Do-it-yourself wooden box: photos of homemade boxes and their uses

When the phrase “wooden box” is mentioned, many people immediately imagine a standard fruit box. Although in fact boxes can be very different and used for all sorts of purposes.

This is a very useful product that can be used in everyday life, not only somewhere in the country, but also just in the house. Let's figure out how to make a wooden box with your own hands, because only a homemade thing can be not only unique and as convenient as possible, but also completely safe.

DIY wooden box

Necessary tools and equipment

Before you begin your wood box project, you need to gather all your tools and equipment in one place.
We will need a machine for processing wood; a jointer and a circular saw must be present. Otherwise, we buy the strips we need in the store - size and thickness. You can’t do without a pencil, tape measure, construction angle and hammer.

We will use the machine for unprocessed wooden blanks, which we will make from boards 2.5 x 25 x 150 cm.

Ottoman and shoe box

In small apartments, the hallway needs to be organized as functionally as possible. Therefore, we propose to make a very unusual design. That is, connect a pouf and a shoe stand together. This will significantly save space and allow you to organize it correctly.

To work you will need the following:

• wooden box;
• a piece of thick fabric;
• sandpaper;
• filler;
• plywood sheet;
• wheels – 4 pcs. (if desired);
• screwdriver;
• bolts;
• acrylic paint;
• brush;
• construction stapler.

Cut the plywood to the required size. We attach a piece of fabric on both sides using a construction stapler. We fill the space with filler, distributing it evenly. We fasten the fabric on the remaining sides. This will be the seat for the future ottoman.

Be sure to sand the wooden box. This will help get rid of various surface irregularities and snags. Only after this we paint the box with a suitable color paint. It is not necessary to do this at all. If you like natural wood, then simply treat the surface with varnish.

After the surface has completely dried, attach the wheels to one of the sides of the box. We use bolts and a screwdriver for this.

We attach the soft blank to the surface of the box and, if desired, decorate it with buttons. A beautiful, unusual ottoman with a shelf for shoes is ready.

What materials are used to build structures?

Most often, boxes are made of wood and other materials. For instruments, it is better to choose solid pine or maple. Alder or aspen is suitable for products. These tree species are distinguished by their durability and strength. They do not emit resinous secretions and do not dry out over time.

Plywood is suitable for making decorative products. You can place all sorts of little things here. To fix the parts, a special adhesive composition is used.

Box for small items or toys

Of course, boxes are great for creating furniture. But nevertheless, they can be used for their intended purpose. To make them more original, we suggest adding unusual elements and decorating them.

Let's prepare the following:

• boxes;
• wheels;
• sandpaper;
• white paint;
• brush;
• wood glue;
• bolts;
• screwdriver;
• chalk board.

First, we sand the entire surface of the drawers with sandpaper. Only after this we apply paint and leave them until completely dry.

We attach the wheels to the bottom of the boxes using a screwdriver and bolts. We turn the structure over and glue a chalk board to the side. The result is a simple, but at the same time original box for toys and various small items.

Tool used

Depending on the selected material from which the box will be made, the appropriate tool is selected. This should include:

• jigsaw and jointer;
• grinder and welding machine;
• hand tool.

Naturally, when making any design you cannot do without a measuring tape and a pencil.

We looked at how to make a box yourself from various materials. This design is distinguished by its simplicity and does not require special knowledge or experience from a person.

To make it, it will be enough to show attention and have the necessary skills in handling hand tools.

Homemade boxes are distinguished by their durability and ease of use. Their production does not require significant financial investments, which adds to their popularity.

