Introduction: Easy Concrete Tissue Box Cover
So you want a cover for your tissue boxes, right? Because the boxes themselves rarely fit your decor, or, hey, just because. Me, I wanted something stylish. Sommmeething concrete, yeah!
Wow, have you seen how expensive concrete tissue box covers are? Yeah. So let's DIY one instead, shall we? Major bonus here -- you don't need to make any concrete forms. Like at all. This is so easy!
Supplies
What you need:
1/4" plywood
something with a straight edge like a combination square*
drill bit or paddle bit*
jigsaw* or other cutting tool (I used a palm router*)
wood glue or Gorilla glue*
a clamp* or two
paste wax* or other sealer
FYI, the * items are Amazon affiliate links so if you purchase, you won't pay more but I'll earn a few cents to keep my handy blog, Flipping the Flip, going and I'd sure appreciate it!
Step 1: Start With the Top
First, let's work out the top.
Well wait, first let's measure your tissue box. Do note that they really vary wildly in dimension so you should gauge off of what you typically buy. If your finished cover ends up a bit taller than an average tissue box, all the better as it gives you some flexibility at the store. This cover here that I built was based on the slightly taller than average tissue box.
To see the dimensions I went with, you can visit the blog post I wrote about this by clicking here.
Ok so then cut your plywood pieces based on the tissue box dimensions, being sure to add a bit extra for ease of taking on and off then add a half inch to either the long sides or short sides so all the edges will line up evenly.
Measure the top opening of the tissue box itself, where the tissues pop out of, and transfer similar, smaller, or larger dimensions to your top cover piece. A combination square will help you get straighter lines.
Next, drill out a large hole or two with a paddle bit and cut out the opening with a jigsaw.
Step 2: Assemble the Box
Real easy here, just dab a little glue on the edges and line everything up to form a box. Use a clamp to hold things together or tape on the corners if you'd like while the glue sets up. Be sure to wipe up any glue spurts to keep the edges clean.
Step 3: Paint Inside, Optional
Because I'm a stickler for details, I painted the inside of the box black in case there was ever a time I'd end up seeing the interior from above.
Step 4: Mix Up the Concrete
This stuff is way cool, this skim coat concrete.
Now, you can pre-seal the outside of the box if you'd like with a primer or water-based sealer to prevent the water of the concrete mix from being absorbed into the wood, but I didn't.
Mix the concrete according to the instructions on the bag or box, a little at a time so you don't waste the whole bag.
Step 5: Spread the Concrete
Prop up your tissue cover box with some wood underneath inside so the bottom isn't resting on your work surface then start smearing the concrete onto the box. Try to get it as smooth as possible if you're going for a sleek look. Layer as thick or thin as you'd like. You can also let a layer set up and go back with further layers. You can also sand the concrete once it has set if you've got any high spots you'd like to eliminate.
Then, just let it set up.
Step 6: Seal
I used paste wax to seal up the concrete just to give it a nice matte sealed look and also so it would be easier to clean.
Step 7: Decorate
And voila, you've got the concrete look without the weight, without the form, without the mess and without the hassle!
If you want to learn about the faux rusty metal on this shelf I built, click here!
Be sure to swing by my blog Flipping the Flip for more on this project or lots of other cool things to make or do.