Mailboxes have long been replaced by Email, but this does not prevent the owners of private mansions, country houses and cottages from decorating their plots with non-standard, original, universal and original boxes, many of which seem to be real works of art. A similar device designed for collecting correspondence can be purchased at hardware stores or built independently. The question is how to do Mailbox with their own hands excites many people who want to show ingenuity and distinguish themselves with unusual taste.

Most options for mailboxes are not particularly original. Ordinary metal or wooden boxes with small padlocks are now unlikely to surprise anyone. With this approach, you can certainly forget about a bright and expressive element of the exterior. Creativity and enthusiasm will help you achieve success in this business! Thanks to the ideas we have proposed, you will be able to make a beautiful, high-quality, functional and, most importantly, individual mailbox.

A homemade correspondence box can be designed as:

• animal figurines;
• boxes with forged elements;
• flower bed;
• system unit;
• portfolio;
• hollow

Of course, you can come up with other options, but this is the work of professional designers or personal preferences, because you can even paint a postal block for correspondence in a street telephone booth, which became famous in England.

House

With certain skills and the necessary carpentry tools at hand, you will be able to build an original mailbox yourself. It is very common to make such a product in the form of a house. It is created according to the principle of a birdhouse, the technology of which is known to almost every person. To do this you will need several wooden boards, a hacksaw, a knife, nails and glue. When the box is ready, be sure to use any additional elements to decorate it.

Animal figurines

On summer cottages and in private houses you can often see street mailboxes made in the form of figures of animals and birds. To become the author of such a masterpiece, it is enough to be able to have a creative approach to business and know how to handle tools. Today on the Internet you can find a lot of ideas and step-by-step instructions for making boxes in the shape of a cow, dog, owl, horse, etc. Choose any option you like and start implementing it on your site!

Absolutely any items are suitable for decorating mailboxes. If your fantasy has gone on vacation, leaving you without interesting ideas, try using forged elements, compositions of rhinestones and beads, or all kinds of wooden figures to decorate your box. It is recommended to make such a homemade box from wood that has been pre-treated with special protective agents. It will look no worse than its more elaborate counterparts.

Snowman

It has long become a tradition to dress up and transform the exterior of the house on the eve of New Year's holidays. Christmas wreaths are usually hung on the door, and mailboxes are turned into snowmen, Santa Claus, deer, elves and other symbolic characters. You can do all this with your own hands, armed with fir branches, colorful ribbons, Christmas tree decorations and other decorative elements.

flower bed

A mailbox in the shape of a flower bed looks very original. To create it, you need to purchase a special device for several flowerpots placed on the sides. In addition, you need to build a small rectangular plastic box in which correspondence will be collected. You should end up with a design in which the letter box will be in the center, and it will be surrounded by 4 flowerpots located parallel to each other. Such a box can be nailed to the door or hung from the canopy above the entrance to the house.

System unit

You can create a more spacious mailbox design using an empty system unit, the main thing is that it is not very bulky. Build a door from any durable material and decorate the unit accordingly. This product can be installed on any support or screwed to a fence.

Briefcase

By making a metal mailbox stylized as a retro briefcase, you will be able to stand out from your neighbors, emphasizing your individuality and unique style. To make such a mailbox-briefcase, you will need skills in working with metal. For people who feel like a fish in water in this matter, it will not be difficult for them to draw a sketch of a briefcase and use it to recreate an effective model of a letter box and mail.

Hollow

It's no secret that natural wood is one of the most popular materials not only in construction, but also in creativity. It allows you to conduct various experiments, giving mailboxes different shapes and changing the external design. A round log or thick log will be an excellent basis for creating an unusual mailbox. You can remove the core and turn the wood into a neat hollow. Do not forget to make a door out of wood, otherwise birds or animals that come to your territory will mistake the postal structure for their home.

Recommendations for making an American style mailbox

There are many different options execution of such products, but many want to move away from standard forms and show off something extraordinary and stylish. Today, American-style mailboxes are very popular. We are talking about metal boxes made in the shape of a half-pipe. They require the presence of a special flag signaling mail delivery and a house number. Distinctive feature Such boxes are installed on a special rack along the road. To make an American mailbox yourself, you will need a small wooden stand or metal pipe. Tools you will need for work:

• plywood;
• drill;
• saw;
• hammer, nails, screws;
• wood screws;
• slats/bars;

First you need to build a mailbox - it's quite simple. Wood is best suited for this purpose. You need to take 4 small sheets of plywood and nail them together to form a box. To obtain an arched shape, the edges of the top of the box must be carefully cut down into a rainbow shape. When the box is ready, it will need to be attached to a support made of wood or metal. This is done using a drill and screws. After connecting the 2 parts of the structure (box and support), varnish the wood and don’t forget to decorate your mailbox. To fully experience the atmosphere, write the house number on the box and take care of the red flag.

