What a crate table!

We love reusing old crates to make something new – they have so many uses. They remind us of our flatting days and budget shelving ideas that we thought were the business! This time though, we add a little more funk and style to the project.

This coffee table is a fine example of upcycling at its best. Whether you choose to use this outside or in, it will be admired and talked about by all. We suggest using all outdoor materials so you have the option of using it anywhere.

Pop down to your local bottle store or hunt through your granddad’s shed for some old beer crates. We found ours at the local recycling centre for $1 each – you only need a few other basic materials and tools. It’s a project suitable for even the most novice DIYer.

You’ll need

• Piece of plywood or odd pieces of wood that will create a square base
• 4 standard beer crates
• 4 castor wheels
• 12 screws or nails (they will need to be stainless steel or galvanised if the table is to be used outside)
• 1/2 litre interior or exterior stain (we used a clear Colorwood finish supplied courtesy of Resene)

Tools required

• Handsaw or skill saw
• Screwdriver or power drill
• Measuring tape
• Paintbrush
• Pencil

Step-by-step guide 

Step 1

Lay your four crates on the ground as shown above. Make sure the bases are on the inside.

Step 2

Measure the outside of the four crates so you can cut your plywood base to fit perfectly – write this measurement down.

Step 3

While the crates are in position, mark where you will screw them together. It’s best to screw them through the thickest edges of the crates.

Step 4

Secure three of the crates by screwing them together.

Step 5

Before securing the fourth crate, you need to measure out the square centrepiece so you can line it with plywood.

Step 6

You will need to cut five small pieces of plywood to line the centrepiece. This is where your bottle of wine or vase of flowers will be placed, so it needs to look nice and tidy! If using the standard beer crates as shown, you will need:

• 2 pieces of ply @ 130mm x 150mm
• 2 pieces of ply @ 106mm x 150mm
• 1 piece of ply @ 130mm x 130mm

When screwed together they will make a box.

Step 7

Place your square centrepiece into the middle of the table and secure with screws. Now secure the fourth crate like in step 4.

Step 8

Turn the crate table upside down, grab your plywood base and screw it to the bottom of the four crates.

Step 9

Now screw your four castor wheels to the bottom of the plywood base – we suggest one in each corner about 80mm in from the edge. Next grab your paintbrush and apply your interior or exterior stain – leave it to dry overnight, and your funky new table is ready to be used, inside or out.

Extra ideas

If you want to take this one step further, we suggest getting a piece of thick glass (use safety glass only) cut to fit on top of the table. You can choose to have the centrepiece cut out or not; either way it will turn it into an interior coffee table you can be really proud of!

If you love this idea but can’t see yourself whipping out the tools and making it, we are happy to take orders and make it for you. Contact us at [email protected] or visit our website www.lennoxwoodcraft.co.nz for more details.