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Clever Screw Container Upcycle: DIY Storage Bins for Small Items

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Plastic screw container that have been upcycled to hold watercolor paper and grommets. These have stickers and scrapbook paper added to them to make them look nice.

Upcycle leftover screw containers into stylish DIY storage bins! With just Mod Podge, scrapbook paper, and creativity, transform plastic containers into perfect drawer dividers or storage for small items like hair ties and vitamins. Quick, easy, and eco-friendly!


I use a lot of special t-screws because I’m a princess. I really like the star screws quite a bit and they generally come with the small plastic container that really is a shame to throw away when you’re done with it.


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DIY Storage Bins for Small Items

Project Supplies

Step by Step Instructions

Step 1: This was a pretty quick and easy project. Start by cleaning and thoroughly drying your container. If you can try to get the label off. I really struggled with removing it completely, but if you can peel off the shiny bits at least, that will help.

A photo of a person holding a container of trim head screws that are 8x1-1/4". The screw containers, once empty, are perfect storage containers for other things!

Step 2: Once everything is dry, you can go ahead and pick out some scrapbook paper that you like. Make sure the design isn’t too big for the container. Cut it to size.

Step 3: Apply a layer of mod podge to your container exterior. I like using these silicone brushes because they’re easy to clean and reuse. I’m not sure how well they work for paint, but for mod podge, they’re great.

A photo of a brush and a mod podge.

Step 4: Use your fingers to press the cut of scrapbook paper onto the box.

Step 5: Apply another layer of mod podge on top.

Step 6: You can add a label using a label maker or just let people guess what’s inside.

Plastic screw container that has been upcycled to hold grommets. These have a label from a label maker on them, and scrapbook paper mod podged to them to make them look nice.

These containers also make excellent feed containers for animals like quail or mice. Provided they won’t chew the container

Honestly I was just fiddling and really liked how this came out and then didn’t want to stop. Not bad for a quick and easy project that keeps something out of the landfill. I think these would make really good drawer. Dividers and they’re excellent for storing small items. Hair ties, vitamins, etc.

This was a plastic container for shelve pins that has been upcycled to hold small pieces of watercolor paper. These have a chalkboard label them, and had scrapbook paper mod podged to them to make them look nice.
I'm not sure what this container was from (it was something in the woodworking shed), but it's the perfect container to upcycle to hold cards or business cards. I used nature scrapbook paper for the top of the plastic to cover the original label. I love the acorns and fall leaves on the design.

Please share and pin this post! If you make this project, share it in our Stuff Mama Makes Facebook Group. We have regular giveaways for gift cards to craft stores. You can also tag me on Instagram @doityourselfdanielle; I love seeing everything you make!

Learn how to do this easy upcycle for old plastic screw containers on diydanielle.com. Photo of a person holding an empty plastic bin for trim head screws.

Plastic screw container that has been upcycled to hold grommets. These have a label from a label maker on them, and scrapbook paper mod podged to them to make them look nice.

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