Every person is familiar with wooden containers: if you have never held them in your hands, then, undoubtedly, you have seen them in a store, market, enterprise, warehouse, etc. The thing is certainly very convenient, and to make a box with your own hands, you should pay attention to GOST 20767-75, which is used in production. For the manufacture of containers, softwood and hardwood boards with a standard thickness of 10 mm are used. The result is a product that is reliable and lightweight.
Source besplatka.ua
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.
Wall shelves
Slatted boxes are most often used, but plywood “models” are also available. Both options are useful for decorating a room. A wall storage system is needed in every home. Using hanging shelves, you can save space in a cramped bathroom, living room, kitchen, and even in a pantry or loggia. Fruit or vegetable wooden boxes make an excellent organizer that will help keep things and household items in strict order. After pre-processing the container, the modules are fastened together by screwing self-tapping screws into their side walls. If you need “single” shelves with spaces between them, then the scale of work is reduced. They are painted in the desired color, decorated and attached with the bottom cover to the wall vertically or horizontally. The sides will serve as shelves. In another option, the boxes are placed “naturally”, that is, one of the sides leans against the surface. Such shelves will be more spacious, but are used more often in closets, since the contents will not be displayed. An original solution would be to make a wooden frame in which the decorated drawers will be placed as pull-out containers. By the way, you can organize hanging shelves from baskets in the same way. To make the storage system look more beautiful, it is decorated with forged support at the bottom. Metal goes well with wood. An unusual design solution would be to decorate the wall in the hallway using drawers of different sizes. The center of the composition will be a mirror in a wooden frame. Boxes of different sizes are placed around it: some are used as key holders, others are used for hats and gloves, and still others are used for indoor plants and small decor. The design is completed by securing the slats with hooks for bags.
Wooden boxes can be decorated as original shelves for storing wine bottles. Inside, they are divided into sections using crossbars, and then varnished, decorated with twine, pieces of burlap, fixed to the wall and laid with a backing of hay. The themed wine storage shelf is ready. In another version, an open cabinet is made from a box. It is placed vertically, the top cover is reinforced with a decorative table top made of boards. Shelves are installed inside for horizontal placement of bottles, as in wine cellars.
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.
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.
How to make a classic box
Even a teenager with minimal skills in handling woodworking tools can cope with this task. Such a box is made from multi-layer plywood, and the selected sheet should not have visible damage: knots, cracks.
At the initial stage you will need a pencil and a ruler. In order not to complicate the task, it is better to choose the correct geometry of shapes for the walls, lid and bottom, for example, a square or rectangle. On a sheet of plywood, draw the outlines of four walls: 2 side walls are shorter and 2 front walls are longer.
Note! The sides of the bottom are calculated in such a way that after gluing the sides, it is recessed inside the walls.
Then all the drawn elements are carefully cut out with a jigsaw, the irregularities are processed with sandpaper. To ensure that the end and side walls are beautifully connected to each other, small grooves can be made at the edges of the ends, corresponding to the thickness of the plywood sheet. This tip will help give the case a monolithic look and overall make the structure stronger. The walls are glued together, then the bottom of the box is placed. If the lower part enters with difficulty, the edges are processed with a file. The bottom should fit tightly.
After this, they begin to make the lid. To make the design more original, it is better to choose not a flat, but a deep lid. For this, the scheme described above is used. A large blank is cut out, which will directly serve as the lid, end and side walls. In essence, it turns out to be a smaller copy of the casket body. All parts are sanded and glued together. The lid is attached to the body using small hinges. After assembly, the finished product is varnished or painted in any color you like.
In a similar way, you can make a box from solid wood. A wooden board is used for this. It must be sanded and cut into pieces of the required size. It is more difficult to cut wood with a jigsaw; it is better to use a circular saw. Curly edges can be made with a router.
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.
What and how to do
It’s probably not worth exploring the origins of such packaging, since no one mentioned it in any historical documents, but we know that it has been used since wood processing began. It is also known that such boxes are very convenient for storing and transporting vegetables, fruits, glass, manufactured goods and other items. Therefore, I want to tell you how to make a box with your own hands and what you will need for this.
Selection of materials and tools
Source morflot.su
Tools you will need:
- circular saw, jigsaw or hacksaw;
- hammer with nail puller;
- carpenter's square;
- grinding tools (if necessary);
- pencil, tape measure.
