Made from cardboard boxes covered with colorful paper, these pint-size furnishings are perfect for a playroom or a child's bedroom. Light enough for kids to rearrange, they're also surprisingly durable. Plus, they can be "reupholstered" with a brand new layer of scrapbook paper or gift wrap whenever you're ready to update their look.

Materials

• Scrap cardboard
• Measuring tape
• Utility knife
• Square box (12 by 12 by 12 inches)
• Hot-glue gun

• 4 rectangular boxes (17 3/4 by 12 1/4 by 3 1/2 inches)
• Drop cloth
• Mod Podge
• Foam paintbrushes
• Assortment of scrapbook paper or gift wrap torn into pieces (8-inch squares and strips work well)

Instructions

1. From the scrap cardboard, cut 2 pieces as specified in the diagram and fit them together to form an X. Then turn the square box so the flaps are on the sides and insert the X (this will strengthen the chair seat). Hot-glue the box flaps closed (a parent's job).

2. Glue the remaining boxes closed. Then glue all the boxes together as shown, starting with the chair arms and finishing with the back.

3. Working on a drop cloth, brush Mod Podge onto a small section of the chair and randomly press on pieces of paper, overlapping the edges a bit. Continue in this way until you've completely covered the chair. Then seal the entire surface with a coat of Mod Podge and let it dry overnight. Don't worry if the paper looks wrinkly at this point; it will flatten as the sealer hardens.

Variations:

Easy End Table: You can complement your chair with a handy end table by gluing a square box atop a smaller one, as shown below. For added durability, reinforce the square box with scrap cardboard (see step 1) before gluing and papering.

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Find more about:

• 2-3 Hours |
• Cardboard Crafts |
• Cardboard Crafts |
• Playspaces |
• School Age

Related Categories:

• Playspace Crafts |
• Cardboard Structures |
• March 2008