DIY Decorative Fabric Interior for Storage Trunks and Chests

Foot lockers and storage trunks are very practical and popular storage units that just happen to also be ideal for restoration with a personal touch. Whether the interior lining of your storage trunk has become worn and faded or if you are just looking to update your foot locker with a personal decorative touch of your own, this simple guide can take your trunk interior from dull to edgy before you know it.

You Will Need:
-Storage trunk
-Solid colored fabric; color of preference
-Fabric paint; color of preference

If your storage trunk was previously lined, remove the old lining by using a spray bottle to dampen the fabric. That should make it a great deal easier to remove the lining using a putty knife. Storage trunks are often found in varying materials including metal, hardwood and plastic. Special precaution should be taken with wooden storage trunks to avoid saturating any part of the wood. Water damage to wood storage trunks often leads to warping and mildew, eventually claiming your storage trunk as unusable.

Trunks that are instead lined with paper materials as well as those which are unlined can simply be cleaned with soap and warm water before adding decorative touches. After removing the fabric lining from your storage trunk, paint over any imperfections or use sand paper to even the interior surface of wooden trunks.

Now you're ready for the fun part!

Visit your local craft store such as Hobby Lobby or Michael's to purchase a fabric of your choice to line your storage trunk with. If preferred, you can also purchase fabric online. Joann is one such website which offers a variety of fabrics in varying types of material. For this project, fabric with solid color schemes is best since you will be creating your own unique design.

In addition the the fabric you will also need fabric paint, also of color preference. There are a wide variety of colors to choose from as well as those which have glitter in them. Get creative with your colors, mix and match to make a bold statement.

Many online websites such as Stencil Library offer many thousands of stencils available for purchase. The possibilities of design are endless, with styles ranging from floral patterns and cultural images to Japanese, contemporary and even cappuccino stencils. Choose the stencils that you would like to create your design with. Whether you choose to design the entire fabric with a single design or mix and match to create a scene, your ending result will completely transform the interior of your storage trunk or chest.

Once you have decorated your fabric, allow the paint to dry for at least 24 hours before attaching it to the interior walls of your storage chest. When the paint has dried, evenly line the surface of both the interior and lid of your trunk.

If desired, you can further accent the interior of your new decorative storage trunk by attaching rhinestones or other decorative gems. Or, choose a new bold color of paint and give the outside of your storage chest as well.