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Designing Cardboard Furniture

by Scriptone on April 27, 2008

Table of Contents

Designing Cardboard Furniture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Intro: Designing Cardboard Furniture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Step 1: Sketch Your Design & Measure & Cut Accurately . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Step 2: 3 silhouette shapes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Step 3: Measure and Cut Struts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Step 4: Layer silhouettes on top of each other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Step 5: Measure, Cut and Insert roof and bottom of each shelf . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Step 6: Cover or decorate your construction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Step 7: Adding Hinged Cupboard Doors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Step 8: Other sample work from interesting designers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Related Instructables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

http://www.instructables.com/id/Cardboard-shelf-for-groceries/
Intro: Designing Cardboard Furniture
Create more spaces that weren't there before, save a tonne by creating you're own furniture out of cardboard and watercolour tape.

You'll find several nifty tricks and tips here and in following instructables about how to design your own cardboard furniture.

Some pieces can be completed in a day or two, depending on your design.

I came across Eric Guiomar's DVD titled How to Design Cardboard Furniture by Vineworks, then his first book, and then this instructable was born.

Here's some new techniques you can use to design uniquely shaped furniture.

New! Eric Guiomar's new pdf book part 2 is available.

Check out many French Cartonnistes personal websites below:

French Cartonnistes Websites

In this instructable, I demonstrate how I made an extremely sturdy three-storey book shelf made of six ply cardboard. Simply follow the same principles to create any
design you like.

Image Notes
1. Design by Elsa Pagis - "Le Spirale" - her site is
http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?hl=en&sl=fr&u=http://elsaisdreaming.free.
Helene%2BZeidan%2BMeubles%2Ben%2Bcarton%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-
a%26hs%3Dh7D%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-
US:official%26prmd%3Do&rurl=translate.google.com.au&usg=ALkJrhgn3bGTQ1wN5KXMub

Image Notes
1. One of the creations from the Effets Pourpres workshop in Toulous, France

http://www.instructables.com/id/Cardboard-shelf-for-groceries/
 Image Notes
1. Designer Patricia Dessoulles

http://www.instructables.com/id/Cardboard-shelf-for-groceries/
 Image Notes
1. Cardboard Artworks by Chris Gilmour

http://www.instructables.com/id/Cardboard-shelf-for-groceries/
 Image Notes
1. Detail of intricate chest of drawers desiger - Dominique Halimi

http://www.instructables.com/id/Cardboard-shelf-for-groceries/
 Image Notes
1. Cardboard Artworks by Chris Gilmour

Image Notes
1. Steps to making a sofa

Image Notes
1. Cardboard Artworks by Chris Gilmour

Image Notes
1. Cardboard Artworks by Chris Gilmour

http://www.instructables.com/id/Cardboard-shelf-for-groceries/
 Image Notes
1. Cardboard Artworks by Chris Gilmour

Image Notes
1. Cardboard Artworks by Chris Gilmour

Image Notes
1. Erics instructional book - thanks Eric for the inspiration and experimentation
for all the Cartonistes!
http://www.instructables.com/id/Cardboard-shelf-for-groceries/
Step 1: Sketch Your Design & Measure & Cut Accurately
Check out books and catalogues for inspiration. The first cupboard I planned to make was a Chinese style black and gold one. In this instructable the same methods are
used for every type of object you plan to make. I will show step by step techniques of how I made a craft cupboard to store my knicks knacks.

Check out my other instructables for details on how to make your own door hinges -
http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-a-Cardboard-Hand-Puppet-Stage/
new tips and tricks for cardboard furniture:
http://www.instructables.com/id/Cardboard-Triangle-Corner-Cupboard/

So now you've figured out you basic construction. You will be surprised at the strength of your cardboard structure. This cupboard below holds up to 80kg of folders.
After 3 months its still standing!

Look for clean cardboard thrown away in electronic superstores. Large complete pieces are ideal - the size of a refrigerator or plasma tv. I clean any visible dust with
hospital grade 90% alcohol. Let dry.

You will need to work out the measurements for thicknesses for each layer ON PAPER.

