Getting organized is one of the trickiest aspects of setting up a new home. But it's also a great way to add a little sanity to your existing space. Repurposing old crates is a great inexpensive idea for creative organization and lovely display vignettes.
In the gallery shown above, left to right:
1. Rachel Denbow
2. Back Garage
3. Dolan Geiman
4. Domino
5. Tara Mariee
If you're digging the DIY vibe of crates in the home, check out these old Apartment Therapy posts with even more ideas:
• How To Make Kitchen Storage with Wine Crates
• Five Favorite Re-uses For Wooden Crates
Images: Rachel Denbow, Back Garage, Dolan Geiman, Domino Magazine, Tara Mariee







White Enamel Flatwa...
I love these, especially the first pic, how the jars sit into the holes meant for wine bottles.
Will somebody PLEASE please tell me where I can scavange these gorgeous french wine crates in Chicago? I've been to Binny's, they use them for display and won't give any out. Sam's is out of business now. The little wine shop around the corner uses them for display as well. HELP!!!
I have plastic crates I would like to install in my bathroom wall. How should I do this? i was thinking of using Command hooks...
Yes, I second K.M. - where do I find wooden crates like this!?
Twnt1andcounting, Command hooks are great, as long as you're not going to put a lot of really heavy stuff on the shelf. Check the weight limit on them.
And finally...adorable dog. I want that in my house.
My boyfriend found a fanstatic, large shipping crate (~4'x2'x1.5') on the free section on Craigslist. It is the perfect size for our TV, plus came with various planks that we were able to finagle into shelves for DVD's, DVD player, etc. The extra cool feature is a hinged door stamped with lots of cool cities on the door that we can close and hide it all.
My husband and I used to own a wine shop. As you can imagine, wooden cases are coveted. Mostly, it's $100 plus wines that come in cases like this, so it's high end wine shops that where you should look for a proprietor that is willing to give them up, they may sell this for an inexpensive price. If you have access or know anyone that works for a bev distributor, this is also a promising option, as more often than not, expensive wines that come in these cases end up being sold by the distributor by the bottle rather than the case.
Bought some display wooden crates from these folks, http://tiny.cc/wrlh9. They were the most reasonable prices and were very nice!
I'd love some advice if anyone has for a way to put these up on a wall - I love the rustic look they create, but with limited construction knowledge feel hindered in doing so.
Becca
My alternative solution to the wood crates is plastic milk crates. I was able to get most of them in black, and if you stack them less than 5 high, no securing is necessary (depending on how heavy the items inside them will be). I live in California and haven't had a problem. I use them in my hallway for books, baskets, etc.
Follow up!
I have discovered a source for wine crates!! Andersonville Wine and Spirits is on the corner of Clark and Foster. They were having a Bordeaux sale, and the sign brought me inside. The guy was really nice and gave me three boxes right on the spot! He had loads more, he said, and could give me as many as I needed! I'm so excited, now I have to just find a way to attach them to the wall in my rental and they will become spice racks. Whee!