Turn Dollar Tree Crates Into A Countertop Display Shelf To Keep Small Essentials Tidy

While that pile of tangled necklaces may not be the biggest challenge you'll face in life, it's definitely one big annoyance when you're trying to extricate a single necklace from that snarled metal nest. When it comes to creating a cute and affordable countertop organization system, you're just one trip to the Dollar Tree away. There you'll find the various items you need to bust out a countertop display shelf that'll only set you back about $10 or $15 at most.

The idea comes from ThatPracticalMom on YouTube. She turned two Dollar Tree wooden crates into a sectioned display shelf that's suitable to keep makeup tins, sunglasses, bottles of aspirin, and even a set of tweezers or two organized and off the counter. More plainly, this is a highly customizable craft project that helps you organize messes in a stylish and fun way.

The supplies that you'll use to create this project all come from The Dollar Tree. While you're on your trek through the Dollar Tree, put the following items in your basket: two wooden craft crates, wooden rulers or planks, and a picture frame with a stand on the back of it. As far as the tools you'll need to put the project together are concerned, you'll need superglue, plastic clamps, a pencil or a pen, a tape measure, and something to cut the rulers with, like a hand or jigsaw.

You'll need to shorten the rulers so that they fit inside the crates as they'll become shelves for the organizer. Because it'll be easier to measure and cut the rulers while the crates are still single units, start this project with this step first. Place the ruler over the crate longways and make a mark in the ruler to indicate where you'll cut it to fit to into the crate. Cut the ruler into two pieces. This creates both of the shelves you'll need. Set the two pieces aside. 

Next, squeeze some Super Glue along the long side of one of the crates. Line the two crates up and then press them together to set the glue. Clamp the two boxes together with the plastic clamps until the glue dries. After that, remove the hinge that's attached to the picture frame's stand. It's glued to both the stand arm and the picture frame itself, so you'll need to separate it from both of those components. There will still likely be bits of paper glued to it once you tear it off the frame, so remove those pieces as well.

Attach the hinge to the second ruler with a bit of Super Glue and then attach it to the back of the two crates to create a stand arm (just like the one on the picture frame). Next, add some glue to the ends of the cut ruler pieces and slide them into the two crates to create shelves. Hold the pieces in place until the glue dries. Stand the shelf up by adjusting the stand arm on the back.

The crates from Dollar Tree are plain wood, and for those who like a jazzier presentation, a little gussying up is in order. At minimum, the piece can be painted a color that complements your bathroom decor. The Dollar Tree does carry some paints –- mostly tempera –- and brushes. You'll also find chalkboard paint if that strikes your fancy. However, you're not limited to Dollar Tree paints for this. If you have some leftover paint from another project, for example, go ahead and use it.

Self-adhesive shelf liners offers another decorative option. To give the crates more visual interest, line the bottom of them with the shelving paper before you add in the shelves. (Line them just like you would one of your kitchen drawers.) This creates a pretty backdrop in the display shelf without making it look too busy.

Finally, stick some of the small self-adhesive hooks on the back wall of one of the compartments. Hang your rings or hook earrings on them to keep them all in one place. Glue some wooden clothespins to the outside sides of the box, right at the top. You can clip some of your necklaces here to keep them neat and tidy and easily increase bathroom storage space in the process.