After a couple months of Amazon Subscribe & Save, Joe & I realized that our eyes were a little bigger than our stomach when ordering 3 containers of Oatmeal per month. Although the unintended purpose, these make ideal storage containers. They just needed some sprucing up!
What you need
- Oatmeal containers
- Scissors (or paper cutter)
- Con-tact paper in your favorite color
- Measuring tape
Measure the height & width of your containers (mine measured to be xx inches high and xx inches wide). I cut the contact paper 1/4 inch less than the height of the container and 2 inches longer than the width, so mine came out to be xxx by xxx). I prefer to use my paper cutter but you can definitely just use a scissor!
After cutting the paper to size, peel one edge of the backing. Line up the sticky edge to the container, leaving the 1 inch allowance. Slowly press the adhesive side of the contact paper down on to the container while slowly peeling back the paper backing. Go in smooth strokes, pushing out any air bubbles a small section at a time. If any air bubbles do get trapped, you can just pull the adhesive back to smooth it down again.
Now all you have to do is fill them!
I opted to use three of mine for under the sink storage. These worked perfect to quickly grab a garbage bag and separating out my small & large ziplock bags. Plus it gave a little design to an otherwise unattractive cabinet space.
To decorative diy storage containers & years of oatmeal ahead of us!
Some of the links in this list are affiliate links. It doesn’t cost you any extra, but I earn a little commission if you decide to purchase. Regardless of whether or not I receive a commission, I only recommend products that I personally use and genuinely recommend!
Gina says
Great idea! I always save containers because I don’t like to toss them. I’ve decorated a few and given them to my nephews to collect their Matchbox cars. They’re great for dumping and cleaning up!
Linda says
Love it. It would definitely make the area under the sink prettier. 🙂 Pinned. Best wishes, Linda @Crafts a la mode
Wishing you a lovely Thanksgiving!
Joann@EuchreFun says
We go through a lot of these Quaker Oats containers. Thanks for sharing on The Pin Junkie …. now I have a great use for them 🙂
Gina says
Great Idea. Thanks for sharing.
kristie says
I knew there was a reason I didn’t throw those away!!!
Crystal says
I had just started saving my oatmeal containers with the same idea in mind…cover them and use for storage. However, I never thought about contact paper, but was instead thinking of modge podge. I’m glad I saw this because I think the contact paper idea is a much quicker and easier way to cover them. Thanks for the inspiration!
Shecki @ Greatly Blessed says
LOL! I have the same problem with Amazon Subscribe & Save. I have enough vitamins and razors for an army. Nice job on the containers.
Patty says
Hi Lindsay,
Oh those pesky ziploc bag boxes! They always keep the drawer from closing or get lost in the back and this looks like you can just wip a bag out whenever you need too. Awesome!
Patty
Katie (Growing Up KaterTot) says
Great idea! I like the idea of using them to hold garbage bags, since they’re the perfect size! I think they’d be great for small toys, too. Thanks for the fabulous upcycle craft! #busydoinglife
Tanya Patrice says
Awesome idea. We go through quite a bit of Quaker Oats in our house, so I’m going to try and figure out some uses for the containers.
Kristy as Giftie Etcetera says
Cute and looks pretty easy.
Irene says
Amazing post dear! You have a wonderful blog:)
What about following each other on Instagram, Bloglovin, Twitter?.. 🙂
Lindsay @ Crazy Organized says
You’re so kind! Just followed ya! Love your wedding posts!! you look GORGEOUS!
Kara says
Great idea! Those oatmeal containers are really sturdy; I need to start covering my extras!
Lisa Savage says
Great idea! I love re-purposing containers! #AllAboutYou
Jess says
Oh my gosh…what a neat idea!
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J. Happy Thanksgiving!
Suzie says
I LOVE me some contact paper!!!
Karen Grosz says
I use these for storage without decorating them, but yours look oh so much better. That needs to go on my list of things to do. Love the trim.
Amberjane says
Great Idea and I happen to have a few as i am a big Oatmeal Fan – Thank you for stopping by Pin Worthy Wednesday
Claire says
This is a great idea, love these 🙂
Thanks for linking up to Creative Mondays, pinned..
Jen says
Happy Thanksgiving!! Thank you for sharing your post last week at our link party! I just wanted to let you know that I have chosen you as a feature for this week’s link party! Congratulations! The link party will start tomorrow at 9:00 a.m. EST so feel free to head on over there tomorrow, check out your feature, and grab a party button! Hope to see you there!
~Jen
http://www.classyandcrafty.com
Lindsay @ Crazy Organized says
OMG Jen I’m soooooo excited Thank you thank you thank you! ahhhh
Sherry says
What a great idea! I had a few of these containers saved, but I finally threw them out. Wasn’t sure what I could do with them. Now I know. Thanks for sharing with us at Funtastic Friday.
Verily Victoria Vocalises says
This are a great idea – and I love how you have decorated them. Thank you for linking to #PoCoLo x
Susan says
It never occurred to me that the roll of garbage bags would fit perfectly in an oatmeal box – brilliant.! Pinning now. Thanks for sharing at the #ThisIsHowWeRoll Link Party on Organized 31.
Elaine says
I love upcycling!! Thanks for sharing on My 2 Favorite Things on Thursday!! Hope to see you again tomorrow!! Pinned!
Erin says
Love this idea! Especially since we go through so much oatmeal!!!
Kathleen Jones says
My grand daughters use these covered oat boxes to store their headbands around the outside of the box.
…..works very well.