Note: if you decide to use self-tapping screws for fastening, you will need a screwdriver.
Source clubsamodelok.ru
What materials are needed:
- edged board and/or lath 20 mm thick;
- block 30×30 mm;
- plywood for the lid;
- awnings or piano hinge for lid;
- nails, screws.
Tip: to assemble a box for fruits or vegetables, it is better to choose light hardwood, for example, alder, linden, ash, and for technical purposes, cheaper coniferous species are suitable.
Assembling the box
Source podelki.org
If you have decided on the type of wood or what you will store in this container, you can start assembling. Look carefully at the photo above - you see the simplest and most reliable container, which is most often used for vegetables and fruits. Using this same principle, you can make a box from clapboard with your own hands, the slats will just be wider. Of course, the ideal option would be a board with a cross-section of 50×10 or 70×10 mm, but it is cut specifically for canning factories, and you are unlikely to find it on the open market.
Source m-strana.ru
Let's say you need potato boxes measuring 700x400x400 mm. Cut four bars 370 mm long, two 600 mm long, two 400 mm long (legs) and two 360 mm long. If you have 20x50 mm slats, then cut six pieces for the bottom, each 800 mm long (it will have slots). Place two slats parallel at a distance of 80 cm - this will be the bottom. Place these six planks on them equidistantly, but the planks should protrude 20 mm from the sides and ends of the bars. Fasten all elements with nails or screws 40 mm long.
Insert two 600 mm bars between the crossbars and also fix them through the board with nails or screws. As a result, you will end up with a design like the one in the top image. The margin around the perimeter should be 20 mm - this is the thickness of the slats that we will use on the sidewalls.
Source m-strana.ru
Now let's assemble two sidewalls 400x400 mm. Cut six slats to this length and arrange them on the bars as shown in the top image, only you need to have the crossbars on the bottom and the boards on top (the head of the nail or screw will be on the side of the slats). On the sides, the boards should protrude 20 mm above the beam, and from below - by 30 mm in order to overlap the crossbar and rest against the bottom. Nail or screw the ends to the bottom so that the fasteners pass through two bars at the same time (this is mandatory).
It remains to cut twelve slats 660 mm long and screw or nail them between the fixed ends. Make sure that along the entire perimeter the lower lamellas are fastened along the length with the bars, this also applies to the bottom. If the fasteners are normal, the bottom of the box will not fall out even under heavy load. Nail (screw) two slats on the bottom side - these will be legs that facilitate ventilation of the contents of the box.
If such a box is needed for some things, all the sides and bottom can be made solid, using the same assembly principle. In addition, if you use clapboard (board with chamfered edges), the box will be almost airtight. When painted, such containers are practically not afraid of dampness and protect the things that are inside.
Tip: if you work with dry lumber, the edges of the slats may crack from nails or screws. Therefore, before placing the fasteners into the block through the lamella, drill a Ø 2 mm hole in it.
Source peri.ru
If you need a lid for the box, cut a rectangle 710x405 mm from 4-5 mm thick plywood. It will extend beyond the perimeter by 5 mm, with the exception of the side where the hinges will be. Screw two canopies onto the top corner of the lid and sidewall, or, even better, a piece of piano hinge. It is not necessary to attach a handle - the lid can be lifted by grasping the protrusion.
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!
What is important when choosing boxes for shelving?
- In principle, there is no need to select the size of the boxes . But in order for the assembled structure to be similar to a shelving unit, try to make them the size of the bookshelves. Also, the boxes should be of different sizes; it’s not very nice when they are made to fit one size.
- It would be better if you process the drawers using wood sandpaper or a sanding machine.
- Before painting, the boxes must be treated with a primer.
- It is best to paint the boxes with acrylic paint, covering them in two layers.
- After painting, you need to apply varnish on top, in one layer.
- You can make good compositions from boxes . Also, the boxes can be placed either horizontally or vertically.
After all the recommendations, you will get a very beautiful and large rack; creating such furniture will not take much time.
Important: Before you start making a rack from wooden boxes, you should choose a specific rack design and size. If the apartment is small, then choose smaller drawers; if the apartment has a lot of space, then it is better to take larger drawers, since from the outside they will not look very nice in a small apartment.
