How to Make a Bench Out of Milk Crates

Paint your milk crates with a spray paint that is specifically made for plastics. Let them dry completely before building your bench. If you're happy with the colors already, painting is not necessary.

Arrange the crates side by side. The crates are sturdiest if placed with the open side down, so that all sides are supported. If you want to use the bench for storage as well as sitting, it’s best to opt for a three- or four-crate-long bench, then turn only one or two crates with the opening facing the front for storage.

Place your melamine board on top of the crates and use a pencil to mark the places where you want to screw it to the crates. Be sure the finished edge is facing front. You will need to insert a screw through the crate and into the melamine board in each corner, plus two or four in the middle (front and back), depending on the length of your bench.

Turn the entire bench upside down and realign the crates with the marks you made for the screws.

Screw the crates to the melamine board. You can do this with a drill rather than a screwdriver, but melamine board may crack easier than other boards, so proceed carefully.

Bind the crates together with zip ties on all sides that touch another crate. This will make it easier to take the bench apart or rearrange it later, however, you can glue the crates together if you wish. Cut the extra length off the zip tie when you have tightened it. The nub of the zip tie will be very sharp, so turn that away so that no one will accidentally get cut.