Even though we don’t have kids, Jon and I realized we really needed to focus on toy storage. Specifically, though, cat toy storage. Because our boys are VERY spoiled and have a ridiculous number of kitty toys that get strewn around on a regular basis.
For years, we’ve been using a vintage egg basket as a cat toy basket, holding their abundant collection of playthings.
Cute in theory, but messy in real life.
So, I decided to DIY my way to cat toy storage. Something that was practical and functional; something that fit our aesthetic (i.e., vintage, industrial/primitive); and something that could keep the “fishing pole” toys under control.
Since I’m always drawn to old wooden crates, that’s the route we decided to take for a cat toy box. I also wanted it on wheels.
So, I went to a favorite antiques shop and found the PERFECT crate. Not too big, fantastic wood grain variation, and just enough faded lettering to give it that industrial charm.
And I lucked out by finding four matching salvaged casters! It was truly divine intervention, vintage-style.
Now we just needed to modify the crate so that it would organize all the cat toys, including the wand-style cat toys, as well!
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Building a Cat Toy Box
First, we cut out two rectangles of wood at the right dimensions to create a small square in one corner of the crate.
Once the pieces were cut, they were sanded down and glued together to form a 90° angle. Wood glue and clamps to the rescue!
Luckily for me, I already had some wood stain on hand that was a very close match to the coloration on the vintage crate.
Next, I used a spray-on top coat to seal the insert once the stain had thoroughly cured.
Once the insert, we were ready to put everything together!
Finishing the Cat Toy Storage
First, we used wood screws to attach the insert in one corner of the vintage crate.
This will keep the wand cat toys or fishing pole toys upright! Now they won’t get in a tangled mess.
Then, we began to attach the vintage casters to the underside of the crate.
Finally, all four casters were attached and our cat toy storage was done!
Now we just needed to fill it up with all the kitty toys!
Cat Toy Storage in a Vintage Wooden Crate
Ta-da! A VERY cute, VERY functional, and VERY charming way to store all the cat toys!
Straight out of the Pottery Barn CATalog.
Cottonball is, of course, fascinated by his new toy box and enjoys pulling out toys one by one. Wrigley is less enthused and would rather take a nap. Very typical for the Seasongoods’ Kitties!
Even if we didn’t have cats, I would totally make this and use it for other storage! It has great industrial farmhouse style, no matter what you put in it.
And if you enjoyed this upcycling idea for cat toy storage, then you may also love this repurposing idea for a DIY cat cave, too!
Craft on!
S
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Sarah Ramberg is the owner of Sadie Seasongoods, a website that celebrates all things secondhand. From upcycling ideas and thrifted decor to vintage-centric travel itineraries, Sadie Seasongoods is a one-stop shop for anyone who loves thrifting and approachable repurposing ideas. Sarah is also the author of “Crafting with Flannel” and has been featured in numerous media outlets and magazines.
Love this so much, it would even be perfect for kids toys too 🙂 Trust me, I feel you, my house is always crazy and never “finished” I don’t think I’d ever be able to do a house tour! Pinning this 🙂
Thanks, Sam!! It’s nice to know I’m not alone!! 😉
What a brilliant idea, I really love it! we don’t have an antique shop in our town but I must keep an eye out for more upcycling goodies 🙂
I’m another that won’t be doing a house tour. Not even a craft room tour at the moment or anytime in the near future!! x
Glad I’m not alone in keeping my mess a secret! 😉
Genius!! I have our fishing pole toys flat in a old long open pine tool carrier, & the other toys in an old big round handled basket. I think it was used to sell apples or pears in the farmers’ market. The casters just make your crate. 😎
Thank you so much!
Love that crate! You got a great find at the antique store. And the little square for the fishing poles is genius. The kitties can play with them even when the toys are put away.
Right??? Thanks, Lela!
This is so cute! We have so many crinkly foil balls and things thrown around from our sweet little cat, but when clean up time calls, I have no idea where to put them! This would be a perfect little spot! (And something a little extra to decorate the apartment!) 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing this!
Awesome idea! Love the squared-off corner for the tall toys….now, where did I see that vintage crate the other day…..
Thank you!!
Great vintage repurpose, l adore using vintage crates, you can never have enough and is it me or are they getting harder to find?
And crazy expensive!! :/
OMG – this is adorable! I’m currently using an antique wooden bucket for my fur-babie’s toys, but I think something like this is far more fitting. The amazing thing to me about having cats is you don’t think they’ll make a mess, but yet every morning when I wake up there are pipe cleaners and kitty sushi toys strung through the house. 🙂 Great job on this!
Thank you so much!!! And YES, we find toys in the morning that weren’t out the night before, too!!!
