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DIY Colorful Crate Book Case {Color My Home Blog Series}

Published: Jul 22, 2013 by Ashley Phipps · 480 words. · About 3 minutes to read this article. · 6 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads and sponsored posts · This blog uses cookies · See our privacy policy for more info Filed Under: Craft, DIY

Welcome to another fabulous day of my Summer Blog Series:  Color my Home!  I am so excited to have Emily from The Benson Street on my blog today, showing us how to make this super cute Cobalt Blue Crate Book Case!  And she even shows off how she distressed this using something I've really been wanting to try!!  And I just love how it turned out!  

Hey I'm Emily and I blog over at The Benson Street. I love to do quick craft projects, try new recipes and celebrate holidays.
emily  Button
Today I am so excited to share with you a DIY Colorful Crate Book Case. It is a great way to add color to a very neutral room on a budget. This project cost me total of $35. 
Cobalt Crate Book Case Project at www.thebensonstreet.com
Supplies:
  • 3 wooden crates (I bought mine at Joann's with 50% coupons I've seen them at Michael's too)
  • Spray paint (I used 4 cans of Krylon Oxford Blue Satin finish)
  • Distressing Ink Pad (I got a black color)
  • Sand paper
Crate Book Case at www.thebensonstreet.com
Crate Shelf at www.thebensonstreet.com
Start by painting the crates. It took a couple of coats. I would spray it and then let it dry and spray it again, until it was completely covered.
Crate Painting at www.thebensonstreet.com
I love how the blue color turned out, after about 3 or 4 coats.
Painted Crate Book Shelf at www.thebensonstreet.com
After the paint has completely dried. Sand the edges to distress each crate. Go to town if you want a lot of distressing or just do a little bit.
Painted Crate at www.thebensonstreet.com
Wipe off the dust from the sanding and then rub the distressing pad over each of the crates on all the sides. It really brings out the wood grain in the crates. Allow the ink to dry. I left mine for a couple of hours.
Antiquing Crate Book Case at www.thebensonstreet.com
Stack the three crates on top of each other and use colorful books and frames to dress it up. For a sturdier bookcase secure the crates together. I wanted to keep mine flexible so I just stacked them. It seemed pretty stable, but if it were any higher with small children, I would secure it.
Distressed Colorful DIY Crate Book Case at www.thebensonstreet.com
The top had some summery green flowers and vases. On the top shelf I put a yellow frame and aqua dish with decorative balls. 
Cute Crate Bookshelf at www.thebensonstreet.com
In the middle crate I put some fun colorful books with a bookend. In the bottom crate I used faux book and floral arrangement. Each of these elements adds color in a fun way that is super easy.
Distressed Cobalt Crate Book Shelf at www.thebensonstreet.com
I love how it finished with the sanding and the black ink pad. It would have been fun with a brown color too.
Colorful Crate Shelfs at www.thebensonstreet.com
 This cobalt blue color is awesome. I love it!!! It will go perfect in my neutral basement and add lots of color.
Colorful Book Case with Crates at www.thebensonstreet.com
Thanks for hanging out with me and my new love (DIY colorful crate bookcase) today. I hope to see you soon over at The Benson Street.
| DIY Colorful Crate Book Case {Color My Home Blog Series} | 3 |

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Dear Emmeline

    July 24, 2013 at 9:27 am

    pretty blue!

    Reply
  2. Krissy Sherman Bonning

    July 25, 2013 at 9:27 am

    Love this idea! I could see a whole wall of different colored shelves in a kids' room - Fun!

    Reply
  3. Jason&Jamie Koenig

    July 25, 2013 at 11:14 am

    Thats a very cool idea for shelf. Would be perfect for a kids room.

    Reply
  4. Ashley Costello

    July 30, 2013 at 10:55 am

    I love this! Very different take on the traditional book shelf

    Reply
  5. Nikki

    August 01, 2013 at 8:33 am

    How would you stabilize this?

    Reply
    • Ashley Phipps

      August 03, 2013 at 7:31 pm

      She left hers just stacked, but you could easily nail or screw them together if you wanted to be sure they stayed together better!

      Reply

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