Entertainment complex for cats

An entertainment complex for cats is created from boxes and metal pipes. As you know, tailed animals get bored in apartments. To prevent the animal from damaging furniture and wallpaper, you can occupy it with your own miniature cottage, where cats sleep, play and sharpen their claws. Some boxes are covered with plywood lids with round entry holes, others are left with only the bottoms, which are covered with soft foam rubber and upholstered with fabric, and on others, scratching posts are attached. The modules are connected to each other in any order. Additionally, the “house” is equipped with a ladder system to make it more convenient for the animal to move around the “floors”. Instead of a purchased bed for a cat or dog, cribs are created from a box. The box is thoroughly sanded. It is better not to coat it with varnish, as your pet may not like its smell. Then a pair of upper slats are cut off from one of the sidewalls, which will be the front one. The inside of the box is filled with foam rubber or other soft material and covered with a blanket on top. Additionally, the sleeping place is decorated with miniature hand-sewn pillows. Of course, the size of the box and the future crib is selected according to the dimensions of the pet. To make a feeder, you will need a stainless steel bowl, a wooden container and plywood. The top cover is cut out from the last sheet. Make a round hole in the center for the bowl. The plywood is then secured to the box. All that remains is to insert the bowl. You need to choose one with protruding sides, which will hold the container by the lid. The bowl can be easily removed to wash or replace with another. A double feeder is made from a large box using the same technology with paired containers for food and water.

Master class on creating a box with your own hands

We offer step-by-step instructions on how to make a box at home. To do this you will need the following tools and materials:

• tape measure;
• a simple pencil;
• board 25 mm thick;
• wooden edges 15 mm thick;
• thin plywood;
• metal corners;
• nails and screws;
• hacksaw;
• screwdriver;
• metal hinges for opening the lid structure;
• hammer.

First of all, you need to familiarize yourself with the diagrams and drawings of how to make a box. This will allow you to correctly compare the dimensions of the finished product. You should not make too large structures, as they will take up a lot of free space.

When all the components are ready, you can proceed to making a storage system for vegetables and fruits. The process includes several stages:

On the surface of the boards we mark the size of the side parts of the product. Next we move on to the bottom of the box. We mark the size on the wooden edges. After this, using a hacksaw, we begin to cut out the blanks.

We fix the boards together using small nails. We attach the bottom parts using the same method.

The cover of the product consists of a plywood sheet. It is installed on special hinges that allow you to control the closing process.

The photo of the DIY box shows the entire work process.

Pros and cons of using a vegetable box on the balcony

Vegetables spoil quickly and storing them is very troublesome.

In a room with high humidity, potatoes will quickly germinate, and other vegetables will begin to rot. At high temperatures there is a risk of parasites. If the winter is too cold, the potatoes lose their taste and become sweet.

Vegetables should be stored correctly in a special box. In an apartment it can be placed on the balcony.

Advantages of a container or box for storing vegetables:

1. Optimal humidity level.
2. Potatoes don't sprout.
3. Condensation does not accumulate in the middle.
4. Sun protection.
5. Convenience.
6. Beautiful appearance.

You can place the box in the closet under the window and fit it beautifully into the design of the balcony.
There are also disadvantages:

• Before storage, all vegetables are sorted, dried, and prepared ;
• in any case, you will have to pay for a ready-made box, or for materials and build it yourself.

Choose healthy and large potatoes for storage. But washing it is prohibited.

The container should be disinfected with a solution of potassium permanganate before use.

Stages of work

How to make a wooden box with a lid? There is no point in buying or ordering it. And it's not interesting. You can do everything yourself. There is nothing complicated here, just follow the instructions. You have to do the following:

First you need to cut the bars to the length you need them. This will be the basis for the future box.

To create a three-dimensional frame, you need to combine these bars with each other. You will need nails to connect.

Next, calculate how many drawer slats you will need. They need to sew up the bottom and sides.

Professionals in their field advise to sew the bottom first, and then connect the sides. This way you can never go wrong with the size. When working, be sure to use a construction angle.

Also, if you plan to often use the box for storing vegetables, it is best to cover the caps with putty. This way they won't stick around and disturb you.

After all these steps, all you have to do is screw the handles to the drawer. Ready!

Harvest storage boxes

They are necessary to optimize space in the cellar or pantry. Placed on the shelves of the rack, such containers will allow you to leave the floor space as free as possible.

How to make a box yourself? It is important to choose a tree wisely. First, it is better to put together a rack from dry edged boards. The optimal width for it will be 0.5-0.6 m. The remaining material will be used to make boxes.

In addition, you will need:

• timber 1.5*1.5 cm;
• slats;
• hammer;
• nails;
• saw;
• carpentry corner.

The technology for making a wooden box is the following algorithm:

• Assembling the frame of the future product.
• Sheathing the frame with slats.

