I love a good crate makeover and so much better if the crate goes from new to vintage in just a few minutes! Vintage fruit and vegetable crates aren’t that easy to find, but most craft stores sell several sizes of brand new wood crates just waiting to be made over into something fun!
I’m using these vintage crates in my decorating this fall.
With a little stain and some adorable vintage graphics my melba-toast – boring crates were easily transformed.
You could of course make your own crates any color, but for me, this gray-blue is perfection…
You’ve seen these right? Naked crates just waiting for a makeover! I used Varthane Weathered Gray stain, covering the entire crate by dipping a cloth in the stain and wiping it on.
Then, I went back over the crate with Varthane Vintage Teal. (Also using a cloth dipped in the stain and rubbed all over the crate.) Quickly, I used a damp cloth and wiped off some of the stain, if you want, you could go back and sand the crate, however, if you quickly wipe the stain along the edges, you’ll get a similar look.
I like to layer the stain colors because as you wipe the top coat off here and there, the first color shows through. This technique can be used with watered down paint too. Overall it gives the piece a more interesting finish!
I printed out graphics… (I’ll give you the link at the end of the post!) 
Then tore the edges…
Using Americana DecouPage decoupage medium, decoupage the graphic to the sides of the crates…
After the paper dries, lightly sand the entire crate to allow some of the wood to show through. (Be really careful when sanding over the graphic)
Lastly, add a thin coat of DecouPage over the sanded graphic just to keep it from peeling…
I gotta tell you guys, I absolutely LOVE the way these turned out…
I can’t wait to show you what I’m going to do with them!
In case you might want to do some, here’s where I got my great graphics!
I Link To These Great Parties!
BRENDA OSBORNE says
September 2, 2015 at 8:46 amThese crates look great !! What a clever idea !!
BRENDA OSBORNE says
September 2, 2015 at 8:47 amThese crates look amazing !!
cindy skarin says
September 2, 2015 at 9:56 amLove it!
Eileen says
September 2, 2015 at 10:01 amThe crates look amazing, Robin! What a neat idea. xxoo
Robin says
September 3, 2015 at 3:58 pmEileen, thank you so much my friend ox
Stacye says
September 2, 2015 at 5:35 pmI am in love with them. The graphics make them so authentic. Great job!
Robin says
September 3, 2015 at 3:58 pmStacye, aren’t those graphics the BEST!!!? Thank you friend xo
Julie Garmon says
September 3, 2015 at 11:10 amThere is no end to your creativity–and to the ways you amaze me.
I loooooooove this crate idea. And I just pulled out my fall stuff, remembering your Sept 1st rule. Some of us need all the help we can get. 🙂
Robin says
September 3, 2015 at 3:55 pmJulie, these crates would look so good in your house!!!
Camila says
September 3, 2015 at 3:06 pmThis looks really cute and neat… I’m planning on making something like this but to use it as shelves and I love how you painted these!!!! Great idea!!!
XOXO
Robin says
September 3, 2015 at 3:54 pmCamila, I love the idea of shelves! Looking forward to seeing what you come up with! ox
Pamela Smith says
September 7, 2015 at 4:46 pmLove these! I have some crates and was just thinking how I should do something with them. I really like the Snowy Owl graphic. Great choices!
Julie K says
September 8, 2015 at 12:33 amWow, Robin….nice work! I’ve got a couple of these sitting in my craft room….just sitting. Now I know what to do with these. You are a clever crafter, my friend!
CD Loken says
September 8, 2015 at 8:59 pmOh my goodness, Robin! I LOVE your vintage crates! Thank you for sharing the graphics too! PINNING!!!
Robin says
September 9, 2015 at 12:04 pmI’m so happy you like them CD! thanks for pinning xo
Megin says
September 10, 2015 at 2:32 pmWhat a fun vignette! I love the crates ~ and the bucket with the vine balls are amazing!
Thank you for sharing this week at Brag About It link party on VMG206 (Mondays at Midnight).
~ Megin of VMG206
Cheryl says
September 11, 2015 at 1:11 amI love the graphics you choose for your creates, they are wonderful!! They do look worn. Visiting from Idea Box.
Jenna says
September 11, 2015 at 8:56 amWell done! Love love them, and yes I have a crate just like these waiting for attention!
Emily @ The Benson Street says
September 12, 2015 at 11:21 pmWow, these are so cute! Love the pumpkin one and the blue color. Thanks for stopping by and linking up at the Monday Funday Party!
Tara @ Lehman lane says
September 14, 2015 at 3:34 pmFantastic idea Robin! What a great way to remake those new crates, Perfect for fall. Thank you so much for sharing your crafty project at Dream. Create. Inspire. Link. Please join us again tomorrow night at 8 EST. Take care, Tara
Linda says
September 15, 2015 at 12:31 pmWow those turned out super cute! The graphics and blue stain are perfect! Love!
Robin says
September 17, 2015 at 11:52 amSo happy you like them Linda! ox
Polly says
September 29, 2015 at 1:20 pmAn idea I learned when teaching, to make paper or documents look old, for bulletin boards and such, soak paper Ina pan of dark tea or coffee after tearing the edges to make the paper looked aged.
Robin says
October 2, 2015 at 8:08 amGreat idea Polly!Thank you so much ! ox