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.
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.
We make miniature wooden boxes for harvesting
It's autumn, which means it's time to harvest! Let's make wooden mini-boxes from scrap materials.
Such boxes are good for dollhouse miniatures and for photographs of handmade vegetables or fruits. You can do them with children, as everything is very simple and accessible!
We will need:
- Moment Crystal glue, PVA or hot gun;
- 10 popsicle sticks is ideal. You can also use materials from ship modeling kits. Nowadays there are a lot of such magazines sold by DeAgostini;
- slats or chopsticks for sushi;
- file, jigsaw, breadboard knife or hacksaw blade - any option is suitable for sawing boards. I have this very convenient saw with a handle:
If you don’t have one, any cutting tool will do:
- a piece of sandpaper, a needle file or a regular nail file.
That's all, actually. As you can see, a minimum of materials.
So let's get started!
1. First, saw off the rounded part of the ice cream sticks. But you only saw off on one side!
The most convenient way to do this is on some unnecessary piece of wood:
2. Measure 7.3 cm on four sticks with a ruler and cut them off. These will be the bottom boards (the length is approximate, it all depends on what kind of sticks and slats you have).
3. You also need to cut 4 boards of 7 cm each, 1 for the sides, and 4 boards of 4 cm for the ends.
4. Then saw off 4 pieces of 3 cm length from the slats:
You can process the workpieces with a file or sandpaper. However, this is not necessary. Real boxes are made roughly, without finishing. Therefore, some roughness will only add naturalness to your work.
5. When all the blanks are made, you can start assembling. We take 4 bottom boards and glue an end board on top of them. The bottom boards can be placed tightly, or you can leave small gaps - also for more naturalness. Just keep in mind that then these boards will need to be a little longer.
On the other side we also glue a board on top.
6. Now glue the pieces of slats in the corners:
7. On them there is another end board with a gap between them:
8. And the last thing is to glue the side boards. In principle, it was also possible to imitate carnations - pierce holes with an awl and insert a piece of wire there. Try it, there are tons of options!
I don’t suggest painting or sanding such a box - I really like it like that. But, of course, you can cover it with stain and fit everything on the boards more carefully. You definitely don’t need varnish - that, in my opinion, would be overkill.
Enjoying the result
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.
Bedside tables and tables
From the drawers you can make cabinets, coffee tables and boxes for storing small items instead of plastic or wicker baskets. In the latter case, choose containers with high sides. It is simply sanded, varnished or painted and equipped with paired handles on the sides for ease of movement. Bedside tables are assembled from two drawers connected to each other. They store photographs, watches, phones, magazines and books, and the top cover is used as a shelf for lamps or indoor plants. To create a coffee table you will need:
- Four drawers;
- Plywood sheet;
- Self-tapping screws;
- Wheels (optional).
A square-shaped pallet is cut out of plywood. The width of its edges should correspond to the sum of the length of one box and the height of the other. If desired, you can add small indents of a couple of centimeters. Wheels are first attached to the pallet, and then the boxes are attached in a spiral, that is, the side of the next one rests against the back wall of the previous one. The empty middle is decorated with a flower arrangement, a group of candles or a lamp. This coffee table can be used to decorate your living room or backyard in the summer. It is complemented by sun loungers assembled from pallets or poufs from old tires, decorated with rope.
From miniature boxes you can make decorative boxes for jewelry or boxes for flowers on a holiday table.
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.
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.
How to make your own box
There are several options for making such structures; the choice often depends on the availability of tools in the house and skills in working with wood. We will talk about how to make the simplest wooden box with your own hands.
A few words about the material
First of all, we need to decide what type of wood we will use to make our work of art. Beginning craftsmen, in the first couple of years, should abandon high-strength, expensive varieties such as oak or beech.
Here it is better to take soft wood. The most affordable option in all respects is coniferous species, as well as alder or linden.
Unfinished box.
When choosing a material, you should consider what items or products the product is intended for storing. The fact is that decorative containers for tea or other bulk food products are usually made from hardwood.
Important: pine boards have a specific odor that is easily absorbed. For example, if you put green tea with jasmine in a pine box, then after a week your drink will smell like pine, not jasmine.
For those who are going to treat their box with a specialized stain, imitating expensive types of wood, it is better to give preference to linden. This breed has a light natural color and is well decorated.
