How to Get a Stunning Finish on Wooden Crates With Stain

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Learn how to easily transform Michaels wooden crates into rustic farmhouse storage using barnwood stain and wax!

Refinishing Wooden Crates with Stain

The other day I was shopping at Michael’s (which happens to be my all time favorite store) and I spotted these crates. They were wood and only $10, and if you have a coupon you pay even less. 

This got me to thinking if I could use one, and if so, where.  I came up with the idea of placing it on top of the cubby unit I just made over, and I’d use it for newspaper storage. The only problem was the unfinished wood. Today I’m going to share how I transformed that crate and got a stunning finish with stain.

I walked around a little bit more and found this stain.  It’s from Michael’s private label Craftsmart.  I really liked that soft grey color.  And if you know anything about me at all, it’s that I’m all about soft and calm this past year. So I added that to my cart.​

Materials Needed to Stain Wood Crates:

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• Wooden crate from Michael’s craft store
• Sandpaper 150 grit
• Craft Smart Premium Barnwood Stain in Gray (similar) 
• paint brush
• sponge/foam brush
• ​paper towels
• Daddy Van’s All Decorative Wax in Farmhouse White (similar)
• a lint-free rag

How To Stain Wooden Crates:

It was such an easy project. I started out by sanding the rough spots on the outside of the unfinished crate.  I didn’t bother with the inside because I had other ideas for it.

I brushed the barnwood stain (not affiliate link) on all sides and wiped back with a paper towel. Below you can see how it looked after one coat.

I used a sponge/foam brush to get into the tight spots.

After the second coat it was done but I still needed to add a wax to seal in the stain.

There is actually a wax that goes with the stain, but I already had lots of wax.  So in the spirit of using up my supplies, I chose to go with the Daddy Van’s Decorative Wax in Farmhouse White.  I’m sure any wax will do just fine.

I went with the white to try and get a bit more interest in the wood color and also lighten it up a bit.

Just put it on and buff it off.

Because I didn’t sand the wood on the inside, it was not smooth and I ended up with this rustic goodness from the white wax which I’m really loving!

Now I’ve got the perfect container for my newspapers. 

I actually use them when I’m peeling potatoes or making a mess on the kitchen counter. I place them on the counter before I make my mess and then just throw them out when I’m done. A good way to use those newspapers and flyers and a great way to protect your counters.

The color is a soft grayish brown and not dark at all so it blends in nicely with the rest of the room. And it has that farmhouse look we all love so much!

I think it looks stunning, in a subtle kind of way!  In fact I love it so much, I may go back and get a few more. Have, I mentioned just how much I love shopping at Michael’s?

This was my tutorial on how to get a stunning finish on a wood crate with stain. It was such an easy project, in fact it only took me about an hour with the drying time.  Those crates never looked so good!

​Do you shop at Michael’s?

Additional Ideas using Wood Stain: