I love the ease of click and ship purchases; the convenience, the free shipping and the no hassle returns of my favorite retailers. But, I don’t love the guilt that sneaks up on me when I toss the familiar brown retail boxes into the recycle bin.
I had similar guilt fueled feelings before I repurposed a few favorite heavyweight Anthropologie holiday shopping bags.
So when I ordered my twice (okay, four times a year ) Bath & Body Works foaming hand soaps and seasonal candles and they arrived in these plaid boxes, I wanted to figure a way how to repurpose these retail boxes.
The Bath & Body Works packaging people were on to something. I found a reason to buy hand soaps and 3 wick candles because of the cute blue plaid print inside their boxes.
So for a few seasons, I hoarded Bath & Body Works boxes.
For a caffeinated fueled moment, I considered framing the flat sides of the retail boxes for my office walls. But, as the caffeine wore off, I decided to start with a less ambitious project and one that only required a roll of clear packaging tape.
I folded the plaid facing sides of the Bath & Body Works’ boxes to the exterior side of the box and secured with a clear, clean edge of packing tape.
That’s it! Never overthink a way how to repurpose retail boxes.
And, with a roll of packing tape, I figured out a way how to repurpose retail boxes to create storage for my office supplies.
With a few extra”broken down” boxes, I framed a rectangular section of the patterned cardboard box. I thought it would be fun to coordinate the pattern in my office’s storage hutch.
I wonder how long until the boys in my house recognize the familiar retailer’s packaging? And, then I will wait for the eye roll.
There’s always an eye roll after a repurposed project.
Seriously, are these not the cutest retail boxes ever?
Are you taking note Chewy? Target? Amazon? Nordstrom? Give us a reason to repurpose the retail boxes!
I like the idea of upcyling boxes…You’ve shared some neat ideas.. I have to admit sometimes it’s the packaging that gets me excited about purchasing something. It can be the most important part of the merchandise because it personalizes the entire package. Looking forward to the other fun things you come up with.
I love that B & B packaging! Cute upcycles!
You are so right about cute packaging! It’s all about the marketing:) Great upcycle! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm!
xo Kathleen|Our HopefulHome
Cute idea! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
I loved it in 2017 and still do now!
Awesome! I had to update all my posts to new url so sneaking in reposts! good catch! ha laura
I have been upcycling thier boxes for years! (Hoarder Lol) although, I go a step further….I completely open the box, turn it inside out and with my hot glue gun, I put it all back together INSIDE OUT! Beautiful boxes line my shelves! Great beautiful storage