School of Decorating

Decorate with Confidence and Create a Home You Love

  • Free Class
  • Videos
  • Blog
    • How to Decorate
    • Simple DIY Projects
    • Life Tips
    • Success Stories
    • Our Home Tour
  • Classes
  • About
  • Contact

Easiest DIY Washi Tape Dispenser

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, on purchases made after following an affiliate link. See my full disclosure here.

June 26, 2012 By Jackie

With loads of cute washi tapes and paper tapes, it is easy to amass a collection quickly.  I found a bunch of cute, inexpensive paper tapes at Target to kickstart my collection.  I even found some tape for the kids from the Kid Made Modern Collection.  These tapes are a lot more paper-like and don’t remove as cleanly.  I still took a few of my favorite colors to add to my own collection and gave the kids the 5 remaining rolls for crafts.

Kid Made Modern Tape

To keep all my tapes accessible and useable, I needed a jumbo tape dispenser.  With a couple inexpensive household items, I made a 21-roll tape dispenser.   I love seeing all my tapes out…the fun colors and patterns make me happy.  I plan to keep the tape dispenser on my desk in my new studio (that is once I find a desk for my new studio).

DIY Paper Tape Dispenser

To create the tape dispenser I used a bamboo box, originally a drawer organizer insert, and a small tension curtain rod (found at Target).  I removed the bamboo dividers from the box.

I set the screw in the tension rod, so the rod was about 1/2″ longer than the inside measurement of the box.  When the rod is inserted in the box the tension holds it in place.

I removed the rod and loaded it with all my tapes.  I organized them by color, but oddly enough not in rainbow order.  I am not sure why, but feel free to analyze why I might have preferred the colors organized this way vs. rainbow order.

Target Paper Tape Collection

I inserted the tension rod in the box.  The rod rests about 1/2″ below the top edge of the box.  Any lower and the larger tape rolls touch the bottom of the box.

DIY Paper Tape Dispenser

The last step was to pull the tape over the boxes edge.  I pulled a short bit and stuck it to the edge of the box.  With my thumb holding the tape down, it rips easily against the edge of the box.

DIY Washi Tape Dispenser

DIY Washi Tape Dispenser

If you have never used paper tape before, you might be wondering what I do with all these tapes.  Well, they are great for craft projects, card making, cute way to seal an envelope, Christmas ornaments, decorating party favors, and even to decorate the inside of a lampshade.

Do you use decorative tape?  What do you use it for?

Sharing this project here:
Not Just a Housewife
Snap!
Tatertots and Jello

Previous Post
Berry Container Bathroom Storage
Next Post
A New Way to Line Your Drawers & Make Organizing Fun

Comments

  1. Jane North says

    June 26, 2012 at 9:00 am

    Hi, from one MN to another :-)

    I am from MN and I’ve been looking for Washi tape at JoAnn Etc. and Michael’s, but no luck. Is this something that you order? Any help appreciated.

    I love your blog

    • Jane North says

      June 26, 2012 at 9:35 am

      my apologies – I just read your post again and saw you got the tape at Target. Thanks for sharing.

      • Brit in MN says

        October 26, 2012 at 1:35 am

        Jane,
        Other than the ones at Target, they’re not easy to find in MN. But you can buy the Trendy Tapes by Queen & Co. straight from their website(http://www.queenandcompany.com/trendy-tape/). Shipping is very reasonable!

    • Jackie says

      June 26, 2012 at 4:57 pm

      Jane,
      The paper tapes from Target are cute, but good Washi tape really isn’t sold in local stores. The best place is to search Etsy. There are so many great sellers and such a great variety.

    • Marilyn says

      August 26, 2014 at 8:40 am

      I just started using washi tape. Oriental Trading and Etsy carry great designs.

  2. Karen says

    June 26, 2012 at 8:44 pm

    Wow- great project and well within my abilities!

  3. kelly says

    June 29, 2012 at 7:28 pm

    wow, i love this! cute and clever!

