For those of you who follow me on social media, I have slowly been putting together one of my outdoor spaces.
Very slowly.
It’s been a really damp start to summer around here, inevitably setting back my plans to stain, build, and create. The first dry day in 8 bazillion days, in a few days I quickly throw together this little gem.
Recently, a good friend of mine found these old “Irwin” boxes in her garage. What an amazing find.
Ridley, always inspecting…
The print on the box even says “Baltimore” on it. What a unique and personal touch. I love good free “junk.”
Somehow my brain instantly saw a repurposed project; an old shipping crate turned into an outdoor storage ottoman. Nothing like functional design coupled with industrial decor.
Follow along and see how I turned this old box into a fantastic storage ottoman for my outdoor space.
So here’s what I used to create this project.
Supplies:
Tools:
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The crate, while sturdy, was not made from thick wood. Therefore, I decided to add a base to the crate constructed out of 2x4s. This gave some height to the original crate and provided a good foundation to anchor the casters.
Once the frame was established, I then screwed in these metal casters into the frame. {I picked up these casters at Home Depot, but it wasn’t till after I realized they were so much cheaper on Amazon.com. Who’s shocked?}
I really wanted to compliment the industrial look of the crate, and these metal casters did just that. Additionally, they were super easy to install.
Once the casters were in place, I used some stain I already had around the house to stain the new 2×4 wood. This helped blend the new wood together with the original color of the crate, giving it a uniform look.
Once the frame was established, I cut a piece of ¾” plywood top to use as the foundation of the concrete top. Next, I made sure there was a 2” overhang all the way around. A few quick cuts on my table saw, and they were ready to install. Centering the box onto the plywood I traced the edges. This insured me that the lid would be centered once the hinges were installed.
Then, I attached the plywood to the crate using two bull hinges set in 2” in from the edges. Actually, I was worried the hinges would cause the lid not to be level. Much to my surprise, the lid rests completely level! If yours is not level you can recess the hinges into the wood. Tricky, but doable.
Once the plywood top was attached, I mixed Ardex Feathering Concrete and applied a few 2 thin coats. Consequently, I didn’t want the top to be too heavy. Keep in mind, if the lid becomes too heavy, it may cause the entire piece to flip when the lid is opened. No bueno! Thankfully, this was not a problem for me! Phew!
Next, when mixing the feathering concrete, make sure you follow the packaging ratio. The consistency I like best is similar to smooth pancake batter. Now, the mixture will dry fast so work quickly! As it dries, use your fingers to smooth out any perfections.
Side Note: I absolutely LOVE Ardex Feathering Concrete {I’m not paid for this I promise, just being completely honest.} I’ve used other feathering concrete materials and they are gritty and difficult to work with. Ardex Feathering Concrete mix is so easy to use and spread. This stuff is self leveling and leaves a beautiful finish. Trust me, you’ll love it! #notanad
In between layers, I did a light sanding with 220 grit sandpaper, using my orbital sander. This helped level out any major imperfections. Eventually, it starts looking more like finished concrete.
I like how there are little imperfections, I feel like it gives the piece character.
Once I let the top dry for 24 hours, I applied a matte clear sealer to the top to ensure it was weatherproof. I applied two coats, giving ample dry time in between. Ultimately, this will ensure the longevity of this piece.
Obviously, Duncan loves being a model. He was born to be in front of the camera!
Here is a sneak peak into my finished outdoor space! I just love how it turned out! This ottoman totally completes the space while also giving me some extra storage. In the winter it’ll move inside and become a home for some plants, and did I mention…more storage!
Hope this project gives you a little inspiration! If you want to save it for later, don’t forget to pin it below.
OXOX,
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I’m Maria, a lover of furry things, coffee and anything creative. This blog is where I love to share affordable home decor ideas, great DIYs, yummy recipes, unique crafts and so much more.
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2 thoughts on “Outdoor Storage Ottoman Tutorial”
This turned out amazing – glad I found this treasure hidden in the garage for you!
Endlessly thankful!!!! XO