Do not forget to leave gaps for ventilation 2-3 cm wide. Professional carpenters advise to sheathe the bottom first, and only then move on to the sides. When cutting and installing slats, you must use a carpenter's corner.

Gift containers

Oddly enough, even the most ordinary item can be beautifully packaged in a beautiful gift box, which can cause a storm of positive emotions in the birthday boy. We can offer to make a wooden box for gifts.

Gift boxes can even be made from wood. It's interesting, unique and presentable. Wood is a durable material. It will be able to serve the hero of the occasion for a very long time, because it will not be thrown into the trash and will become an excellent interior decoration. A very interesting idea is to collect money in such boxes.

Shelves made from boxes from old furniture

Shelves made from drawers from a table or bedside table

It so happened that the neighbor of the author of the photo decided to throw out some old furniture and asked the author if he needed anything. The author took only the drawers from the cabinet; they collected dust in the garage for a long time until such a shelf was made from them. Simply arrange the drawers the way you like and secure them with screws. Painting upon request.

Photo source: instructables.com. Author: ksassily

Planter boxes

Do you have your own dacha? It's hard to imagine your garden without beautiful flowers. How to make wooden flowerpot boxes? This is a very beautiful, unique design. Making a flowerpot from scrap items is very easy and, moreover, very exciting.

We offer a fun version of a flower pot made from old shoes. So, you will give your shoes a new life and decorate your garden. In order to make a unique flowerpot, you will need old shoes and free time.

Follow the instructions:

• Fill the bottom of the shoe with soil and plant the seeds of your favorite plants in it;
• Next, you need to water the flower with warm water and place it near the house;
• To prevent too much water from remaining inside the boot, you can make several holes in the sole;
• To make the flowerpot more interesting, you can paint it in your favorite color.

You can use not only old shoes as a basis. You can also use old sneakers, rubber boots, galoshes and other old shoes.

The footwear stand

A shoe cabinet is assembled according to the same principle as a rack of drawers. The only thing worth considering: different heights of sneakers, shoes, ankle boots and winter boots. For the first two, shelves made of drawers located horizontally are suitable, and for tall shoes they are placed vertically. If you make a homemade cabinet from an old container that is unevenly painted, then such an element will complement the hallway in the Provence style.

Regular wooden box

In fact, this is an ordinary rectangular design that is suitable for growing flowers in the country or storing various household items at home.

The advantages of making boxes from wood are due to the fact that it is an environmentally friendly and affordable material, convenient for processing with hand tools.

To assemble such a product you will need:

• boards that will go to the bottom and walls;
• fastening elements: screws, nails, metal corners;
• tools: screwdriver, hammer, wood saw;
• roulette;
• a simple pencil and paper to prepare a drawing.

First, a drawing is made. A sketch of the finished product is drawn on paper and the main dimensions are determined. The schematic image allows you to accurately calculate the material needed to make the box.

Any boards left over after construction or renovation are suitable as raw materials. The main thing is that the material is of high quality: there should be no signs of rotting or wormholes, otherwise the service life of the box will be short.

The boards are cut according to the specified dimensions. There should be 5 elements in total: side and front walls, bottom. The boards are nailed together; corners can be placed at the joints to provide additional rigidity to the structure. If the box is intended to be used for growing flowers indoors, it makes sense to lay a layer of waterproofing made of plastic film on the bottom.

Boxes in the house

As a rule, boxes for transporting and storing products are not well processed - they are hardly sanded and, of course, are not varnished. But for use at home, it is recommended to treat them and cover them not only with protective compounds, but also with paints and varnishes. Then the box will look beautiful, and the person using it will not risk getting a splinter in his finger.

Simple tool box

Typically, the house rarely uses boxes made directly for transporting cargo or storing the same fruit. More often than not, those who need a simple but nice box have to contact carpentry workshops and order a specific product from them according to their size and wishes. So don’t confuse industrial and carpentry boxes.

Boxes in the house, as already mentioned, can be used for various purposes. This includes storing utensils in the kitchen, storing small items in the living room, storing toys, clothes, shoes, cosmetics, household chemicals, etc. The main thing is that this type of container fits organically into the interior and does not cause confusion.

