DIY cardboard box furniture

Until ten years ago, junk furniture seemed an impossible task. However, people have learned to decorate the interior using old pallets, PVC pipes and even thick cardboard. Now we have to analyze the options for how to make budget furniture out of cardboard with our own hands.

Advantages and disadvantages of cardboard furniture

Any furniture has its pros and cons. If we consider options from cardboard, then several positive features can immediately be distinguished:

1. There is an opportunity to create individual and stylish things that no one will definitely have.
2. A chance to arrange an inexpensive photo studio - for those who are developing their small business, cardboard furniture will be a worthy start.
3. Easy transportation - it is much easier to transport several kilograms of thick cardboard than wooden modules. The owner also saves on transportation costs.
4. Savings - you can even find thick cardboard, if you wish, for free. Many shops themselves are happy to get rid of the waste paper.
5. Durability - subject to the manufacturing instructions, such furniture will not be inferior in strength to standard furniture.

Additionally, environmental friendliness can be highlighted, when the owner of the premises can afford better and more expensive furniture, the disposal of the old structure will not harm the environment. As for the disadvantages, one and the most important one can be distinguished here - the furniture will not stand dampness. However, with proper care, this can be easily avoided.

What furniture can be made of cardboard

There are a lot of options for what you can do with your own hands in a few weekends. Below are the main ones that will help you arrange a standard studio or even a full-fledged apartment.

Cupboard

If after buying a large refrigerator there are boxes left, then it will not be difficult to make a cabinet. Below you can find diagrams, instructions and photos of finished products that will definitely inspire you to create your own version. The main nuance is that it is better to choose pressed types of cardboard, since they are particularly durable. After the expiration of time, the cabinet will not "squint" and will be able to fulfill its standard purpose.

Table

When a family buys an apartment in a new building, purchasing furniture for the renovation period is not a good idea. While the preparatory work is underway and the move is being made, you can make a table for lunch with your own hands. For inspiration, you can see a photo of a disassembled and assembled cardboard table.

Children's furniture

All parents know how quickly children grow and how easily they get injured when actively playing in the room. To save yourself from unnecessary expenses and possible injuries, you can make a crib, a small chest of drawers and small chairs out of cardboard. Ready-made schemes will help a young family equip the nursery with everything they need.

Chairs

One of the most popular options that may be needed even when decorating an expensive interior. Many products are sold in stores at huge prices, but their cost is much lower. The collected ideas will help to make an original place for rest. By the way, many experts recommend starting with this option.

Racks

A great chance to get rid of the boxes after you move. You can assemble the rack using a modular system, such a product will last long enough and withstand the load.

Bookshelves

It is unlikely that it will be possible to make hinged ones, since the books weigh a lot, but the floor ones are not a problem for skilled hands. Below are ready-made options that will help you assemble a decent interior for any home.

Dresser

The frame is assembled according to a special scheme, after which it can be glued over with self-adhesive and placed in the most conspicuous place. If you use high-quality, multi-layer cardboard, the guests will not even notice the catch.

How to do it yourself

As with any assembly, the foreman should have a standard stock of tools. Below we will consider the main nuances of making cardboard furniture. Proper preparation is the key to success.

Required materials and tools

The thicker the cardboard, the stronger the product will be. Equipment is often packed into such material or heavy products are transported in it in the form of canned food, etc. Therefore, it is worth looking in warehouses, shops and other facilities.

As for tools and additional items:

1. How to understand dense cardboard or not - light, always thinner. The darker the consumable, the denser it will be.
2. Scotch tape, glue - the use of glue will be stronger, but you will need scotch tape for temporary fixation. What kind of glue is PVA, any construction glue, the main thing is that it is transparent, so it will be easier to hide flaws and joints.
3. Craft paper - used to fix joints.
4. Tracing paper is white paper, ideal for decoration or base.
5. Wallpaper, fabric, self-adhesive - all this can be used for decoration.
6. Pencil, tape measure.
7. A knife - preferably a clerical one.
8. Sandpaper.
9. Building hair dryer - if glue will be used.

As practice has shown, in a home storage room, all this can be found without problems. DIY furniture from cardboard or store boxes can be made even with children.

Drawings and diagrams

The preparation process includes not only collecting everything you need, but also cleaning the main material. There is a huge amount of adhesive tape and glue on the cardboard that citizens take in stores or in warehouses. Many modules can be stored in damp for months, so the selection of material must be done with great care.

After the cardboard has been cleaned and prepared, you can start looking for the instructions you need. Below are the main options that you can use for home creativity.

Forming parts

Long practice has shown that the formation of parts from which furniture is assembled occurs according to one system. First, paper patterns are made, then they are applied to the base, after which they are fastened together. Before assembling, the joints are processed with sandpaper. After that, the protruding corrugation is pasted over with tape, after which it is treated with glue and dried under a hairdryer.

If the master plans to make the most durable product, while gluing several layers, they need to be put under a press. Then the plates will neatly connect, and the excess glue can be collected with a rag or sponge.

Fastening the structure

Strengthening the structure is a rather complicated process. If children's furniture for games can do without this, then the crib and rack will definitely have to be strengthened. The first thing that can come in handy in home engineering is stiffening ribs. How to make them correctly can be found in the design diagrams above.

What other techniques may be needed:

1. Parquet varnish - protects against high humidity.
2. Symmetrical furniture - in this case, the very feature of the design gives stability. You can experiment with forms, but then you will have to independently come up with options for strengthening.
3. Two-layer parts - everything should be clear here, the thicker the walls, the stronger the module.

Using the above recommendations, there will definitely be no problems with strength.

Assembly technology

For convenience, experts have identified several interesting methods that will be needed when assembling cardboard furniture.

For example:

1. Layer bonding of plates - the technology was invented by Frank Gehry in 1970. By the way, several items from the collection are still bought in Europe, the average price is $ 400. The system is simple - a figure is invented, after which the details are cut out according to the pattern, then the contours are connected. Examples of finished products can be found in the photo.
2. Frame furniture - made from a large number of stiffeners. In fact, such a technology looks like a construction of many accordions.
3. Frame furniture covered with paper is ideal for creating unusual shapes. First, the main frame is made from the ribs, after which the decorated part is assembled according to the pattern.
4. Origami is one of the interesting methods that stands out for its creativity. By the way, the furniture turns out to be quite stable. The main thing is to find the right scheme and have good physical fitness.

The last method is using phases or modules. The assembly is only suitable for professionals, because every detail must be as smooth and precise as possible.

How to care for such furniture

When the furniture is ready and is already being used by the household, the main question arises "How to take care of such a structure?" After all, standard wet cleaning is definitely not suitable here, the cardboard quickly deteriorates, and in addition tends to become covered with mold and fungus. What not to do:

1. Do not leave in a damp room, in the rain - the furniture is definitely not for the balcony and summer cottage.
2. You cannot jump, push, increase the load.

What you can:

1. Cover with a strengthening varnish.
2. Wipe clean with a dry cloth and use a vacuum cleaner.
3. Use washable fabric for decoration.

It is unlikely that such furniture will last long if it is used as a standard one. However, for a temporary option and studio decoration, it will fit perfectly.

Video: DIY cardboard furniture

50 options for the design of cardboard furniture in the interior