Experts recommend installing a visor over the hole for lowering letters, which will prevent moisture from getting inside. When deciding to build a wooden box, you should use corners to fasten all the parts, which will make the structure more durable and increase its service life. Don't forget about a small padlock that will protect your correspondence from unkind eyes and hands.

Conclusion

As you can see, there is nothing difficult in creating an impressive mailbox with your own hands. Even those who are not particularly creative can do an original design of a place to receive correspondence - the main thing is that there is a desire to do something truly extraordinary. Thanks to various variations of such designs, they can be made from the simplest materials. It is only important to take into account that the appearance of the mailbox must be harmoniously combined with the overall ensemble of your site. It is no exaggeration to say that a beautiful hand-made mailbox, decorated with various decorative elements, will become a source of pride for many years.

Factory variations of mail collection boxes are often monotonous and not particularly original. Traditional metal or wooden boxes, which are decorated with an apartment number and a miniature padlock, will not appeal to many people.

Street mailbox

Let's look at several step-by-step master classes on how to make a mailbox for a private home with your own hands.

Varieties and styles

A mailbox, which is located in the local area, often serves other than its intended purpose. Such products also become a harmonious addition to the design of the building facade.

1. In a classic style. This design is a vertical box equipped with a slot for letters and other correspondence. As a rule, they are installed by hanging them on a fence or wall of the house. Despite its simplicity, even such a box can be decorated in an original way through painting, decoupage techniques and other techniques.
2. In English style. This product is made in the form of a cabinet-table, which is mounted directly on the ground. As a rule, a mailbox is placed a few steps from the main entrance to the house. Externally, this design resembles a miniature model of a residential building and is made of durable steel or brickwork.
3. American style. Such mailboxes are a metal box in the shape of a half-pipe. They are mounted on a separate support or wooden rod and equipped with a special flag, which signals the presence of correspondence inside. It simply rises if the box contains letters.

Options in the photo

Variations of mailboxes depend on the imagination of the owners

Street mailbox - addition to the ensemble of a country house

The outdoor mailbox should be in harmony with the design of the house

Undoubtedly, every homeowner wants a home-made structure to not only have an original appearance, but also be durable and strong. Therefore, before planning the manufacture of a mailbox, you should consider a number of basic recommendations:

1. To ensure that correspondence is not exposed to the harmful effects of precipitation, it is necessary to provide a canopy over the slot for lowering letters.
2. If you plan to place a door to remove the contents of the drawer on the front panel, then it is important to accurately calculate the dimensions of the opening. This will prevent the formation of gaps through which snow and moisture penetrate.
3. When planning to install a door at the bottom of the drawer, it is advisable to make the structure hinged so that you can easily remove correspondence.
4. If you want to make a box from wood, you need to protect the corners of the structure with special metal plates. This will increase the strength of the product and make repairs easier in the future.
5. For security, it is worthwhile to provide a lock or alarm.

Just a few simple rules will extend the life of your product.

Made of wood

Very popular designs in domestic spaces are made from natural wood. This material allows you to experiment with the shapes of the box, as well as the external design. In addition, it is easy to obtain and does not require any professional skills to operate.

So, to build a mailbox you need to prepare the following materials:

• wooden blocks;
• protective impregnation;
• wood screws;
• paint brush;
• door hinges (small size);
• dense moisture-resistant plywood;
• lock for locking;
• screwdriver;
• hacksaw.