  4. [email protected] says

    June 29, 2012 at 8:39 pm

    This is absolutely genius! I only have 6 rolls of washi tape so I can’t really justify a dispenser, but I could certainly take the same idea and use it with my ribbon collection.

    What a beautiful box of happy to put on a desk :)

  5. [email protected] says

    June 30, 2012 at 1:04 pm

    Ok, you are seriously brilliant! I love this idea. I keep mine in clear boxes but this post has inspired me. Thanks for the fantastic idea.

    http://www.itsybitsypaperblog.com

  6. Shannah @ Just Us Four says

    July 2, 2012 at 9:57 am

    This is a fantastic project! I am in desperate need of something like this to keep all my tape accessible.
    Would you consider linking this up at my Pinworthy Projects Party? I hope to see you there!

  7. snosie says

    July 3, 2012 at 8:50 pm

    I love that you explain what you use the tape for (I did see your post about the inside of the lamp). Cause I was thinking, well they are beautiful, but I can’t see me using them a lot (still true) but I love that you semi-read my mind!

  8. Jess @ Spool and Spoon says

    October 26, 2012 at 7:09 am

    Wow. You weren’t kidding about how easy this was! Ingenious! Thanks for sharing :)

  9. Rebecca says

    October 27, 2012 at 9:13 am

    I covered a glad wrap box with pretty paper and use that….built in serated cutter to boot.just the right size until the rolls are very low.
    I must say your idea is going to last a lot longer than mine…:)

    • Jackie says

      October 27, 2012 at 11:36 am

      Rebecca,

      I love your idea! Nothing beats a free DIY project. I was originally planning to take a serrated edge from one of those to put on my tape dispenser, but then I found out the paper tape ripped easily enough against the wood box.

  10. Kathy says

    February 24, 2013 at 1:03 am

    If you put a hack saw blade across the front it will cut you paper. You can get Washi Tape at a few site on Etsy. Go to Etsy.com and type in Washi Tape. You can also find it at Michaels, however they call it Craft Tape. I got some today for $1.49 for a 2 or 3 roll package.

  11. Jesica says

    March 22, 2013 at 7:51 pm

    This is a great ideal :)

    Where would I get a box like this? Any ideals?

    Thanks.Jess

  12. Megan Schiller says

    September 25, 2013 at 10:33 pm

    This would be great for my kids! I am currently setting up an art studio for them and was trying to figure out how to make their washi tape easily accessible. Thanks!

    • Jackie says

      September 26, 2013 at 8:08 pm

      Megan, glad you liked this idea. I let my kids borrow my tapes all the time and this is very easy for them to use!

  13. Shasta says

    January 14, 2014 at 3:35 pm

    Thank you for this tutorial! I used it to make my own washi tape holder and it’s really super easy! I linked to this page on my blog as well. :)

Hi, I'm Jackie. I believe you are the best person to decorate your home and I'm here to help.

I teach online decorating classes to help you create your dream home. Click on the images below to learn more about each class.

Take an Online Decorating Class

Best for beginners!

12 Class Bundle!

Get a free copy of my book
Free Decorating


Start reading now...

Follow Me Here

Categories

  • How to Decorate
  • Simple DIY Projects
  • Life Tips
  • Success Stories
  • Our Home Tour
I believe you are the best person to decorate your home. You just need a dash of courage and a dose of decorating know-how. That's why I created School of Decorating.

I know how frustrating it is to feel like failure at home. I also know how amazing it feels when decorating finally makes sense and your home reflects you. I want to share what I've learned so you can create a home you love without years of trial and error.

Get a free copy of my best-selling book Free Decorating

  • How to Decorate
  • Simple DIY Projects
  • Life Tips
  • Success Stories
  • Our Home Tour

© 2018 School of Decorating
 · Terms of Use 
· Privacy Policy
 · Disclaimer




This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.

Necessary Always Enabled

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Non-necessary

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.