Crating storage.

I had a crate sitting around that I really wanted to update and modernise to fit in with our home decor. While the wood look is great, it didn't really work in our home and I wanted to smooth out the edges and just make the whole crate something more special. I have really learnt how paint can make a world of difference and while I'm happy to use xolours sometimes, I prefer simply furniture and bright accessories. For this reason I decided the crate would be white (china white to be precise).

before

This crate had already gone a little makeover (see here).  However to make it white I had to give it a good sand all over. Then two coats of paint later, it was almost finished. I want to use it in nursery to house toys, although so far I only have a soft baby block and a softie elephant. To make it easier to move around I added four little plastic caster wheels which were $8 from the local hardware store.

I also thrifted a gorgeous crocheted blanket in the perfect colours which looks perfect draped over it.  This room is really coming together and I can't wait till there is a little bub in their using the space ;-)

Lisa x
P.S My filing cabinet got featured on Roadkill Rescue- check it out here!
P.P.S I'm linking up with
The Taylor House
Live Laugh Rowe
A Glimpse Inside
Seven Alive
52 Mantles
Bloom Designs

 *update: I had one more crate lying around and decided to try turning it on the side this time and filling it with the dog's toys for easy access...she's loving it :-)

 

I've got a bit of a crate love.

The sight of an old wooden crate at a garage sale just makes me swoon a little bit. I love the rustic appeal and $1-$2 price tag attached. Every time I see a nice little wooden crate I can't help but take it home and turn into into something. 

You've seen my crate turned strawberry pot so today I thought I'd share two other ways I have used crates. 

Crates make the best storage. I have one outside for recycling cans and bottles, one in the shed for holding all our sports equipment and the above in the house for holding all the kiddie toys we own -for when little visitors come and we need to find something to entertain them with. And doesn't everything just sound so much sweeter in French? I thought I'd paint a little 'the kids' label but 'les enfants' just sounds so much better to me.

crate bookshelf

I found three crates. Two were roughly the same size and one was slightly bigger. I attached them using screws and voila, my own rustic looking bookshelf. It's the perfect mini bookshelf and adds a bit of interest to a small corner spot. It's reasonably sturdy and was such a quick project but I love the end result.

I' ve still got a few more crates in the shed so I'm dreaming up more ideas. It's the start of school holidays today which is an awesome time for every teacher out there. I can't wait to share the huge number of projects I've got going in my shed (now I have some time to finish them)!

But for now I'm going to sit back drink chai and enjoy this beautiful spring day.

Do you have any great ideas for using old crates?

Lisa x
 P.S I'm linking up with  Too Much Time On My Hands
Tutus and Tea Parties
Classy Clutter
Its Overflowing