Cardboard Storage Boxes

One of the most common materials for storage boxes is cardboard. The word “cardboard” actually covers a variety of more specific materials, but for this hub we’ll be using the word in its broadest sense – which means if it looks like cardboard, it is! Cardboard boxes come in a nearly infinite number of sizes, as well as a variety of shapes, which makes them highly versatile.

Cardboard boxes have a myriad of practical uses. One of the most ubiquitous uses is as short-term storage for transportation, such as during a move. In offices, cardboard storage boxes with lids are often used to store old papers and files that are no longer in use and have been archived. In the home, cardboard boxes can be used to store old clothing, books, and other items in basements, attics, and closets. Cardboard shoe storage boxes keep shoes from getting lost or buried and misshapen. Decorative cardboard storage boxes are used in plain sight, to organize smaller items such as photos or craft supplies. You can even turn plain cardboard boxes into decorative storage boxes with some time and creativity.

Cardboard boxes are useful for storage because they are lightweight and inexpensive, can be relatively sturdy, and are easily disposed of or recycled when no longer needed. However, because cardboard is essentially a paper product, there are times when cardboard isn’t always the best option for long-term storage. In garages, for instance, there is a chance cardboard boxes can be damaged by moisture, insects, or rodents.

Cardboard boxes are also good for clean-up purposes, as they can be tossed along with their contents. Flattened out, they make for good spill covers in work areas such as garages, protecting floors from oil and grease.

Besides the many practical uses for cardboard boxes, there are endless fun, creative ways to use the boxes as well. You can use boxes to store craft supplies, but the boxes themselves can also be used as supplies. There are many crafting books and websites where you can find projects that use cardboard. Kids of all ages can use cardboard boxes for school projects, and younger children with active imaginations can get hours of playtime out of a single large cardboard storage box. Giving kids used and unneeded cardboard boxes plus markers to decorate with is a great way to encourage their creative sides, as well as sparing your walls from any over-zealous artists.

Other than kids, cats are also huge fans of cardboard storage boxes. Cats love boxes of all shapes and sizes, to climb in, on, around and through, to use as hiding places, playhouses, and ideal napping spots. Industrious pet owners can cut holes in cardboard boxes and tape several together to create an inexpensive playground that will keep cats entertained for days, and which can be easily taken down when they’ve grown bored.

If you are needing cardboard boxes for a very specific purpose, such as for filing or to fit in with a certain décor, chances are you’ll need to purchase the boxes from a store. If you are moving from one house to another, you’ll want to make sure you have boxes sturdy enough for your valuables, which may also require spending money. However, for smaller moves, such as from one office to another, or to and from a college dorm, as well as everyday storage needs, it usually takes little more than asking the right people to get as many cardboard boxes as you need for very little money, and often for none at all.

If you know anyone who works at any sort of retail store, that is usually a good place to start. Grocery and liquor stores in particular often have plenty of cardboard boxes they don’t need. Local restaurants can also be a good place to check. If you don’t know an employee at one of these stores who would be willing to ask the manager if you could have some of their boxes, you can always try asking the manager yourself. Offices and schools are another great place to check, if you’re looking for cardboard storage boxes with lids. The boxes that copy machine paper comes in have lids, and with as much paper as most schools and offices order, there’s a good chance they’d be happy to have you take a few empty boxes off their hands.

Another simple way of procuring good cardboard boxes of various sizes is to ask family members and friends. If someone does a lot of online shopping, they might have shipping boxes laying around they’d let you have. Or if someone has moved recently, you can ask for their boxes once they’ve unpacked. People who run home-based businesses, such as Avon salespeople, receive their products in cardboard boxes. If you order Avon or something similar, check with your salesperson to see if there are extra boxes you could have.