Trade In The Flimsy Baskets: The Durable Vintage Find That Creates Instant Storage

Woven baskets have been having their moment as staples in home decor for quite a few decades now. After all, they're affordable, easy to tuck household items into, and blend in well with plenty of popular interior decorating styles. However, they can fray, sag, and fall apart faster than you'd like, especially once they're holding any heavier items. If you want a storage solution that can survive a move, a flood, or even a curious 3-year-old, try adding a vintage metal ammunition box to your shelves. 

These made-to-last boxes (also known as ammo cans) date back to WWI and WWII, where they were used to transport and store ammunition in even the most rugged outdoor conditions and terrain. They're typically made of steel or aluminum, are waterproof (thanks to an inner rubber gasket around the lid), and are sturdy enough to hold up to years of stacking or getting shoved around in a closet. They may not be on the list of the most treasured antique items, but there's something a bit satisfying about turning used, thrifted ammo boxes into a unique storage solution that'll likely outlast many woven baskets you've ever owned.

Online prices for the ammunition boxes can range from $16 to over $60 each, and you may be able to find cheaper prices at local thrift shops, flea markets, or surplus stores. If you're lucky, you can find one that's especially worn with dents and faded paint, giving it even more of that well-traveled look. These little steel boxes are a great demonstration of how storage can be unconventional while offering a unique way to add historical charm to everyday items.

It's worth noting that thrift stores don't always carry the boxes, but surplus and army-navy stores almost always have a stash of these on the shelves. These valuable vintage trinkets aren't one-size-fits-all, which is something that can actually make decorating with them quite versatile, depending on the shape and size you happen to find. Some older box models may be wider and flatter, almost looking like a briefcase with retaining clips for closure and a manufacturer's stamp pressed right into the steel. 

These may be a good fit for housing everything from magazine collections and scrapbooks to electronic charging cables and important paperwork. Many that you'll come across will be roughly the size of a post office box slot, with a hinged lid that swings upward — a good fit for items like remote controls, coasters, craft supplies, or small keepsakes you want kept flat and protected from dust, moisture, or debris. They'll even make a cool desk or countertop storage container, adding just the right amount of industrial edge to the space. 

Their compact, uniform shape also makes it easy to stack them into a makeshift shelving area in an office, garage workshop, or entryway. For example, you can create a tower of these in a small garage to save space, or house them inside larger bins to keep smaller tools or hardware organized and secure. When shopping for these boxes, be sure to open them up and inspect the rubber gasket that lines the lid. These lids can often turn brittle and crack over time — and some boxes may not have one. However, you can always replace the gasket, which is only a few bucks.