Wine packaging.
Manufacturing highlights
- Wooden gift boxes are often small in size, so we will make just such designs. The instructions here are not complicated. Initially, we will need 4 planks to arrange the walls. Naturally, the thicker the board, the easier it is to work with. But small drawers with thick sides do not always look good; a thickness of 10 mm is considered the best option.
- The material for the bottom and lid is selected depending on the size of the structure. So, under a small box for wine or for a watch, it is easy to choose a monolithic natural board with a thickness of 10 - 15 mm. For covers on larger structures, as a rule, wooden plywood with a thickness of 8 mm or more is used.
Attaching the hinges.
- Any product begins with a sketch; the more carefully you draw it up, the easier it will be for you to work. According to the dimensions specified in the sketch, 4 planks for the walls are cut out. There are 3 ways to connect the sides; which one to choose depends on your professional skills in working with carpentry tools and the availability of this very tool.
- Planks with a thickness of 10 mm or more can be joined end-to-end by inserting 2 side panels between the front and back panels. In this case, the sides are glued together and additionally secured with thin nails or self-tapping screws. The method is quite simple, but it is customary to use it only if the product will be decorated with a continuous, non-transparent layer, for example, decoupage.
- The sides of small gift or jewelry boxes can be glued together by cutting the edges at a 45º angle. Ideally, a miter saw is used for this, but in the absence of one, you can carefully trim with a sharp knife, and then finish it with emery or a file.
Scheme of inclined connection.
- The most difficult thing for beginners is the tongue-and-groove connection. Using a cutter, sampling is done quickly and accurately. If it is not there, then the joints are cut out with a hacksaw or jigsaw, leaving a small margin, which is subsequently adjusted with a file.
Note! The same principle is used to assemble a window frame in a wooden house.
- The bottom can be made exactly to the dimensions of the box, then glued and preferably secured with self-tapping screws. But a wooden box will look more impressive if the bottom and lid are made wider than the frame, equal to the thickness of the side.
Product with a wide bottom.
Tip: in order not to spoil the look with self-tapping screws, you can mark the entry points with an awl and hammer in furniture nails, having previously cut off the heads from them. After which these points are puttied to match the color of the wood.
- Small piano or furniture hinges are used to secure the lid. Nowadays they can be found in hardware stores or departments selling furniture fittings, their price is a pittance. You can remove the hinges from an old box; as a rule, there is similar rubbish in every closet. In order to recess the hinges, grooves are cut in the upper part of the rear side.
Tongue-groove type connection.
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.
Application of pallets
From several pallets you can make a deep wooden box with an opening lid for growing garden crops in a greenhouse. To do this, the pallets are carefully disassembled into their component parts, nails are removed, and damaged boards are discarded.
The boards are cut to size based on the future shape of the box: rectangle or square. For the racks, 4 square bars are cut, their length depends on the height of the box.
The boards that will go on the side walls are laid in a row and a straight line is drawn at a distance of 15-20 mm from each edge. In accordance with the markings, apply a block and tighten the screws. The result should be two longitudinal walls. In order to subsequently equip the box with an inclined lid, the top board of one of the sides must be shortened by 3-5 cm.
The finished panels are installed in parallel, and the end boards are attached to the support bars. After this, the bottom is made from plywood. If the seedlings are grown outside, the lower element of the structure can be neglected.
The lid is made of a slatted frame corresponding to the size of the box. The elements are fastened together with flat metal corners. If the box has a large area, it is better to strengthen the lid with two longitudinal slats. Using a stapler, plastic film is nailed to the surface of the lid. 2-3 loops are attached to the back of the wall.
At the final stage, all wooden elements are treated with a special disinfectant composition to prevent rotting and the appearance of bark beetle larvae. For ease of use, the sides of the lid can be supplemented with window latches that will hold it in the half-open position. Now all that remains is to fill the box with soil and plant the seeds.
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
LiveInternetLiveInternet
Quote from Marie_Mary
Read in full In your quotation book or community!
Where does your old furniture go after purchasing new furniture? To the garage? To the dacha? To the “poor relatives”? But, as you know, if the furniture is still quite strong, it deserves to get a chance at a new life - just thanks to your imagination and skillful hands.