Wooden box for storing various household items

The easiest way, of course, is to get hold of boxes in a store or warehouse, sand them and varnish them to use at home. But you can make such a container yourself, since this is not a difficult task at all, be it a box for decorating a room, storing things, or growing seedlings.

Flower box for balcony

The general principle of making a flower box from wood with your own hands remains unchanged, but the specifics of use force you to take into account a number of nuances.

Depth is of particular importance. Experienced gardeners do not recommend making walls more than 20 centimeters high. Flowers need to be watered regularly, and wet soil significantly increases the weight of the structure.

Balcony boxes need to be placed on a solid base to prevent them from falling down. For these purposes, metal frames welded from reinforcement bars are usually used. The advantage of this method of fastening is that the outdoor box can be easily removed and brought into the house for the winter.

Note! If painting is planned, it is better to give preference to natural and neutral tones. Bright colors not only fade quickly in the sun, but also hide the natural beauty of plants.

To save on decoration costs, it is recommended to plant flowers in two rows. In the foreground there will be climbing plants that will disguise the wooden container. The flowers of the main composition are planted in the background.

Assembling a wooden box

The entire assembly process is very simple, no tricks or hidden mysteries. We take the most ordinary nails 5 by 0.15 cm. Why thin nails? So that the structure is tightly fastened and the boards do not crack.

First, we nail the top and bottom strips from the end, then we place the remaining wooden blanks. We screw 24 cm long planks to the wooden base from below, use 35 mm self-tapping screws.

Drawings and dimensions of wooden boxes are presented below.

Ottoman for the hallway

To make an ottoman for the hallway or living room, you will need:

• Box;
• A sheet of durable wood for the top cover;
• Foam rubber;
• Upholstery material;
• Construction stapler;
• Wheels.

The box is sanded and varnished. Wheels are attached to its bottom, and a lid is attached to the top. If you need to use the ottoman also as a storage system, then it is placed on hinges so that the seat can be opened in the future. Then foam rubber is fixed to the lid and covered with fabric using a stapler.

Plywood structures

Here the material is selected depending on the intended use of the finished product. If the box is intended for correspondence, you can get by with thin plywood. For seedlings or flowers, multilayer sheets impregnated with a waterproof compound are more suitable.

The design is made according to the following scheme:

• make a drawing of the box with dimensions;
• the drawing is transferred to a sheet of plywood;
• parts are cut out according to the markings;
• individual elements are fastened together with self-tapping screws or nails, and the joints are treated with sealant.

Considering that plywood is easy to process, you can make more complex, non-standard country boxes. For example, the joints of the walls should be designed according to the tongue-and-groove principle. If you are making a deep box for storing children's toys, you can attach wheels from an old computer chair to the bottom. Drawers with a sliding top panel look interesting. Here a cover is cut out of a sheet of thin plywood and a groove is cut in the upper part of the walls.

Shelving

Wooden boxes make excellent shelving units. They can be strictly rectangular in shape or have asymmetrical edges, which will add a special flavor to the decor of the room. This storage system is ideal for a home workshop, office or living room. The boxes are secured to each other using self-tapping screws or self-tapping screws, painted and placed against the wall. You can store whatever your heart desires on such racks: books, things, jewelry, food, towels and pillows, household chemicals, small decor. The designs look original, on the shelves of which “necessary” things are placed, alternating with flower pots. Rectangular racks can be assembled from identical boxes, which are arranged in a strict order or vertically and horizontally, but in such a way that a storage system of the correct shape is formed.

Drawers mounted on special legs with spaces between the modules will be an excellent addition to a rustic-style kitchen. They store vegetables (potatoes, onions, carrots), jars of pickles or canned food. It is important that each drawer is secured in its natural position, that is, with the bottom down. Thus, the strength of the cabinet will increase, because the container was originally designed for heavy loads.

For seedlings

The size and shape of wooden planting boxes will depend on how you grow your flowers. Bulky items take up a lot of space and spoil the overall interior of the apartment. Therefore, if you plan to grow cucumbers and tomatoes on a windowsill, it is better to limit yourself to small wooden plywood boxes.