6-10cm is ideal space between each LAYER.

Thicker ply of cardboard is definitely going to make aa stronger cupboard or chair or table.

In one structure I used 2-ply cardboard other times 3-ply.

1 ply is all that's necessary for the shelf layers (more on this later)

When cutting the shapes of the cardboard use a simple craft knife. Slice 3-4 times over the line you've drawn without using pressure. You'll be surprised how effortless it
is compared to working with WOOD.

Sharpen your knife often. I used the side of brick and its brillant.

WARNING:
Accuracy in MILLIMETRES is essential, or your structure may collapse. (Seriously.) NOTE THE DIRECTION of your cardboard. If you cut on the vertical GRAIN each
piece will be stronger than if you cut a horizontal grain.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Cardboard-shelf-for-groceries/
 Image Notes
1. Cut three silhouettes all identical. These are the frames which support your
structure.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Cardboard-shelf-for-groceries/
 Image Notes
1. Struts fit in vertically

Step 2: 3 silhouette shapes

Now you will cut out the silhouette shapes.
Cut 3.
The middle one and the front one you will cut out the spaces for the shelves.
The 3rd silhouette will not be cut out inside as this is to be the BACK of the shelf.

In the pictures here, some like to cut 4 silhouette shapes for extra support.

Image Notes Image Notes

1. Space is exactly HALFWAY through the height. Later struts will fit here 1. Measure struts which are placed in the centre silhouettes only

http://www.instructables.com/id/Cardboard-shelf-for-groceries/
 Image Notes
1. This is the middle silhouette

Image Notes
1. Struts fit in vertically

Image Notes
1. An example of 4 silhouettes for deep cupboard

http://www.instructables.com/id/Cardboard-shelf-for-groceries/
Step 3: Measure and Cut Struts
1. The strut will be as long as you want the WIDTH of your structure to be
2. The strut is the inside skeleton that supports the whole
cupboard.
3. The width of each strut will be the same width as the THICKNESS of each layer.

A. Cut and measure your strut pieces. You will only need ONE silhouette to cut struts. This is the MIDDLE SILHOUETTE. You can create more than 3 silhouettes for
extra strength for a long chest of drawers for example.

Label each SILHOUETTE : top and bottom, front and back.

B. Cut the struts approximately HALFWAY both on the silhouette and the strut

C. They are insert DOWNWARDS FOR EVERY SHELF SECTION except the bottom, where they are placed UPWARDS

Image Notes
1. The struts ready to be inserted into middle silhouette

Image Notes
1. B. Cut the struts approximately '''HALFWAY''' both on the silhouette and the
strut. It must be the exact thickness of your middle silhouette.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Cardboard-shelf-for-groceries/
 Image Notes
1. Space is exactly HALFWAY through the height. Later struts will fit here

Image Notes Image Notes

1. This is the middle silhouette 1. C. They are insert '''DOWNWARDS FOR EVERY SHELF SECTION''' except
the bottom, where they are placed '''UPWARDS'''

Image Notes Image Notes

1. Middle silhouette bottom view. 1. Here I've attached the front silhouette to the back with sticky tape. Eric
Guiomar uses gummed tape. Note that the back is not cut out.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Cardboard-shelf-for-groceries/
Step 4: Layer silhouettes on top of each other
1. Place the uncut inside silhouette on the bottom level
2. Place the middle silhouette that has struts attached
3. Finally place the top level which will be the FRONT OF STRUCTURE
4. Put weights to add slight pressure so you can tape the pieces more tightly . I used coloured sand in zip lock bags.

A. Using very STICKY DUCT TAPE attach the stuts at the top, bottom, middle. This takes a while to do, but its relaxing exercise.

Warning, you must be very accurate in measuring and assembling at this stage or structure may collapse because edges do not meet exactly. The other main cause of
collaspe is if the ply is less than 2 or 3 ply or the direction of the stripes on the cardboard for the sides are horizontal instead of vertical.

With my first Chinese cupboard, I had problems because of a slight measurement off here and there. Use a FILE or RASP to even edges sticking out.