Suppose you have an old chest of drawers, a desk or kitchen cabinets that you don’t want to throw away, but there’s no point in leaving them in the same place, because you’ve already bought their new counterparts. What these pieces of furniture have in common is that they have drawers that can be turned into an unusual and practical interior element.
You can make original wall shelves and even racks from the drawers of an old chest of drawers, table or cabinet. On such improvised shelves you can place useful or simply beautiful little things, creating cute islands of decor. Most likely, such creativity will appeal to lovers of vintage solutions, as well as those who want to update their interior with virtually no investment.
Any old drawers will do - made of wood or chipboard, from a chest of drawers, a desk or an old kitchen:
any size and number of drawers can be put to good use, as you will see now. Here is the algorithm for your actions:
remove drawers from old furniture, check them for the integrity of surfaces and joints;
whether to remove the handles or not is a matter of taste, however, many believe that with them the look is more original;
change the appearance of the drawers if you want;
add cross shelves if you want to place small items in several tiers;
screw it to the wall with screws at a convenient height;
small drawers can be made removable - attach 2 fastenings to the back of the frame for hanging light furniture on the wall;
Arrange your little things or decor.
how to use drawers from an old chest of drawers or wardrobe Small drawers are optimal for interior decoration, and medium and large ones can be used to create additional storage space
option number 1: beautiful - displays for decoration:
Beautiful dishes, small plastic items, any collections and even photographs - all this in boxes mounted on the walls looks very unusual.
option No. 2: convenient - shelves for small items:
Books and CDs, bath and table accessories, shoes and jewelry, handicrafts and stationery, garden and household tools - this is not a complete list of small things that can be placed in boxes from old furniture hung on the wall.
how to make shelves from boxes more attractive and practical Change the look of the boxes as your imagination tells you and based on their purpose.
back wall decoration:
In this case, the “back wall” is the bottom of the box. How to make it more interesting? Remnants of wallpaper or fabric (for any surfaces), smooth or textured paint (for wood and plywood), chalkboard paint, sheet music or old maps. In a word, everything that can be found in the house.
internal shelves:
In boxes that will turn into volumetric shelves, it makes sense to make horizontal partitions, i.e. internal shelves. Sometimes they already exist as intended by the manufacturer. If you are going to place small but heavy items, take care to reinforce the bottom (with a wooden plank or bracket).
other ideas for creating shelves from old cabinet drawers If you have a lot of drawers from old furniture, you can create a creative composition. And shelves made of drawers can be horizontal, as if extending from the wall.
how to combine several boxes:
Back-to-back or spaced apart, at different angles and in combination with traditional shelves, adding wall decor or modular compartments.
horizontal mount:
In small drawers, traditionally mounted to the wall (with the handle forward), you can place even more small items. But they must be hung on reliable brackets used for shelves.
floor shelving from the drawers of an old chest of drawers You can also build a shelving unit, and even if it won’t be the most spacious, you won’t spend a penny! In addition to checking the reliability of the boxes and possibly updating their appearance, you will need to correctly compose the composition of the modules so that it is stable, and then firmly connect the boxes to each other, and then additionally attach them to the wall.
modular bookcase made from old drawers:
An equally interesting solution is when old wooden kitchen furniture contains not only drawers, but also frames. By turning the elements in different directions, create the optimal composition, if possible, without gaps. Attach each element to the wall, and add strong brackets below.
https://www.design-remont.info/2013/06/10/shelves-from-recycled-drawers/
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.
Types of storage boxes
It is selected for the interior of the balcony. There are three types:
- With drawers.
- In the form of a small cabinet with side doors (such designs occupy only one side of the loggia).
- Top loading. On the upper surface of the structure you can arrange a place to rest, turning the container into a sofa or bench.
The most popular type is a box with a hinged top lid.
Usually the third option is chosen because it is multifunctional. But if the balcony is not provided as a place to relax, choose one of the first two types.
The dimensions depend on the volumes to be stored and on the area of the balcony itself. Boxes are most often made with the following dimensions: height – 135 cm, depth – 65 cm, length – 1 meter.
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
How to assemble a box yourself
As mentioned above, the size and design of the box depends on its location and external conditions.
We will look at 3 options:
- Simple box;
- Balcony box;
- Multi-purpose storage system.
You need to choose the solution that best suits your case.