A garden plot offers more opportunities for the DIYer. So, a large and functional box for seedlings can be made from an old pallet. In fact, a pallet initially represents a finished product. The gardener can only make the bottom and walls from pieces of multi-layer plywood. To do this you will need decorative nails and a hammer. After this, the internal space is filled with earth, the seeds are sown between the top rows of boards.

Decorating a personal toiletry case

The style and design of the future accessory depends on the creative skills of the master. In practice, the following techniques and technologies are used to decorate a personal casket:

• Burning and figured wood carving.
• For less durable materials, you can use special stickers with different images.
• Having a template or excellent artistic skills at hand, craftsmen conduct luxurious master classes on stained glass painting of finished products.

Figurative modeling, for example, from salt dough or cold porcelain, and decoration using decorative stones and shells are also popular.

A stylish and neat toiletry case will be an excellent addition to the interior of a living room or bedroom, and will take the main place on the bedside table, near the boudoir near the mirror, on the mantelpiece. To obtain the desired effect, you just need to have desire, creative skills and some dexterity.

Making a plant box

Step 1. First of all, you need to decide on the dimensions of the box being constructed. It is important to choose the place where it will stand. Based on this, you should sketch out a drawing of the box indicating the dimensional parameters and calculate how much material is required.

First you need to decide on the sizes

Step 2. Next, you need to go to the store and purchase everything you need. First of all, you need to buy the required amount of boards.

Buy boards in the required quantity

Step 3. Now you need to apply the appropriate markings to the board - mark the sides and ends of the box on it. It is better to take measurements with a tape measure, but to get even marks it is better to use a square.

Marking

Step 4. Next you need to assemble the box frame and drill holes in its sides. It is better to make several holes on each side.

Assembling the drawer box

Step 5. The boards on the sides of the box need to be connected together using self-tapping screws. You can also use nails, but connections with self-tapping screws are much stronger and of better quality.

Self-tapping screws are used for connection

Step 6. Next, you need to determine the size of the bottom of the box and cut the bottom itself from the board. It needs to be secured by drilling wooden holes and screwing screws along the bottom border of the box around the entire perimeter.

Attaching the drawer bottom

Step 7: It is important to be sure to drill a few drainage holes in the bottom of the plant box. They will ensure the drainage of excess water that will enter the soil during irrigation or rain.

Drainage holes are drilled

Step 8. It is important to sand all surfaces of the drawer so that they are smooth, pleasant to the touch and safe.

Sanding the drawer

Step 9. Finally, the box can be painted, but it is better to coat it with varnish. This will make the box beautiful and additionally protect it from moisture.

Finished product painting

Making boxes: what do you need?

So, to make absolutely any wooden box (regardless of the purpose of its use), you will need a number of tools and materials. The list is small, but without these things the matter will not move forward. You will need:

• sawing tool for cutting wooden boards and blocks into strips of the required length. This could be a jigsaw or a wood saw;
• a device for sanding wooden surfaces - a grinding machine, sandpaper with a special block, etc.;
• hammer (in case nails will be used);
• screws, nails, possibly metal corners;
• screwdriver (if self-tapping screws will be used as fasteners);
• varnish and brush or paint - to cover the surface of the wood or give it a certain color;

Preparing the necessary tools

On a note! Before applying paint, it is best to pre-prime the wood. This will reduce the amount of paint used and also provide it with a more saturated color.

• pencil, square, ruler, tape measure - tools that will help make the necessary markings.

Important! Before you start creating a box, you must draw its diagram or download a ready-made one from the Internet. This will allow you to make a smooth and neat product that has the necessary parameters.

Wooden box drawing

Drawer

How to make a drawer? Buy:

• wood processing machine;
• roulette;
• construction corner;
• unedged board 2.5*25*130 cm.

You will also need a hammer and nails. And also 4 wheels from a children's toy stroller and attachments to them.

Procedure:

• We convert unedged lumber into edged lumber.
• We cut the board into several pieces - four of 20 cm and 1 of 24 cm.
• We process blanks.
• We cut the remaining boards to a width of 4.5 cm along the grain of the wood.
• We collect the box.
• We attach wheels to the bottom.

If you need a drawer

In general, a wooden box with a drawer is made in the same way as the classic version, but there are a number of features.

