

Sand the entire cube organizer.

Apply 1-2 coats of a shellac based primer to the entire cube following the directions on the can. You can skip this step for the wooden portion.

Paint the entire cube with a good paint in the color of your choice and apply additional coats as needed.

Step 4: Making the Curtain Rod

For the curtain rod itself, measure the width of your organizer and subtract 1/4″, then cut your wooden dowel to the measurement you found in the previous step.

Sand the dowel with 220 grit sand paper, then stain and seal the dowel.

Step 5: Sewing Two Rod Pocket Curtains

For the width of each curtain panel, measure the distance of the rod between the leather straps and add 2 inches.

For the length of each curtain panel, measure from the rod to where you want the curtain to end and add 10 inches.

Cut out the fabric using a rotary cutter or scissors.

Start on one of the long sides and fold the fabric up 1″ and press.

Fold the raw edge into the crease, press and pin and repeat for the other side.

Sew close to the inner folded edge all the way down, forward and backward stitching at the beginning and end. This creates your 1/2″ double hem.

For the top of the curtain, fold the fabric down 4″ and press, then fold the edge into the crease to create a 2″ double hem, press and pin, then sew along the inner folded edge. This will be where we insert the rod for the curtain.

Fold the bottom of the fabric up 6″ and press, then fold the raw into the hem, press and pin then sew on the inner folded edge with a a straight stitch, doing a forward and backward stitch at beginning and end.

Repeat the above steps for your second panel.

Step 6: Add the Curtain and Curtain Rod

For the curtain rod holder, cut a strip of leather (or faux leather) that’s 2″ wide. From that strip, cut two 3.25″ long pieces.

Place the curtain panels onto the rod.

Wrap the leather to piece around one end of the dowel, add hot glue to the back and hammer it into the left side with a tack or nail, then repeat on the other side.

Notes

Make sure to work fast with the liquid nails because it does dry quickly.
You can use any kind of paint like chalk paint, indoor paint, etc. to paint this organizer, I would just avoid anything oil-based. and make sure to always prime first before adding any paint or it won’t stick.
I found the leather I used for the curtain rod at Hobby Lobby for less than $5, so check there or any local craft stores.
You could also make cafe curtains out of tea towels as opposed to sewing curtains.

Looking for more easy upcycling projects like this cube storage makeover?

Looking for more easy upcycling projects like this cube storage makeover? Check these out:

Extreme DIY Cube Storage Makeover under $30

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YouTube Tutorial