How to Make a Faux Metal Desk Organizer Out of Cardboard

Repurpose cereal boxes into fashionable desk accessories.

Cardboard Desk Organizer
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Keep your desk organized in style. Simple paint techinques give this cardboard orgnanizer a trendy weathered metal look.

Materials

  • old cereal and cracker boxes
  • spray adhesive
  • box cutter
  • hammered metal spray paint
  • metallic paint (rust and silver)
  • paint brushes
  • file markers
  • hot glue
spray paint, cardboard boxes and paint brushes

Galvanized Metal Cardboard Box Desk Organizer Materials

Gather the materials needed to make the desk organizer.

Photo by: Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions

Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions

Cut Down to Size

Use a box cutter to cut a 45-degree angle on the sides of the cereal box.

cutting box

Galvanized Metal Cardboard Box Desk Organizer Cut Angle

Cut a 45 degree angle on the sides of the cereal box.

Photo by: Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions

Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions

Then, cut the front of the box across from the bottom of the 45-degree angle.

cutting cardboard

Galvanized Metal Cardboard Box Desk Organizer Cut Front

Cut the front of the box across from the bottom of the 45 degree angle.

Photo by: Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions

Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions

Finally, cut the cracker boxes so you can glue multiple to the front of the cereal box.

cutting box

Galvanized Metal Cardboard Box Desk Organizer Cut Cracker Box1

Cut the cracker boxes down to size.

Photo by: Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions

Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions

Assemble

Use spray adheisve to connect the cracker boxes to the cereal box.

gluing boxes

Galvanized Metal Cardboard Box Desk Organizer Glue Box2

Glue the smaller cracker boxed to the cereal boxes.

Photo by: Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions

Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions

Trip the tops of the boxes for smooth, clean lines.

cutting box

Galvanized Metal Cardboard Box Desk Organizer Trim Edges

Trim the edges of the organizers at an angle.

Photo by: Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions

Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions

Paint

Spray paint the organizer with the hammered metal paint. Let it dry between coats.

spray paint box

Galvanized Metal Cardboard Box Desk Organizer Spray Paint3

Spray paint the organizer with the hammered metal paint.

Photo by: Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions

Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions

Blot the box with silver paint. Let it dry between coats.

painting box

Galvanized Metal Cardboard Box Desk Organizer Blot2

Blot the box with silver paint.

Photo by: Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions

Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions

Brush the rest of the paint onto the corners and edges of the organizer. Let it dry between coats.

painting a box

Galvanized Metal Cardboard Box Desk Organizer Rust Paint2

Brush the rest paint onto the corners and edges of the organizer.

Photo by: Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions

Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions

Accessorize

Glue file markers to the front of the organizer.

gluing file organizer to front of box

Galvanized Metal Cardboard Box Desk Organizer File Markers3

Glue file markers to the front of the organizer.

Photo by: Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions

Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions

Once the paint is dried it will look like metal. The file labels give the organizer a finished look.

desk organizer

Galvanized Metal Cardboard Box Desk Organizer Final Paint

Once the paint is dried it will look like metal.

Photo by: Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions

Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions

Add office supplies and your desk organizer is ready to use!

desk organizer

Galvanized Metal Cardboard Box Desk Organizer Beauty1

Fill your desk organizers with your office supplies.

Photo by: Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions

Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions

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