Repurpose Milk Crates Into A Genius Storage Solution If You're Low On Closet Space

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If you can stack a block, this DIY can probably be completed over a weekend. With a clever repurposing of some everyday milk crates, you can craft your own DIY closet for extra storage. The configuration, and the amount of storage space you end up with, is completely up to you and the amount of milk crates you have on hand. If you like to add personalized touches to your decor, with a little effort, a stack of milk crates can become a closet and storage solution fully customized to your taste and needs. Once this project is complete, you'll feel so organized you'll be able to shop your own closet.

Luckily for TikToker @shelbylgillett, her workplace had a bunch of extra milk crates she could take home. If you're not so lucky, standard milk crates, like Dcrates White Plastic Milk Crate, can be found on Amazon for around $7 each. Be sure to measure your space ahead of time to determine how many you want to use. Many hardware stores also carry crates and the other supplies you'll need, such as zip ties to attach the crates together, a dowel rod to hang your clothes, and spray paint to help this DIY closet blend in or accent your room's existing color scheme, such as gloss white or shiny gold. If you're determined to score free milk crates, consider asking the manager at a grocery store, gas station, or restaurant for permission to take some, as not every business returns them to delivery drivers. 

Begin by painting your milk crates outdoors and on a tarp to keep your lawn or driveway clean. Once dry, attach the crates using the zip ties for stability. Finally, lay a pole along the length of the milk crates and attach it firmly so it stays in place when you're hanging or removing clothing.

With your milk crate closet assembled and in place, the fun is just getting started. In fact, there are tons of ways to give your closet a makeover that's stylish and affordable. Rather than fill your milk crates with lots of loose items that create a sense of clutter, get some small wicker baskets or plastic containers to contain your smaller things and create more closet storage. If you're using the boxes to store shoes, you can buy new plain shoe boxes and decorate their exteriors. To completely hide things away, IKEA storage cubes may be too large to fit inside a milk crate, but Amazon Basics 10.5"x10.5"x11" Cube Organizer Storage Bins would likely work.

You can also decorate your shelves using plants, framed pictures, or collectibles. Use square pieces of wood to add more stability to the "floor" of each milk crate for a warm and organic look. You can add a long piece of wood to the top of the milk crates in the middle portion of the closet and make the center of the "U" design more attractive and useful.