Storing Fruits and Veggies in Style
This month’s Power Tool Challenge theme is Spring… If it hasn’t yet “sprung” in your area, it will be shortly and with Spring comes thoughts of gardening. For us, that means a vegetable garden and I figured we’d need a place to store all of the fabulous fruits, veggies and herbs we plan on growing. The DIY furniture plans to build a Fruit and Vegetable Bin is a super-simple build featuring spindle legs, casters and mesh bottoms in each of the bins. In all honesty, this piece took longer to paint than it did to cut and assemble!
Materials:
- 1-3/4″ brad nails
- 2″ brad nails
- 2″ casters with sleeves
- 8 – 2-1/2″ angle braces with 3/4″ screws
- 1/4″ hardware cloth (galvanized mesh)
- 1/2″ staples
- Wood glue
- Sandpaper (100, 150, 220 grits)
- Finishing supplies (primer & paint, or stain, sealer)
Lumber:
- 4 – 36″ spindles (I used treated spindles used for deck rails)
- 1 – 1×8 at 4′
- 1 – 1×8 at 8′
Cut List:
- 4 – 1×8 at 11″
- 4 – 1×8 at 18″
Step One
Cut the pieces for the bin boxes. Assemble the boxes using glue and 1-3/4″ brad nails. The longer pieces will overlap the ends of the shorter pieces.
Install the angle braces at the center of each joint on the inside. The braces help keep each of the bins square since there is no ridgid bottom.
Step Two
The spindles will be cut down to accommodate the boxes. They can be used as is, if desired, but I felt there would be too much space between the boxes. I cut 3-1/4″ off of one end of the spindles (for the top box), and 4″ off of the lower end of the spindle to allow for the casters and a space to attach the lower box.
Drill a hole in the bottom end of the spindles to accommodate the caster sleeve. See the manufacturer’s instructions for bit size and depth of the hole.
Step Three
Secure two of the legs to one of the boxes (with the top edges flush) using glue and 2″ brad nails through the spindle into the end of the longer pieces of the box.
Position the legs on the lower second box so they overhang by about 2-1/4″. Secure the lower portion of the legs to the box using glue and 2″ brad nails.
Secure the remaining two legs to the opposite side of the boxes.
Paint or stain the bin as desired. I chose not to paint the inside of the bins.
Step Four
Cut two pieces of hardware cloth at 17″ x 21″ (very important – wear gloves!). Cut a square out of each corner so that there won’t be any extra mesh in the corners. I forgot to measure the cuts at the corners but if you hold the mesh over the top of the box, it will be easy to determine what needs to be cut away. Fold the edges of the hardware cloth (approximately 1″ or 4 squares), then fold the sides into a basket-like shape so that the piece will fit inside the bin. Secure the hardware cloth in place with 1/2″ staples. A hammer can be used to flatten the fold at the top of the wire.
Install the casters.
I also added vintage drawer pulls (spray painted white) to the sides and a fabulous graphic from The Graphics Fairy.
Here are the projects from my fellow bloggers:
Chevron Wood Easter Egg by Kim Six Fix
Wooden Swing Shelf by Domestically Speaking
Wooden Easter Eggs by Create And Babble
Repurposed Easter Cross by Prodigal Pieces
Planter Box Centerpiece by Refresh Restyle
Upcycled Drawer Front Planter by Confessions of A Serial DIY’er
Rustic 3 Panel Wall Decor by Designed Decor
Key West DIY Wood Planter Box by H2OBungalow
Baseball Bookends by Virginia Sweet Pea
Chair Back Bird Feeder by Interior Frugalista
Wood Slice Rolling Plant Stand by My Repurposed Life
They always have the most awesome projects!
If the bin is constructed entirely out of treated wood, it can be used as a planter… I may make that next! Have any questions about the DIY furniture plans to build a Fruit and Vegetable Bin? Leave a comment below!
Originally posted 2016-03-17 07:00:55.
24 Comments
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Fantastic DIY and so CHIC!
Thanks, Larissa! Now to get the garden to produce as I want it to fill it up… 🙂
I could use one of these in my cold room but yours is far too pretty to be kept in a basement. Excellent tutorial!
Thank you so much, Marie! It will be a great place to keep my potatoes so the dog doesn’t eat them! 🙂
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Love it! I think when your fruits and veggies are insight you’re more likely to eat them too… smart!
Exactly my thinking, too, ha ha! 🙂
This would be so useful in my pantry. I love the graphic that you added.
Thank you, Paula! I’ve already put it to good use!
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nice job Cher! I love Gorilla Glue, and how you have it upside down… sometimes I get so impatient waiting for it to get to the spout.
pinning!
gail
Gorilla Glue is my favorite and I made the holder especially for the bottle. I think it is time for a new holder because the hole is full of – you know – “accidents” where I left the cap open!
What a great project, Cher! last year we had cucumbers for miles and this sure would have been helpful! XO
Thank you so much, Christy! That is my goal for the garden this year – to fill the bin! 🙂
Loving this veggie bin! I thought of using it as a planter too, like a dry sink. I think I’d have a hard time choosing between the two 🙂
Build TWO, Wendi!! They are cheap and easy, ha ha! 🙂
I love this veggie bin! About how much would it cost to make one?
Hi, Tracy! Thanks so much! This veggie bin would cost roughly $25 to $30 to make. Hope this helps! 🙂
You had me at bin on wheels! Such a great idea!
Thank you so much! I like that I can wheel it out of the way though if I can fill it, I might leave it out! 🙂
Using the mesh so the veggies can get air flow is so smart!
Thanks, Kim! Hopefully, it will keep them fresher for a longer period of time! 🙂