Create A Table Or Stool For Your Outdoor Space With This Easy Wood DIY

If you're naturally drawn to DIY projects, you probably look at everyday objects and get a rush of inspiration about repurposing them into something practical and cute. It's satisfying to craft art or furniture with your hands that you can use. With that in mind, we like the idea of creating a little stool or mini table to use outdoors when the weather allows. If you like to picnic outside or have festive get-togethers in your yard, it's convenient to have portable, lightweight tables so you don't have to keep going inside to fetch supplies. You can create these using plastic milk crates, a wood plank for a flat table surface or seat, and nuts and bolts. Use them to hold drinks, plates, and cutlery or as extra seating.

If you don't already have some lying around, milk crates are available for sale, like these on Amazon for $37.50. You'll also need a tape measure plus wood to make the tabletop. This $13.32 pine board from Home Depot should be more than enough. You'll need a drill, four nuts and bolts ($3.91 for 12 at Home Depot), and a reliable adhesive like this well-reviewed Gorilla wood glue ($6.99 at Walmart). Note: You'll only need an adhesive if gluing smaller planks of wood together to cover the seat of the crate. If you have a solid plank of wood, cut that to size. Excluding decorative extras, this project might cost about $63, but it's much less if you already have a crate or wood.

First, you'll need to measure the top of the crate; expect it to be in the neighborhood of 13 inches by 11 inches. Using these measurements, cut the wood to cover the closed end of the crate. If you don't have a saw, ask your hardware store to cut the wood to your specs after you purchase it. If needed, glue the pieces together and let them cure for 24 hours. Because the crates are perforated, you can mark through the openings where to drill holes in the wood for four threaded nuts and bolts, one in each corner. Drill holes as marked, and bolt the wood to the top of the crate. 

Customize your stool or table by painting the wood. Choose a dark color, then make it pop with blue and white daisies. Show off your artistic skills by drawing the flowers, or use a stencil to make it easy. You could also match the wood with the crate color for a monochromatic look. Or, go rogue and paint the top a fluorescent color, like pink, yellow, or lime green.

While technically milk crates are rated to hold around 50 pounds, some brands can withstand 2,500 pounds of pressure. Sitting on a crate placed on the ground or floor should be safe but use caution. Also, be aware that it's only a foot or so off the ground, so expect dogs and cats to help themselves if you use it to hold uncovered food.