Step 5: Measure, Cut and Insert roof and bottom of each shelf
1. Measure your depth of each shelf space . Cut out accurately using 1 PLY cardboard for the roof and bottom shape to insert into TOP SIDES AND BOTTOM of inner
space. 1-2 ply thick is enough for inside. The strength lies in the 3-PLY silhouette frame and internal skeleton.

2. Sticky tape all joins carefully with duct tape for good quality strength. Aim for a FLAT and SMOOTH edge. This helps when decorating with paper to sit nicely.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Cardboard-shelf-for-groceries/
 Image Notes
1. Here I've attached the front silhouette to the back with sticky tape. Eric Guiomar
uses gummed tape. Note that the back is not cut out.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Cardboard-shelf-for-groceries/
Step 6: Cover or decorate your construction
1. With the Chinese cupboard I covered everything with duct tape then spray painted it black

2. The second cupboard was covered with double-sided tape and gift wrapping paper

Eric Guiomar's recipe includes wallpaper paste, water and acrylic paints stirred together, to form a thick glue and thinly painted onto the Nepalese papers then attached
to your cardboard structure. Once dry it is waterproofed with bottle of acrylic varnish (normally used to polish the kitchen lino floors.)

warning
When you paint with the wallpaper paste + ACRYLIC PAINT I found when I put too much water the cardboard collapsed. Minimal water is recommended, or paint in the
sun, small sections at a time.

OTHER POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS TO COVERING YOUR CARDBOARD FURNITURE

Rice Starch Glue Paste recipe
Rice flour (or wheat flour found in Asian shops)
Water
2 T Salt dissolved in boiling water
optional - Drop of eucalyptus oil to prevent mould

1. Cook until translucent. Keeps in fridge 3 days. This is used instead of PVA for decoupage or papier mache techniques.

Gesso mix
1. Mix the above recipe with the milk paint formula below and add gypsum / whiting / chalk and 1 cup of PVA glue extra. It will look the mask and bowl pictures below with
the finish, having a nice smooth wood-like appearance.

2. If you use rabbit sizing instead of PVA it needs to be cooked at medium heat. Whisk until smooth. First soak the granules overnight to 15 parts water. Do not boil.

3. Tempera powdered painted can be added for colouring. Gesso sticks best to a rough surface and may crack when painted.

4.(I made a chalk board with this Gesso mix formula and it was extremely smooth).

5. When dry sand with fine sandpaper. The suface can be painted, inlaid with metal or anything you like.

1870 Milk Paint Formula

1 Quart skim milk (room temperature)

1 Ounce of hydrated lime by weight
(Available at hardware stores. Do not use quick lime (calcium oxide), as it will react with the water and heat up. Hydrated lime has been soaked in water then dried.)
http://www.instructables.com/id/Cardboard-shelf-for-groceries/
Stir in enough skim milk to hydrated lime to make a cream. Add balance of skim milk. Now add sufficient amount of powder pigment to desired color and consistency
(Pigment powder must be limeproof). Stir in well for a few minutes before using. For best results continue to stir throughout use.

Apply a thin layer milk paint with a cheap natural bristle brush. Allow project to dry sufficiently before applying next coat. Extra paint may be kept for several days in the
refrigerator, until the milk sours. Double or triple the recipe for paint.

Allow to dry thoroughly 3-4 hours before use. For extra protection, give paint a coat of oil finish or sealer. Color may change - test in inconspicuous area.

Very Durable Weather Resistant Paint

5 parts cottage cheese or dry curd cheese

(Dry curd cheese is cottage cheese without cream or flavoring added. You can make a similar cheese by putting cottage cheese into cheesecloth and hanging it until it
stops draining. Use cottage cheese if you are in a hurry.)
1 part hydrated lime or slacked lime

Mix hydrated lime with water to make a paste. Add to cottage cheese and stir in well. Leave for few hours - the cheese lump will dissolve completely. Select some powder
pigments and add to solution (Pigment powder must be limeproof). Add more water if too thick; powdered skim milk if too thin. Strain if you want a fine paint (old nylon
stocking works well).

