5 Things to Do with… Apple Crates

By Rebecca Thienes Cherny | Updated Aug 17, 2013 9:17 PM

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Wooden crates used to be the way to get everything to market, from fruit and produce to soda bottles. These days, those same lovely vintage crates are popping up at garage and estate sales, local antiques stores and salvage yards—they seem to be everywhere! In addition to being decorative, they are great for storing all kinds of housewares. Here are five DIY-friendly ways to enhance their appeal:

 

1. MOUNT A WALL STORAGE UNIT

DIY with Apple Crates - Baileys Home and Garden

Photo: baileyshomeandgarden.com

Baileys Home and Garden shows how, from a stash of equally sized crates, you can create wall-mounted storage for virtually any space. Planning is key; lay out your crates on the floor to determine the best arrangement. If you can’t find a cache of crates the same size, consider building a more organic Tetris-style formation. Locate the wall studs and then start securing crates to them, having a helper hold the crates level while you work.

2. CREATE A BATH STORAGE TOWER

DIY with Apple Crates - Storage Tower

Photo: teresaksheeley.typepad.com

Teresa Sheeley was inspired to create her own bath storage tower after seeing this completed project. With three stacked crates and four industrial casters, you can easily fashion a similar construction that’s perfect for your needs.

 

3. REUSE AS A DECORATIVE PLANTER

DIY with Apple Crates - Planter

Photo: blog.designsquish.com

Simply line the bottom of the crate with burlap to keep the soil in place and, if the slats are positioned too tightly together, drill drainage holes in the bottom. Plant herbs or flowers to create lovely container gardens, like these from Design Squish.

 

4. ORGANIZE THE FOYER

DIY with Apple Crates - Mabel and Rose

Photo: mabelandrose.com

Can we ever get enough of casters? Here, add four casters to the bottom of your wood crate to make a storage bin ideal for each member of the family. Tuck away gloves, hats, bags and the rest by rolling the bins out of sight under a hall bench. From Mabel & Rose.

 

5. MAKE TOY STORAGE MANAGEABLE

DIY with Apple Crates - Elsie Marley

Photo: elsiemarley.com

Kids inevitably rack up a stockpile of toys. Make it easy and fun for them to take out the toys AND put them away. Elsie Marley suggests adding wheels to the crate so kids can playfully push the toy box away after use. If you’d rather have the work done for you, shop Serena & Lily.

Note that the crate trend isn’t limited to only vintage models. Canadian designer Garth Roberts of The Future Perfect was so inspired by their form, he’s making chic mirrored versions.

For more on reuse and repurposing, consider:

5 Things to Do… With Vintage Ladders
5 Things to Do… With Wood Shutters
Great Places to Buy Architectural Salvage