DIY Wood Crate Bookshelf

wood crate bookshelfSo, I kind of have a thing with bookshelves. Not really a love-hate thing, more of a hate-hate thing. I hate that every bookshelf is almost the same, and feel like they’re often just an eyesore in a room. Until now! When I came across the idea to use wood crates to create your own bookshelf a while ago, I knew it was exactly what I wanted to store my kids’ books. I love that you can make them whatever size and shape you’d like, and options for color and finish are endless!

wood crate bookshelf

Today I’m sharing how you can make your own wood crate bookshelf!

wood crate bookshelf

wood crate bookshelf

I purchased four wood crates from my local Jo-Ann. They are regularily around $11 or $12, and with a 40% or 50% off coupon (we were able to use a different coupon for each crate), they’re pretty inexpensive. The crates are unfinished, so make sure to check them over for any flaws you may not like.

wood crate bookshelf

First, we sanded any rough edges around the crates using our electric sander. We arranged the crates how we wanted, and switched them around until they fit together the best. They may not be completely square, so play around until you find the best fitting order.

wood crate bookshelf

Then we used wood glue and screws to attach the solid sides together, forming a top and bottom row. Since I wanted a industrial look, I wasn’t worried about the screw holes showing (if you are, you may want to fill the holes with wood filler afterwards).

wood crate bookshelf

To join the top and bottom rows, we used wood glue and a nail gun on the slats.

wood crate bookshelf

To help keep the bookshelf sturdy and give it a solid base for the wheels, we added a mitered corner frame onto the bottom. I wasn’t a fan of this idea at first, but once it was done I loved it and thought it gave it a nice finished look. Joel always knows best ;).

wood crate bookshelf

To finish the bookshelf, we used Minwax Walnut Stain, which is my favorite stain for everything! We also used it on our DIY Farmhouse Table, and I always love how it looks. I topped the stain with a couple of coats of Polyacrylic. wood crate bookshelf Very last, we added the casters to the bottom frame (about $5 each from Home Depot). wood crate bookshelf This is the perfect bookshelf for my kids’ books, and it sits perfectly under our DIY Deer Wall Art. Yay for DIY! wood crate bookshelfwood crate bookshelf

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24 Comments

  1. Hey!!! This is super cute. Scott and I have been designing a wood crate bookshelf for a while now… You beat us to it!

  2. Very neat idea! This is something that I feel comfortable enough to try and succeed at…thanks for sharing, I was looking for a great bookshelf idea!

  3. You are so amazingly creative! Please, pretty please, come help me at my house! lol You really do a fabulous job and thought I’d make sure you know I love to stop by. Shared universally and featured on my fb page. Carrie, A Mother’s Shadow

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  5. I’d love to know what length of screws you used, as well. I’ve been trying to think of inexpensive craft show displays and this would be PERFECT. Thanks!

  6. Thanks , I’ve just been searching for information about this
    subject for a long time and yours is the greatest I’ve found
    out till now. However, what concerning the bottom line? Are you sure about the supply?

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    1. That’s a good question ;). They were definitely small though, because we used a nail gun for it!

  11. love how you pepper the boxes with screws…total overkill, but it won’t move (hint, I’m a cabinet installer)

    great idea.

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