A simple rectangular shape of the lid and bottom will spoil the appearance of the product. It is better to make the long sides of these elements wavy using an electric router. In addition, by choosing this option, the lid and bottom are not placed inside the body, but left outside.

The walls are made of different heights. In particular, the back part and ends are made of the same height and glued together. For the front wall, cut out a die half as wide as the back part. This element is not recessed between the ends, but is installed overlapping and fixed with glue.

The box consists of two parts: the box, which fits freely between the walls, and the front part, which is similar in size to the top die. The elements are also mounted on wood glue.

A partition is installed between the upper and lower parts, which will serve as the bottom of the upper compartment of the box. Inside the retractable and stationary drawers, you can make partitions from thin plywood, delimiting the internal space into several compartments. The lid is installed on decorative hinges, the wood is covered with several layers of furniture varnish.

Slat box

Step 1. First of all, you need to cut the blanks to create a box. You will need bars of the selected length, slats 1 cm thick. The bars need to be cut to length so that their profile is triangular.

Blanks are cut

The process of creating blanks

The block has a triangular cross-section

Step 2. Next you need to take the bars, lay them on top of each other (2 bars on each side) and start making walls. You need to apply wood glue to the flat surface of the block and arrange the slats so that they rest on the flat side surface of the bars. The slats are placed at a certain distance from each other to create gaps.

Applying glue

The slats are parallel

Advice! If you plan to make several boxes of the same size, then it is convenient to use a wooden template to create the walls.

Step 3. Then the slats additionally need to be secured to the corner bars using nails or self-tapping screws. In this way, two side walls of the box are made.

Additional rail fastening

Finished side wall

Step 4. Next, the prepared walls need to be placed in a special template (or simply held correctly) and, using the same principle as in steps 2 and 3, attach the next slats to the sides of the free sides of the bars. Thus, it will be possible to create two other side walls.

The next slats are attached

All side walls are ready

Step 5. Then the bottom is made. You need to lay two slats (with a length equal to the length of the box) parallel to each other, and fix other slats on them, but without gaps, so that the bottom is solid.

Making the bottom of the box

The bottom turns out to be solid

Step 6. All that remains is to secure the bottom to the underside of the box, and it is ready. If necessary, all structural parts can be sanded before assembling the box. It is better to varnish or paint the product after assembly.

The bottom of the box is attached

This is what the finished box looks like

Decorating boxes

Wooden gift boxes can be decorated in many ways, we will tell you about the most popular options. Each of them is good in its own way and it is better to choose based on the purpose of the product.

Box sizes.

Wooden containers for storing food cannot be treated with synthetic varnishes, stains and impregnations; there are other compositions for this.

• If you want to highlight the natural pattern of the board, then the box can be tinted with a solution of potassium permanganate.
• In order to protect the wood and at the same time leave it in its original appearance, the board is coated with linseed oil.
• A noble golden hue will appear if you treat the surface with beeswax mastic. The mastic recipe is simple: 4 parts refined linseed oil and 1 part wax are heated in a water bath and mixed.

Polished boxes.

Decoupage of a wooden box can be recommended to people who want to make their product original or give new life to an old box.

The technology here is simple, but requires patience.

• First, the product is covered with primer, which most amateurs use PVA glue for. But craftsmen recommend mixing chalk with NC varnish to a liquid, creamy state and covering the wood.
• When the soil dries a little, the drawing itself is glued onto the damp base. Now every transition sells pictures on rice paper for decoupage, so there is plenty to choose from.
• After the base is completely dry, the box is covered with 2 layers of acrylic varnish and 3-4 layers of polyurethane or nitro varnish are applied to it. Before applying a new layer, you need to let the previous one dry.

Decoupage on the box.

Important: fire-hazardous structures, for example, such as an external junction box designed to look like wood, are decorated only with water-dispersed varnishes and paints. It is best to use acrylic-based compositions.

You can artificially age a product using the craquelure technique. The retail chain now sells ready-made crack kits. The technique itself is simple: a thin layer of craque varnish is applied to a raw, recently painted surface, which shrinks as it dries, thereby forming a network of small cracks. After drying, the product is coated with a protective layer of furniture varnish.

Craquelure technology.

The video in this article provides additional information on the topic.