The construction process looks like this:

1. The first step is to coat the wood material with a protective compound that will prevent damage by moisture or insects. When the sheets have dried, you can begin assembling the structure.
2. The dimensions of the walls depend on the desired dimensions of the future structure. To work, you will need to cut the timber into several parts so that you get 4 slats corresponding to the length of the structure, 4 shortened parts for the width and 4 pieces. to the size of the height of the side walls.
3. At the first stage, it is necessary to put together these fragments in the shape of a rectangle, that is, to make a frame.
4. Then you need to attach plywood sheets cut according to the dimensions to it - side fragments, back and bottom. The result will be a box without a top cover and a front panel.
5. In order not to cut a hole for correspondence from a single piece of wood, you can make a cover from 2 panels, leaving a 1 cm slot in the middle.
6. The front of the box will look like a door with a small lock. This will allow you to remove mail without hindrance and at the same time protect the structures from intruders.
7. To construct it, it is necessary to install on sidebar loops – 2 pcs. for the door itself and 2 pcs. for a locking structure.
8. We hang the façade wall and check its functionality.
9. This completes the production of the mailbox.

Important! Since the slot for dropping letters is at the top and is not protected from precipitation, there is a risk of damage to the correspondence. To do this, you can attach a metal sheet directly above the hole, which is fixed with small hinges. This will create a second protective cover.

Wooden mailbox - easy to make and design

Made of metal

This design is the most durable and durable, but it is much more difficult to make. To do this, you will need minimal skills in processing metal structures. So, to build such a product you need to prepare the following tools:

• a metal sheet;
• Bulgarian;
• jigsaw or saw;
• welding machine;
• anti-corrosion impregnation;
• dye.

The workflow looks like this:

An American mailbox will require more effort to operate, but will be stronger and more durable

From a plastic bottle

A practical and original mailbox can be made from scrap materials. The process is incredibly simple and fun, and the result is an attractive design that can be decorated to suit your taste. So, to create a box you will need:

• plastic container with a capacity of 5 l;
• stationery knife;
• plywood fragment 25x5 cm;
• lightning;
• quick-drying fabric;
• glue;
• long needle;
• synthetic strong thread.

The manufacturing process is performed in the following sequence:

1. Empty containers must be cut crosswise at the bottom so that the bottom opens, but does not separate completely. We apply a sewing zipper to the cut to make sure the length of the product is appropriate.
2. Using a needle and thread, sew the zipper to the bottle. You can also glue it, but it is worth considering that the box will be located outside, and under the influence of precipitation, the strength of the fixation will decrease every day.
3. We check the functionality of the zipper - the improvised folding bottom should open and close well.
4. We wrap the container in decorative material - fabric, burlap. Leave the bottom part transparent so you can see the presence of correspondence. We cut off excess material.
5. Then we remove the fabric and coat the surface of the bottle with glue. We reapply the material and firmly fix it. We are waiting for the composition to dry completely.
6. We cut out a hole for mail on the front wall of the container.
7. We fix the plywood panel on the back using glue. You will need it to mount the box on a fence or wall.
8. At this point the product is ready. After complete drying, install the box in the desired location and enjoy the work done.

Important! For decoration, you can use not only fabric, but also any types of moisture-resistant coatings. You can paint the facade, paint it and varnish it or decorate it with artificial flowers.

A mailbox made from a plastic bottle is the easiest way to make it

From cardboard

Such products are easy to manufacture and also cost-effective. Any unnecessary box will be suitable for constructing a mailbox. All you need is a minimum of effort and a little imagination. IN in this example Let's look at a step-by-step master class using an empty tablet box for a washing machine as an example.

So, before work you need to prepare the following tools:

• cardboard containers;
• stationery knife;
• glue gun;
• decorative paper;
• wood varnish;
• paint brush.

The construction process is carried out in the following sequence of actions:

As you can see, making an original mailbox is not at all difficult; you just need a little effort and imagination. Various design variations allow it to be made from the simplest materials, even using recycled materials. However, before you make a box with your own hands, keep in mind that its appearance should be in harmony with the overall ensemble of your site.

(17 ratings, average: 4,35 out of 5)

The mailbox is an important part exterior decor both private and apartment buildings. Beautiful and original, it is able to transform the appearance of the local area, place important accents and ensure the safety of received correspondence. The best option would be to make a mailbox with your own hands.

Space for imagination

Anyone can make this household item. For this it is necessary decide on the model and materials, find everything you need and allocate some free time. With your own hands and efforts you can bring to life both simpler options and make a real work of art. Materials and sizes can be any. The main thing is to foresee them in advance. The dimensions of the mailbox should allow you to store mail of any size. It is advisable to make mailboxes for a private home from harder and more protected materials. Metal or wood work well.

Types of mailboxes

Mailbox comes in different shapes, models and sizes. The most common are classic, English and American styles.

