10 Beautiful Ways to Use Crates Around Your Home
Whether brand new or decades old, crates can be a creative and stylish addition to any decorating scheme
Reusing new or vintage crates is a concept that’s more popular than ever. People are constantly inventing new ways to include them as practical and pretty additions to their homes. Crates are a versatile item that will suit a variety of decorating styles and work well in the great outdoors. Whether you use them the right way up, upside-down or on their side, there are a multitude of creative ways to include them in your decor. Here are just 10 beautiful and stylish ideas for reusing and upcycling crates.
These crates have been arranged to form a rectangular shape on the wall and because the crates have been hung vertically and horizontally, all manner of tall and short items will fit neatly on the shelves.
2. Planter box
Crates make great planter boxes. There is something about the warmth of the wood that contrasts beautifully with plant life. There is no need to line and seal your crates, simply keep the plants in their original pots and sit the pots inside.
This crate has six little sections and each flower pot sits neatly inside. A crochet doily under the crate completes this pretty picture.
Crates make great planter boxes. There is something about the warmth of the wood that contrasts beautifully with plant life. There is no need to line and seal your crates, simply keep the plants in their original pots and sit the pots inside.
This crate has six little sections and each flower pot sits neatly inside. A crochet doily under the crate completes this pretty picture.
Walls of greenery are popular at the moment and are a space-saving way to keep plants inside the house. Turn your crates on their sides and use them as a base for a vertical garden.
Read more on how to create a vertical garden
Read more on how to create a vertical garden
3. Light fittings
Transform your crates into rustic and romantic light fittings. Drill small holes into the bottom of the crate and then fill them with pretty fairy lights. It’s a simple but charming way to add subtle lighting and warmth to any space.
Transform your crates into rustic and romantic light fittings. Drill small holes into the bottom of the crate and then fill them with pretty fairy lights. It’s a simple but charming way to add subtle lighting and warmth to any space.
4. Side table
Try turning your crates upside down and use them instead as a standard side table. They will add character and warmth to any room, whether it be modern, country or eclectic.
This upturned crate suits the height of this low-level bed and provides enough surface area for a lamp and some bedtime reading. Use a larger crate for higher beds, and if it has a lid you can store any spare pillows and blankets inside.
Try turning your crates upside down and use them instead as a standard side table. They will add character and warmth to any room, whether it be modern, country or eclectic.
This upturned crate suits the height of this low-level bed and provides enough surface area for a lamp and some bedtime reading. Use a larger crate for higher beds, and if it has a lid you can store any spare pillows and blankets inside.
Bigger crates also work as side tables for living or lounge rooms. The beauty of larger sized crates is that they can double as storage for blankets or magazines as well as be a useful surface for styled objects or vignettes.
Read: Vignettes That Spark a Warm, Fuzzy Feeling the Moment You Come Home
Read: Vignettes That Spark a Warm, Fuzzy Feeling the Moment You Come Home
5. Swing
You can get really creative and use your old crates or pallets to make a swing to hang off a tree or your veranda. Add a beautiful Kantha quilt and pillow and you have the perfect place to relax and unwind.
You can get really creative and use your old crates or pallets to make a swing to hang off a tree or your veranda. Add a beautiful Kantha quilt and pillow and you have the perfect place to relax and unwind.
6. Storage
Crates were designed to be used as storage, so why not just use them for their original purpose. They come in all shapes and sizes, making them ideal for storing toys, magazines, craft items, books, paper and more.
This crate is being used to hold tubes of gift wrapping paper. It is a functional way to keep your craft, sewing or paper goods nice and tidy.
Crates were designed to be used as storage, so why not just use them for their original purpose. They come in all shapes and sizes, making them ideal for storing toys, magazines, craft items, books, paper and more.
This crate is being used to hold tubes of gift wrapping paper. It is a functional way to keep your craft, sewing or paper goods nice and tidy.
Crates are an affordable way to keep many different items organised and neat. In this space they have added castors to the bottom to make them easy to manoeuvre from underneath the bench seat. What a fantastic way to keep the open crates looking tidy.
7. Coffee table
Use multiple crates as an alternative to your typical coffee table. Put them together and add castors to make your table portable. Crates can be used to make a variety of beautiful and rustic pieces of furniture.
Use multiple crates as an alternative to your typical coffee table. Put them together and add castors to make your table portable. Crates can be used to make a variety of beautiful and rustic pieces of furniture.
8. Cupboards
If you have a large collection of crates, you can stack them on top of each other to create a bespoke cupboard. Arrange them to fit perfectly into any unused space you may have in your home.
They can be stacked vertically or horizontally depending on your needs. For added stability they could be attached together and then onto the wall.
If you have a large collection of crates, you can stack them on top of each other to create a bespoke cupboard. Arrange them to fit perfectly into any unused space you may have in your home.
They can be stacked vertically or horizontally depending on your needs. For added stability they could be attached together and then onto the wall.
9. Drink containers
Try using them as trays when you are hosting parties or barbecues. Segmented crates like this one are great for carrying glasses or bottles. Using a crate this way will cut down on trips to the kitchen and make organising drinks a little easier. Plus they look great!
Try using them as trays when you are hosting parties or barbecues. Segmented crates like this one are great for carrying glasses or bottles. Using a crate this way will cut down on trips to the kitchen and make organising drinks a little easier. Plus they look great!
If you don’t have an esky, fill a crate with ice and keep all of your drinks in it. This way your guests can help themselves to a nice cold beverage whenever they like, leaving the host more time to socialise.
10. Seating
The crates in this image have been used in a few unique ways, but I particularly like the practical seating that has been created here. Turn your crates upside down and add a cushion or padded top to make a very useful and portable form of seating.
TELL US
How have you used crates in a creative way? Show us your pictures in the Comments.
MORE
10 Clever Ways to Reinvent Wooden Pallets
Bean There, Done That: Coffee Table Alternatives
Nifty Thrifting: 19 Inventive Repurposing Ideas
The crates in this image have been used in a few unique ways, but I particularly like the practical seating that has been created here. Turn your crates upside down and add a cushion or padded top to make a very useful and portable form of seating.
TELL US
How have you used crates in a creative way? Show us your pictures in the Comments.
MORE
10 Clever Ways to Reinvent Wooden Pallets
Bean There, Done That: Coffee Table Alternatives
Nifty Thrifting: 19 Inventive Repurposing Ideas
It’s time to think outside the box and turn your crates on their sides. Crates do not have to be used for the purpose they were designed. By attaching them to your walls, you can create unique and custom made wall shelving to house all of your precious items that you wish to have on display.
You can arrange them in whatever fashion is going to suit your pieces. They can be hung vertically or horizontally to add interest and composition. This perfectly composed crate wall complements this eclectic room beautifully. What a pretty way of displaying vintage cups and plates.