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The One Place You Haven’t Thought to Use Those Super-Useful, Viral Crates

Sarah Everett
Sarah EverettAssistant Editor of Home Projects at Apartment Therapy
I organize the Before & After series and cover DIY and design. I joined AT in October 2020 as a production assistant. I have an MA in Journalism from the University of Missouri and a BA in Journalism from Belmont University. Past editorial stops include HGTV Magazine, Nashville Arts Magazine, and local magazines in my hometown, Columbia, Missouri.
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published Aug 10, 2021
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Credit: HAY

You might have seen them popping up in your Instagram feed: Collapsible crates that come in trendy pastel hues, often with chevron cutouts on the side, are taking the organizing and world by storm, and for good reason.

HAY crates (also Aykasa crates, if you live where they’re available) are affordable — with the smallest option ringing in at $7.95 — stackable, lightweight, and stylish. Because they come in trendy colorways, they’re great for organizing in small spaces where storage bins must be out on display, as opposed to tucked away in a closet.

In addition to storing things in them at home, I’ve been using them on my bike to store things on the trail, an idea borrowed from the Aykasa website.

A cute, colorful alternative to a traditional milk crate or basic pannier bags, they’re perfect for stowing wallets, extra water, and snacks for the trail. You’ll likely want to use a medium (5.75 x 12 x 15.75-inch) crate for this.

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Credit: Aykasa

Here’s what you’ll need.

A rear cargo rack that fits your bike:

Ventura Economical Bolt-On Bicycle Carrier Rack
$19.99$14.30
Amazon
Buy Now

Two medium crates:

Colour Crate, Medium
$16$13.60
HAY
Buy Now

Plus a bungee or zip ties to secure the bins. 

Steps for attaching the bins will vary depending on the type of bike and bike rack you have. For me, looping two basic bungee cords around the front and back of the bin has been a great solution for my bike and rack. (Bonus points for style if your bungee matches your bin.)

And, pro tip: You can collapse another medium bin and stack it on top to act as a lid in case your bike jostles your items mid-trip.  

The crate-as-lid solution offers some extra privacy if you park your bike somewhere and want to leave a few non-essentials behind — plus, you can mix and match crate colors to match your bike, giving it an extra-custom feel. 

With a rack and a couple of cute crates added to your cruiser or commuter, you’ll be pedaling in style while you run errands or spend a day on the trail.