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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
Result: The sections from old soda crates provide a grid of compartments for shells, teacups, photographs or whatever else you'd like to display.
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.
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.
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.
Use: Candleholder
Result: I love when one multipurpose wonder and another one get married, in this case mason jars and vintage crates.
Result: I love when one multipurpose wonder and another one get married, in this case mason jars and vintage crates.
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
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
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