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A simple crate is the perfect way to organize in style and on a budget. They're great for pantries, toy boxes, closet storage and more (it's a stylish alternative to storage baskets). We've taken storage bins to a whole new level. This is a beginner-level project. See how to build a simple crate below.

If you've been around here much, you know when my dad helps out on a project, it always goes swimmingly. He's at it again today, sharing how to build a simple crate with step-by-step instructions. See all of the fun below.

Last week, I shared my complete Pantry Makeover. The star of our newly-redone pantry are these wooden crates that corral my chaos (because I've got some serious chaos).

Now that the pantry has been fully-functional for a couple of weeks, I'm happy to report that the crates are working out beautifully. When I started on this pantry, I was inspired by Shelley over at House of Smiths. While her original pantry design in her own home was completely mind-blowing, I've also been in awe of the pantry and crates she created for the DIY Bloggers' House she was a part of. I was on the search to either buy or make some crates for myself.

I first priced out vintage crates...and at $30-$40 a piece, and a bunch of weird, wonky sizes, I decided this would be a DIY project. And by DIY, I mean I called my dad and asked his opinion on it. And by asked his opinion on it, I mean I know the man well enough to know he wouldn't let me handle this one on my own.

And would you believe we spent less than $30 for all SIX of these? Seriously.

While I truly envisioned this being a complete me job with him standing in the background giving me pointers, it turned into our usual. You know, my dad doing 90% of the work while I click away with the camera. And manage to break in half three of his drill bits when I was helping. We're a great team. I smooth things over with coconut-cream pies and endless cups of Donut Shop Coffee.

I did do all the painting and distressing on my own. For some reason, I feel the need to justify myself here.

How to Build a Simple Crate

We built six total crates (five are all the same size, but the one for the top shelf of my pantry is a longer size to accommodate my overflow items). 

My standard-sized crates were 15"x12". We cut all of our boards accordingly...keep in mind, we had to subtract the amount that the end pieces took up in order to keep our sizes accurate for our pantry's shelves. If we had just cut boards in 15" and 12" lengths, this wouldn't have worked. You'll need to take into account how long the sides will be once they're attached to the ends in order to get your correct measurement.

Crate Supplies

• We used 1x4s for all of the exterior boards, and used "rough one side" to cut costs (the rough side faces inward). 
• Your amount of 1x4s completely depends on the size of your crates and the number you plan to build.
• We used 1x2s in the inside corners of each crate to add stability and, well, hold them all together.
• Your amount of 1x2s completely depends on the size of your crates and the number you plan to build.
• We used 1/8" paneling for the bottoms (this the same stuff furniture-makers use to make drawer bottoms...while it may sound skimpy, it's very durable for this purpose).
• One large, standard-sized panel was all we needed for all six of our crates.
• You'll need sandpaper in a variety of grits.
• We used 1 1/2" screws for the main body.
• We used wire nails to attach the paneling to the bottoms of the crates.
• You'll want wood glue.
• This is the kind we use, available here on Amazon.
• Your paint finish or stained finish is up to you. (I used this Chippy Paint Technique for my finish on my crates)
• Felt Circles (I used these on the bottoms of my crates to protect whatever I would sit them on). 
• I grab felt circles here on Amazon (I use them on everything).
• drawer pulls (we used these as the handles on these crates)
• The ones we used are similar to these I found over on Amazon.

Building a Crate

Of course, Dad shows up at my house with a lot of the work already done (see the above photo). He's a keeper. These are all of the ends of the crates (1x4s and 1x2 braces). You can also see the pile of 1x4s we used as the sides. 

• After cutting all of your boards, be sure to sand them well.
• To create the ends of your crates, attach two of the 1x2 boards on the ends of two stacked 1x4 boards. You can see how my dad did this above, using screws to attach everything. He used wood glue on the boards before screwing them all together.
• It's best to pre-drill your holes before screwing everything together, so you don't split your wood.

• Make a simple cardboard template so all of your screw holes will be identical on each crate (see above photo). This isn't a necessary step, but it makes it aesthetically nicer.

• You'll go ahead and line up your side pieces onto your already-created ends.

• Be sure to use wood glue on your pieces prior to screwing them together.

• Again, you'll want to pre-drill your holes (that you marked with your template if you're using one). You can see in the above photo how we did this. Pre-drilling prevents the wood from splitting once the screw goes in. I managed to break three drill bits when I did some of these...it wasn't pretty. There's three drill bits sunk into random crate holes in my pantry somewhere. Niiiiiiice.

• Drill your screws into your predrilled holes. If you noticed on our cardboard template I showed you above, one screw hole is a bit offset. That's the screw that catches into the corner 1x2 that holds the whole piece together and makes it super strong.
• Allow all of the wood glue on the assembled crates to dry completely before attaching the bottoms of the crates.

Creating the Bottoms of the Crates

• Pencil out the lines for the crate bottoms on your paneling in the dimensions of each crate. 
• Use a circular saw to cut them out (pictured above). Sand any jagged cuts with sandpaper for a nice finish.
• Use wire nails around the perimeter of the bottoms to attach them to the body of each crate.

When I first explained this whole project to my dad, he couldn't understand why I would want the screw heads showing. But, he totally got it later. It's a part of the vintage-y appeal to these.

After your crates are assembled, sand them well and paint or stain them in your desired finish. Again, I used this Chippy Paint Technique.

Attach your drawer pulls as handles onto your painted (and dried) crates. I use the handles on my crates all the time.

And be sure to add your felt pads to the bottoms of each crate, to protect any surface it will sit on.

If you have any questions on how to build a simple crate, let me know in the comments.