Old Jewelry Box Transforms Into DIY Photo Display and Doubles as Storage for Anyone Short on Space
Between a stylish bin that stores extra blankets and vacuum bags in cute cloth bins under my bed, living in a small apartment has taught me to maximize every inch of my space. Going on almost 6 years in the same spot, I've definitely accumulated a lot of stuff.
My collections include postcards bearing artwork I never want to part with, Broadway playbills, photos of friends and family, a few K-Pop photocards, and little mementos from trips, but most of it is hidden away when it should be on display. So when I saw this space-saving DIY from @meloblack, I thought, 'This is a hack for someone like me.'
@meloblack Making an art storage frame Because the fridge needed a break Next up in my easy DIY series with @Espace maison : a super simple way to store Luisa's artwork without every surface in the house becoming an art gallery. I used their wooden tea box, removed the compartments to open it up, attached some elastic strips to hold all the creations, and painted the wood for a more elevated look. A few hours later and it's ready to keep all of Luisa's beautiful artwork organised - and finally give the fridge some breathing room #diyproject#artstorage#espacemaison
original sound - Mélissa Blackburn
Here's What You'll Need
- Glass-top jewelry box with a clear lid
- Wood stain or paint (optional)
- Elastic cord or flat elastic
- A staple gun or a strong adhesive
- Foam board or photo mat board (optional)
- Picture-hanging hardware
- Sandpaper (optional)
How to Turn a Jewelry Box Into Hidden Photo Storage
Start by removing any internal dividers or organizers from the jewelry box. If you prefer to keep a few compartments as mini shelves for small keepsakes, feel free to leave them in place. If the jewelry box is made of wood, give it a quick sand before painting or staining the box to your liking. A coat of stain can give it a more weathered and vintage feel, while paint makes it easy to coordinate with your existing decor.
Once your stain or paint is dry, open the jewelry box and attach two lengths of elastic inside, running parallel to one another. A staple gun works well for securing the elastic to wood, though a strong adhesive can also do the job. The elastic will hold your photo in place while still making it easy to swap pieces whenever you want. If you'd like your display to look like a traditional framed print, add a piece of foam board or a photo mat behind your artwork before sliding it beneath the elastic.
Finally, attach your preferred hanging hardware to the back of the jewelry box, close the latch, and hang it on the wall.
A Gallery Wall That Secretly Stores Your Keepsakes
This is just a portion of my postcards from bars and restaurants I've been saving for a gallery wall display. I'd have to find a few jewelry boxes, but how cool would it be to have all of them store a little something special?
If you decide to leave a few of the original compartments inside the jewelry box, they would create handy little shelves for tiny keepsakes and figurines. It could even become a discreet hiding spot for an emergency $50 bill or other small valuables.
Related: This Renter-Friendly DIY Adds Color and Pattern Without Painting or Wallpapering
The quest for more storage never really ends when you keep accumulating stuff and live in a small New York City apartment, but projects that pull double duty like this are why I love DIY. With a budget-friendly project like this, your next gallery wall can showcase your favorite memories and be a pivotal part of your storage setup.
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This story was originally published July 13, 2026 at 10:07 PM.