Image Notes
1. Taken from a transforming furniture book. The trick is to use hardly any water.
Priming cardboard surface with a latex polymer / pva glue helps prevent sagging
when painting too.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Cardboard-shelf-for-groceries/
 Image Notes
1. This gesso uses rabbit size. You can substitute with PVA for animal free
product. Image Notes
1. Metal slices inlaid as decoration

Image Notes
1. Double sided tape

http://www.instructables.com/id/Cardboard-shelf-for-groceries/
http://www.instructables.com/id/Cardboard-shelf-for-groceries/
 Image Notes
1. This shelf has 4 complete 'boxes'. The covers simple sticky tape hinges. So
glad the hard work is over

Step 7: Adding Hinged Cupboard Doors

The door imitates the internal structure of a single piece of 1-ply cardboard.

1. Cut 3ply struts into strips that nearly reach the edge of your cupboard door.
2. Hot glue
3. Cover the door and edges to create a sturdy box door.
4. Decorate the surface of door then glue a piece of balsa wood / masonite the size of a hinge. Drill holes for screws. The wood provides solid support for the hinge. I
experimented with fabric hinges rather than metal ones.
5. Attach a hinge to cupboard and door. Attach a magnet or velcro.

Please check out http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-a-Cardboard-Hand-Puppet-Stage/ for leather hinge instructions

http://www.instructables.com/id/Cardboard-shelf-for-groceries/
 Image Notes
1. Wooden inspiration found in a book

http://www.instructables.com/id/Cardboard-shelf-for-groceries/
http://www.instructables.com/id/Cardboard-shelf-for-groceries/
Step 8: Other sample work from interesting designers
You'll be so inspired by these Design Ideas below!

Here are some other Cartonnistes - Cardboard Furniture Designers from France. Go to
http://www.vinestreetworks.com/cartons.html and click under the title MEET THE CARTONNISTES!

Also check out

http://ppc33.free.fr/ppetc_Pages/Diaporamastagesfinal/diaporamastagefinal.htm
http://www.lescartonnistesassocies.com/

Also see below the Retur designers using a different construction technique with screws and satay sticks:

Image Notes
1. Now you can go wild with decorating

http://www.instructables.com/id/Cardboard-shelf-for-groceries/
http://www.instructables.com/id/Cardboard-shelf-for-groceries/
http://www.instructables.com/id/Cardboard-shelf-for-groceries/
 Image Notes
1. Designer Julia Dubois

Image Notes
1. Designer: Julia

http://www.instructables.com/id/Cardboard-shelf-for-groceries/
http://www.instructables.com/id/Cardboard-shelf-for-groceries/
 Image Notes
1. Designer Julia Dubois

Image Notes
http://www.instructables.com/id/Cardboard-shelf-for-groceries/
 1. Designer Julia Dubois

Image Notes
1. Designer Julia Dubois

Image Notes
Image Notes 1. Designer Julia Dubois
1. Designer Julia Dubois

http://www.instructables.com/id/Cardboard-shelf-for-groceries/
 Image Notes
1. Designer Julia Dubois

Related Instructables

Hanging
bookshelf from Circular d.i.y. cardboard Cardboard Nomad
Cardboard Cardboard shelf by Exercise Bike Furniture:
Tubes (Photos) Bookshelf by aweekfromthursday Laptop Stand by design, case Easy Cardboard
Scriptone caitlinsdad studies, and Shelves by
by stayce
philosophy by live_corrugated
Wade Tarzia

Comments
50 comments Add Comment view all 122 comments

live_corrugated says: Dec 22, 2010. 8:56 PM REPLY

Thank you so much for taking the time to show your process and beautiful product. It has been inspiring to pore over this rich variety of examples by you and
other artists/craftspeople. Cardboard so lends itself to a diversity of form in large scale, its just a wonder that more people haven't been working with it.

Scriptone says: Jan 18, 2011. 2:27 PM REPLY

Your welcome! Its so simple to make I thought quite a few people would be interested in crafting with it. You should put up your compilations too : )

live_corrugated says: Jan 25, 2011. 3:58 PM REPLY

Hi again Scriptone,

I created an instructable. Check it out through my profile, because it isn't coming up through a keyword search yet. Will have to get down to the
bottom of that. Maybe you could offer some comments to get my next one up to speed with the average user? Or is it even about the average user?
ppl on Instructables seem quite above-average.

