Psst! I have a secret to tell you. If you are super-duper sweet to the nice manager at your local wholesale warehouse or wine store, and you ask with a sincere smile, they will happily give you their wine crates… for FREE! Ok, it might help if you first buy a few bottles, but it’s not mandatory. Those gorgeous crates are headed for the dumpster unless you save them from their future demise!
Don’t you just love the beauty of wine crates? I find each one so interesting, imported from all over the world and marked with different fonts and graphics. Using wine crates for simple storage is a great alternative to baskets. What is nice about wine crates is that they are quite sturdy. Think about it, they are made to hold 12-15 bottles of wine! Today I want to show you how to take your brand new wine crate and transform it into a vintage looking, wine crate storage box with handles for easy transporting.
How to Make a Wine Crate Storage Box
The first thing you need to do is get yourself a wine crate. Flash those pearly whites! The wine crates are very fresh and new looking and we need to age them up a bit. So let’s gather our supplies and get DIY-ing!
To make your wine crate storage box, you will need the following: stain, gloves, foam brush, wood glue, 4 paint sticks, box cutter, sand paper, a rag, and 2 cabinet handles.
I recommend working outside since you’ll be sanding and staining. The edges of your crate are most likely quite sharp and rough. Take sand paper (I used 100 grit) and sand every edge, inside and out, until they are slightly rounded and smooth.
Next, you apply the stain. Chose any color of stain you like. Be sure to stir your stain well. I chose a new stain by Minwax called Weathered Oak. It has a nice gray tone and will surely help your crate look aged. I applied the stain with a disposable foam brush.
Allow the stain to sit for several minutes. The longer the stain sits, the deeper the color will be. I wanted just a subtle tone difference to blend with my décor.
With a soft rag, wipe off the stain.
Now your hardware comes with screws which will most likely be longer than you need. You need to fill the gap, so we’re going to use paint sticks. This box required using 2 sticks for each end of the crate. Measure the interior width of your crate and mark that on your 4 paint sticks. They can be easily cut with a box cutter. Just score each side and then snap the end off.
Place wood glue on 2 of your sticks and then place the remaining sticks on top.
Here is a trick on how to mark where your hardware go. Generously rub chalk on the holes where the screws will fit and then press it on to your crate. (Yes, I’m holding the hardware between my knees. It’s hard to take a picture when you need both of your hands!)
See the small white chalk marks? That is where you will drill your holes. You can mark it with a pen now incase your chalk blows away in the wind. Go ahead and drill your holes now. Use a drill bit that is the same size as your hardware screws.
Apply another bead of glue on to your double sticks and press against the crate where your screw holes are. Now drill through those same holes again, this time going all the way through your sticks. Screw in your hardware and voila! You’re finished!
You can now use it to store blankets or toss pillows next to your sofa, or perhaps fill it with magazines.
Mine is being used to hold rolls of fluffy towels next to my soaking tub in my master bathroom. I might decide to store my bubble bath and bath salts in there to create a bath spa storage crate.
Go get a wine crate for free and create your own Wine Crate Storage Box today!
Check out the DIY Gallery & Décor Crafts tabs up top for more ideas.
Kim
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I never would have thought to ask for these- but I will. just love how you have transformed the crate into something pretty.
I am in LOVE!!! Thanks for the tip!! I will be going to the wine store ASAP! 🙂
Looks just like a crate I saw yesterday at Target from their new Privet House line 🙂 Love it! Thinking about doing something similar for my dining room table
Oh really? I haven’t seen that yet! Very cool! Thanks Jess!
This is awesome!!!
Oh man — those are gorgeous…and free? I see some stalking in my future!
Love! Just another excuse to hit up the liquor store (:
What a great idea! I’m sitting here staring at two wine crates right now that I didn’t want to pitch but couldn’t decide their fate. These are small – just half-case-sized (six bottles). I’ll have to visit my favorite wine shop for a larger one that would be perfect next to the hubs’ recliner for storing his napping pillow and blankie! 🙂
What a clever idea! I definitely need to go to my local liquor store and see if I can get some (along with some wine, of course)!
I do love the wine crates, anytime my boss gets a wine gift, I ask him to donate the crate to me, and I am starting a nice collection. This is a very good idea and I think I will try it myself, thank you for sharing it with us.
LOVE!! Next time, I’m asking. Of course, I’ll make sure my basket is full first!
Um, that is stinkin’ awesome!!
Thanks for the fun tip!
Love it! I have been haunting the local liquor store – they randomly put out wine crates in a corner, but whenever I’m there they don’t have any. They are not that easy to come by!! I love your idea of the handles. When I finally get one, I will definitely try this.
i love it i have been keeping my eyes peeled to find a crate do this with but im am yet to find one, i would love it if you could come and link up at http://www.twiggstudios.com/2012/05/sunday-show-off-linky-party-and.html
xxxx
Just picked up a fabulous french wine crate for $3! This would be perfect for it – love the gray stain and great tip for adding the chalk to the handles!
Kelly
I will be on the lookout for wooden wine crates…I must live in the wrong part of the world for those…all I have ever seen wine delivered to stores in is cardboard boxes.
Miss Kitty, I have found the same thing in my area. I called a local shop and they said they use the wooden crates themselves for display, they mostly have the carboard boxes for deliveries. :/
You did a fabulous job on the crate! I’m particularly fond of the Oak stain. I recommend trying Minwax Special Walnut. It gives a different contrast on the aged look. I got that from Finding Fabulous.
I also love what you did with the artwork. That was an awesome touch.
For those who don’t have fine wine stores nearby; An easy place to find wine crates is Winepine.
You can choose the type of wine crates you want, They’re delivered to your door in mint condition, and all the sanding is done for you!
Ooooooh- I can’t wait to go ask for wine crates now. So creative!
I love this project! I wish my bath was just a wee bit bigger so I could use such a basket in my bathroom! Definitely going on my DIY list.
-Jennifer @Shine with Jennifer Leigh
http://blog.shinewithjl.com
This is awesome!
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LOVE this idea! There’s a wine store near us that puts wood wine crates near their door in a take pile. I have accumulated quite a few! This is a fantastic way to use them. Mahalo!