Not Baskets: The Thrift Store Find Pro Organizers Swear By For Storage

These days when you think of extra storage that is stylish yet functional, you tend to gravitate toward baskets or other similar decor that holds everything you need. But there's actually another secret to organization at home, and you can find it at the thrift store. In fact, it's probably been right under your nose each time you've walked into the store: rustic, wooden crates, the kind that many professional organizers swear by to store items in. There are lots of perfectly good reasons for that, as it's a budget friendly method to keep your home organized. 

Wooden crates are typically boxes made of solid wood, used for shipping and manufacturing purposes. Farmers or anyone else who handles agriculture may also use them for moving crops and various produce. Pro organizers have a lot to say about their storage uses too. For example, designer Jasmine Roth DIY'd a crate wall to store and display various baby items in her nursery. She explains the process on her website, and notes that a crate "takes something every home could probably use more of – storage! – and makes it pretty." Other home experts such as Angelia York, vice president and closet designer at Saint Louis Closet Co., says crates can make organization fun: "I constantly keep an eye out for antique wooden crates because they are a combination of functionality and character," she said in a previous exclusive interview with House Digest on things professional organizers always hunt for at thrift stores.

If you want a clever way to repurpose wood crates for home decor and storage, your best bet is to find them at thrift stores like Savers or Goodwill first. Facebook Marketplace or Kijiji are also good platforms. If buying online, make sure to type in terms like 'vintage crate or wooden crate. In person, find crates that aren't splintering or have mold and water damage. If you're storing items that need airflow, such as linen or produce, try finding slatted crates as they have a more open structure. Some may have faded brands etched on the front, but these make for a rustic look. You can sand, prime, and paint these for some colorful edge too. 

Try these crates for your bedroom closet by stacking shoes or fold jeans in them. Slide them back in or even under your bed for hidden storage. In the living room, you'll get a farmhouse feel if you throw blankets in or hide magazines inside. These are even better than baskets because you can stack them on top of each other too. Try this on either side of your TV for shelving that holds games and puzzles, or turn it into a bookshelf. After all, wooden crates can make a perfect shelf system for organizing. In the kitchen, connect to that farmer vibe by using them to store produce that doesn't need refrigeration, like apples, avocados, or pears. You could even place a plant or two in them, the perfect way to creatively store your greenery.