Storage & Shelving

Stackable Storage Crates

These storage crates are perfect for storing just about anything.

Difficulty: Beginner
Time: 2.3–4 hours
Cost: $$

About this build

These storage crates are perfect for storing just about anything. They’re sturdy and simple to build. Plus, you can customize them with chalkboard panels to mark what’s inside, and even add a splash of color for a bit of style. You can even add casters if you want to create rolling storage.

Tools

Essential

Circular Saw
Drill / Driver
Jigsaw
Miter Saw
Pocket Hole Jig

Optional / nice to have

Tape Measure

Materials

Item	Qty
Plywood, 3/4" Thick 24"x24"	1 board
Board, 1x6 72"	1 board
Board, 1x4 72"	2 board
1 1/4" coarse pocket hole screws	36 each
1 5/8" swivel casters (optional)	4 each

Overall cost: $$. Lumber prices vary by region, species, and season, so we give a band rather than a figure we would only be pretending to know.

Cut list

Part	Qty	T × W × L
End	2	3" × 11" × 20"
Bottom Slat	3	3/4" × 5" × 18"
Side Slat	6	3/4" × 3" × 18"

What to buy

Buy 4 boards at 8 ft.

3" × 11"

1 board

20"20"

3/4" × 5"

1 board

18"18"18"

3/4" × 3"

2 boards

18"18"18"18"18"
18"

Assumes 8 ft stock, a 1/8" saw kerf, and buying each part at its own width. Change the board size or kerf on the full board plan →

Start building →

Instructions

1Cut the Ends
- Cut two Crate Ends to size from 3/4" plywood, as shown in the cutting diagram.
- Then, create the handle cutouts in each end. To do that, first drill 1 1/4" holes using a spade bit or a Forstner bit.
- Place the piece on a scrap wood backer to keep from tearing out as the drill bit pokes through.
- Then, cut between the holes with a jigsaw.
- Sand the sharp edges of each opening to round them off.
2Make the Side Slats
Cut six Side Slats to length from 1x4 boards, as shown in the cutting diagram. With your pocket-hole jig set up for 3/4" stock, drill pocket holes in the ends of the Side Slats, as shown.
3Make the Bottom Slats
Cut three Bottom Slats to length from a 1x6 board, as shown in the cutting diagram. With your pocket-hole jig set up for 3/4" stock, drill pocket holes in the ends of the Side Slats, as shown.
4Attach the Side Slats
Attach the Side Slats to the Ends using 1 1/4" coarse-thread pocket hole screws, as shown. Make sure that the Slats are spaced evenly. You can attach all the slats to one end, and then to the other end, or attach each slat to both ends before you add the next slat. Either way works fine.
5Attach the Bottom Slats
Now attach the Bottom Slats to the using 1 1/4" coarse-thread pocket hole screws, as shown. Make sure that the Slats are spaced evenly.
6Customize with Some Color
If your crate will be used strictly for utility storage, you can be done. But with a little more effort, you can customize them. We added colorful paint on the ends, and then taped off and painted a chalkboard panel. Wiping on a coat of oil protected the slats add warmed up the wood color. You can even screw small swiveling casters if you want to make your crate mobile.