Measure several boxes if possible
Tissue cartons with similar names can differ in width, depth, or height. Measure the carton you use and, if available, a second unopened one. Add clearance for easy removal rather than designing a friction fit. This cover is a decorative shell that lifts off the carton; it has no wooden bottom.
For a carton up to 120 × 120 × 130 mm, use an inside opening around 126 × 126 mm and an inside height of 136 mm. Verify those dimensions against your actual carton before cutting.
- Front and back: two 144 × 136 × 9 mm panels.
- Sides: two 126 × 136 × 9 mm panels.
- Top: one 144 × 144 × 9 mm panel.
- Opening template: make in cardboard from the carton’s tissue opening.
Plan an opening that does not snag
The top panel sits on the four walls, making the overall height 145 mm. Draw an opening that aligns with the carton opening and leaves generous wood around the perimeter. A long rounded rectangle is usually easier to reach through than a narrow slit.
Use a cardboard top first and pull several tissues through it. Increase the opening if tissues catch or tear. The wooden opening must have smooth edges on both its upper and lower faces; a polished top edge alone does not prevent snagging underneath.
Cut and assemble the shell
Clamp the top securely to a backing support while making the opening using a method appropriate to your tools. Do not hold a small panel by hand near a moving cutter. Smooth the opening before attaching the top, when its underside is easy to reach.
Dry-fit the walls around the carton without gluing to it. Remove the carton and assemble the wooden shell with a suitable adhesive. Check that opposite walls remain parallel. Fit the top after the wall joints are aligned, and keep the bottom edges level so the cover does not rock on the table.
Check refilling and hygiene
After curing, lift the shell over the carton and remove it again. The carton should slide freely without being crushed. If the fit is close, locate the tight area and correct it rather than pushing the carton down harder.
Apply a finish suitable for ordinary indoor wiping, following its cure instructions. Keep the cover dry and clean it according to the coating maker’s guidance. This is a home accessory, not a sanitizable medical dispenser. Avoid damp bathroom placement unless the materials and finish are appropriate for that environment.
What to take with you
- Measure the actual product and allow refill clearance.
- Smooth both sides of a pass-through opening.
- A removable shell simplifies replacement.
A few good questions
Can I add a bottom panel?
A fixed bottom would make refilling difficult. A removable base needs its own retention detail and additional clearance, so keep the first version open underneath.
Why does the cover rock?
One wall may be longer or the shell may be twisted. Check the bottom edges on a flat surface before trying to hide the issue with thick pads.