One design can have several compartments
Option 1 - simple box
Such a box for vegetables and fruits can be made in just half an hour
This type of product is suitable if you have shelving and the room temperature allows storage without additional insulation of the structure. To work, you will need a certain set of materials and tools, the list is given in the table.
Use a board of small thickness, then the product will be light
What is necessary | Recommendations for selection |
Boards and bars | For the work, a board 10-15 mm thick and a block measuring 20x30 mm or so will be used. The material must be dry. You can use both new and used elements, then the price of the product will be minimal |
Fasteners | You can assemble the structure using nails, screws or construction staples. It all depends on what you have on hand. If there is no special tool, then use nails and a hammer |
Protective composition | To impregnate the material, choose safe solutions that can be used for the food industry. Options based on natural oils are best suited |
Work tool | To cut wood you need a hacksaw, for measurements and markings you need a tape measure and a pencil. As for other devices, it all depends on the assembly method |
These are the main working devices
Now let's figure out how to make a box with your own hands:
- First, you need to decide where and how the structure will be located. Then measurements are taken and the optimal dimensions of the future product are determined. It is important to immediately make it convenient, and not assemble it according to the standard and then adapt;
- Then a rough sketch is drawn, you need to determine the dimensions of all the main elements: racks, strips for the bottom, as well as for the sides and ends. Markings are made using a tape measure and pencil. Cutting can be done with any tool that is at hand: a power saw, a jigsaw or a regular hand hacksaw. It is important to take accurate measurements so as not to spoil any element;
Measuring and cutting is an important part of the work process
For the side walls, you can use both boards and plywood with a thickness of 10 mm or more. This material is in no way inferior to ordinary wood.
If you have pieces of plywood, you can use them for the box
- Assembly is simple: first, the end sides are twisted or knocked down, then the sides are attached, and then the bottom. There are no special requirements, the main thing is to connect everything evenly so that the product does not turn out skewed. If self-tapping screws are used, then a screwdriver is needed; if staples are used, then a construction stapler is indispensable;
Assembly is a simple process if all the pieces are cut to size
- To avoid driving splinters during use, it is advisable to walk over the surface with sandpaper. The box is then cleaned of dust and coated with impregnation or paint that is suitable for use in the food industry. When the finish is dry, the structure is ready for use.
Protective composition increases the service life of the box
If you don’t have time to make them, you can look for plastic boxes based on the size of your shelving. The main thing here is to choose an option with optimal dimensions
Option 2 – balcony box
Storing vegetables on the balcony in winter is different from other rooms. Especially if the temperature changes are significant. In this case, structures are built that are more reminiscent of chests.
Let's figure out how to carry out the work and start with a list of materials and tools:
- Board for constructing a structure with a thickness of 10 millimeters or more. The most commonly used options are thicker by 20 mm or even more. Instead of boards, you can also use plywood if you have it;
- A block for the frame, its thickness depends on the size of the structure and the load that will be placed on it;
- Fasteners, most often nails or screws are used;
Self-tapping screws are the best solution when assembling such structures
- To insulate the structure, the easiest way is to use polystyrene foam or extruded polystyrene foam. The thickness of the sheets is from 3 cm and more. To improve the effect, sometimes the inner surface is additionally lined with reflective material called “Penofol”;
Insulation is an important part of the design
- The following tools will be used for assembly: hacksaw, tape measure and pencil, screwdriver.
Now let's figure out how to make a container with your own hands:
- First, determine the type of structure. The fact is that on the balcony you can make both a mobile, portable version and a stationary one, which is attached to the wall and floor. The second option is simpler for the reason that only the front walls need to be done. Measure the available space and determine what size drawer will be optimal;
- Next, a rough sketch is made. The design most often has a lid, so it should also be provided. If the structure will also be used as a sofa, then the upper part of the cover can be soft; for this purpose, foam rubber is laid on it and fabric or leatherette is attached;
Here is an example of a simple design for a balcony
- Based on the sketch, the dimensions of all elements are determined and the material is cut. First of all, the outer frame is assembled. You can do this however you like, as long as the structure turns out smooth and durable;
A chest for storing vegetables is assembled from scrap materials
- Foam plastic is laid inside the structure. First, a piece is cut to fit the bottom, and then the walls are closed. The easiest way to attach the insulation is with liquid nails, they will securely fix the elements. A piece is also glued to the lid, but it is cut out so that when closed, the thermal insulation does not rest against, but fits neatly into the internal cavity;
The easiest way to glue polystyrene foam is with liquid nails.
