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Mailbox makeover

My house is only a few years older than I am. I know… ancient, right? (;  The mailbox is original to the house which means it’s survived hot hot hot Arizona summers for 30+ years and let’s be honest, is in pretty bad shape.  (Like, really wobbly and on the rare occasion that it rains, my mail gets soaked.) When asked by ScotchBlue™ Painter’s Tape and The Home Depot if I would like participate in the Ready, Set, Paint event (pairing up with a very talented group of bloggers) on the challenge of a DIY project using painters tape (in my case, a mailbox redo,) I quickly replied, “Heck yeah!”

Okay… so I didn’t exactly say that because that’s not very professional BUT, I was excited to finally check something off my to-do list!  Best part? I spent very little money on this redo as my cute next door neighbor took pity on my shabby mailbox and simply gave me a new one… um, about a year ago.  Yes, my adorable next door neighbor dad GAVE me a brand new mailbox, which sat in my garage for a year.  What’s wrong with me!? LOL! (Life of a blogger, much?) Well without further adieu, here is the new mailbox with its makeover complete. Do you dig it?

Easy mailbox makeover with fun octagon design using ScotchBlue painters tape

I started with a new-but-dusty-and-slightly-knocked-around-from-sitting-in-the-garage-too-long black mailbox, as seen here.

Standard mailbox about to get a facelift!

But this boring black box is already a step up from my current condition… want to sneak a peek? (Don’t judge!)

Please give this mailbox a makeover!

Okay wow, ALL my neighbors need a new mailbox. And new posts. Hmm, I think I’ll surprise my brother (across-the-street neighbor) with a new mailbox as well, sheesh! We’re all acreage homes so what do ya do? Anywho!

How to remove a flag from a mailbox.

First up, remove the flag from the mailbox so you have a clean slate.  A standard mailbox will have a plastic pin inside that you simply pull out.  Save your arm strength for the next step…

How to remove a mailbox handle to add a custom pull.

Here’s where your biceps enter.  See that handle that opens and closes your mailbox door?  You don’t want to remove it all the way because on the backside is the latch that keeps it securely shut.  So use your pliers and muscles to snip snip snip the top away.  UNLESS you’re my husband who informed me after the fact that my handy dad next door owns a grinder. *Palm hits head, muscles mad at me* Grind off the little pieces sticking up so it’s flat. Note: Wear your safety goggles as there will be sparks! Then use a diamond bit and drill a hole through the center of the old handle.  See the right lower pic? That’s the new pull in its place. I picked it up at The Home Depot for less than $5 and I love the plate that comes with it that sits in front of it as it hides my mess perfectly! Muah hah hah! (;

Paint your mailbox white before you paint it a custom design.

Give it a coat of your base color.  I chose Rustoleum’s 2x paint + primer… time saver! Just your standard white spray paint in a gloss finish.

How to install a custom mailbox pull instead of the standard handle.

Because pulls come sized to fit a standard cabinet door, the screw is reallllllly long. And because I didn’t account for this when I was at The Home Depot (and didn’t want to make another trip,) I simply shoved a bunch of washers behind the screw (inside the mailbox) to make up for the space. Problem solved! LOL Then I screwed it in, nice & tight. Gosh, don’t you already just love the custom look? Only $5 and gives it a huge statement!

Okay so now to spruce up the flag….

Paint your mailbox flag to give it a pop of color!

I wanted to give it a fun pop of color and since my fav hue is yellow, I already adore it!  I used outdoor paint to withstand the weather and I’ll also give it a coat of poly to seal the deal. (Pun intended, ha!)

DIY honeycomb mailbox

Here’s where the fun begins!  Start by taping down a stencil.  This stencil is from Royal Design Studio and was a freebie from the 2012 SNAP blog conference. I wanted to copy the darling Rhonna Farrer’s app design because it’s so cute and is a timeless look. This mailbox has to last at least 30 years, right? (; We recommend ScotchBlue™ Painter’s Tape because it holds the stencil very tightly but won’t peel off the fresh paint.  I only allowed the paint to dry for a couple of hours in between errands and this tape didn’t rip off a speck!

