Ditch Baskets & Bins: A Better Way To Store Extra Blankets In The Living Area

Decluttering your living room can seem like a daunting task, but the key to success is simple: toss what you don't need and neatly store everything else. Blankets are notorious for making a space look messy when they're draped over furniture or strewn around the room, so tucking them away is a great place to start. One unique idea to keep your living space organized is to upcycle wooden crates (or wooden wine boxes) into storage. This DIY is simple, affordable, and requires just a few tools, most of which you likely already have.

While placing blankets inside a basket or bin works just fine, there's a better, more mobile way to store these essentials. As one DIYer showed off, customizing a wooden crate by adding wheels to it ensures you have storage that's easily movable and is always exactly where you need it.

Start by taking stock of how many blankets you wish to store and how much space they'll take up once folded or rolled so you can choose the right size crate. Next, decide how much wood you wish to leave exposed, if any. Just a few options include painting the entire box with a bold color, using stencils to add lettering and intricate details, or leaving it natural. The DIYer in question chose to paint just the bottom rung white, creating a sleek, modern look. If you decide to go this route, remember to use painter's tape to prevent accidental bleeding onto the rungs above. Now, it's time for the wheels.

There are plenty of stylish ways to store extra blankets in your living room or bedroom, and a wooden crate on wheels mixes both form and function. Once painted and fully dry (remember that you may need two coats of paint for full coverage), flip the wooden crate upside down and drill or nail caster wheels to each of the four corners. It's helpful to use a ruler and pencil to map out the exact location for each wheel beforehand. Make sure they are evenly spaced so your basket won't be wobbly.

As for the wheels themselves, you can use these as-is, embracing the industrial aesthetic, or cover them with a metallic tint first. If you choose to spray paint the wheels, find a well ventilated area and wear a mask as an added precaution. Cover the rubber portions with painter's tape for a clean result, then spray the wheels, allow the paint to dry, swivel them, and repeat until all of the original silver metal is gone. If any paint does accidentally get onto the rubber portions, it can be removed with a scouring sponge.

Complete the project by attaching two handles to the crate's sides so it can be lifted as well as rolled around. In addition to blankets, consider also storing extra pillows, magazines, books, or remotes inside the crate, to keep all of your relaxation essentials at your fingertips.