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Creative, Affordable Cash Wraps

The cash wrap desk is a main focal point for many gift and accessories stores.

By Linda Cahan -- Gifts and Dec, 1/1/2009 12:00:00 AM

Creative Affordable Cash wraps Linda Cahan Prairie Berry Winery

Hill City, SD-based Prairie Berry Winery's cash wrap counter doubles as a wine tasting bar

If your store is filled with upscale, fabulous pieces and your wrap desk is a laminated box there may be a visual disconnect. When faced with replacing or renovating the cash wrap, many retailers try instead to pretend it's not there, or not so bad. It's expensive to replace a large unit and challenging to come up with something affordable yet appropriate for the image of the store.

Here are three ideas to consider:

1. Cover the façade of the cash wrap with beadboard painted to work with your store colors. If the top needs work, replace it with tiles, mosaic tiles in a pattern, stained or pickled wood with curved ends, slate with a wood trim or a piece of glass over the existing countertop with a collage underneath.

Creative Affordable Cash wraps Linda Cahan Pistils Nursery

Diagonal lines are formed by small pieces of vinyl flooring on this display table at Pistils Nursery in Portland, OR.

2 Cut homasote boards 12”x12” to fit over the front and sides of the cash wrap desk. Cover the boards in fabric, stapling excess behind each board. Cut excess fabric from the corners so the pieces fit snugly together. Create a checkerboard look, an upscale brocade/patchwork or a Mondrian-inspired look. For a more plush, upholstered feel, cover the top of each piece of homasote with batting material (a little glue will hold it in place), then stretch material over the board. Jo-Ann Fabrics or Michaels often offer a 40 percent-off coupon in the newspapers. That can save a lot of money on fabric. Or go into the remnants section and find fabrics that work together. Attach each board with glue or finishing nails. Finish the top with wood molding.

3 Tiles need not be expensive. Look for specials at stores or check Craigslist. Attach the tiles to a board cut to fit the face of your cash wrap desk. Make sure you have already planned how to attach the tile board to the desk. Drill any necessary holes in advance.

Author Information

Linda Cahan is a retail visual design consultant based in West Linn, OR.

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