Classic looks like a small rectangular box with a slot for correspondence. Usually attached to fences and walls of houses. Most often found in the post-Soviet space and made of metal or wood.

IN English style - a metal box that is either mounted into the wall or made in the form of a separate pole.

American The option is installed on a separate support and has a special flag to notify the required shipment.

Original mailboxes can be made of any material, paper, cardboard, bottles or household items and take any shape depending on the wishes of the author.

Execution options

Designer and unusual solutions always look interesting and highlight individuality. You can make interesting mailboxes from already unnecessary items. Below are the most original options that can be supplemented and improved.

From a plastic bottle

To make it you need to take a 2 liter plastic bottle. We cut off the neck from it. You can cut it to the end and then attach it in the form of a door with ropes. You can cut it off not all the way so that rear end stayed on the bottle. You can secure it at your destination with bolts or ropes. You can decorate it to suit any taste. For additional security, a canopy can be installed above the box. This would be a great option for an original mailbox that probably won't receive a lot of press.

Made from cardboard and fabric

For this option you will need a sheet of thick cardboard, a pattern (it can be found on the Internet), fabric for decoration, accessories, and glue. All parts should be cut out of cardboard. This will be the base of the box. We cover the cut parts with fabric on both sides. This can be done using non-woven fabric and an iron. Then all the parts need to be sewn together, leaving one side (the door) sewn on one side. We attach Velcro to it.

From unnecessary items

A beautiful mailbox can be made from unnecessary items. Any items can be used for which only a flight of imagination is sufficient.

For example, a cuckoo clock can look like a wooden mailbox. To do this, you need to clean them, equip them with a lock and decorate them. The place where the cuckoo jumped out will be a hole for correspondence. And instead of a dial, you can organize a door for a recess.

Old and faulty system unit is also capable of performing these functions if all the parts are removed from it, leaving only the metal structure. For decoration, it must be primed and then paint and other details will easily fall on it.

Wooden box

• wooden blocks;
• plywood sheets;
• wood screws;
• hinges for doors;
• varnish or paint;
• a metal sheet;
• screwdriver;
• hacksaw or jigsaw.

Manufacturing:

Then the wooden box should be carefully sanded and decorated to your taste. This is an example of a standard mailbox. Based on this, it can be supplemented and modified to suit your taste and the exterior of the yard.

Metal box

Required materials and tools:

• tin sheets;
• Bulgarian;
• drill;
• rivets.

Metal mailboxes are the most difficult to manufacture. Here, in addition to the idea, you also need to have minimal skills in working with metal.

Manufacturing using the example of an American mailbox:

Country real estate or a private house may have their own address. Therefore, people living here can receive letters, newspapers and other necessary correspondence. To prevent it from scattering all over the site or being damaged by snow or rain, you need to arrange a mailbox. There are many options for such designs today.

You can get creative by creating your own mailboxes. In this case, such a product will be original and interesting. There are many simple and more complex options mailboxes. Even without much experience in using hand tools, you can create similar structures yourself.

Design Process

To create a functional and beautiful mailbox with your own hands, you must first design the structure itself. First of all, you should consider its dimensions. The correspondence that the owner of a private home will receive may be different sizes. It doesn't have to be just letters. You may need to place magazines, newspapers or even books in your mailbox. In this case, the internal space of the product must provide such an opportunity.

Next, you need to decide on the type of material and style of the box itself. In this case, you can show your imagination. There are many options to create an original and beautiful product. The design style should be selected in accordance with appearance the cottage or house itself, as well as landscape design plot.

When learning how to make a mailbox, you should also consider your abilities and skills. Some materials will be easier to work with, while others will require the use of special tools.

Style

Mailboxes for a private home can be made in different styles. Today, the most popular are traditional, American, and English varieties of design. There are also original designs.

Traditional mailboxes look like an oblong box with a slot for correspondence. They are made from various materials. This is a simple, convenient option. This box can be installed on a gate or fence. To give aesthetically pleasing Such products are decorated with various additional details and designed in accordance with the taste preferences of the owners.

The American design style involves using the same design for all drawers. They differ only in color. The correspondence is located inside such a box in a horizontal position. Such products are installed on a special support.

The English mailbox has the shape of a cabinet-table. It is made of steel and installed directly on the ground in front of the entrance to the site. This is a strong, durable design.

