Flea Market Find: Apple Crates
If life gives you apples, reuse the vintage crates they came in to decorate your home
If you’ve ever been to a flea market, chances are you’ve seen a good number of wooden apple crates. They’re frequently used to hold knickknacks for sale, but it’s often the crate itself that’s the real find. Growing in popularity, these vintage containers are starting to pop up everywhere. Read on for some ideas on using them in your decor.
Use your worn and weathered crate as a beside table. It offers ample storage and can be used either vertically or horizontally depending on the height of your bed.
You can typically score crates for around $30. On a good day, you’ll come across a bargain for $20, but at a more high-end market, you might have to shell out $45 to $50.
Buying tip: If you’re looking to buy a trio or more of crates, consider asking for a deal. Sellers often have truckloads of them and are willing to bargain when they can unload more than one.
Buying tip: If you’re looking to buy a trio or more of crates, consider asking for a deal. Sellers often have truckloads of them and are willing to bargain when they can unload more than one.
Hang your crates on a wall. This is a great way to show off your other flea market finds. Keep in mind that you can come across reproduction crates mixed in with the real McCoys. Be sure you know which is which when making your selection.
Store some of your favorite dishes in an apple crate by the sink. This simple shelf is especially handy when wall space is lacking.
Cleaning tip: Wipe the crates with a damp washcloth. No cleaning solution is needed.
Cleaning tip: Wipe the crates with a damp washcloth. No cleaning solution is needed.
Sometimes you’ll find crates with a label or stenciled text, often that of a company logo. No logo is necessarily more collectible than others; just pick something that resonates with you.
Apple crates were once used to haul fruit across the orchard. Now you can trade apples for stuffed animals by using the crates for toy storage in the playroom.
Safety tip: If you plan to store toys in your crates, make sure there are no nails sticking out to prick a finger.
Safety tip: If you plan to store toys in your crates, make sure there are no nails sticking out to prick a finger.
Stash miscellaneous craft items in your crate. This is a stylish substitution for boring plastic containers.
Gather some crates together to create a unique coffee table. Once used on fruit farms of the 1940s, today these crates are ready and waiting to hold your stack of magazines and cup of morning joe.
More Flea Market Finds:
Vintage Signs | Vintage Ladders | Brass Animal Figurines
More Flea Market Finds:
Vintage Signs | Vintage Ladders | Brass Animal Figurines
Buying tip: If you’ve purchased a bundle of crates, some in worse condition than others, be sure to hide the more rickety ones within the structure. It helps not only visually, but with the overall sturdiness.