"Cardboard book shelves, like a carpenter"

http://www.instructables.com/id/Cardboard-shelf-for-groceries/
 Scriptone says: Mar 9, 2011. 9:04 PM REPLY
I checked your instructable out it looks great the final cupboard, nice colour too. For the people new to cardboard furniture, they might find it
useful to see more photos step by step next time. Was it very strong?

live_corrugated says: Mar 10, 2011. 3:24 AM REPLY

Noted. Its stronger than the final photo suggests. With 20" long shelves I would feel comfortable filling it with paperbacks and a few folios.

kleinjahr says: Mar 6, 2011. 8:29 AM REPLY

Tres bon, very nice work. I've got a couple of old books around here on cardboard/corrugated construction, furniture and housing. I'll have to go through
them again. I do remember them suggesting, for a very strong panel, to glue layers together with the corrugations of each layer at right angles to the last
layer, like plywood.

thepelton says: Nov 26, 2010. 11:29 AM REPLY

I have an Epilog laser, and recently I decided to make a doll chair, and show it to my landlady, who also happens to run a doll sales and repair shop called
the "Doll Doctor". Here is my first attempt, copying an Adirondak chair and reducing it 1/12. It's made of four pieces, the two sides, the seat and the back,
and stands about 2 1/2 inches high.

Scriptone says: Nov 27, 2010. 5:02 PM REPLY

that's a gorgeous design! should be an instructable!

thepelton says: Nov 29, 2010. 9:06 AM REPLY

Thank you very much. I'll keep that in mind.

bobworld says: Apr 25, 2009. 8:34 PM REPLY

For a 7th grade science fair project, I made a chair and bridge to get to the chair out of cardboard, inviting all to cross the bridge and have a seat. This was in
1970! My teacher gave me a D- for a grade. I was pissed! Thank you for validating my efforts. Nice stuff you have! With new inspiration from you, I may go
back to drawing board after 30+ years!

drbill says: Oct 28, 2010. 11:08 PM REPLY

Sounds to me like your teacher had some kind of problem.
Hand that rocks the cradle ya know.

insructoperson says: Jun 17, 2010. 9:13 PM REPLY

Do you know if there is a how to on the yin yang bookshelf, that would be perfect for my bedroom!

Scriptone says: Jun 17, 2010. 9:17 PM REPLY

Many people like this design, I wrote this comment below last year The uncovered cd shelf is by: http://elsaisdreaming.free.fr/meuble_spirale.php The
yingyang design is by Patricia Dessoulles http://p.dess.free.fr/0_htm_fr/rubriques.php

insructoperson says: Jun 20, 2010. 1:53 PM REPLY

Thx

Scriptone says: Jun 20, 2010. 11:05 PM REPLY

Your welcome, there's instructions for spiral furniture in Eric's latest book, its e-book, instantly downloadable after purchasing.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Cardboard-shelf-for-groceries/
 bob201092 says: May 12, 2010. 2:12 PM REPLY
your products are amazing great ideas i doing a project like these u have givin me some good ideas to start with thanks

wdlaurie says: Jan 15, 2010. 9:46 PM REPLY

Where to get cardboard so that you can furnish your home? We moved recently, and these two strategies gave us more boxes than we needed:

1. Call liquor stores and ask when you can pick up discarded boxes. Since the boxes have to hold fragile/heavy items, these are good choices.
2. Drive up to behind your local shopping center where the dumpsters are. Our local RiteAid had unpacked all their Valentine's day merchandise, and they
had more boxes than they could fit into 2 dumpsters. I made sure the boxes were clean/dry before I took them away.

I like food says: Sep 27, 2009. 9:17 AM REPLY

What if you put cardboard in a blender than molded it like clay?

Scriptone says: Dec 13, 2009. 3:59 PM REPLY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdSUSi03W2Q

(This how to papier mache waterproof crafts video is one of the best I've seen straight from Kashmir.)

