Do you have a practical but unattractive cubby storage unit that needs a fresh new look?
An Easy Cubby Storage Unit Makeover with Paint
If you don’t want to throw your cubby away and buy a new one, paint is the simplest and most effective solution. A fresh coat of paint can completely transform an inexpensive laminate cubby into a stylish, coordinated storage piece that blends with your room.
My cubby was perfect for organizing items, but its dark laminate finish looked cheap and grabbed the eye in the living room. Painting it solved the problem and made the unit feel like it belonged in the space.
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I had recently decluttered and refreshed my bedroom, which left this two-piece cubby without a home, so I moved it to the living room. A few coats of satin enamel paint later, and the cubby became a useful, attractive storage solution instead of an eyesore.
Supplies Needed for Painting a Cubby Storage Unit
- DecoArt Americana Satin Enamel paint (white, black, beige or Smoke Grey are good options)
- Soft-bristle paintbrush (avoid stiff brushes that leave streaks)
- Painter’s tape and a drop cloth or protective covering
- Optional: clear sealer for extra protection and felt pads for the bottom
How to Paint Storage Cubbies
This project is straightforward because a quality satin enamel often adheres well to laminate without sanding or priming. Work in a well-ventilated area and protect nearby surfaces with a drop cloth. Use a soft-bristle brush and apply long, even strokes to avoid visible brush marks.
After two coats the black was still showing through, so I mixed my own color by adding a little black to white and a touch of beige to warm it. You can save time by choosing a ready-made shade like Smoke Grey or a taupe-grey tone, but mixing allowed me to create a custom finish that fit the room.
I applied several thin, even coats rather than one thick coat; this improves coverage and durability. After the final coat, I let the paint cure for a few days before moving the cubby back into place.
If you’re working with natural wood or want extra protection on laminate, apply a clear sealer once the paint is fully dry. Felt pads on the bottom of the cubby also help protect floors and make the unit easier to move.
I’ve painted all kinds of laminate and wood furniture over the years — dressers, desks and bookcases — and the same basic approach applies: clean the surface, use good-quality paint, and build up thin coats for best results.
Finishing Touches and Styling
I positioned the cubbies horizontally along the railing so they wouldn’t block light coming into the darker dining area. The painted finish reads as a soft grey with a subtle hint of blue in certain light — a nice complement to my blue-accented living room.
Creative Storage Solutions for Your Cubby Storage Unit
To keep contents tidy and visually appealing, I repurposed inexpensive cardboard boxes and covered them with wrapping paper to create matching storage bins. Fabric-covered bins, woven baskets or recovered boxes all work well and let you coordinate textures and colors with your decor.
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Wrapping Paper over Cardboard Boxes
With the cubby painted and styled, I gained flexible storage for books and seasonal decor without sacrificing style. A contrasting basket adds texture and visual interest — I’m still deciding whether to paint it, but it already looks great as-is.
Felt pads beneath the cubby protect floors and provide a small cushion. Overall, repainting these units was an easy, budget-friendly way to solve a storage problem while improving the room’s look.
If you enjoy small furniture makeovers, try painting an Ikea wood crate or updating a bookcase with paper coverings — simple projects like these stretch your storage options and refresh your space without major expense.
Have you ever tried painting laminate?