Create Countertop Storage With An Antique Find That Brings A Rustic Look

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Kitchen countertops can quickly descend into chaos, so having the right storage is essential. The problem is that many mass-produced storage options lack design appeal, which is why you might want to ditch baskets and bins for a better thrift store find for organizing clutter. If you like a rustic look, repurposing retro soda crates might be the solution.

Wooden soda crates have so much charm. Used throughout the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, they were the original way of transporting old glass bottles. They're typically branded on the side and feature divided compartments for holding glass bottles. Today, they're among the best antique and vintage containers to look for at thrift stores and estate sales, and are often used for vintage home decor. Their sturdy construction, rustic appeal, and beverage theme also make them a great option for countertop storage.

If you can't find a soda crate at your local antique shop or thrift store, you can buy modern replicas instead. For example, Home Depot sells a Vintage Soda Bottle Storage Box, although it does cost $69.99 and lacks the worn, rustic look of an original. Authentic crates can usually be found on marketplace sites like eBay for a much cheaper price.

There are so many ways to repurpose an antique soda crate, and they're a great accessory in rustic kitchen ideas. If you do choose to use one as a traditional storage container on your countertop, you may want to remove the inner divider frame to make room for larger utensils or items of different sizes. This can be done with a small circular saw or angle grinder. Alternatively, you could keep these inner sections intact and use them to organize smaller kitchen essentials such as spice jars or egg cups.

If you're not in need of countertop storage, consider using these crates as shelves instead. Being wooden, they can easily be mounted to a wall with a few screws. Either remove the dividers for a cubby shelf, or use the small divided sections to display bric-a-brac. Examples on Pinterest even show them being used to display a collection of small mugs.

You don't have to limit an old soda crate to the kitchen, either (although the beverage branding does feel particularly fitting in a kitchen). For example, place one on a bathroom vanity to corral cosmetics, perfume, and rolled facecloths, or mount one to the wall where it can act as a unique toilet roll holder. You could even style them on a bookshelf (or use one for standalone book storage), or as a useful container on a desk in your home office. The possibilities are truly endless.