DIY Crate Shelf

• A crate
• stain, I love the gel stain
• foam brush
• painter’s rag
• L brackets
• Hardware

Give your crate a good sanding, so the surface is ready to accept the stain. You want to sand in the direction of the grain and with a fine grain of sandpaper. Then starting with the inside of the crate and work your way out. Using a foam brush, brush on a layer of stain. Wait about five minutes and then using the painter’s rag, rub the stain into the wood.

Allow the first coat of stain to dry completely, if I have enough time, I will let the project dry over night. Repeat the staining process the next morning, apply a coat of stain and then rubbing in into the wood after it has sat for a few minutes. The photo below is the crate between the first and second coats of stain.

After your crate is completely dry, attach L brackets to the bottom and then attach them to the wall. I went with a white more decorative bracket, but you could change up the entire look of the shelf, by going with an different bracket.
I love how simple this shelf is, the longest part is just waiting for the stain to dry, I want to paint some white to hang up in my daughter’s room too!