How to create octagons using 3M painters tape

This step is slightly confusing but worth it.  So, I wanted the octagons to be hollow so I used ScotchBlue Painters Tape to mimic the octagon.  I made a sample octagon by cutting and laying a few different pieces of tape until I got the shape I wanted.  Then I laid my sample back-to-back on a new piece of tape so they wouldn’t stick (pic 2) and cut around the new shape.  Then I placed it inside each octagon and painted around it.  That’s it!

How to make a polka dot mailbox

Using a circle foam sponge brush from my local craft store, I sponged on a few circles in random places.

Make this cute octagon mailbox!

To create an arrow, I placed 2 pieces of tape where I liked it, made an arrow head and small tail and painted inside. So easy and no leaks!

DIY monogram mailbox with vinyl used as a stencil.

This is where owning a vinyl machine comes in handy.  I used mine to create an “M” for my last name and house number, (Bell MT font.) I then painted the insides gray to match the custom pull and just lovely love love how it all came together.

Octagon mailbox!

Do you like my bar stool stand?! JayKay! Next up is replacing the old wood mailbox post. I’ve already purchased my secret weapon from The Home Depot to make it stinkin’ cute so stay tuned! Oh, and if you loved this project, you’ll want to be sure to check out all the other creative talent at the Summer DIY Blog Hop taking place at Centsational Girl’s blog! 

This project was brought to you in partnership with The Home Depot and ScotchBlue Painter’s Tape. Follow along!

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119 Comments

  7. thank you for this motivation to get my mailbox looking awesome! It has needed some TLC ever since we moved in. Oops! 🙂 We have lots of summer projects in store this year. One big project I’m excited for is redoing our backsplash in the kitchen. We were thinking of doing it either in a chalkboard backsplash or this awesome pallet backsplash I found the other day. So fun accomplishing projects!! 🙂

    http://www.remodelaholic.com/2012/03/how-to-install-a-pallet-wood-back-splash/

  10. Okay…. so…. I admit that we just bought our house a year ago, but our mailbox looks worse than your original one. I am SO inspired to either give it a makeover or to buy a new one and make it this cute!!! Thank you SO much for sharing!!! Honestly, this has been my favorite project that I have found this summer so I would link back to you!

  13. And to think I just spray painted my faded mailbox black. And the neighbors. What was I thinking?!?! Hanging my head in shame -sigh

  22. I’ve been waiting 6 months for my husband to start planking our bedroom walls. This will be a great start towards it!

  27. Super cute mailbox. I would love to make paint an frame for my instagram prints.

  28. Love the mailbox. Have one attached to my house and that pattern would be great.

  30. Well, my summer DIY project is to repaint all our door jams in the house. I also need to repaint the hall bathroom cabinet and may add some trim and knobs to give it new life.

  33. My kids & I found some clothespins & spray painted them pink & blue & then we used velcro to paste them to the doors to their rooms to hold drawings, important papers…etc so it doesn’t pile in my room 🙂

  34. If it were me, I’d make a long, bench-like structure and fix ALL of those sad looking mailboxes. Then, they’d all be photo-worthy, like yours… You’re so talented, you could really cheer up the mailman 🙂 heehee

  40. What a fabulous job! Love the hexagons. Too bad I don’t have an individual mail box to makeover…would have loved to have given a try.

  41. my favorite was a toy chest we built and painted for my daughter with my daughter

  42. We bought red furniture from ikea, two dressers for a nursery, now we are trying to match the paint. I picked up a great changing table at a yard sale, but the color is wrong. And also a mirror and end table…want to match the red furniture. Will be taping off and using a lot of blue painters tape.

  51. What an adorable mailbox. I think I’d like to do something much the same.

    My current mailbox is the old, ugly plastic kind on a rickety metal post.

  52. My favorite summer project so far has been my front porch swing. It’s been much more challenging than I thought it would be, but fun!