Scriptone says: Sep 27, 2009. 11:15 PM REPLY

I think that would work for modelling specific things, but I'd said it would take a while to dry etc.

Its a special craft developed in India for quite a while.

greenbeanmusicmachine says: Dec 13, 2009. 4:14 AM REPLY

is there anywhere I can get a template or instructable for that spiral cd rack / shelf. It's so cool.

Scriptone says: Dec 13, 2009. 2:57 PM REPLY

I'm pasting this link from a post below for you - you might be able to ask the Designer herself Patricia Dessoules - (email on her site)

The uncovered cd shelf is by: http://elsaisdreaming.free.fr/meuble_spirale.php

Found it at last.

The yingyang design is by Patricia Dessoulles

http://p.dess.free.fr/0_htm_fr/rubriques.php

melody_yesterday says: Oct 8, 2009. 5:02 PM REPLY

i would love to have the pattern for the hangers ...
is there one already online or what ?

Scriptone says: Oct 10, 2009. 2:23 PM REPLY

Would you believe it there's an instructable on this just put up in August.<br /><a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/Stylish-Cardboard-Clothes-
Hangers/">Making Cardboard Hangers</a><br />

melody_yesterday says: Oct 10, 2009. 6:36 PM REPLY

WoW ! Scriptone !
Those are excellant !
THANKS !!!!

http://www.instructables.com/id/Cardboard-shelf-for-groceries/
 yula says: May 6, 2009. 8:39 AM REPLY
Here are some of the cardboard furniture I made... luv this material !

jrock5150 says: Sep 25, 2009. 7:12 PM REPLY

the shelf on the left is almost the exact style I had in mind for when I have a go at cardboard construction. Great piece of art.

yula says: Sep 26, 2009. 5:04 AM REPLY

thanks !! I kind of made it free hand, thus the curvy lines :) I'm working on another piece right now... hope to post it when it's done.

Scriptone says: May 6, 2009. 6:13 PM REPLY

That is stunning construction and design! And your surface decoration has arty, textural feel. Did it take you long?

yula says: May 6, 2009. 7:11 PM REPLY

Thanks ! These are my first two (and the only) pieces, so they could have taken a while to make, but I was so obsessed with them, that I worked for 3
days, almost non-stop. Hope to make more soon...

dizzlefoshizzle says: Sep 14, 2009. 4:45 PM REPLY

I've made a design for a bookshelf I'm looking forward to making. Its similar to the red bookshelf you have in your examples. Is there any way to reinforce the
cardboard so it can hold heavy loads?

Scriptone says: Sep 14, 2009. 11:00 PM REPLY

If you're at the final stage, you can support weights with a L-square (out of cardboard) at each corner - but if possible before planning a construction, I
would aim to use 3 - ply cardboard pieces. You might want to take a look at the corner cupboard instructable, I place many heavy tin cans on this shelf
and it is more sturdy than my black 3 level cupboard, simply because of its triangular shape. Also I would use wide borders rather than thin borders
makes it a stronger structure.

dizzlefoshizzle says: Sep 15, 2009. 1:19 PM REPLY

Alright cool. I've got to go back and make some changes now :) I used to have a cardboard couch but it got moldy in the spring...Besides the mold
thing it worked very well. Cardboards definitely a medium that more people need to be exploring. Its great your sharing your knowledge with people.

Scriptone says: Sep 15, 2009. 2:04 PM REPLY

Go for it, hope it turns out fine. Thanks, hope it goes viral worldwide.

Sean Beaudoin says: Jul 20, 2009. 8:56 PM REPLY

Cool! You should enter the Gorilla Glue Cardboard Contest!

Scriptone says: Jul 21, 2009. 6:38 PM REPLY

Thanks, I'll think about it!

