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How to make an organisational toolbox for teachers and students

Toolbox with drawers labelled to hold craft items.

Overview

Getting organised for the upcoming school year has never been easier. Create a back-to-school teacher toolbox by upcycling an office organiser into a fun storage solution for the home or classroom. Here are the step-by-step instructions.

Steps

1Sand the sides of the organiser

Remove the drawers from the organiser and lightly sand the top, bottom and sides with the sanding pad. This will help the spray paint stick to the organiser’s surface.
Green Bunnings hammer
Safety tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses and mask, for example) and follow the product’s instructions.

2Spray paint the organiser

Find a well-ventilated space and place the organiser on a drop sheet or cardboard to protect any nearby surfaces. Make sure you set the organiser on raised props so that it’s not touching the ground. (This will prevent anything from sticking to it once you paint it.)

Shake the spray can well and apply a light coat of spray paint to the top and sides of the organiser, keeping the spray can moving so the paint doesn’t run. Remember to spray the inside, as well. Once the organiser is dry to the touch, turn it around and spray paint the back. Leave to dry before applying a second and third coat as needed.

Green Bunnings hammer
Pro tip: A large cardboard box makes for a handy spray booth.

3Make the labels

Now is the time to let your creativity shine through! Create some fun drawer labels using coloured paper, marker pens, stickers or anything else that comes to mind!

Green Bunnings hammer
Pro tip: Map out your organisation before you get creative so that you know what’s going where. You might come up with a back-to-school theme or colour palette.

4Get organised

Put the drawers back in your new teacher toolbox and begin organising! 
Toolbox with drawers labelled to hold craft items and two drawers open.

5Keep going!

Now that you’re on an organisational roll, why not try this D.I.Y. wire mesh memo board for your home office?

 

Photo credit: @miss_atkinson

Health & Safety

Please make sure you use all equipment appropriately and safely when following the advice in these D.I.Y. videos. You need to be familiar with how to use equipment safely and follow the instructions that came with the equipment. If you are unsure, you may feel it is safest to consult an expert, such as the manufacturer or an expert Bunnings Team Member.

Grave health hazards are linked to asbestos, which may be in homes built up to 1990. Health hazards may result from exposure to lead-based paints in older materials and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer.