Create an ideabook for your next remodeling project!
Browse more than 1,500,000 photos from top designers and save your favorites
Multipurpose Wonders: Vintage Crates
Hold everything — these accessible storage containers are full of texture, patina and vintage character, and you can get them for a song
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia. I've been writing about design online for quite a few years over at Hatch: The Design Public Blog.
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta... More »
Root beer, bananas, vino, ammo ... vintage wooden crates have held onto it all at one time or another. These charming boxes deserve to live a second life. Not only do they make handy storage vessels, but their aged wood, faded painted logos and old nails add a unique patina and character to a room. Vintage crates are easy to find at flea markets and antiques malls, as well as online; I did a quick Etsy search today and found small crates starting at under $10. See if any of these clever uses for vintage crates strike your fancy.
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| Use: Wall-mounted shelves Result: A unique composition that will display your collectibles in an organized way. Hint: Start with a straight line across the top of your arrangement and line the crates along it. Keeping about the same amount of space between crates lends a uniform look. See more vintage crate shelves |
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
Use: Vertical garden structure
Result: A conversation starter that holds succulents in an unexpected way. This project is by Renee Garner.
Result: A conversation starter that holds succulents in an unexpected way. This project is by Renee Garner.
by Dreamy Whites
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
Use: Side table full of history and character
Result: Just the right dollop of crusty patina in an otherwise white and clean shabby chic room.
Hint: If the crate is uneven, use felt pads (the kind that protect floors from scratchy table legs) to level it.
Result: Just the right dollop of crusty patina in an otherwise white and clean shabby chic room.
Hint: If the crate is uneven, use felt pads (the kind that protect floors from scratchy table legs) to level it.
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
Use: Stacked shelves
Result: Tall storage that is even more interesting when not perfectly aligned.
Hint: If you have more than two or three crates in your stack, nail them together for safety. You don't want a tower of heavy boxes and crates to fall on anyone.
Result: Tall storage that is even more interesting when not perfectly aligned.
Hint: If you have more than two or three crates in your stack, nail them together for safety. You don't want a tower of heavy boxes and crates to fall on anyone.
by Splendid Willow
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
Use: Rolling storage crate
Result: A handy and attractive way to store everything from cleaning supplies to toys.
Learn to make one of these yourself
Not handy? Buy one already made
Result: A handy and attractive way to store everything from cleaning supplies to toys.
Learn to make one of these yourself
Not handy? Buy one already made
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| Use: Collection display Result: The sections from old soda crates provide a grid of compartments for shells, teacups, photographs or whatever else you'd like to display. |
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
Use: A place to stash extra pillows
Result: Really, you can throw anything in crates like these and keep them out in plain sight; their wood, painted logos and old nails bring age.
Result: Really, you can throw anything in crates like these and keep them out in plain sight; their wood, painted logos and old nails bring age.
by Jeanette Lunde
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
Use: Tabletop bookshelf
Result: A portable way to store your books, magazines and albums.
Bonus: The smaller crate on top can round up three lovely vintage glass bottle vases.
Result: A portable way to store your books, magazines and albums.
Bonus: The smaller crate on top can round up three lovely vintage glass bottle vases.
by Rikki Snyder
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
Use: Nightstand
Result: A bedside table that will conceal that stack of magazines, a flashlight, your diary and anything else you like to have nearby.
Result: A bedside table that will conceal that stack of magazines, a flashlight, your diary and anything else you like to have nearby.
| Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| Use: Candleholder Result: I love when one multipurpose wonder and another one get married, in this case mason jars and vintage crates. |
|
by Ira Lippke
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| Use: Vintage-modern kitchen storage Result: A great way to corral smaller kitchen items for a uniform look on open shelves. More: Helpful Catch-Alls Keep Clutter at Bay Creative Collector: Vintage Vessels Make a Rolling Vintage Storage Crate |
Ideabook published on June 20, 2012.
What are you working on?
News From Our Partners
Latest Ideabooks
People found the photos in this ideabook after searching for:
View over a million photos:
I love this style of mixing old with new!
Take a look at some of my amazing finds!! https://www.etsy.com/shop/LillyQueenVintage