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How to découpage a box

Make sure your wedding gift is the best-dressed with this gorgeous découpage heart-shaped box!

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Holly Spanner

Published: May 15, 2021 at 6:19 am

Presentation is everything when it comes to weddings, so why not get excited for the big day and learn how to decoupage a box. This beautiful heart-shaped découpage box is both super-stylish wrap and a gorgeous gift in itself. Choose elegant découpage papers to tear up and layer onto the box, then varnish over them for a neat and professional finish. Embellish with ribbon, lace, pearls and paper flowers for a feminine, bridal feel. Perfect for extra-special thank you gifts for bridesmaids, mothers, friends and more. If you're looking for some DIY wedding cards, we love these shaped bride and groom cards - there's a free template, too.

If you don’t have any patterned papers, how about these free floral designs or why not have a browse through our other free patterned papers?

How to decoupage a box - design 1

For more general card making, let us show you how to make cards. We love seeing what you make with our free printable papers, so don’t forget to share your cards and papercraft projects with us on Facebook and Twitter, too!

You will need:

Mache heart boxes
Flower die (or flower punch)
decoupage paper
Glue
Acrylic paint (white)
adhesive gems

Step 1

So, how to decoupage a box? Start by applying two thin coats of white acrylic paint to the inside and outside of the heart box and lid, making sure the paint dries completely between each coat.

How to decoupage a box

Step 2

The next step in this tutorial, how to decoupage a box, is to tear some découpage paper into small pieces and gradually cover the box lid with them using glue and a brush. Repeat for the base. Leave to dry, then add a coat of varnish.

How to decoupage a box

Step 3

Stick a length of ribbon around the edge of the lid using double-sided tape. Add a length of lace on top, then decorate with pearls along the edge of the lace.

How to decoupage a box – step 3

Step 4

Die-cut different sizes of flowers in complementary papers and roll one piece to make the flower centre. Shape the layers, and assemble. Make four flowers in total. If you don’t have a flower die – you can use a flower punch, or how about making your own with our free flower printables?

How to decoupage a box – step 4

Step 5

The final step in this tutorial, how to decoupage a box, is to attach the flowers to the box lid. Cut a mini tag, punch a hole in the top and tie with cotton. Stick the pearl heart to the bottom and attach it to the box lid.

How to decoupage a box

Shop this project!

1. Mache heart boxes

Buy now: Amazon (£4.89 for two)

Heart boxes – Amazon

2. Crackle decoupage paper

Buy now: Amazon (£2.99)

(please note – the crackle decoupage paper used in this tutorial is no longer available, so we have listed a suitable alternative)

crackle decoupage paper

3. Decopatch glue (with glitter)

Buy now: Amazon (£4.54)

Decopatch glue with glitter

4. Flower dies

Buy now: Amazon (£8.59)

Flower dies – Amazon

5. White acrylic paint

Buy now: Amazon (£2.24 for 120ml)

White acrylic paint – Amazon

Staff Writer, BBC Science Focus

Holly is the Staff Writer for BBC Science Focus and looks after the popular Q&A section. She holds an MSc (distinction) in Geoscience (Space and Climate Physics) from UCL, and specialises in astronomy and earth sciences. Before joining Our Media, she worked as a geoenvironmental consultant and engineer, informing on ground risk and remediation in the north of England, while hunting for exoplanets in her spare time. Alongside this, she was regional editor of a popular theatre website for nine years, and has a solid background in curating and developing content for the digital space. Holly is also an artist and illustrator, and regular contributor to the craft website, Gathered. She has previously worked with the RSPB, English Heritage, Disney, Pilot and Brother, as well as on BBC Good Food magazine, Home Style magazine, and Papercraft inspirations magazine. She enjoys photography and has a sustained interest in antiques.