Can’t find a tissue box cover that matches your home decor? Follow these 9 QUICK STEPS outlined below to make your own FABULOUS wooden tissue box cover!
1 Use a prepared wooden tissue box
Purchase an unfinished wooden tissue box that has been sanded down. If the box’s surface is smooth, you can immediately start painting, however, if not then choose a fine abrasive paper to create the desired texture.
Where can I buy this?
Amazon Prettyia Unfinished Wooden Tissue Box Cover
Amazon Blesiya Unfinished Wooden Tissue Box Cover
2 Clean the tissue box from any dust particles
Use a dry paintbrush or even a vacuum cleaner with a hairy nozzle to ensure that the surface is clean. Beware that leftover dust particles can be a bothersome problem once you start painting. It gets stuck inside the paint and it is very difficult to seperate. Best solution – don’t skip this step!
Where can I buy this? (Paint Brushes & Foam Rollers)
Jimnettes Superstore (great variety to choose from)
3 Paint the tissue box cover with Harlequin’s Provencal French White Paint
Dip the paintbrush in water every now and again to act as a thinner, especially when the paint becomes sticky. Use a small foam roller for painting most of the surface area & a paintbrush for the edges. Paint in the same direction. Paint at least two coats and ensure that it dries properly before applying another coat of paint.
Where can I buy this?
Builders Warehouse Harlequin Furniture Paint French White
4 Trace a stencil of your choice onto the front of the tissue box cover
Use a pencil to trace the picture to the wooden box. Select an easy stencil, keeping in mind that you will have to paint it later on. If you struggle to hold the stencil in place, use masking tape to temporarily stick the stencil to the box. Ensure that the tape is carefully removed before you start painting. Amazon has an amazing variety of French stencils to choose from if you would prefer something different from the Fleur De Lis that I used.
Where can I buy this? (Masking Tape & Stencils)
Builders Warehouse Smith & Co Masking Tape
Amazon Fleur De Lis Stencil
Amazon French Bee Stencil
5 Draw stripes on the box using a ruler
Measure the width of the stripes that you would like to draw & paint on the top of the tissue box cover. Keep to the same width for all the stripes to ensure a professional finish. Remember to also measure the distance from the edges of the box to the stripes and apply accordingly.
6 Paint the stripes & the stenciled picture that you have drawn on the wooden tissue box
Use metallic gold paint and fine paint brushes to ensure that you stay within the lines of the drawing. For painting on wooden surfaces, I prefer using Heritage’s Artist’s Acrylic Paint. They have a great variety of colours to choose from and are priced well for the quality of the product. For this project, I used the colour, PURE GOLD. Be careful not to use the other gold paint options, as the difference is distinguishable.
Where can I buy this?
7 Apply Harlequin’s Provencal Antique Liquid with a paintbrush
Apply the liquid with even strokes in one direction throughout the entire surface area of the wooden tissue box. Dip the paintbrush in water every now and again to even out strange lines or spots. Remember it is water-based, therefore you can wipe it with water and redo parts that you aren’t satisfied with, as long as you don’t leave it to dry completely. Rather fix your mistakes as soon as possible.
Where can I buy this?
Builders Warehouse Harlequin Antique Liquid
8 Retouch the metallic gold paint on the wooden tissue box
After the Provencal Antique Liquid has been applied, the gold paint previously used may appear faded. If you do not like this effect, you can easily retouch the stripes and stenciled picture with more gold paint. You can retouch almost anything up until you varnish the box. Once the varnish is applied, fixing is no longer an option.
9 Paint the entire box with clear furniture varnish
After the entire item has dried fully & you are satisfied with the way it looks, you can paint it with a clear furniture varnish. The varnish will seal the tissue box cover & enable you to clean it very easily in the future (using a damp cloth). You can choose between a matt, gloss or silky varnish. I opted for a gloss effect using Harlequin’s Clear Gloss Furniture Varnish. Remember varnish is like glue, so be ready to get rid of that paint brush. Apply at least two coats of clear varnish for future durability.
Where can I buy this?
Builders Warehouse Harlequin Varnish Furniture
Harlequin Paints Online Store Furniture Varnish
The Finished Tissue Box Cover
I hope you have a fabulous time with your next DIY project! PS: By following the same method you can make matching photo frames, storage boxes, trinket boxes and so forth. Do you have any tips for me? Please fill in the contact form below. I would love to get in touch with you.
With love,
Rachel.
