How to Make Stylish Concrete Storage for Jewellery and Cosmetics
DIY expert Lovisa Häger shows how easily you can create concrete cones and trays for anything from rings to perfumes
Concrete is one of my favourite materials to work with, so when I realised we needed some new storage for the bathroom, the choice of material was obvious. In my bathing space, cosmetics, toiletries and jewellery seem to multiply and take over whatever free space is available. Using concrete to create a storage tray and ring and watch cones is a fun way to give these items a stylish place of their own.
1 Cut a circle of sturdy paper or flexible cardboard with a diameter of about 20cm. Form it into a cone shape. Test to see if you have the right size by slipping your rings, watches and bracelets over the cone: they should rest somewhere in the middle.
2 For a smaller cone, start with the same 20cm diameter circle, but bend it tighter for a narrower shape. Reinforce the paper cones with masking tape to help them withstand the pressure of the concrete that will be poured in them.
3 To create a tray, you will need a two-piece mould. The bottom of a box can work for the outside of the mould, or you can make one out of cardboard. I taped together two paper milk cartons for the inside of the mould, but you can use almost anything sturdy.
4 I made sure that the outside mould was about 2cm wider and longer than the milk cartons, so the tray edge would be about 1cm thick all the way around. Tape the edges and corners to prevent the concrete from leaking out of the mould.
5 Time to mix the concrete! I normally mix 1¼ cups of concrete powder with two-fifths of a cup of water. You can adjust those measurements and add more water to get the texture you want. The runnier the concrete, the smoother the end result.
To create the cones, place the paper moulds upside-down in a glass and fill them with concrete. Stop when the concrete is about 1cm from the top.
To create the cones, place the paper moulds upside-down in a glass and fill them with concrete. Stop when the concrete is about 1cm from the top.
6 For the tray, first fill the bottom of the outside mould with concrete. I made a layer about 1cm thick. This will be the bottom of your tray. Shake and tap the filled mould to help the concrete settle and get rid of any air bubbles.
7 Put the milk cartons on the concrete, leaving at least 1cm on all sides. Press gently to secure it to the bottom layer. Add more concrete until it’s all the way to the top of the outside mould. Smooth the concrete using a spoon, putty knife, craft stick or other similar tool.
8 Let the concrete dry for at least two days before removing the moulds. The edges of the dried concrete will most likely be rough, so sand them using two kinds of sandpaper: start with coarse sandpaper and finish with a fine grade.
Done! All the little items in the bathroom now have their own place.
Have you tackled any craft projects recently? Please share photos of your results in the Comments below.
Have you tackled any craft projects recently? Please share photos of your results in the Comments below.
Find out more about concrete and this year’s other top trends