Upcycling the Milk Crate Table
Upcycle your vintage-looking wire milk crates into a DIY milk crate table. An old crate can be transformed into a beautiful piece of outdoor decor.
Upcycle your vintage-looking wire milk crates into a DIY milk crate table. An old crate can be transformed into a beautiful piece of outdoor decor.

I have a big balcony and it takes a lot of furniture to fill it up. So I’m always looking to repurpose things and turn them into outdoor furniture. Last year I had gone to my trusty basement and found some vintage metal milk crates. I used the smaller one and made a stool with it. As for the two bigger ones, I turned them into an outdoor table.

This is what the milk crate table originally started out like. You can see the full tutorial here.

My milk crate table was beautiful and I was very happy with it. But I made the mistake of leaving it outdoors all winter long. The rain and dust did quite a number on it and so I must upcycle this old milk crate table.

I removed the twine and gave it a good sanding.

Then I painted it white using this product I picked up at Lidl.

It’s colored varnish. How cool is that? It gives me color and protection at the same time. Again I am not being compensated for this product in any way, but I think it is great. If you have a Lidl near you keep your eyes opened.

After three coats of paint/varnish, I put it back on top of the crate and wrapped it with the twine.





This has to be the easiest upcycle I’ve ever done. In fact, the threading of the twine took longer than the actual painting.

How was that for upcycling the milk crate table? It’s all ready with a fresh new look and a new lantern to give it some color. Have you started preparing your outdoor spaces?
If you’d like to see all my outdoor projects click here and go to Summer.

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I love this idea! Thanks for sharing on Pleasures of the NW DIY Party!
Thank you Helen for inviting me.
Such a clever re purpose Mary! I love it!!
Thank you Sam, I like I even better now that it has been lightened up.
Love the way your mind works, Mary! Very clever REpurpose of old milk crates.
Marie, it was a nice idea the first time but the second time was the charmer.
Hi Mary, just wanted to let you know your wonderful milk crate table is being featured @ tomorrow’s Vintage Charm party!
Thank you Cecilia. You just made my day!
What a clever idea! Love the crate so much…surely would love to run across one around here. Haven’t visited in a while…I simply must correct this! Miss you!! XO Susie from The Chelsea Project
Susie, we are all so busy I know it’s hard to visit. There aren’t enoug hours in the day. Thanks for dropping by!
Mary, I love your milk crates! And the table turned out so cute too. How exciting to live in Greece! I visited there once. Which town do you live in?
Hi Florence, Between my stool and table I think I’m all set with my balcony decor. I live in a small town near Patras in Peloponnese. Where did you go in Greece?
We spent a lot of time in Athens. Also went to Mykonos, & Crete…I can’t remember all the places. I went with my Mother & we just went on our own…no tour or tour guide…only a guidebook. We had a wonderful time. This was in the 70’s..which is why I can’t remember anymore!
I love a quick and easy craft and you delivered big time on this one! We love it when you share multiple links with us at Celebrate Your Story and appreciate you joining us each week.
Sandra I love to visit your party and to share as much as I can. I hope you have a fantastic memorial day weekend.
I prefer it with the white colors! It look so beautiful! I ‘ll definitely keep my eyes open for this product!
The white really brightens it up a lot. And t his summer I’m doing the balcony in shades of blue so the table looks great next to the blue. This stuff is great, they have it periodically at Lidl. (They should pay me for mentioning them so much , right?)
I love this idea. Milk crates make great furniture, just ask any college student. I loved it so much, you’re my choice for featured blog on the Over the Moon Link Party. Come back Sunday evening to grab your badge.
Thank you Sandy. I tried to preserve the farmhouse feel of the piece and not make it look so modern or industrial. Thank you so much for the feature. I will see you Sunday. Have a great weekend.
This would be great for my front porch challenge I am doing!re desiging everything. Very easy to do. Need to add this to my list of potential side tables DIY.
Thanks
Maria
It was very easy Maria and loads of fun! Have a great Memorial Day weekend.
What a great idea! thanks for sharing on Welcome Home Wednesdays!
Thank youKailyn for dropping by.
You know I love the old milk crates, but even more I love the way you’ve repurposed them! I think that those who lived in the 1950s would be amazed! LOL And to think, they only used them for milk bottles.
Wow! What a great find, stain and varnish in one product? Great time saver, and it really looks great!
I can just imagine the folks from the ’50s looking at my home and shaking their heads. Or maybe they would be proud. Back then people were not as consumeristic as they are now and things were not disposable.
How cool! I love old milk crates, but I’ve really only seen them used as storage, so I love this is as a new, creative way to reuse them.
Kayla I keep on hearing that but it would be so hard to store things in this. It has such small compartements. And the metal is all warped on the inside. Part of it’s charm but still not functional. When I first saw these my instinct said “table”.
Great upcycled! Milk crates are awesome. Thanks for linking up #SustainableSundays!
Thank you Danielle, we need to help the environment as much as possible.
I find any recycling of milk crates, old metal or new plastic, interesting. I’m also interested in the “varnish paint”.
This was such a fun project for me I really enjoyed the rust.The paint was found at the Lidl stores here in Europe. Thanks for stopping by, I wanted to know if you have a blog so that I can also visit.
Thanks for hosting the party this week and LOVE this neat table made out of milk crates. I’ll pin it. Enjoy the weekend and be well. Nancy A @ obloggernewbie.blogspot.com
Thank you Nancy. And thank you for joining us at the party!
It`s so unique and rustic Mary, it looks fantastic!
Thank you Cristina. We get lots of use out of it.
Great but simple idea for backyard garden. Thank you!
I love easy Asad. Nothing gets away from me!
I love how you made this look so beachy! Love the colorful pillow.
Thank you Maria, that white really transforms it.
Super fun upcycle, Mary! You are so imaginative! Hugs!
Thanks Julie this one was begging for a makeover!