How do you make a bookshelf out of wooden crates? With a limited amount of storage space and some wood crates from Walmart, I found just what I needed to create an easy DIY wood crate bookshelf. I am always looking for ways to add extra storage, especially in a small space. I thought making a unique rustic shelf would be a fun diy project.
We have a small place in the mountains. When we’re there we focus on slowing down and spending as much time together as possible. We get out games and puzzles to do together, especially when it’s cold and snowy outside.
Easy DIY Wood Crate Bookshelf Video With Step-by-Step instructions
At the end of the day we watch a movie together. Our space is limited, as it’s a small place so we needed a way to store our games, puzzles, and movies so they wouldn’t be in the way.
I found this little empty wall space next to our couch and end table that would be perfect, but the trick was to figure out how to make custom shelving the right size to fit the space I had.
I measured the length and wrote it down.
I next measured the depth before it crossed paths with our window and blinds. I wasn’t as worried about height as I had a long way up to utilize. When you are making your own wooden crate bookshelf you can use the number of crates that fits your space.
I found these crates at Walmart and they were exactly the dimensions I needed! They were also super affordable … added bonus! I’m sure they have something similar at the home depot or any large hardware store. By leaving them as unfinished crates It would keep the natural rustic look, as we have a lot of natural wood as part of the walls and room decor.
I bought 3 of them and stacked them – perfect fit! I wasn’t worried about them tipping so I literally stacked the pallet crates together. If you wanted you could use wood glue, other adhesive, and/or small screws to give them extra durability. I left mine with a distressed finish, but you could easily give the individual crates a pop of color with spray paint or choose a stain color to go with the style of your room.
I then filled them with our games, puzzles, and movies and it worked great. They’re organized and out of the way, but easily accessible.
You can find crates of different sizes and assemble them in different configurations to fit your desired size. These crate shelves would also be great to add extra storage space in a craft room to store craft supplies or as a storage solution for kids’ books. This is a great project to add your creative touch. These crate bookshelves are like a blank canvas, so have fun!
Easy DIY Wood Crate Bookshelf Video
More wood crate information:
- These would be amazing in a kids’ room, I would just use wood screws to hook them together or a nail gun to give them solid sides, and use an electric sander on them to void slivers and rough edges.
- You can make outdoor coffee tables with these crates
- You can always paint them a different color and use chalk paint, acrylic paint, or spray paint
- You can add wheels to the bottom crates
- You can use large crates for larger storage
- Making pilot holes will prevent splitting in the pine boards
- These are a great many areas of your home including a family room, office space for a shelving unit, or a nursery bookshelf
- Add your favorite books, DVDs, games, and more to them.
- Rub your stain or paint in the direction of the grain and paint with a paintbrush or use a lint-free cloth for the stain.
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This is such a fun looking little corner for a family room or rec room. I like how easily accessible everything as well.
We have dozens of these little wood boxes of various types on shelves, but I have never used them as a unit. I think I would definitely glue them, such an easy solution.
Thank you so much Leanne 🙂 I am definitely going to glue them (thanks for the recommendation) I wanted to make sure we loved them first before making it permanent. It’s worked out great, and I’m so grateful to find an easy solution 🙂
I’ve been thinking about getting myself some of those lovely crates because projects like this one make me drool lol Love it!
You are so sweet Tarah, thank you so very much 🙂
Wow! Talk about easy peasy. You can get that much storage any easier. Great job, Chas!
Thank you Linda and I’m so glad this easy solution worked out. I thought I was going to have to build personalized storage… wasn’t looking forward to that
I really enjoy your posts and you inspire me to try things that I might not do otherwise. Kudos to you my friend.
Thank you Shirley you are so sweet. Sending hugs to you my friend 🙂
This is such a neat idea!! Super handy for keeping all the family games and DVD’s together!! They would also be awesome in a craft room! Thank you for the inspiration!
Thanks Sam, and oh my gosh what a great idea to use it in a craft room! It is such an easy way to create shelving and so versatile.
I love those crates at Walmart! They are so useful and decorative!
Thanks Cherryl and I totally agree. I have used them for so many things as well as seen others use them in so many different ways 🙂
Great tips and tricks. Love it. Thank you so much for sharing your post this week at the #senisal Linkup.
Thank you so much Esme and thanks for hosting a great party!
Great use of the crates. I made some into a nightstand and love the storage space. These crates are wonderfully versatile storage options.
Thank you Audra, and what a great idea to use them as nightstands. I do love how they can be used in so many different ways too.
What a great solution! Those crates fit more board games than I would have guessed!
Thank you Jena, and I’m so thrilled it worked… I was worried I’d have to try and build something customized.
I love those wooden crates – they are so versatile! Thanks for sharing with us at The Blogger’s Pit Stop!
Thank you so much Roseann and I totally agree! Thanks for stopping by.
Sometimes keeping it really simple is the best way! These look great and the more storage the better!
Thank you so much Julie. I am so thrilled it blends in with the other wood in our place, and you are so right – you can never have enough storage space.
I love this! So simple and quick to make. Thanks for sharing this idea, Chas!
Thank you so much Kasia!
What a fun corner! I have been thinking of doing something similar, but it would have to be up off of the floor some. And even then, I see it turning into simply a cat bed tower. LOL Absolutely gorgeous and it truly looks functional for your space. Great work!
Thank you so much Amy and I love your twist on the idea.
Love this idea Chas. And so easy!
Thank you Kim, it has been put to great use