<div><p>If you've stepped into an antique store recently, you know that vintage crates are practically a dime a dozen. There are just so many of these wooden boxes, because a recently as a few decades ago they were used for delivering just about everything.</p><p>Most people don't give these dusty old boxes a second thought, but if you know their <a href="https://www.shared.com/pamper-your-pets-with-a-wooden-crate-bed-2266073333/" target="_blank">potential</a> you can spot some diamonds hiding in the rough.</p><p>Just look at these <a href="https://www.shared.com/best-vintage-1982566328/" target="_blank">clever projects</a> that some handy folks have made with vintage crates. See if any of these creations inspire you, because they're all very easy and cheap to recreate</p><p></p><p><strong>1. You can build a stunning (and handy) coffee table out of 4 crates</strong></p><div><figure><a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/Crate-Coffee-Table-1/" target="_blank"><amp-img src="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/05/7-8.jpg" srcset="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/05/7-8_GH_content_550px.jpg 550w" sizes="89vw" title="" alt="" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-img></a><figcaption class="op-vertical-center"><cite><a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/Crate-Coffee-Table-1/" target="_blank">Instructables</a></cite></figcaption></figure></div><p>Get the directions <a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/Crate-Coffee-Table-1/" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p></p><p><!-- [invalid-shortcode] --></p><p></p><p><strong>2. Or create a nifty side table for your bedroom</strong></p><div><figure><a href="https://www.recyclart.org/2014/06/12-upcycled-crate-ideas/" target="_blank"><amp-img src="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/05/9-5.jpg" title="" alt="" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-img></a><figcaption class="op-vertical-center"><cite><a href="https://www.recyclart.org/2014/06/12-upcycled-crate-ideas/" target="_blank">RecycleArt</a></cite></figcaption></figure></div><p><strong>3. This handy serving tray looks much nicer than a plastic one</strong></p><div><figure><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/494833077777415634/" target="_blank"><amp-img src="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/05/11-10.jpg" srcset="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/05/11-10_GH_content_550px.jpg 550w" sizes="89vw" title="" alt="" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-img></a><figcaption class="op-vertical-center"><cite><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/494833077777415634/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></cite></figcaption></figure></div><p><!-- [invalid-shortcode] --></p><p></p><p><strong>4. A wooden flower planter will look great in your garden</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><div><figure><a href="http://www.stonegableblog.com/decorating-with-vintage-crates-guest/" target="_blank"><amp-img src="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/05/2-14.jpg" srcset="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/05/2-14_GH_content_550px.jpg 550w" sizes="89vw" title="" alt="" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-img></a><figcaption class="op-vertical-center"><cite><a href="http://www.stonegableblog.com/decorating-with-vintage-crates-guest/" target="_blank">Stone Age Blog</a></cite></figcaption></figure></div><p><strong>5. But you can also hang these planters if you need space for your plants</strong></p><div><figure><amp-img src="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/05/3-7.jpg" srcset="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/05/3-7_GH_content_550px.jpg 550w" sizes="89vw" title="" alt="" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-img></figure></div><p><strong>Click the next page for more clever ideas, including the perfect piece for your living room!</strong></p><p></p><p>Vintage crates are some of the cheapest antiques you can find, but there are also lots of hidden gems waiting to be picked up at your local antique shop. Read our <a href="https://www.shared.com/learn-how-to-spot-hidden-treasure-at-the-antique-shop-antique/" target="_blank">guide to recognizing valuable pieces</a> and you might just stumble onto something that could change your life.</p><p>While you're in the mood for some interior decorating, we also have <a href="https://www.shared.com/5-pretty-ways-you-can-decorate-with-string-lights/">5 very pretty ideas</a> you can make with just string lights. Combine them with these crate decorations for a very affordable home makeover. It's easier than changing the wallpaper, but the change it can have on a room is just as dramatic.</p><p>Keep reading if you need some more inspiration!</p><p><strong>6. Declutter your entryway with some storage space</strong></p><div><figure><a href="http://aimee-weaver.blogspot.ca/2013/06/family-room-wall-color.html" target="_blank"><amp-img src="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/05/5-7.jpg" title="" alt="" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-img></a><figcaption class="op-vertical-center"><cite><a href="http://aimee-weaver.blogspot.ca/2013/06/family-room-wall-color.html" target="_blank">Aimee Weaver</a></cite></figcaption></figure></div><p><!-- [invalid-shortcode] --></p><p></p><p><strong>7. Make a bookshelf or a space for your decorations with stacked crates</strong></p><div><figure><a href="https://www.recyclart.org/2014/06/12-upcycled-crate-ideas/" target="_blank"><amp-img src="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/05/8-5.jpg" title="" alt="" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-img></a><figcaption class="op-vertical-center"><cite><a href="https://www.recyclart.org/2014/06/12-upcycled-crate-ideas/" target="_blank">Recycle Art</a></cite></figcaption></figure></div><p><strong>8. Smaller crates look gorgeous as table settings</strong></p><div><figure><a href="http://www.dailywt.com/7-ways-to-reuse-old-crates/" target="_blank"><amp-img src="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/05/10-5.jpg" title="" alt="" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-img></a><figcaption class="op-vertical-center"><cite><a href="http://www.dailywt.com/7-ways-to-reuse-old-crates/" target="_blank">Daily Women Talks</a></cite></figcaption></figure></div><p><!-- [invalid-shortcode] --></p><p></p><p><strong>9. If you just need a crate for extra storage, you can add a stencil to give it some character </strong></p><div><figure><amp-img src="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/05/1-14.jpg" title="" alt="" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-img></figure></div><p><strong>10. Antiques and wine? A winning combination!</strong></p><div><figure><a href="http://houserevivals.blogspot.ca/2014/01/awesome-ways-to-re-purpose-vintage.html" target="_blank"><amp-img src="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/05/4-11.jpg" title="" alt="" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-img></a><figcaption class="op-vertical-center"><cite><a href="http://houserevivals.blogspot.ca/2014/01/awesome-ways-to-re-purpose-vintage.html" target="_blank">House Revivals</a></cite></figcaption></figure></div><p><!-- [invalid-shortcode] --></p><p></p><p><strong>11. Or just let loose and exercise your creativity with some wall art</strong></p><div><figure><a href="https://www.recyclart.org/2014/06/12-upcycled-crate-ideas/" target="_blank"><amp-img src="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/05/6-5.jpg" title="" alt="" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-img></a><figcaption class="op-vertical-center"><cite><a href="https://www.recyclart.org/2014/06/12-upcycled-crate-ideas/" target="_blank">Recycle Art</a></cite></figcaption></figure></div><p><strong>Feel like trying any of these ideas? Share this list to inspire somebody else!</strong></p></div>