  55. I love the personalized look of your mailbox! Of course, this is my favorite Summer painting DIY project. ;] I don’t think my current HOA would allow me to do something like this but you better believe that when we build our dream home – this awesome mailbox redo will be at the forefront of my mind! Forget the dream house I’ll say, I want the mailbox up NOW! =]

  66. We’ll be painting our front door & shutters when we get moved into our new home at the end of summer!

  68. Love, love, love this!! It is so stinkin cute!! I want to do this to my mailbox. Love it!!

  69. Oh how stinkin’ cute!!! I may just have to try this soon, myself!!! I have spent the majority of the summer thus far revamping the mismatched furniture in my boys’ room, so not really a “summer” project. However, I ran across the cutest plant hanger today and will be headed to Home Depot tomorrow for the supplies!!! I have Shanty 2 Chic to thank for the inspiration on that one: http://www.shanty-2-chic.com/2013/07/address-numbers-post-planter.html!!!

  72. I’ve been wanting to build some shelves for my kids’ room, so if I won the gift card, I would go pick up some wood and paint. (Love the mail box!)

  73. i think this one is a new favorite- what postman or woman would not like this makeover- I bet many people never give a second thought to how their box looks! this is really cute!

  83. So So CUTE!!! It’s a good thing I’m not your Mail -Lady.. Because I just might have to walk away with your ADORABLE mailbox, of course I would still leave you your mail ;)Totally Loving my Rhonna App 🙂
    xoxo

  84. My favorite summer DIY project-http://pinterest.com/pin/56787645274304342/

  92. Also, according to USPS.com guidelines….

    3.10 Color – The color of the mailbox and flag must be in accordance with the following
    requirements. The mailbox may be any color. The carrier signal flag can be any color except
    any shade of green, brown, white, yellow or blue. The preferred flag color is fluorescent orange.
    Also, the flag color must present a clear contrast with predominant color of the mailbox

  93. I love this! I have to make it now!

    I am in need of some wood! My husband is dying to make us a new tv table!

  94. I want to re-do my mailbox! And I love using scotch painters tape!! I like it better than the Frog brand. I would use the gift card to buy more tools 🙂 🙂

  95. Love that mailbox ! I would find something to spruce up my patio if I won. 🙂

  96. What wouldn’t I do or buy?
    If I won the gift card I would buy the Dremel Moto Saw. I have so many uses for that thing but can’t bring myself to spend the money on one.

  98. I definitely in need of some paint, paint and more paint! I love the mailbox! Makes me wish we had a stand alone instead of a community box 🙂

  101. I would like to try something similar to your mailbox makeover with the Scotch blue painter’s tape.

  104. I’d love to do a mailbox make over, but I’d probably use the gift card to buy wood and numbers to create a house marker.

  105. I love blue painter’s tape, I use it for many craft projects and painting and repainting my house. Using on my baseboards coming up which are in bad need of a paint job…

    Love your mailbox, going to update mine too…

  106. I’m totally inspired… your mailbox is adorable! I’ve been toying with the idea of transforming my mailbox and haven’t been able to find an inspiration point. Thanks for motivating to get started! Awesome project!!!

  109. I would make over my daughters playtableby using SctochBlue Painters tape and Behr paints from Home Depot. Using them to make a boring one color tabletop into a game top that can be used for matching games, checkers and other fun activities.

  110. I would use the gift card to update my own mailbox or another one of my projects on my DIY list. Awesome job!

  111. So super cute! Too bad we have one mailbox for the whole neighborhood. Maybe I could doll up box number 6?!?! 🙂

    I’ve been trying to talk the hubs into helping me do some board and batten in my family room. So far, he’s not going for it.

  112. I could definitely use some painters tape for my front door which is in the process of getting a paint job!

  114. Kelli- you’re too stinking cute. I am freaking out over the design! I absolutely love it- and now I want to go get a mailbox just to make this! We have a big funky community box- don’t think the USPS would like me jazzing it up, sadly!

  115. I am really in need of a screen door to let in all those summer morning breezes!!

  116. Good point… if my mailbox goes missing I know where to go! Haha! 😀 xoxoxo

  119. Ummm hellloooo. I want this mailbox. It has an M (for Mique…who cares about P for my last name), honeycomb and is DARLING. Only I’m in CA, the land of a million mailboxes in one. No stand alones here. Wah wah wah. Also- no acreage here either!! I’m jealous about everything in this post.

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