Wow, this looks great and I could see it being used for all kinds of storage! Yeah, I’m with you, I don’t think you’ll ever see a home tour on my blog either! Thanks for sharing at the #HomeMattersParty with us!
Thanks, Nicole!
I love the old crate! smart idea to add the rollers and use it to store toys. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
This is a great idea! Thanks for sharing with the Thursday Blog hop!
I love the look of this toy crate and that You put the box on wheels. No cats here but I think it will work great for our puppy’s toys. Thanks so much for sharing this project at Dream. Create. Inspire. Link. Take care, Tara
Thank you, Tara! And YES, definitely perfect for doggie toys, too. 🙂
You really do create the coolest things!!! Love this, love the box!! Thanks for sharing this on MMM! 🙂
Cathy
Awww, thank you!! Thank YOU for hosting! 🙂
What a fabulous idea! Thanks for sharing at my Grandma Ideas Sharing Time link party. I really appreciate your participation!
That’s a great toy storage chest. We have cat furniture and a cardboad box in our living room for toys. I moved our buffet to clean and had a whole line of water bottle caps and milk bottle rings back there.
Thanks, Linda! That’s what happens to us when we move our couch…but it’s always different chapsticks and ink pens!
I love to see what you will share with us! You have such incredible projects & this one is amazing as well. There are so many uses for this. I know I always need a place to store magazines-this would be perfect! Thanks for sharing at Friday Favorites. We hope you will join us again. Michelle
Wow this is such a great idea. We have two cats and their toys are all over the place so this would be a really good way to organize them!
Thank you!!
Sarah – I always love seeing your projects! You have some of the best up cycles! I’ve been really wanting a crate like this for our house. Although I want it for all of my daughters blocks instead of cat toys. Although my house sounds like yours a mine field of debris! Thank you for sharing at Dream. Create. Inspire. Link! I can’t wait to see what you’ve made this week!
Cat
Definitely a minefield…a minefield that changes overnight! 😉
What a great idea! I have been looking around in the shops for something suitable for storing all our cat toys in, now you have inspired me to get making my own!
Thanks, Kaylene!!
I just love it!!! I may just transform my crate too! Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Christine!! And thank you for hosting such a great party each week! 😀
Cute! Thanks for Sharing on My 2 Favorite Things on Thursday!! Hope to see you again this week!! I Pin everything to My 2 Favorite Things Pinterest Board!
What a great upcycle! I’m going to have to go hunting for a similar box for my loungeroom for the kids toys!
Thank you!!
What a fab idea! It turned out great. I think we need something like that in our house.
Thanks so much for linking up to And Sew We Craft Together x
Thank you, Amy!
I need to make one for my pets this turned out great. Thanks for sharing at the party pinned & shared. Hope to see you again soon!
Thank you!!
Love this! Thanks for sharing at the Merry Monday Link Party!
This looks so cute. Love the idea!
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
This is terrific. I especially like the spot for the cat fishing poles. It is cool and keeps kitty toys in one place until the are ready to play.
Thank you so much, Debra!
I LOVE it! We have two kitties and they don’t have that many toys yet….they are still into bags and boxes and toy springs that are all under the furniture. Pinning for future reference when I need something like this.
And one day you will!! 😉
I want to make something like this for my grandkids toys. Great kitty cat toy box especially the corner storage for tall toys. Thank you for sharing at Vintage Charm..
NICE! Looks like your husband and mine would be best buds! I’m going to show this post to him! He just finished making a 4 platform cat tree for the cats!
OOOOH, our cats would LOVE that!!! #jealous
Hi Sarah, He downloaded the plans from the internet and made it. We are still awaiting some sisal in the mail to wrap around the posts. We got a rug and cut it up for each platform. The cats love it and it seems to keep our kitten busy and not climbing the coat rack (literally).
🙂
Purrfect! I especially like the little holder you built inside and how great that it has wheels so it can be moved easily for cleaning! Thanks for sharing this with us on Throwback Thursday!
Mollie
Thanks, Mollie!! And thank you for hosting!
this is really cute, thanks for linking up to Inspire Me Monday!
Thanks so much, Kristin!
Awesome idea! I can see my chihuahua trying to push this all around the house! lol!
HAHAHAHA!! Love it.
I am so with you on the home tours! My living room and dining room are the ones I show. When I saw the first picture my thought was, “did she put the wheels on the crate?”. Silly me of course you did, you did a great job!
Thank you so much!
You are so funny about how you say you will never do a house tour! I got a kick out of that! Your crate is so cool, obviously it would work for children’s toys, too! Very handy how you figured out your little corner to fix a spot for the stick toys, too! Thanks always for sharing at Celebrate Your Story!
😉 Our home is like one big workshop, LOL!!
What a great idea! Love the vintage look and how it’s on wheels 🙂