Turn Wooden Crates into Rolling Bathroom Storage

Turn Wooden Crates into Rolling Bathroom Storage

Towels, soap, toilet paper, shampoo…you name it, the bathroom’s storing it. Because of all these odds and ends that call the bathroom home, storage is always important. This rolling organizer can store all your bathroom essentials. And, thanks to the fact that it’s constructed out of ordinary wooden crates, you can make it yourself and customize its size and shape for your space.

Start making this bathroom storage project now and you’ll be enjoying your organized bathroom in no time.

Rolling Bathroom Storage Project

Tools and Materials

• Sandpaper (#120, #150, & #180 Grits)
• Wiping cloths (Or Lint-Free Rags)
• Piece of plywood (Cut to size by a Home Depot associate)
• Stir Stick

Laying drop cloth for rolling bathroom storage project

Before You Start

Always work outdoors or in a well-ventilated area and cover your workspace with a drop cloth to protect it from stains.

When working with wood stain, it’s important to always follow the directions on the can to properly clean or dispose of your brushes and rags.

Step 1 – Sand Your Wooden Crates

Sanding wooden crate for bathroom storage project

First, you’ll need to lightly sand each crate with your sanding sponge or sandpaper to smooth the surface. Begin with #120 grit, and then progress through #150 and #180 grits – wiping down with a tack cloth in between each grit.

Always sand in the direction of the wood grain. This will ensure that the stain penetrates the wood properly.

Step 2 – Wipe the Crates with a Tack Cloth

Now that your crates are sanded, wipe them down with a tack cloth to remove any sanding dust or dirt.

Step 3 – Stir or Shake Your First Stain

Open your can of Varathane Wood Stain – Cognac and shake or stir it thoroughly with a stir stick, making sure to scrape the bottom of the can to mix any settled pigment.

Step 4 – Apply Your First Stain

Applying stain to a wooden crate

To start staining, dip your brush or lint-free rag into the stain and apply a liberal amount onto the wood. Work in manageable sections, like one side of the crate at a time.

Once you’ve covered one side, let the stain sit for a few minutes to soak into the wood. The longer you let the stain sit, the deeper your color will be—just make sure that it doesn’t dry.

Step 5 – Wipe Away Excess Stain

Now that your stain has had time to penetrate the wood, wipe the excess away with a clean wiping cloth or lint-free rag, moving in the direction of the grain.

Once you’ve wiped down the entire side of the crate, repeat Steps 4 and 5 on the other sides.

Finish staining all crates that you’ll want in Cognac before moving on to applying the Weathered Gray stain.

Remember to also stain your piece of plywood—this will be the base of your organizer.

Let your crates dry for at least one hour, then apply three coats of Varathane Matte Soft Touch Polyurethane.

Step 6 – Apply Your Second Stain

Using the same technique you used to apply the Cognac stain, stir or shake your can of Varathane Wood Stain – Weathered Gray thoroughly, and then apply a liberal amount onto one side of the crate.

Step 7 – Wipe Away Excess

Wipe the stain away with a clean cloth, working with the grain.

Repeat the application process on the other sides of the crate and on any remaining crates.

Set the crates aside to dry for at least one hour, then apply three coats of Varathane Matte Soft Touch Polyurethane.

Step 8 – Secure the Crates Together

Securing crates together for a bathroom storage project

To attach your wooden crates, first decide on a pattern that fits your storage needs. For ours, we chose two large crates for one side and smaller crates for the other.

Once you have your pattern, stack the crates in order upside down (so that the bottom of the crates are facing up—as shown above), then secure the crates together one at a time. To secure them, first drill a pilot hole in the bottom (this will be the top, once the crates are flipped right-side up), and then follow with a screw to secure them together. It’s easiest to first secure the crates together vertically, and then secure the left and right columns to each other.

Step 9 – Drill a Pilot Hole in the Base

Now that all of your crates are secured, it’s time to add the base.

While your crates are still upside down, place the piece of base wood on top (this will be the bottom once the crates are turned right-side up). Once it’s in place, drill one pilot hole for the screws on each of the four corners.

Step 10 – Attach the Base

Then, attach the base to the crates with four screws – one on each corner.

Step 11 – Drill a Pilot Hole for the Casters

Next, drill another pilot hole in each of the four corners. This one will be for the casters.

Step 12 – Twist in the Casters

Twist the casters in by hand as far as possible, and then use an adjustable wrench to tighten them completely.

Step 13 – Secure the Casters

Use a drill to fasten the castors to the base with screws, and then flip the organizer back to its upright position.

And your DIY bathroom organizer is done!

Bathroom organizer made from wooden crates

Fill your rolling bathroom storage unit with all of your grab-and-go bathroom supplies, and enjoy your mess-free bathroom.

Check out more DIY projects here on The Home Depot Blog, and follow our Easy DIY Projects board on Pinterest for more project ideas and tutorials.

Browse The Home Depot’s online Paint Department for the paint or stain you need for your next DIY project.

Original article and pictures take blog.homedepot.com site