Quick Wooden Toy Box Makeover

When I was first pregnant with our oldest, I had all these dreams of the cutest nursery. We went with a wilderness theme. I framed four big pictures of wildlife: a deer, a fox, a bear and an owl. We bought a few shelves to hang on the wall for books and then we needed something to house Ben’s toys. I found these wood crates at Michaels and knew they’d be perfect for a Quick Wooden Toy Box Makeover

Before I get started, I need to mention how very versatile these crates are. I have them all over our home. There’s three of these that fit perfectly underneath our coffee table and hide the kid’s toys. There’s one in the spare room closet that holds all my rolls of wrapping paper, gift bags and bows. In our pantry, two hold extra appliances and then Ben has this one in his bedroom and wheels his stuffed animals around, on the daily.

They are my most favourite $10 buy in history, I swear! I just keep finding more and more uses for them. I’m thinking they’d make an adorable planter somehow, but I haven’t given it enough thought yet as to how to make that happen, any ideas? If we used our fireplace, for more than decoration, I’d definitely add one here for the kindling and wood. The best part, they’re only ten bucks and I don’t think at that price you can go wrong at all.

These boxes are rugged and sturdy and can fit in with almost any decor style. I used a dark walnut stain, but you could use any stain, or paint even. Fill them with trucks, stuffed animals, books, anything your child wants. The addition of wheels make these toy boxes so easy to move around. My little guy loves them and frankly, so do I. It’s a quick makeover you’ll want to start this afternoon.

The Steps to a Quick Wooden Toy Box Makeover

SUPPLIES

wood crates (from Michaels)
wood stain of your choice (I used Minwax dark walnut) (affiliate link)
clear wood sealant (I used Varathane Triple Thick Polyurethane)
4 castor wheels
screws
drill bit
electric screwdriver
sanding block, if necessary
plastic gloves

INSTRUCTIONS

Firstly, you’ll want to sand your crate of any jagged or rough edges.
Next, put on those plastic gloves, it’ll make for a much easier clean up.
In a well-ventilated area, preferably outside, stir your stain and dip a clean rag into the can of stain. It’s probably smarter to pour a little into a separate container, but I didn’t do this.
Using a small amount, because stain goes a long way, rub it along the slats on the crate, following the direction of the wood as best you can.
Continue rubbing stain all over crates, in between the slats and edges, until it is completely covered and then let it dry.
After it has dried, follow the manufacturers directions, in terms of how much time you should wait in between coats. Go ahead and apply a second coat.
Once that dries, add a coat of Polyurethane (sealant) to seal the crate.
Let that dry and then add the wheels. I used screws I found around the house. But, I didn’t have enough short screws, so I used long ones in the corners, where I knew there was enough wood to actually catch.
I do suggest drilling pilot holes to prevent the wood from cracking when you attach the screws.
If possible, let this air out for a few days before using. The odor from the stain does take a little while to disappear.

Every little kid needs a toy box. A safe place for stuffed animals, a rugged box for trucks and dinosaurs, and something they can drag around their rooms. These toy boxes are tough and sturdy and perfect for kids. My son climbs inside and his imagination runs wild. This toy box has been forts for his stuffed animals, a pretend bathtub, vehicles, boats, and multitudes of other things, but regardless of what version it is today, it’s one of the best investments we’ve ever made in kids decor and I think you’ll find the same for you and your family.

Did you love this Quick Wooden Toy Box Makeover? Check out these other DIY projects and crafts, I’m sure you’ll enjoy:

If you get a chance to make this or any other craft on the blog and want to share. Please feel free to tag @candyjarchronicles or use #candyjarchronicles on Instagram, so I can see your photo. I’d love to see what you’re crafting in your home!

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