Original developments involve the use of materials such as plastic or other polymers. In this direction, creative imagination has no limitations.

Material

There are a huge number of options for creating a mailbox. For this purpose the most different materials. Metal mailboxes are considered the most reliable. However, not every master has experience working with such material. In order for the design to be reliable, you must be able to work with a welding machine. If you wish, you can do without it. In this case, sheets of metal are tightened using rivets or even bolts and nuts.

Another popular option is wood. It does not require the use of complex tools. At the same time, you can create various decorative elements for a mailbox from wood. With proper processing of this material, you can achieve high reliability and product durability.

One of the simplest options is to create a structure from polymer materials. For example, it could be a mailbox made from a plastic bottle. This type of mailbox is easy to create. However, these are the most short-lived types of structures.

What needs to be provided?

In addition to the fact that the box must be durable, beautiful and in harmony with the overall design of the house and site, it must be reliable. To do this, you need to take into account several recommendations. Whatever material is chosen for making the box, all the details of working with it should be taken into account. For example, when creating a structure made of wood, it is necessary to fasten the planks using corners.

It is important that water or snow cannot get inside. If the letter slot is at the top, you need to install a visor over it.

You need to purchase a secure lock for your mailbox. It can be mounted or internal. When choosing, it is better to give preference to products from trusted manufacturers.

The drawer door should be located at the bottom of the structure. If it is located on the front side, you need to ensure that it fits snugly to the doors. Otherwise, water may get inside during heavy rain.

When creating mailboxes with your own hands, you should consider a few tips for designing such products. During the design process, you should take into account the type of fence the house has, the style of the facade, and the features of the landscape design.

If a country cottage is located far from a big city, you can give preference to country or Provence style when decorating the product. The best material in this case would be wood.

If the fence is made of forged elements, the best option will become a metal box for correspondence. It should be in harmony with the fence. When designing the product, you can use the same motifs as for the fence.

A stone fence requires the use of high-quality materials. In this case, the plastic will most likely look out of place. It is better to give preference to metal.

Making a Wooden Box

A wooden mailbox will look beautiful and original. To create it, you will need to prepare sheets of plywood or veneer, the length and width of which are 63 cm. Their thickness should be at least 1 cm. You also need a wooden beam with dimensions of 100 x 7.5 x 5 cm. It is necessary to prepare a stainless steel loop (12 cm) and a castle.

You will also need sandpaper, screws, staples, wood glue, colloidal silica.

The timber is sawn into 3 identical parts. On one of them you should draw 3 lines. One of them will run in the center, and the other 2 will run across. The distance between them should be at least 30 cm. A smooth curve is drawn. It is cut out and cleaned. The same procedure is performed on the remaining sections of the timber. All elements are glued together.

8 pieces measuring 32 x 16 cm are cut out of the veneer. The blanks are placed into the concave section of the block and treated with epoxy glue. The first layer is paper, followed by veneer sheets. The glue dries, after which the lid is sanded.

A slot is cut in the front wall for letters and newspapers, as well as an opening for the door. It is fixed with screws. The lock is installed. The lid is fixed to the box using silica glue. The finished structure must be varnished and, if desired, painted.

Cardboard box

To create an original mailbox, you can give preference to cardboard. It can be decorated in the style of a dollhouse. You will need to prepare cardboard (4 mm thick), a lock for the mailbox, glue, tape and a stationery knife. For decoration, purchase decoupage napkins and acrylic paints.

According to a pre-developed pattern, all the details of the box are cut out using a stationery knife. The part with the window should not be cut completely. All bends are fixed with tape. The structure is assembled together and secured with glue.

American mailbox

To create an American street mailbox with your own hands, you will need sheets of metal. Blanks are cut from them in accordance with standard sizes and shapes of the product. The bottom of the product will be made in the form of a rectangle. The semicircular roof is attached to it. The side sheets will be the same size.

You can fasten all the elements using welding machine. If you don't have one, you can use bolts and nuts. Finally, you need to attach the door with a handle. If desired, such a structure can be made of wood. It all depends on the preferences and skills of the master.

This structure needs to be coated with paint. When the checkbox is raised, it means that the mailbox needs to be checked. When decorating, different coloring techniques are used.

English mailbox

The approach to creating a design in each case must be individual. The mailbox will look original if it is decorated in English style. In this case, a variety of materials are used. Even plastic bottles or pipes can be used.

