Funky Junk Interiors

Hello there crate woodworking friends!

If this doesn’t describe you today, I sure hope it will tomorrow! Because making your own old crates is fun, easy and oh so very cheap! 🙂

I LOVE landing a great old vintage crate! Who doesn’t? But sometimes you just can’t find one you want in a size you need (or can afford).

So that’s where making your own comes into play.

Bear with me, as I had a few things go wrong on this given day. And I aim to tell you about it. Because on my survey you said you wanted to hear some ‘oh ohs’ too.

A little friendly drama makes the world go ’round, yes?

If you wish to miss the rambling, just read the bold text for a quicker read.

How to build a reclaimed wood crate

1. Cut 4 boards to desired size.

This is your frame, which creates the 4 sides of your crate.

Now… if you study crates, most have thicker ends and thinner fronts and backs.

Being that I used pallet wood, I used 4 boards of the same size all the way around. Because free works for me.

Tip: It’s ALL about the wood patina. New wood will not result in an old looking crate unless you really work it over. Old is best.

2. Pre drill holes in all four corners on two of the opposite ends.

Because I use screws, I predrill holes.

I was going to use my nail gun but I couldn’t get the nails to load right, and then I blew a breaker that I couldn’t fix. The hose is still strung like spaghetti all over the workshop floor because I couldn’t deal with how unfriendly it treated me.

#drama

Screws and cordless drill it is! Which I prefer anyway.

Read why I prefer to use screws for building HERE.

3. Load your screws into the holes.

Starting the outer frame is always the hardest because there’s nothing yet stabilizing it. So loading in your screws, then driving them in just a little before the build will make you believing you know what you’re doing, vs. scrambling off the ground for your wood.

I use screws just long enough to do the job. Any longer and you attach your project to your table.

4. Screw the frame together.

You’re already nearly done!

5. Select wood for the bottom.

Anything will do. I nearly did these strips I had painted. But then decided I needed more woodsy wood.

Take apart part of your funky kitchen cupboards in order to get it if you must… because you have lots of spare time to redo the kitchen anyway…


6. Measure, then cut the bottom wood to size.

I ran the pencil along the underside of the wood to mark my cutting line. Brilliant, right?

7. Sand before attaching.

8. Attach bottom wood from the bottom.

If using screws, predrill holes first.

If your nail gun works, you are most fortunate. 

For true authenticity? Use rusty nails with big heads! Too bad I couldn’t find mine.


Just make sure you drive them in all the way. I can see a few here that could use a little more attention.


Isn’t that gorgeous?! It’s a shame to cover that up!

I staggered the plank shades for added variation.

And then I showed you HERE how I stencilled it.

I’m not quite done with this little guy… it’s getting a couple more layers. 

But I wanted this post out there to refer to because this easy tutorial can get you sooooo many other cool things. You wait and see… from trays to toolboxes to most any build.

Here’s why I adore crates so very much…

Kitchen phone station on a wall

Crate toilet paper holder

Crate Christmas shadow box

Crate coffee pod organizer

Hot cocoa station on a wall

Compact hot cocoa station on a counter

Soooo… have I inspired you to go make a crate?