How to Make a Faux Metal Desk Organizer Out of Cardboard
Repurpose cereal boxes into fashionable desk accessories.
![Cardboard Desk Organizer](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/video/0/02/027/0270/0270050.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.1280.720.85.suffix/1661787708714.jpeg)
Keep your desk organized in style. Simple paint techinques give this cardboard orgnanizer a trendy weathered metal look.
Materials
- old cereal and cracker boxes
- spray adhesive
- box cutter
- hammered metal spray paint
- metallic paint (rust and silver)
- paint brushes
- file markers
- hot glue
![Galvanized Metal Cardboard Box Desk Organizer Materials spray paint, cardboard boxes and paint brushes](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2017/8/29/1/Original_Loch-and-Key_EDI_600_10.0_materials.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.770.85.suffix/1504190194708.jpeg)
Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions
Cut Down to Size
Use a box cutter to cut a 45-degree angle on the sides of the cereal box.
![Galvanized Metal Cardboard Box Desk Organizer Cut Angle cutting box](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2017/8/29/1/Original_Loch-and-Key_EDI_600_10.1a_cutting_box_to_size.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1504190157098.jpeg)
Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions
Then, cut the front of the box across from the bottom of the 45-degree angle.
![Galvanized Metal Cardboard Box Desk Organizer Cut Front cutting cardboard](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2017/8/29/1/Original_Loch-and-Key_EDI_600_10.1_cutting_box_to_size.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1504190160594.jpeg)
Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions
Finally, cut the cracker boxes so you can glue multiple to the front of the cereal box.
![Galvanized Metal Cardboard Box Desk Organizer Cut Cracker Box1 cutting box](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2017/8/29/1/Original_Loch-and-Key_EDI_600_10.2_cutting_smaller_boxes_to_size.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1504190135293.jpeg)
Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions
Assemble
Use spray adheisve to connect the cracker boxes to the cereal box.
![Galvanized Metal Cardboard Box Desk Organizer Glue Box2 gluing boxes](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2017/8/29/1/Original_Loch-and-Key_EDI_600_10.4a_gluing_boxes_together.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1504189608595.jpeg)
Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions
Trip the tops of the boxes for smooth, clean lines.
![Galvanized Metal Cardboard Box Desk Organizer Trim Edges cutting box](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2017/8/29/1/Original_Loch-and-Key_EDI_600_10.5a_cutting_edges.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.924.85.suffix/1504189497495.jpeg)
Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions
Paint
Spray paint the organizer with the hammered metal paint. Let it dry between coats.
![Galvanized Metal Cardboard Box Desk Organizer Spray Paint3 spray paint box](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2017/8/29/1/Original_Loch-and-Key_EDI_600_10.6c_spray_painting_box_set.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1504189500346.jpeg)
Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions
Blot the box with silver paint. Let it dry between coats.
![Galvanized Metal Cardboard Box Desk Organizer Blot2 painting box](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2017/8/29/1/Original_Loch-and-Key_EDI_600_10.7_blotting_with_silver_paint.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1504189553550.jpeg)
Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions
Brush the rest of the paint onto the corners and edges of the organizer. Let it dry between coats.
![Galvanized Metal Cardboard Box Desk Organizer Rust Paint2 painting a box](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2017/8/29/1/Original_Loch-and-Key_EDI_600_10.8a_adding_rust_paint.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1504188241532.jpeg)
Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions
Accessorize
Glue file markers to the front of the organizer.
![Galvanized Metal Cardboard Box Desk Organizer File Markers3 gluing file organizer to front of box](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2017/8/29/1/Original_Loch-and-Key_EDI_600_10.9_gluing_file_markers_to_box.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.924.85.suffix/1504188314234.jpeg)
Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions
Once the paint is dried it will look like metal. The file labels give the organizer a finished look.
![Galvanized Metal Cardboard Box Desk Organizer Final Paint desk organizer](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2017/8/29/1/Original_Loch-and-Key_EDI_600_10.10_final_of_painted_box.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.411.85.suffix/1504188157475.jpeg)
Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions
Add office supplies and your desk organizer is ready to use!
![Galvanized Metal Cardboard Box Desk Organizer Beauty1 desk organizer](http://hgtvhome.sndimg.com/content/dam/images/hgtv/fullset/2017/8/29/1/Original_Loch-and-Key_EDI_600_10.11_beautya.jpg.rend.hgtvcom.616.924.85.suffix/1504188146399.jpeg)
Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions