Maybe you call it a tote, but I call it a diy wooden caddy! Yes, a wooden caddy made from reclaimed materials such as fence boards, chair parts, and random spindles as handles!
You will love this easy wooden caddy project so much that you won’t be able to make just one!
I had been in a “building” slump. I found some inspiration online to make a handy diy wooden caddy, but I could not stop at just one! A DIY caddy made from reclaimed fence and spare chair parts can be very versatile! The possibilities are limitless!
DIY Wooden Caddy Projects
Susan from Homeroad built a caddy from driftwood. When I read her post I saw . . .
This one from Becky—she made this caddy out of a planter box. I was in love with this idea of making a caddy.
Reclaimed Materials for making a DIY Wooden Caddy
I gathered my bits and pieces and headed to the basement shop where it’s cool to make a wooden caddy.
Construct a Wooden Caddy
I cut my pieces and used my quick clamps to hold the sides. I took the easy way out and used my nail gun to shoot some nails in while the clamps held everything in place. This wooden caddy is about 12 inches long.
Then, I sized up my random spindles to see what looked best.
I cut my spindle to size with my miter saw and drilled pilot holes through the old fencing, and the spindle. Then, I used black drywall screws to attach the spindle/handle.
Maybe you would prefer to drill a hole in each side to allow the handle to fit inside it? Well, I’m showing you how to make an easy diy wooden caddy!
This is diy wooden caddy #2, it’s much longer at about 18 inches.
How to Add Chair Spindle Handle
I used my combination square
to find the right place to drill my pilot holes for the caddy handle. First, I measured on the inside. . .
. . . then measured on the outside–both ends.
Drill a Pilot Hole to Hold Your Handle
Marking the spot, I drilled the pilot hole and then used a black drywall screw to hold it all in place.
Then I got busy painting them. On the small one, I did a watered down red wash first, then did a watered down black over it. The larger one, I just used the watered down black on it.
Here you can see the two side by side and compare them. I like the handle on the larger one a LOT!
Isn’t it cute?
On the smaller one, I like the hint of red peeking out.
DIY Wooden Caddy Options
These caddies are multi-functional! You could add flowers from your garden. These are from my abundant hibiscus plants.
See how the red hibiscus bring out the red in the caddy?
These were really quick and fun, just what I needed. Thank you Susan and Becky for the inspiration!
Please Save & Share on Pinterest!
Wooden Caddy to Hold Art Supplies
Wouldn’t this make a great caddy for craft supplies?
A small diy wooden caddy is perfect for picnic supplies!
Which do you like best? What would you use it for?
gail
More Wooden Caddy Projects Here
Have some chairs hanging around? Here are some repurposed chair ideas.
More rustic fence projects here
Love these Gail! I have stuff laying around and could make a few too!
Debbie
such a great idea!!! i am so grateful to own one of your caddies!!! love it!!
i still have mine! It holds 2 small succulents in pots at the moment.
Beautiful Gail! I want one!!!
I love it! Love the detail in the spindle handle. I would use one for utensils at parties, or flower vases, how fun!
love my caddy! keep my hand garden tools in it!
Wow! These look great. Nice work 🙂
What a great project! Nicely done!
Thanks so much for sharing yours Gail–I love how each caddy can have it’s own personality.
I’d take either one, actually! I love the handle on the larger one, too.
seriously… i would have never thought to make a caddy out of all those reclaimed items! amazing job!!!
I’ve been wanting to make one of these caddies for ages. I just love them! What a great idea to use a curvy spindle for the handle. Now that I have your tutorial I better stop procrastinating and get busy. I think I’m jealous of your nail gun. I’ve been thinking about getting my husband (and me 🙂 a cordless one for a gift but can’t figure out which kind is most versatile. Any tips? BTW, congratulations on three years of blogging!
So that’s what I’ve been saving the rungs from various chairs for! Thanks for letting me know. What a great way to use them. Thanks!
Liz
LOVE THEM, GREAT IDEA TO USE THE CHAIR PARTS!LAUREN
These caddies are great!! So versatile. The large one would be perfect for my gardening supplies. I have some scraps of barnboard so I think I’ll have to give it a try. Thanks and stay cool!
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I’ve been wanting some wooden crates and this has inspired me to make my own… once the heat lessens a bit.
Have a great day!!
I LOVE your caddies! So many possibilities 🙂 Thanks for sharing, Gail. (I like the idea of using them as planters)
You, in a slump?! Come on you probably eat slump for dinner! (ha ha …sounds bad, but you know what I mean…I think!)
anyway, I suppose even gail needs inspiration. 🙂
I love these–haven’t built one myself, but after looking at these am thinking, hey, cute! I like them and they’re versatile and have tons of uses!
I like box #2…with the pretty curvy handle, Patricia! 😉
Love these Gail! Love the spindles for the handles. Have a wonderful day!
sandraallen260@centurytel.net
Love these Gail! I had pinned both of your inspiration pieces and was planning on making them… someday. I was so excited to see your post, I LOVE you tutorials they are always such a help to me! Now I know how to do my handles, and use up that old fence I picked up! You are Awesome! Thanks!
I love the handle on the larger one allot too!! Just too cute!!
I love it! I was actually just on the hunt for one of these yesterday and couldn’t find one, maybe that needs I need to make it instead. Thanks for the inspiration!
I’ve made quite a few totes, but never used a spindle before for the handle. Great idea!
those are cute! oh and i started a pinterest board called “things for mom to make” so you should probably check that out. 😉 http://pinterest.com/owlreally/things-for-mom-to-make/
These are both adorable! I saw the same inspiration pieces…but you were much more on the ball than me. I don’t however, have any old fencing or anything else that I think would work, but I love the idea. I bet they fly out of shop!
I have a project that I could really use the nail gun on, but it scares the heck out of me…I just don’t think I am going to be able to pull the trigger…pun intended!!
Hi Gail!
Thanks so much for the mention… I love the handles on yours! I’m glad I could inspire you… Now I’ve gotta go back and paint mine because you’ve inspired me to paint the next one I make 🙂
Susan
Homeroad.net
Hi Gail,
Your caddies are super cute!
Dee
these are adorable, gail! what an awesome idea!
I love these. They are so easy to make and so versatile. I’ve made some out of rough cut walnut that someone gave me. Great job.
Holly
What a cute caddy! Yezz, I need more scrap wood ;o)
Have a great day,
Sue