When creating an English mailbox, the author's imagination is practically unlimited. Such designs are created from an old grandfather clock, system unit, school bag, speakers, etc. You might think what things have long gone out of use and lie idle. They can be used to create such a creation.

You can take a medium-sized log. The core is removed from it. Then the door is screwed to the workpiece. The mail opening should not be exposed to direct rain or snow.

Plastic boxes

When creating mailboxes for a private home, you can choose a plastic or plexiglass design. Almost everyone can work with such materials. To ensure that all elements fit tightly together, special attention should be paid to the choice of glue. It must fully correspond to the selected type of material.

Plexiglas looks beautiful, but fastening elements from it can sometimes be quite difficult. This will take quite a long time. However, after creating the box, you can decorate it with special paints.

Plastic is widespread in modern world. There are many finished products made from it. You can choose a ready-made box from this material, modify it and decorate it at your discretion.

Working with metal

When learning how to make a mailbox, you should highlight metal types of products. When properly processed, they are the most durable and strong. To be able to create a metal mailbox, you will need to prepare special equipment.

In addition to the welding machine, the master will have to use a grinder or a hacksaw for metal, or a drill. You need to know how to handle such tools correctly. Also, in the manufacture of such a product, forging elements are actively used. If the owner of a country house is not familiar with blacksmithing, he will be able to purchase such decorative elements in specialized stores.

The finished box should be primed and painted. In this matter, you should use your imagination.

Installation

When creating mailboxes with your own hands, you should consider where such a product will be installed. This could be a fence, a house wall or a gate. In the first case, slits are made on the back of the box. Metal clamps or wire are threaded through them. This way you can simply secure the structure to the fence.

If the owners want to fix the mailbox on the gate, 2 holes are also made on the back side of the structure. Fixation is carried out using bolts and nuts.

To install a mailbox on the facade of a house, you will need to use anchors or dowels. In this case, the material from which the wall of the house is made is taken into account.

American mailboxes are mounted on a support. It is taken out to a separate area, most often behind the gate. This also applies to the English style of design.

Having considered how mailboxes are created with your own hands, every owner of his own home will be able to create an original, beautiful product. This will emphasize the individuality of the owners. A well-chosen design will allow the mailbox to fit harmoniously into the overall exterior of the cottage or country house.

Owners of their own houses or summer cottages still receive letters, subscribe to newspapers and magazines, and there is also a need to deliver bills or parcels. And in order for all this correspondence to be delivered to the addressee, he needs to have a special cell at his place of residence. Of course, the modern market offers a wide variety of models and variations of this product, but it’s so nice to make a mailbox with your own hands, put a little of yourself into it, and even thanks to the unusual design, decorate a residential building or summer cottage. This article will talk about how to make a mailbox.

There are plenty of options for creating a mailbox with your own hands. They may differ from each other in shape, size, color, design and material of manufacture, as well as in design style. What types of mailboxes are there?

Types of mailboxes for a private home

Most of the models discussed are quite easy to do yourself, and you do not need to purchase expensive materials or equipment. So, what kind of mailboxes can you find today? First of all, it should be said that the style of the post determines the overall appearance of the site or the exterior of the house.

• It is also important when creating a mailbox to take into account the amount of correspondence sent. That is, if the owner receives a lot of letters, magazines, newspapers or advertising booklets every day, then a more capacious product will be needed, but if there is a minimum number of letters, then you can build a small box with an original decoration. Very often, a mailbox is used not for its intended purpose, but as a decorative element. The product is installed in a visible place and perfectly complements the overall appearance of a private house or garden area.
• There are several style solutions for designing a mailbox. The most famous American and English designs for receiving correspondence. The traditions of Europe and America are somewhat different from domestic ones. For example, in American cities, postal boxes are needed not only for receiving letters, but also for sending. If there is correspondence in the box, the postman takes it and takes it to the post office. But how can you determine that a message needs to be sent? It was for this purpose that special flags were invented on every mailbox in the states. If the flag is raised, it means the postman needs to look inside; if it is lowered, it means the box is empty.

