You can use old (or new!) crates as furniture and still have the home of your dreams. Try a few of our ideas for using crates as furniture in unique ways in any room of your home. You can usually find them really inexpensively, so this is the perfect furniture solution for those of us on a budget. Look for vintage crates at thrift stores and flea markets. Ask at your local grocery store about produce crates. Try a local farmer’s market or apple orchard for even more options. You can find a variety of crates if you look!
We will start with the most simple of uses: a side table. One possibility is to use a piece of slate to make a top for one crate, like the image above. Here we are using this simple table outdoors, but it could just as easily work beside a couch, chair or bed. Also check out this DIY side table for use beside a couch.
In the bedroom, crates make a useful nightstand. Stack them to the appropriate height, like the image above. Then add in books, knickknacks and more. A few crates are all you need for a nightstand that is functional and looks great. You can also stack crates to create a variety of furniture for other rooms around your home or apartment.
Here we stacked them to create a makeshift bookshelf beside a couch. Try stacking them in a variety of patterns for a bookshelf in any room. If you are going to go tall, be sure to secure them together with nails or screws and anchor the entire thing to the wall for safety.
An upside-down crate can easily become a footstool or ottoman. Just use padding and fabric to make a cushion for the top. This super inexpensive DIY project will only take you a few hours, and you will have a custom-made piece of furniture to show off in your space.
You can also find crates that will work perfectly in those cube organizers that seem to be sold at every store. These are a nice and sturdy alternative to those flimsy fabric containers that are often sold with them. You can use these in a variety of rooms in your home for storage and organization.
Speaking of organization, don’t overlook those smaller crates, as they are perfect for storage! Here we have used vintage Coke crates to create shoe storage, but the possibilities are endless! Give some of our ideas for using crates as furniture a try in your home. You will love the results and stay within your household budget. You can have an elegant apartment with great furniture even if you are on a really tight budget.