Classroom Hacks: Paper Box Shelves

Classroom hacks are a great way to save money during the back to school season (and beyond). Because let’s face it: teachers spend too much on classroom supplies and materials. And if we can find ways to cut corners, simplify our lives, and put money back into our pockets, then we’ll do it. Game on!

Paper box shelves are the best classroom hacks for visual arts teachers since sliced bread. Create instant vertical storage for wet art projects that can be assembled and unassembled in a snap.

These shelves are so cheap, versatile, and quick to make. They’re also great for classroom teaches who do occasional art projects with students. Paper box shelves are great for classroom organization.

How to Assemble Paper Box Shelves

Allow me to walk you through how to make one of these babies.

First, insert the lid into the box…

 …and make two marks to indicate the width of the box. 

Then carefully break apart the two front-facing corners of the lid.

With a ruler, draw a line to connect the two marks. 

Use a box cutter or a paper cutter to remove excess cardboard. 

Insert the lid into the box with the unripped corners touching the back of the box. Move the lid so the shelf is centered inside. Draw a line to indicate where the lid touches the back of the box. 

Remove the lid and glue the entire back edge of the box lid.

Then insert it into the box using the line as a guide. Push firmly to secure it in place.

Finally, secure the sides with glue.

And that’s it!

Re-Purposing Shelves

What if I told you that these paper box shelves can be used for more than storing wet art projects? Don’t let these shelves be something taking up unnecessary space in your art room. Use them to make your life easier! You can store…

• Student projects

• Art materials for a lesson

• Art materials during Summer break

Here’s how I used them recently during a paper cache bowl project. Having them on shelves makes it easy to transport messy projects outside for quicker drying. It also frees up valuable table space in my small art room.

Now that I’ve shared the best classroom hacks I use in my own classroom, what storage solutions do you use in your art room? Bonus points will be awarded to those dropping links! For more ideas on classroom hacks, check out my Pinterest board.