• Another feature of such structures is that they are installed not like the usual structures on walls or a fence, but on lawns or areas near paths leading to the house, and are fixed on vertical supports (metal, wood and even stone). In shape, such products resemble a small container or house, which has a semicircular hinged lid at the end.
• This is a standard look, but in many states there are often competitions for the most original letter box. That is why near some houses you can find unusual structures in the form of fairy-tale characters, animals or any abstractions, as well as mounted on various stands. In addition, very often purchased products are simply decorated in a special way and thus stand out from the crowd of others.
• A slightly different tradition exists in UK cities. Here the mailboxes are installed directly on the ground near front door or near the path with the entrance to the housing area. In appearance, this design resembles a small cabinet, which may have brick or stone walls. Of course, other materials are also used - wood, metal and even plastic.

• Such a structure should be compatible in style with the house and the site, that is, if the walls of the building are made of brick or have it in the design, then the mailbox will be made of this material, or a stone gate, usually complemented by stone structures for receiving letters and press . To make it easy for the postman to put the correspondence, and for the owner to easily retrieve it, the boxes are installed as if on a stand, which is an inseparable continuation of the structure. That is, this product is stationary and does not involve moving from place to place.
• Still, the most common type of mailboxes in our country are traditional ones, or otherwise called standard mailboxes. Their main feature is that they are rectangular in shape, and correspondence enters through a small slot. In order to remove letters or newspapers, you need to open the door or move one of the walls. Such structures are very often installed on apartment doors. These products are slightly larger than American mailboxes and more mobile than English ones. They can be made from a wide variety of materials, and also have different shapes.
• Of course, modern mailboxes are no longer just a rectangular box; there are decorative elements and an original appearance. It is these products that are the easiest to manufacture, convenient to use and at the same time can perfectly decorate any building, be it a multi-level cottage or a small one. country house. They are installed on fences, walls of homes, and even on a free-standing stand.

How to make a mailbox with your own hands

So, if standard, commercially available products are not the ultimate dream and you really want to create something of your own, original, then it’s time to get creative. First of all, you need to decide on a specific idea, the appearance of the future mailbox. Then, you should decide what materials will be needed to implement the plan. Let's look at how to create your own wooden mailbox. This is the simplest option, and at the same time it is possible to create a real masterpiece from which it will be so pleasant to take letters out.

• Assembling the structure is somewhat reminiscent of the work of creating a birdhouse; many people were probably involved in this type of activity in childhood. To build a mailbox, you will need a simple set of tools: a hammer, a saw, a ruler, a pencil, a screwdriver, hardware or glue. The materials you will need are wooden boards, boards or sheets of plywood, chipboard, MDF, etc.
• Next, determine the size of the mailbox. Specific parameters are selected based on what you plan to receive. If these are only letters and small advertising booklets, then a small product will be enough, but if the box is designed to receive large-sized magazines, then its dimensions should be appropriate. In any case, it is always better to make it a little larger than the standard one, then you won’t have to worry that not all printed materials will fit inside.

• The next step is to define the design. This concerns not only the features of the form, but also what elements will be needed for decoration. After all, the box for the press and letters must be combined with the exterior of the house, which means that some details must have something in common. Also this stage involves the choice of a specific material and future color scheme.

When the choice of shape, materials, colors and decorative elements has been made, you can begin to manufacture the parts.

Step-by-step instructions for creating a mailbox

• For work you will need blocks of wood, plywood, preferably moisture-resistant (or use special impregnations that will help make the parts sufficiently resistant to precipitation and other weather conditions), metal corners, wood glue, a screwdriver, self-tapping screws and a hand or automatic saw or jigsaw will also be useful . In addition, depending on the design of the lid, it is necessary to prepare a hinge device, as well as a lock with which the door will be locked.

• Since our box has a more complex shape than just a rectangle, it is recommended to first create a frame from beams. For this purpose, it is enough to use slats with a cross section of 20-10 mm. The length will depend on specific model, but approximately 20-40 cm is enough. The resulting base for the product will be shaped like a cube, but have a small triangular roof.
• The next step is to secure the walls. Durable plywood is perfect for this purpose, but ordinary boards of small thickness can also be used. You will need two pieces for the side walls, two for the front and back panels and two for the top and bottom, as well as two pieces for the roof. Of course, we should not forget that all parts should be treated with impregnations, which will protect the finished structure from natural factors and extend the service life for a longer time.

