The key to simplicity is color

Often in life, overthinking something can be just as fatal as not thinking about it at all. Storage and transport are two of those classic topics that fit perfectly into this category. Moving things can be easy if you have the right tools for the job, but difficult if you don’t. Storing things can be just as easy if you have ample space, but tricky if space is at a premium. With this in mind, we couldn’t help but notice how effective the humble plastic fruit and vegetable box is at doing both. Strong, lightweight, space-efficient, stackable, cheap, and hang on… it can be aesthetic too. That is if you give the Colorblock Storage Boxes  a coat of paint. And that’s when we got an idea!

With access to plastic boxes being easy and cheap, we decided to create some storage box color blocks with some of our favorite Montana GOLD can colors. If you want to give it a go too, read on.

MATERIALS USED

• Plastic Fruit and vegetable boxes (collapsible, foldable, or solid)
• Montana GOLD in the color of your choice. We chose Pepperoni Mild, Manila Light, Roof, Shrimp Pastel, Latte, Shock White, Sweet Dream, Citrus, and White Orange.
• Montana Plastic PRIMER (optional)
• Masking tape
• Gloves
• Mask
• Drop Sheet

How it was done

Depending on where you live, the trend toward bringing your own bags or foldable boxes to the supermarket may already be the norm. If this is the case, you will regularly be able to find foldable or rigid plastic boxes on offer at supermarkets, big-box hardware stores, or homewares stores. If, however, this is not the case for you, remember the foldable shopping box has its origins as the classic fruit and vegetable box. And if you visit your local market or greengrocer, you can probably access some there, or find out where they get theirs from.

Once you have your plastic boxes, if required, give them a good clean with some soapy water, and be sure to rinse off all the soap residues. If yours are new and clean, make sure they are clean, dust and oil-free, and above all completely dry before applying any paint. Believe it or not, the hardest part is already behind you.

Our boxes were pre-colored originally, so our color choices (as listed in the materials list) were made with the idea that they would work well with the color of the plastic. If your boxes are black, or a color you don’t like, you have the option of painting them directly with the color of your choice, or you can prime them first with Montana PRIMER Plastic, or with the Montana GOLD color Shock White.

Prepare the sections you want to paint of your clean dry boxes by applying masking tape over the areas you want to keep the color of the plastic. If you have decided to paint the whole box, skip this step, and place the boxes on your drop sheep with enough space so you can move around each box freely in readiness for painting. If you are only painting half of each box as we did, place the box on the side that is masked, ensuring easy access to the areas you want to paint.

It is now time for that ritualistic moment once you have your mask and gloves on and your space is prepared for painting. Time to shake your cans for 2-3 minutes so that you can hear the mixing balls moving freely, turn the can upside-down removing the nozzle to allow the safety ring under it to fall out. Re-apply the nozzle and turn the can the right way up triggering it away from everything to ensure the paint is flowing freely.

In smooth sweeping motions from side to side, spray your chosen color to your chosen plastic box at a 15-20 cm distance. Allow to dry and then turn each box over for the second coat if desired. Once the Colorblock Storage Boxes are dry, remove the masking tape(if applicable) to expose your cool two-tone finish. Leave them to dry overnight so the paint can cure before using the boxes to store or move anything. You are done!

This is a super easy project that can be done by creators of any skill level. Each clean box literally only takes up to 5 minutes to mask up and paint. Masking different areas or in different patterns could also add another design element to your boxes but could also add some time to the completion of each box. The Colorblock Storage Boxes look so good; the hardest part will be deciding what goes in them. Well done and Happy Crafting!