Wood Crate Dresser

diy dresser for crates
Difficulty
Intermediate
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Build your own cabinet for holding crates - this plan includes the tutorial for building the frame and the crates.  Free step by step plans include shopping list, cut list, full diagrams and lots of photos.  By Ana-White.com

diy dresser for crates
diy dresser for crates

Do you love storing things in wood crates?  Well that makes two of us!

Or three - my friend Jen (who is also our amazing video editor) wanted to create a mini coffee bar station with crate storage in her home.  We got our heads together and came up with this!

The crates are all removeable - They rest on inexpensive easy to work with metal angle!

So much cheaper and easier than drawer slides!

You can size the frame to fit your crates - or build your own like we did!  The free plans are following.

Enjoy!

Ana

Dimensions
diy dresser for crates
Dimensions shown above

Preparation

Shopping List

4 - 2x4 @ 8 feet long

3 - 1x3 @ 8 feet long

3 - 1x4 @ 8 feet long

1 - 1x12 @ 10 feet long (can also use 3/4" plywood if you have leftovers from the top piece)

1 - 3/4" plywood, at least 15-1/4" x 29"

1 - 1/4" plywood panel, at least 14" x 48"

12 feet of metal angle, 1/16" thick, at least 3/4" x 3/4" - we used this from Home Depot

16" - 1" Screws for attaching metal angle  - we used these from Home Depot

24 - 2-1/2" self tapping wood screws - we used these from Home Depot

Cut List

RACK

4 - 2x4 @ 37-1/4" - legs

4 - 2x4 @ 26" - top/bottom of frames

2 - 2x4 @ 28-1/4" - center divider 

1 - 3/4" plywood @ 15-1/4" x 29" 

6 - 1x3 @ 15-1/4" - sides

3 - 1x3 @ 30-1/2"

8 - aluminum metal angle @ 15-1/4" long

CRATES AS SHOWN - finished size 11-3/4" wide x 15-1/4" deep x 11-1/2" tall

**MAKE SURE YOU MEASURE OPENINGS TO ENSURE THE CRATES FIT INSIDE THE METAL ANGLE BEFORE BUILDING**

There are many different ways to build crates.  These ones ended up being a little on the heavy side.  You can lighten things up by using 1/2" plywood for the slats on the front and back.

4 - 1/4" plywood @ 11-3/4" x 13-3/4"

8 - 1x12 @ 13-3/4"

24 - 1x4 @ 11-3/4" - crate fronts/backs 

Tools
Tape Measure
Pencil
Safety Glasses
Hearing Protection
Drill
Circular Saw
Jigsaw
Miter Saw
Brad Nailer
Power Sander

Instructions

Step 1

Build two of the frames with the 2x4s, screw together with 2-1/2" self tapping wood screws.

Step 2

Attach top with 1-1/4" brad nails and wood glue.

Step 3

Attach side supports with 1-1/4" brad nails and wood glue.

Step 4

Attach front trim with 1-1/4" brad nails and wood glue.

Step 5

Cut the metal angle using a jigsaw.

Drill holes and attach to insides of the cabinet.

No metal angle?  You can also use 2x2s for the crates to sit on top of the 2x2s.

Step 6

Attach 1/4" plywood to bottom of 1x12 with wood glue and brad nails.

Step 7

Add 1x4s to top and bottom with wood glue and brad nails.

Cut optional handle with jigsaw.

Step 8

Add center 1x4 with wood glue and brad nails.