Try decoupage and get great looking paper storage

• Unpack your storage unit and familiarise yourself with the different pieces. Use a good quality chalk-based or emulsion paint to cover both sides of each piece and the edges and leave to dry.

• Assemble the unit according to the instructions; fitting the sides to the base and top, slotting in the shelves and adding the back. Ensure that you screw the fittings in well so they are flush with the surface of the MDF.

• Work on one side of the unit at a time. Dilute the PVA glue with the same amount of water and paste the area liberally with this. Choose one large piece of paper or printed page to be the background of your arrangement and carefully lay down on the glue, adjusting if necessary before smoothing down from the centre out towards the edges.

• Don't worry if thinner paper appears to bubble up; avoid rubbing these areas down as this could cause a crease. Instead allow the paper to dry out and most of the bubbles will disappear.Any that are left can be slit with a craft knife, reglued and smoothed down. Once the paper is flat rub it down firmly with a clean, dry cloth folded into a pad.

• Choose more papers to arrange over the top of the background.Atlases sometimes have small comparative maps showing things like rainfall or crops and these can add interest to your layout. Some floral designs on scrapbook papers lend themselves to being cut out;for example, traditional Victorian decoupage and can look really effective when laid over text.

• Once you are happy with your layout, begin gluing the pieces down as before, allowing bubbles to settle and rubbing over with a cloth pad. Once all the pieces are fixed give the whole surface a coat of diluted PVA. Use a clean dry washing up sponge and a pouncing motion to remove any excess PVA and leave a subtle stippled effect on the surface. Allow this coat to dry before repeating the process and then moving on to the next side.