Most of us have used “milk crate” style storage at some point. I had a milk crate in my first apartment that made a handy nightstand and another that made a good end table. I also had others throughout the apartment to hold shoes and other loose items. Mine were actual milk crates that I purchased at a garage sale, but today similar styles of crates are available in many different sizes and colors.
These crates not only make good storage boxes, but they also make great shelves. You can stack them on their sides, one on top of the other, and secure them with plastic wire ties or coated wire. They work great for closet organizers and are perfect for bulky items like sweaters. They also make good toy storage units or small bookshelves.
Another option is attaching the crates together side by side and hanging them in a closet or utility room for use as double-tiered shelves. Just make sure you secure them to studs and don’t fill them with extremely heavy items. They do work well for seasonal clothing, extra towels or linens, sporting gear, backpacks, and many other items that you want up off the floor.
Plastic storage crates are available in square or rectangular shapes, small, medium, and large sizes, and a variety of colors. They are lightweight and easy to work with, but they are still quite sturdy. They are also inexpensive and easy to find. Most styles cost as little as $5.00 and some are even less.
Think of all the things you could do with a few extra storage crates in the home, garage, basement, attic, or the workshop. Plastic storage crates also make perfect storage inside a vehicle, for bringing along a few items to keep your children busy in the car. They work great for gathering up outdoor toys in the yard, and keeping balls, Frisbee’s, jump ropes, pails, shovels, and pool toys all in one place.