Introduction: Milk Crate Chair for Camping or Vinyl Storage Upgrade

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About: Howdy! I'm documenting my projects and sharing how I pulled them off on here. Some of my interests include welding, sewing, CNC/Manual machining, woodworking, camping, electronics tinkering, gardening and anyt…

Milk Crates are great form of modular storage! I came up with an easy upgrade that lets you use them as a chair to maximize small spaces. Perfect for camping, vinyl, dorms, and tiny houses!

Materials

  1. Milk Crate: If you place on using this for storing vinyl I've found that 13.75'' on all sides work perfect for vinyl. If you are just using it for general storage the size doesn't matter as much.
  2. Paracord: This is what will tie it all together and act as the hinge and supports. It is important to use paracord as it doesn't stretch so your knots will remain tight.
  3. A small section of 3/4'' plywood.
  4. Sand Paper
  5. Wood Stain
  6. Fabric for storage bag (Optional)

Tools

  1. Drill with a drill bit approximately 1/4''
  2. Scissors
  3. Sander
  4. Paint brush
  5. Staple gun (Optional)

Step 1: Seat and Back Rest

Depending on the dimensions of the crate your measurements will vary but I'd recommend adding a 1/8'' or so extra to accommodate for the seat slightly shifting.

  1. If using a 13.75'' crate then cut two pieces of 3/8 plywood to 14''.
  2. Sand the edges down till they are round. You can use a power sander although a router would be quicker.
  3. Stain if desired.

Step 2: Creating the Hinges

The hinges are simple and quick to make.

  1. Line up the seat and backrest with the crate.
  2. Drill four holes into the plastic crate and another four that correspond with both pieces of the wood.
  3. Take the paracord and tie loops through the holes.
  4. If the hinge is sloppy then tighten the knots by redoing them or tying two of the loops together with a knot that runs perpendicular to the hinge.

Step 3: Chair Supports

The chair backrest is held upright with paracord supports. They are strong enough I can lean back and gently rock the chair. I weigh 160ish lbs so it's reasonably strong

  1. First drill two holes near what will be the top of the chair.
  2. Tie paracord through both of the holes that were just drilled.
  3. Tie a carabiner to one end of the support
  4. Make a loop on the end of the other support. It is important to adjust the loop so it holds the back at a good angle. At first I set it leaning a little towards the front of the chair, after a few uses the knots tighten it will sit at an appropriate angle.

Step 4: Interior Bag

It's simple to add a bag to the bottom of the seat.

  1. Cut your fabric to fit in the square of the chair.
  2. Once lined up staple it in place.
  3. Add a loop of fabric to make opening the bag and the chair easier.
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