Rustic Wooden Boxes

Twiggy handled bliss

Rustic wooden boxes or twig handled trugs can be used for many things – as a top for an old worn out wheelbarrow, to put craft items, paints or tools in, or for storing towels in the bathroom.

Giving that country flair to your home and garden has never been easier.

Rustic wooden boxes can be made from barnboards or fence boards salvaged and given a new life, or you can use lumber scraps from other carpentry projects.

If you have access to driftwood, this project would be a really amazing driftwood craft.

There are techniques that give a brand new wooden box the look of antiquity, such as crackle paint and weathering and distressing.

Make your wooden boxes with the simplest of techniques – nailing together some pieces that have been cut to your preferred size.

For the bottom of the box, use a piece of plywood for added strength if you want to use it to store heavy items in, or simply more of the same or lighter lumber.

Even a simple box filled with plants can become a beautiful rustic accent for your garden

There are two ways (at least) to join the pieces; with a front and back the same length, then two shorter pieces in between, nailed in place through the two longer ones. The box above displays that method.

'Chasing' the pieces refers to another method to put the pieces together.

If they are chasing each other, this means that you start at one corner, and each subsequent corner you attach the pieces the same way.

Ways to embellish your rustic wooden box:

You can add a rustic twig handle and make the rustic wooden box into a tote or trug.

Add large wooden beads for feet to hold it up off the ground to stay dry.

Paint with a folk art design or symbols, and then rub some of the paint off with sandpaper to make it look really aged.

Rub linseed oil cut with turpentine on a rag over the whole thing to darken and preserve the wood.

Often, I find otherwise boring and common wooden boxes or plant flats, paint them or add a wiggly twig, and make something entirely new and exciting.

There are many creative ways to build and customize rustic wooden boxes to make them look antique and distressed.

Tie wire, my wire of choice, is perfect to wire the handle on. Or, you may prefer to nail or screw it in place.

Rustic Painted Trug with Driftwood Handle

Sometimes, simple is best - I often come across little plywood boxes in the recycle center or at yard sales. These can be sweet with just one addition - a twiggy handle.

Simple Wooden Box transforms into spectacular Rustic Tool Caddy with a Twig Handle

Whether it's somewhere to keep tools, or craft paints, it's never complete until it's got a custom made handle from a twig, or painted with one of my favorite designs, leaves.

When I saw these little cedar boxes my eyes got wide - I could see a rustic project in the making!

These are old plant boxes that nurseries used before selling plants in plastic containers.

Originally, they had ugly plastic strapping holding the ends together, which were also nailed.

I snipped off the strapping and used tie wire to replace it.

The boxes were actually nailed together as well, so the tie wire just adds another layer of security.

See more about how to use wire in your crafts.

I snipped off the strapping and used tie wire to replace it.

The boxes were actually nailed together as well, so the tie wire just adds another layer of security.

See more about how to use wire in your crafts.

attach a wiggly twig for a truly rustic look

A couple of twig handles later, I have two charming rustic wooden boxes with twig handles.

These are perfect for storing rustic craft tools and nails; for displaying terracotta pots of plants, towels in the guest bathroom, or any other use you can think of.

My Rustic Wooden Box Project - click on any image to open the gallery...

When I saw these little cedar boxes my eyes got wide - I could see a rustic project in the making!

These are old plant boxes that nurseries used before selling plants in plastic containers.

Originally, they had ugly plastic strapping holding the ends together, which were also nailed.

A couple of twig handles later, I have two charming rustic wooden boxes with twig handles.

These are perfect for storing rustic craft tools and nails; for displaying terracotta pots of plants, towels in the guest bathroom, or any other use you can think of.

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