Rustic Wine Crate with Rope Handles

Have you ever stumbled across a wine crate and wondered what you could do with it? I have just the idea for you and it will take less than an hour to create. Today I’ll show you how to make a Rustic Wine Crate with Rope Handles. This is a great decor item that doubles as storage. And you can also use this as a gift basket if you fill it with goodies.

Materials:

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Wine crate or wooden box
Dark brown stain (Minwax Early American is the stain I used.)
Paint Brush
Paper towels
Damp rag
Rubber gloves
Medium Grit (120 grit) sandpaper
Sisal Rope
Scissors
Drill
Drill bits

Instructions:

1. Clean your crate with a damp rag. Then brush the stain on and let it sit for a minute.

2. Wipe any excess stain off with paper towels.

Add a second coat if you like a darker colored crate. Allow it to dry thoroughly. (This might take several hours or overnight depending on your humidity. Hand raised…hot and humid North Carolina dweller here.)

3. Sand any words and printing on the crate until you start to see some of the wood coming through. Be careful not to sand too deep and expose the bare wood. Wipe off the crate.

4. Mark the location for the rope handle on the sides of the crate. Be sure to measure the same distances from the top and edges on both sides.

5. Choose a drill bit slightly larger than your rope. Drill holes at the marks.

6. Insert one side of the rope through the hole.

7. Tie a double knot inside the crate to keep the rope from slipping back through.

8. Determine how long a handle you desire and tie a single knot in the middle of the handle.

9. Feed the other end of your rope through the other hole and tie another double knot on the inside of the crate.

10. Fray the edges of your rope by untwisting them.

Fill your crate with magazines, blankets, or décor goodies and display it proudly!

Better yet, fill it with several gifts to create a unique gift basket. Keep with the wine theme by adding some wine, crackers, cheese, and nuts.

Easy tutorial right? How many of you are running to your local wine shop and begging for wine crates now? P.s. I’ve seen them at Costco, too.

Pin for later!

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Holly says:

July 22, 2011 at 9:58 pm

Check with restaurants in your area. I work at a place that throws these wine crates away constantly.

B says:

July 22, 2011 at 6:13 pm

UGH! I just passed one up the other day! I thought to myself,”Hmmm, pretty cool, but what would I do with it?” Dang.

Charlotte says:

July 21, 2011 at 10:51 am

guess I need to start buying my wine by the crate…..bet my hubby would be proud of me…..however, when he saw the cute magazine box I made from all my wine drinking I don’t see how he could be mad….. Good job with you wine crate.

Alice says:

July 20, 2011 at 2:14 pm

You sure made that crate look stylish. I love it. Every handy girl would love this project. I have a metal magazine rack that the magazines stand on their sides and end up rolling to the side. I think I want to one similar to yours and it will hide most of the magazines while looking great. Thanks for sharing. Hope your ear is getting better as the days go by.