I often feel I’m at my most creative and productive when I’m working in an uncluttered and organized environment, so I’m always on the lookout for functional (but ever pretty) ways to keep the clutter at bay.

And that’s why I love this washi tape wrapped storage boxes. They’re colorful, easy and affordable to make, and keep all my craft odds and ends stored away. I love them so much, I might make up a few more and use them to wrap gifts–in lieu of wrapping paper.

Materials you’ll need for decorative storage boxes:

Plain box with lidWashi tape in various colors, widths, patterns, and finishesScissors

How to make the decorative boxes:

Step 1: Decide on the colors

Choose the order you’d like the washi tape colors to be applied in. Wrap the first washi tape color horizontally along the top perimeter of the box beginning at one of the corners.

Step 2: Straight

After wrapping the entire perimeter, trim the washi tape strip straight up and down so that it meets the other end and completes the band.

Step 3: Wrapping

Continue wrapping the box with washi tape rows until the box is completely covered.

Step 4: Cutting corners

Start on the box top by lining the outer perimeter with washi tape. I cut the corners at 45-degree angles for a cleaner, chamfered look (rather than overlapping the square corners).

Step 5: Center box

Continue working your way into the center of the box top with different colors of tape.

Step 6: Center of the box

When you reach the center, cut a tape square just large enough to cover the center opening, as I did with the yellow washi tape above.

Step 7: Last step

Lastly, line the lip of the box top with another color of washi tape. Finish the end with a vertical cut. Press all tape down firmly.