8 New Ways to Use Old Wooden Crates

Old wooden crates tend to evoke feelings of nostalgia—of the simple, good life. They also happen to be an amazingly versatile (and often free) source of inspiration for creative furniture, decorative home accents, inventive storage solutions, and more. From natural to rustic to vintage, each wooden crate has its own distinct character. What you do with them is up to you: some crates may have enough personality to stand on their own; others may want some paint, stain, or other embellishments. So whether you have single wooden crate and an hour of time—or a whole bunch and a weekend to dedicate to your project—here are eight modern ideas for giving old crates new life.

12 Things You Never Knew Chalk Can Do

Most people associate chalk with elementary school blackboards and sidewalk hopscotch games, but chalk can be a surprisingly handy helper to have around the house. Chalk has a wide variety of cleaning and home improvement applications, ranging from banishing stains and odors to preventing rust and ant incursions. Here are just a few interesting and practical uses for chalk.