• The plywood is screwed to the frame using corners and self-tapping screws; for greater reliability, the bottom of the mailbox can be additionally glued with adhesives, and all joints of the finished structure can be coated with moisture-resistant sealant. Don’t forget to make a cut on the façade or top panel. Through this gap the postman will place letters and press inside. It is also necessary to make an opening door. It is possible that the roof of the house will serve as the opening part. To do this, attach this element using hinges.
• In cases where it is difficult to make a gap in plywood, for example, with insufficient experience, you can use a little trick. Use not a whole piece of plywood, but two halves that will not reach each other at a certain distance. Usually, a 1-2 cm slot is enough for these purposes, but when you plan to receive larger correspondence, you can leave more.

• Having completed all of the above procedures, we can assume that the box is almost ready. All that remains is to paint it or decorate it in any other way and install it in a permanent place, and also take care of protecting letters, magazines and newspapers from rain. Indeed, in cases where the slot for incoming correspondence is located at the top, moisture can easily penetrate inside. This is why you should install a special canopy over the box. It is best if it is made of metal.

The described method involves creating the most simple option mailbox, which you can do yourself even without special skills. Of course, in cases where it is possible to make more complex shapes and designs, you should not deny yourself such pleasure. After all, a mailbox is not just a box for receiving letters, it is also a wonderful decorative element.

Mailbox decoration options

• There are several fairly common ways to decorate a mailbox. First of all, you can use paints and apply any patterns, ornaments, and sometimes entire paintings to all structural elements. Even without artistic skills, you can accomplish this task yourself. Stencils made of paper, cardboard or plastic can help with this.
• Acrylic paints are best suited for painting on materials such as wood or metal. In order for the image to last for more than one season, it is first recommended to cover the entire surface with a layer of white primer, and apply a moisture-resistant varnish on top of the image, which will also protect the structure from damage caused by rain or snow.
• The next decoration option assumes that the mailbox will be decorated with a type of creativity such as decoupage. This is also a fairly simple method that does not require special skills. It is enough to select the required design depicted on a napkin or decoupage card. Next, the surface of the structure is painted white (this is one of the standard solutions), and then small fragments or the entire design are glued to the walls of the mailbox using PVA glue. When the glue is completely dry, apply several layers of varnish on top.

• Another solution that will help make the mail original is to attach several decorative tassels, beads, shells and other elements to the box. In order for such decoration to hold securely and last for many years, you should choose good glue.
• Even an unusual color will make the mailbox an original decoration for everything. summer cottage or a private home. And if you turn on your imagination, use improvised materials and various artistic techniques, you can get real works of art. With the right approach, you can even decorate the box with fresh flowers, which will grow in small containers on the sides of the structure.

Original solutions for creating mailboxes

• Not only can decorations add originality to a mailbox, but it is also possible to use unusual items to create the design itself. Old interior items or unnecessary things are suitable for these purposes. For example, a product made from a plastic bottle or large-diameter PVC pipe will look very unusual. This option is perfect for people who do not subscribe to a lot of newspapers and receive correspondence in small quantities. It is enough to attach a round door to the tube, which will serve both for delivering letters and for removing them.
• A similar option would be a box made from a round log or thick log. Here you should remove the core and place a suitable container inside; it can be a metal pipe, sealed on one side and with a welded door on the other. At the same time, this lid can be decorated with tree bark so that the feeling of naturalness is complete.

• If a more spacious design is required, then excellent option the system unit will become empty. This product can be installed on any support and can even be screwed to a fence. All that remains is to build a door and decorate the box accordingly, so that the postman immediately understands that this is a box for letters and newspapers.
• In general, making a mailbox that you won’t be ashamed to install in your own home is not that difficult. You can use plexiglass, metal, wood and even cardboard using gluing, welding or assembly technologies. In addition to choosing the material and shape, it is equally important to properly secure the finished box or install it in a permanent place.
• The installation location can be a fence, a gate, a house wall, or even a separately placed support. It is important not to forget when designing a product to think in advance about the method of fastening. For example, in cases where mail is placed on a gate (wooden or metal), it is necessary to make small holes in the back wall and secure it with nuts and bolts. If you plan to install the structure on a stand, then the fasteners should be in the bottom panel.

To summarize, we can say that despite the fact that technical progress in the world has reached unprecedented heights, paper letters and the press have not gone out of fashion to this day. This means that products such as mailboxes are still needed. And not always things bought in a store can perfectly complement the style of a private home or summer cottage. That is, if you really want an originally decorated and designed place to receive correspondence, then the best solution will be fulfillment of this element on one's own.