Keep Countertop Clutter Organized With A Wood Pallet Storage Solution

Many DIYers enjoy woodworking, and it's one of those crafts where you don't have to be an expert to get good results. From creative shoe racks you can make from wood to rustic picture frames you can whip out in a couple of hours, when you want to practice your craftsmanship skills or use up the old pallet wood in your backyard, there are plenty of genuinely useful woodworking projects that even beginners can do. One idea worth adding to your list is a simple pallet wood storage box, presented by YouTube creator Renovation Dan. He uses it to declutter his work desk, but this would also be an excellent solution for keeping countertop clutter organized. Best of all, pallet wood is often free, so you can hone your skills and make useful items without spending a dime.

Before walking us through instructions on how to build this simple wood box, Renovation Dan starts by explaining how to prepare pallet wood for DIY projects. Pallets are designed to be sturdy, and if you've ever tried to take one apart, you might have noticed that they aren't that easy to disassemble. That's because they are either made with ring shank nails or drive screw screws, making them incredibly difficult to pull out. Renovation Dan's recommendation is to just cut the parts of the boards with nails out and throw them away. This leaves you with many small boards, which are perfect for DIY projects like the wood storage box he explains how to build next.

After you glean whatever scraps you can from an old pallet, start making Renovation Dan's simple box by choosing two of the longest pieces for the sides. Cut them to the same length, and then choose two of the shorter pieces for the ends, cutting those to the same length. Drill pilot holes in the ends to prevent splitting, and screw these pieces together using simple butt joinery to make a rectangle. For the bottom of the box, attach scrap pieces across the open frame after checking that the corners are square. When you flip it upside down, this becomes the bottom of the box. If you want, you can cut the bottom boards to sit flush with the frame, which makes it look a little less like a crate.

When you want to get organized, whether it's in your shed, garage, or kitchen, wood storage boxes like these can be a big help. Long-lasting and sturdy, they work for every room in the house. For bathrooms and kitchens, decorate them to match your decor and use them to maximize storage in deep cabinets. Place them in the laundry room after using Mod Podge to add a dash of striped linen fabric to the outside. They're perfect for keeping laundry essentials, like dryer sheets, stain sticks, and detergent pods, contained. You could also give it handles or add dividers and turn it on its side to make it into a shelf.