1. Give crates a fresh coat of paint and attach wheels for moveable toy storage.

Statement furniture pieces can go a long way in mixing up a space in your home, but it’s no secret that home decor can get pretty pricey.

Wooden crates are a cheap, and sometimes even free, craft supply that you can get from an art, grocery, or hardware store. Since they’re made from unfinished wood, they are easy to paint or attach together. If you’re looking for an easy way to make your home a little more unique, check out these 16 ways to upcycle crates below.

2. Make a colorful bench.

3. Put this simple, rolling shoe bench in your entryway.

4. This whole bedroom is made from crates, from the bookshelves to the bed frame.

5. Stack crates and pallets to make a unique planter.

6. Spice up your living room with a fun ottoman.

7. These crates make adorable floating shelves.

Just put a crate over a lamp and you’re good to go.

9. If you have access to giant crates, you can make a kitchen table.

If you happen to have access to a shipyard…or something.

10. If you’re really crafty, whip up these hanging crate lights.

These would look nice whether they’re indoors or outside.

11. Chop up a few crates to make this chair.

You’ll probably want to put a gloss on it after assembly to avoid butt splinters.

12. Nail together 4 crates to make a cool coffee table.

The wheels are optional.

13. Display your shoes in a stacked crate shelving unit.

I love it when organization looks crafty, too.

14. Make a cute alternative to a classic china cabinet.

15. Love to read? Stacked, painted crates make cute library-like shelves.

This is so much more original than IKEA, and probably cheaper, too.

16. This tiered shelf will add dimension to any space.

I’m going to stop by my local grocery store ASAP and ask if I can have some of their old produce crates. I’ve been looking for a way to creatively store my books that doesn’t involve purchasing anything new. Which one of these projects spoke to your creative side?

The post By Collecting A Few Cheap Crates, You Can Build 16 Seriously Cool Things appeared first on Barnorama.

Vinyl records have long been considered “old media.” There are a lot of reasons vinyl records moved out of the mainstream in the 90s, from the rise of the CD and digital recording to their easily damageable build. But despite the rise of CDs, MP3s, and digital streaming services, many people have kept their old records, or have even continued to collect them.

However, any record collector knows that damaged records are inevitable. Those who’ve kept their vinyl and have no way to listen to them tend to let the records collect dust in a storage unit or basement. Instead of letting them sit around, why not transform them into cool and useful items? Vinyl records are simple enough to melt and mold, thin for cutting, and lightweight, making them easy to DIY-ify. Check out 15 awesome ideas for upcycling old records below.

1.) Cut around the vinyl part of the record and finish with Mod Podge to make drink coasters.

2.) Make a hanging mobile to show off your favorite artist’s singles.

3.) This outdoor artwork is perfect for the music lover in your life.

4.) Craft a personalized notebook using an old record and duct tape.

5.) Make a fun side table with a vinyl record.

6.) You can pick up a clock mechanism for under $3 and make a clock out of a record.

7.) Make ethereal vinyl butterfly wall art.

8.) Use the sleeves from record cases to make a cool banner.

9.) Melt records together to make a unique magazine holder.

10.) Create a unique handbag with old records.

11.) Melted records make a useful and cool wine holder.

12.) Different sized records stacked together make a one-of-a-kind dessert stand.

13.) Putting vinyl in the oven produces cool bowls.

14.) Transform records into bookends with hot water.

15.) Make a bangle out of a melted record and an old bauble.

I have a lot of old records at home, and I definitely plan on trying out a few of these DIY projects. I’m thinking I’ll try the vinyl side table first. Which one is your favorite?

The post Don’t Throw Old Records Out! Here Are 15 Ways To Recycle Vintage Vinyl. appeared first on Barnorama.

If you and the glue gun were an item long before Pinterest got everyone hip to crafting, this one goes out to you.

The post Crafts You Made Before They Were Cool appeared first on Barnorama.

The final episodes of Breaking Bad are still a few months out, but you can still get a creative high with these amazing crafts inspired by the series.

The post Awesome “Breaking Bad” Crafts appeared first on Barnorama.

While you’re impatiently waiting for summer to just GET HERE already, start planning your outdoor space.

The post DIY Ways To Make Your Backyard Awesome This Summer appeared first on Barnorama.