DIY Updated Student Mailboxes!

I redid my mailboxes last week and I LOVE how they look!  I posted them on Facebook and some people asked how I did it, so here are the details.  First, I pulled it all apart, cleaned it, and scrubbed off all the layers of stickers.  I had eight years worth of names on there!  It actually looked way worse than it does in this picture.

I realized that the cardboard pieces could be turned inside out.  So I did that because the grayish side had glue on there that I couldn't get off.  One of the custodians from my old school had glued it together for me so it was more sturdy.  He also put a piece of wood diagonally across the back which has helped it stand up all these years!

I started by painting the outside with acrylic paint because I had it.  Do NOT do this.  I don't know what the outside is made of.  Some sort of plastic maybe?  The paint seemed fine.  Until I was finished and rubbed or scratched on it...it all came off.  So, then I spray painted it with black spray paint for plastic.  I was originally avoiding spray paint because I'm awful with it, but it was much easier.  I had to do both the inside and outside.

Then I spray painted all the cardboard pieces purple.  It took two cans and I almost needed a third.  After that, I put it all back together and lined the edges with washi tape.  I added the clips like I have been seeing on Pinterest.  This way names can easily be added or removed without ruining the mailboxes.  I think I have a little label maker I can use for that.

Here's the finished product!  SOOO much better!  The bottom row (top picture) is black because it is part of the outside case.  If I had thought about it, I probably would have painted it purple to match the other bottoms but oh well!

Pin for Later:

For more DIY crafts and classroom decor/organizational ideas, follow my Pinterest boards below.

Follow Literacy Spark's board DIY Crafts on Pinterest. Follow Literacy Spark's board Classroom Decor & Organization on Pinterest.