You've probably noticed the growing trend of using crates and pallets in home and wedding decor. Yet, one industry trend in particular is changing the way we think of using old wood crates and pallets. With the simple and functional design, we are seeing crates and pallets more and more used in retail display and store merchandising. One of the best things about using crates and pallets, aside from their durability and weight capacity, is that they easily blend well with any pre-existing decor. Paint, stain, connect, hang or stack them, the possibilities are endless. We've broken down eight ideas on how you can use crates and pallets in your store.

1. Use Crates as Building Blocks for Customized Display or Storage

There are many innovative ways to display and decorate in retail stores using the very on-trend wooden crates and pallets look. For example, you can create a customizable bookcase-type display to the dimensions that are best for your store using Crates & Pallet large crates. If you turn them on their sides and stack them, you can attach them to each other vertically with ½” wood screws through the slats and horizontally with 1-1/2” wood screws through the solid ends. For a rustic look, add reclaimed wood to the sides or bottoms and use castors with locks for an easy-to-move display. Adding castors to the bottom of a single large wood crate is also great for storing and hiding extra inventory that can be easily moved for re-stocking.

2. Take Advantage of Vertical Space with Crates on a Wall

Easily create more space in the store with crate wall shelving in three different looks. One way is by installing the bottom of the wood crates directly to the wall. Be sure to use drywall anchors and screws when installing the crates to the wall to insure the crate shelves hold the weight of the merchandise displayed. You can use different size crates to create visual interest and accommodate various sizes of products. A second way for a more industrial look is by making crate shelf brackets out of plumbing pipe, elbows, and flanges found at the local hardware store. The backs of the crates will still need to be mounted to the wall for stability, but the plumbing pipe brackets can be added below for additional support. The third option is to use decorative shelf brackets beneath the crate installed to the wall for added support and a more polished appearance.

3. Hang Crates from the Ceiling

Get a similar look with our wine gift box and

Hang crates from the ceiling with rope, chain or cable at varying heights for a unique visual display at customer waist or eye level. Simply drill holes in each corner of the solid sides of the crate, attach hanging medium of choice, and hang from a solid support structure in the ceiling.

4. Put Pallets in all of the Right Places

The half and quarter pallets make great vertical displays against a wall or varying height floor displays when stacked. Hang blankets, scarves and belts for display over the slats of a vertical half pallet against a wall, or jewelry and towels over the slats of a vertical quarter pallet. Stack several half pallets on the floor and add several quarter pallets on top for a stepped floor display in order to showcase merchandise on varying levels. Or, simply add castors to the bottom of the half or quarter pallet to store merchandise in the stockroom and easily move inventory around.

5. Sort and Stack Merchandise with these Crate Solutions

Use the Crates and Pallet 3-tiered crate stands in either a small or large size, or several of the vegetable crates, to separate merchandise by color, flavor or size. A small 3-tiered crate stand is perfect by a register for a last minute add-on sale. These vertical designs also help merchandise a variety of products while saving counter and floor space.

6. Get a Crate Look on a Smaller Scale

Smaller craft pallets and wooden risers make an impressive, on-trend addition to retail displays using the slatted wood crate look. The craft pallets could even be hung on the wall to display jewelry, scarves, belts, or tea towels through the slats.

7. Splash on Some Color to Emphasize Your Brand

Sometimes color can emphasize your brand and add appeal in decorating, so you can paint or stain the crates and pallets to match your store’s décor. For a more finished look, lightly sand the wood before applying the paint or stain. If painting, spray paints are easier to use on these products in order to get to all sides of the crate slats. The Rustoleum Paint and Primer in One Spray Paints with the Universal Sprayer are particularly useful because they allow the paint to be sprayed at any angle. For a more rustic or weathered-look, try staining with the Varathane brand of stains in Kona, Weathered Gray, Sun Bleached, or Antique White. The stain can be found at Home Depot or homedepot.com. Using sandpaper, slightly remove some of the paint or stain from corners and edges for an even more rustic look.

8. Create Creative Furniture

Crates and pallets can also be used to create economical store or back office furniture. A large crate fits a standard size hanging folder just right, so they make a unique filing cabinet option. Large crates also make interesting desks, and the half and quarter pallets even make a wonderful conversation-piece table.

Have you seen any C&P retail displays that really caught your eye? Tag us @cratesandpallet on Facebook and Instagram. We hope to continue to see the trend grow!