Pretty & Simple DIY Plywood Storage Box

This pretty & simple DIY Plywood Storage Box can store blankets, pillows, toys, shoes, & more. It’s an easy beginner woodworking project!

I LOVE This Simple DIY Plywood Storage Box

If you’ve visited this blog before, you’ve probably noticed that I’ve got 2 little guys. Recently, I built some simple plywood bookshelves that doubled their book storage. That cleared up tons of space in the playroom.

Today, I’m tackling those big toys that don’t seem to have a home. This easy DIY Plywood Storage Crate is perfect for those big trucks, diggers, balls, and Paw Patrol vehicles that were cluttering the playroom.

But if you don’t have little kids, this DIY wooden storage box works for any room. Fill it with those extra throw pillows and blankets in the living room.

Your teen can fill it with all of the stuff that usually clutters their floors. Or pack it full of the games and puzzles scattered around the family room.

Adding the lattice trim and your favorite paint color means this box can be a fun and stylish addition to any room.

I designed this box to have an open top, but you can easily add a top to this box with hinges from your local hardware store. Or check out my DIY Toy Box Build Plans for a build that includes a top.

Now, let’s get this build started!

Materials Needed

• Wood Glue (I used this extra strong glue)
• 120 grit sanding block or paper
• Brad Nails and Brad Nailer
• Circular Saw and Miter Saw
• Wood Filler
• Paint or Stain and a Good Water-Based Polyurethane
• 1/2″ Plywood
• Around 40′ of 1 1/4″ or 1″ wide Lattice Boards – Unfinished if Staining, Primed if Painting

Build Notes

I originally built this DIY Storage Crate with 3/4″ edge-glued Pine panel board I had leftover from a project. BUT 1/2″ plywood should be used to make this box lighter to lift and cheaper to build.

Be sure to always wipe away excess glue before it can dry. Use a damp cloth to clean it off your wood.

And, of course, you can modify the size of this box to fit your room or needs. 🙂

Build Steps

Step 1

Cut your side pieces to size. I used 2 – 16″ x 24″ pieces for the long sides and 2 – 16″ x 16″ pieces for the short sides.

To get a perfectly square box, make sure the opposite sides are exactly the same length. If you’re horrible at making straight cuts, like me, a cutting guide can be used to guide your circular saw or jigsaw in a perfectly straight line.

Step 2

Lightly sand the plywood edges with 120-grit sandpaper before assembling. It’s easier to sand at this stage.

If you’ll be staining your crate, you’ll want to carefully sand the outside of the plywood with the medium grit paper and a fine grit paper. Wipe off dust with a tack cloth or very lightly damp cloth.

Step 3

Assemble the DIY Plywood Storage Box with your wood glue and brad nails. I used brad nails because it makes assembly so quick and easy.

Step 4

Once the sides are assembled, place the open bottom over your plywood. Trace outside the edges of the sides to make your cutting guide.

I normally inset box bottoms (like on my DIY Wood Storage Bins), but the Lattice Board trim will cover where this board attaches to the sides. And, I wanted to make this build easier for beginner woodworkers.

Use your saw to cut the bottom out. Give it a quick sand and wipe clean.

Step 5

Flip the sides over and attach the bottom to the sides with wood glue and brad nails. Make sure the bottom stays lined up nice and neat while you are nailing it on.

Step 6

Now you can add the decorative lattice board trim. I used my Miter Saw to cut these boards to size. A Miter Saw gives a much cleaner and straighter line on boards this thin.

I started with the top and bottom horizontal trim pieces on all 4 sides. I used glue and my brad nailer to attach the lattice boards. Start with the short sides of the box.

Next, I added the vertical pieces on the corners of each side. Again, start with the short side so that the long sides of the box don’t show the joint.

After all of the vertical pieces are attached, I attached the 2 middle horizontal pieces to each side.

Step 7

Now you can attach Lattice trim to the top edges of the box. I used 45-degree angles for a more finished look. But, if you don’t have a Miter Saw, you can use straight ends.

I would just keep the long sides of the top as 1 full piece, then fill in the gap on the short sides.

Step 8

After the glue is dried, fill in all nail holes and cracks with wood filler. For this job, I love DAP’s Drydex Wood Filler. You can use a metal putty knife to push the filler into long cracks.

Once that dries, lightly sand any spots that might need it. Then clean off the dust with a slightly damp cloth or tack cloth again.

Optional Step 9

This box would be great with 4 low 1″ caster wheels on the bottom. I skipped this for now because my boys are so young, they will use it as a battering ram. But when they get a bit older, I’ll be adding wheels.

Finishing Steps

Prime and paint or stain your DIY Plywood Storage Box. Then give it a couple good coats with polyurethane to make it extra durable. For this project, I used Magnolia Homes by Kilz Eggshell Interior Paint in Spontaneous.

I used it a couple months ago on this little table I stripped and I love the color! I also used this teal on the lower cabinets in my Before and After Laundry Room Makeover.

More DIY Projects For You

Looking for an even easier build to help you organize? Try this 1-Day DIY Book & Toy Storage Shelf. It doubles the book storage on top of cabinets and dressers.

This DIY Table Over Washer and Dryer – Laundry Table is always popular.

Or check out this DIY Farmhouse Style Activity Wall.

I also LOVE this DIY Play Kitchen for Kids – Easy Build Plan.

And this great Easy DIY Kids Birdhouse Art for Toddlers.

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Feeling inspired? Get out there and make your own Simple DIY Plywood Storage Box. Have fun and let me know if you have questions.

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