- The easiest way to cover the inside of the surface is with fiberboard sheets; this material is environmentally friendly and very easy to care for. The trim is also attached with liquid nails. Below is shown an option in which both the outer and inner walls are finished with fiberboard; this is a good solution that is inexpensive;
This option is easy to assemble, but does its job perfectly.
- The inner surface can be additionally covered with reflective material to create the effect of a thermos. This is an excellent solution for those whose balcony temperature can drop to -3 degrees in winter. This design will protect vegetables without any problems;
How to store potatoes on the balcony in winter if the temperature sometimes drops below zero? Use an option with insulation and reflective material inside
- The finished structure can be coated with a protective compound where necessary, after which the box can be used for its intended purpose. If it will also be used as a seat, then foam rubber is placed on top and covered with fabric, which is secured with a stapler.
You can use the box as a bench without a soft lining, in which case the surface needs to be sanded well
There is a simpler solution to constructing a warm box. Take a large box and add 10-15 cm of sawdust to the bottom. A smaller box is inserted inside so that there is 10 cm between the walls on each side. The space is also insulated with sawdust, and you get a simple but warm structure.
This is what the simplest version of a warm box looks like
Option 3 - multi-purpose structures
If you need a compact design in which you can simultaneously store different vegetables and fruits, then this option will come in handy. Drawers and a spacious tray on top will allow you to store supplies for 1-2 weeks, the system is very convenient to use.
This option is suitable for those who store small stocks of various vegetables and fruits
Let's figure out how to assemble such a structure.
For work we need the following materials:
- Bar 50x50 mm - approximately 10 m.p.;
- Board 25x75 mm – 25 pieces, 3 meters each;
- Rail 25x50 mm – 7 pieces, 3 meters each;
- Self-tapping screws for fastening and furniture bolts M8x100 mm – 8 pieces.
Furniture bolts are good because their head does not stick out
The tool you need is the following:
- Screwdriver with a set of drills and bits for self-tapping screws;
- Tape measure, pencil and square for marking;
- Hacksaw for cutting elements.
The process consists of the following stages:
- First you need to cut the following elements: racks from a 50x50 mm bar, 4 pieces of 960 mm each, guides for trays from a 25x75 board - 16 pieces, 600 mm long. Front and rear cross members are made from boards - 4 pieces of 705 mm each. Amplifiers with a length of 1040 mm are cut from a bar, both ends of which are cut parallel to each other at an angle of 60 degrees;
- For trays, the following elements are cut: 14 pieces of 600 mm each are made from a 25 by 50 rail for the side walls, and 14 pieces of 550 mm each are needed for the front and rear parts. For the bottom, a 25x75 board is cut, you need 49 pieces of 600 mm each;
- First of all, the trays are assembled, there will be 7 of them. The process is very simple, below is a diagram of the arrangement of elements, which will not be difficult to understand. First, the frame is assembled, and then 7 boards are packed onto the bottom with small gaps for ventilation;
You need to collect seven such trays
- The side walls are assembled; for this, the side boards are attached to the racks in a certain order. All instructions are in the diagram below; first of all, you should screw on the upper and lower cross members, after which the diagonals are checked. If the element is smooth, then the remaining parts are fixed;
The sides look like this
- To strengthen the side parts, they are reinforced with spacers that are arranged crosswise. Half-thick cutouts are made in them to connect the structure;
- The crossbars are secured last; they are best secured with bolts, for which holes with a diameter of 8-9 mm are pre-drilled.
Cross members are bolted
- Next, all elements are impregnated with a protective composition. After it dries, the boxes are inserted into place, and the structure can be used for its intended purpose.
To make the drawers move more easily, I recommend rubbing the guides and the bottom of the drawers with paraffin. This will reduce friction, the structure will work easily and wear less.
If you need a container for potatoes, you can build the structure shown in the photo below. It is simpler than the option described above; you need to assemble the sides, and at the bottom make an inclined bottom with a small tray on the outside. This system allows you to conveniently pick up potatoes.
Another interesting option