DELETED_PeeWeeBee says: Jul 14, 2009. 5:25 AM

(removed by author or community request)

http://www.instructables.com/id/Cardboard-shelf-for-groceries/
 DELETED_PeeWeeBee says: Jul 14, 2009. 5:30 AM
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Scriptone says: Jul 15, 2009. 12:02 AM REPLY

Thank you for these recipes! Yes, on pulp - this works really well, I've seen it done in India to make colourful pulped jewelry boxes.

i_am_a_felt_unicorn says: Jun 10, 2009. 5:56 PM REPLY

that looks really cool. how do you cut cardboard without bending it not using power tools

Scriptone says: Jun 14, 2009. 4:17 PM REPLY

Its quite effortless. Run a sharp cutting knife 4 -6 times over the drawn lines of your cardboard and lean it against a steel ruler to prevent the knife
slipping. Watch the video of how Jenny Bertrand cuts here

Gilius says: Jun 11, 2009. 5:17 AM REPLY

Does this rot in time or anything like that?

Scriptone says: Jun 13, 2009. 6:53 PM REPLY

I know papier mache items seem to attract rats and other creatures, but I usually add a drop of eucalyptus oil to my wheat-starch paste / paint mix.

If you got mould onto your furniture, that may cause it to rot perhaps.

Storing your furniture in a humid environment may effect it as well.

The wheat starch recipe is used to preserve and attach Japanese artwork for hundreds of years. It seems to endure rot.

Here's awheatpaste recipe from instructables

Kryptonite says: Jun 11, 2009. 7:11 PM REPLY

Wow, amazing Instructable! I've made a cardboard stool that I found on another website and I'm hooked on Cardboard furniture. The only problem I've had
was when I lived in a really wet climate, and when left in the attic the first cardboard stool of mine got wet, like really wet, and then, sadly, no more stool...

bongodrummer says: Jun 10, 2009. 12:20 PM REPLY

Hi, great stuff! Just wondered if there are any fire safety issues with this? I guess if people are selling this stuff they must have addressed this point...
Perhaps cardboard is denser and less fire prone than I think? Cheers.

Scriptone says: Jun 10, 2009. 5:08 PM REPLY

Hi, thankyou! You might like to contact Eric Guiomar on that because he's the expert. You can find his email address on the Cartonnistes site. He's very
obliging and helpful.

wdlaurie says: Jun 8, 2009. 3:23 PM REPLY

I remember reading a library book on building cardboard furniture (it was published in the 1960s or 1970s). One of the techniques they used to strengthen
the cardboard was to glue 2 sheets of cardboard together, making sure that the corrugations (the waffley middle part) on each sheet ran a different direction
(perpendicular to each other). You wouldn't be able to create the nifty rounded shapes this way, but it does create a much stronger piece of material. Also,
I've built some small but very durable boxes (they were for Magic cards, which are a weirdish size, way back when) out of illustration board. I have no idea
what you would call this material if you're not in the US, but it's drawing paper bound to a very dense cardboard backing. It comes in different weights, and
sizes are usually 15" by 20", or 20" by 30". It's usually stored in the art supply store with mat board. This is not cheap, but it is relatively easy to cut and very
strong, and again might be useful for smaller, more intricate projects or as reinforcement for a cardboard project. Another cool idea would be to collage onto
the cardboard surface (the usual material is either Mod Podge or acrylic matte medium, applied to the surface to be collaged, and the front and back of the
paper being collaged to prevent warping). I've found colored tissue paper to be very easy to work with, since all of your mistakes(wrinkles, folds, tears, etc)
look like they were made on purpose!

Scriptone says: Jun 9, 2009. 6:52 PM REPLY

Thank you for this valuable info! especially interesting about how to strengthen the cardboard. One cupboard has collapsed because I used a 2 ply
cardboard for the inside. The outside is strong, but the inside couldn't keep the weight up of the items sitting on it. I shall reinforce next time.

Lynn Nexus says: May 6, 2009. 2:01 PM REPLY

... I had always been one of those people who can't throw good cardboard out until the cat or children smushed it up good. Now I know why. I've always
wanted to make doll furniture but wood is so expensive and unforgiving. Now with these very informative instructions I realy feel like I could tackle making
something fun for my doll! Not to mention how much easier it would be to make myself storage for my numerous crafts when I can design the storage myself.

Scriptone says: May 6, 2009. 6:14 PM REPLY

Thanks for your comment : )

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