Are Wooden Crates Good for Shelving? A Practical Guide for UK Homes
- Monica
- Jun 6
- 5 min read
Are Wooden Crates Good for Shelving?
When customers ask me about wooden crates, one of the most common questions is:
"Can I actually use wooden crates as shelves?"
The short answer is yes.
In fact, wooden crates are one of the most practical storage solutions for many UK homes, especially where space is limited.
We've been selling wooden crates in our Yorkshire workshop since 2020, and we've seen customers use them as bookcases, bedside tables, toy storage, shoe racks, vinyl storage, kitchen shelves and even bathroom organisers.
The key is choosing the right size crate and understanding where they work best.
Why Wooden Crates Make Excellent Shelves
Unlike traditional shelving, crates give you both display space and storage space.
Instead of a flat shelf where everything is visible, a crate creates a compartment that helps keep items organised.
This is particularly useful in:
Victorian terraces
New-build homes
Narrow hallways
Box rooms
Loft conversions
Small apartments
Many UK homes simply don't have room for deep furniture. A standard bookcase is often 28–35cm deep. Many of our wooden crates are only:
21cm deep
30cm deep
40cm deep
This makes them much easier to fit into tighter spaces.
Are Wooden Crates Strong Enough?
Cheap decorative crates are often designed only for display.
Solid wooden crates built from proper timber are a different story.
Our standard crates are made from Scandinavian redwood and are regularly used for:
Books
Shoes
Vinyl records
Children's toys
Storage baskets
Plants
Folded blankets
A properly built crate can comfortably handle everyday household storage.
The important thing is ensuring the crate has:
✔ Solid timber construction
✔ Secure joints
✔ Proper shelf supports (where applicable)
The Biggest Advantage: Flexibility
This is where crate shelving really stands out. Traditional shelving is fixed.
Wooden crates can change with your needs.
For example:
You might start with two crates beside a sofa.
Later you add another two and create a small bookcase.
A year later you rearrange them into a toy storage unit.
The furniture evolves with your home.
This is particularly useful for growing families.
Best Rooms for Wooden Crate Shelving
Living Room Storage
Crates work brilliantly as open shelving.
Customers often use them for:
Books
Candles
Family photos
House plants
Board games
If you're looking for an alternative to a traditional bookcase, stacked crates create a much more relaxed appearance.
Hallway Storage
Hallways are usually one of the hardest areas to organise.
Most are narrow and can't accommodate deep furniture.
This is where shallow crate storage becomes useful.
Many customers use crates for:
Shoes
School bags
Dog leads
Hats and gloves
Explore Shoe Storage Collection.
Bedroom Storage
Wooden crates make surprisingly good bedside tables.
A single crate provides:
Surface space for a lamp
Storage for books
Storage for chargers
Space for baskets
For smaller bedrooms this often works better than a conventional bedside cabinet.
Explore Woodenify Bedside Tables.
Home Office Organisation
Many people now work from home but don't have a dedicated office.
Crates can help organise:
Paperwork
Files
Printers
Office supplies
They can also be stacked vertically where floor space is limited.
Can Wooden Crates Be Wall Mounted?
Yes, but it's important to use suitable fixings.
Wall-mounted crates work well for:
Display shelves
Bathroom storage
Children's rooms
Kitchen storage
However, heavier storage should always be floor-standing.
A crate filled with books can become surprisingly heavy.
If in doubt, always use appropriate wall fixings for your wall type.
Wooden Crates vs Traditional Shelves
Create compartments | Open storage only |
Easy to rearrange | Fixed position |
Can be stacked | Usually permanent |
Freestanding options | Usually wall-mounted |
Useful for awkward spaces | Better for large walls |
Neither option is right or wrong. It depends how you use your space.
Many customers actually combine both.
For example:
A floating shelf above.
Wooden crates underneath.
This gives both display and practical storage.
The Honest Downsides of Wooden Crate Shelving
Wooden crates are not perfect for every situation.
A few things worth considering:
They Take Up More Depth
A crate is effectively a box.
That means it will always project further from the wall than a simple shelf.
If space is extremely limited, a floating shelf may be better.
Books Need Planning
Not all books fit all crate sizes.
This catches some people out.
Before ordering, measure:
Book height
Book depth
Required shelf opening
For example:
A typical paperback may fit easily.
Large art books may not.
Crates Look More Informal
If you're after a very modern fitted look, traditional cabinetry may suit your space better.
Crates tend to feel more relaxed and practical.
What Size Wooden Crates Work Best for Shelving?
The answer depends on what you're storing.
Small Crates
Example- Approx. 39cm x 21cm x 15cm
Best for:
Bathrooms
Bedrooms
Decorative shelving
Visit Small Wooden Crates.
Standard Crates
Example- Approx. 45cm x 30cm x 18cm
Best for:
Books
Toys
General household storage
Visit Wooden Crates with Lids
Large Crates
Example- Approx. 50cm x 40cm x 30cm
Best for:
Blanket storage
Vinyl records
Large baskets
Visit Large Wooden Crates.
Are Wooden Crates Worth It?
For many homes, absolutely.
They're particularly useful if you:
Need flexible storage
Live in a smaller property
Like furniture that can be rearranged
Want storage that serves more than one purpose
Many of our customers start with a single crate and end up building an entire storage wall over time. That's something traditional shelving rarely offers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can wooden crates hold books?
Yes. Solid wooden crates are commonly used as book storage and small bookcases.
Can wooden crates be stacked?
Yes, provided they are properly positioned and the weight is distributed evenly.
Are wooden crates suitable for hallways?
Very much so. They're often more practical than deep hallway furniture.
Can I use wooden crates in bathrooms?
Yes, although good ventilation is always recommended in high-moisture environments.
Explore Woodenify Wooden Crates
At Woodenify, every crate is handmade in our Yorkshire workshop from solid Scandinavian redwood.
We offer:
Whether you're organising a narrow hallway, creating a crate bookcase or simply looking for practical storage that can adapt as your home changes, wooden crates remain one of the simplest and most useful shelving options available.
Looking for Wooden Crates?
Browse our collections:
Or contact us with your measurements and we'll help you choose the right crate for your space.
Wholesale Wooden Crates Available
Alongside individual customer orders, we also offer wholesale wooden crates and crate furniture for:
Cafés.
Retail displays.
Salons.
Market stalls.
Independent shops.
Event displays.
Many businesses use rustic wooden crate furniture because it feels warmer and more natural than plastic shelving or metal storage units.
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