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    Home » DIY » Build It » diy wooden caddy | Reclaimed Materials

    diy wooden caddy | Reclaimed Materials

    Published by Gail | Published July 1, 2020 | Updated December 20, 2022
    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

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    How to make a diy wooden caddy using reclaimed materials such as fencing and chair parts. Step by step tutorial so you can make one of these today! #MyRepurposedLife #relcaimed #fence #spindles #wooden #caddy via @repurposedlife

    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

    driftwood

    Susan from Homeroad built a caddy from driftwood. When I read her post I saw . . .

    planter box spindle bead board

    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 squareto 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?

    diy wooden caddy from reclaimed materials

    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

    see more bits and pieces projects here

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    Reader Interactions

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    1. Debbie @ Refresh Restyle

      October 01, 2015 at 10:34 pm

      Love these Gail! I have stuff laying around and could make a few too!
      Debbie

      Reply
    2. girlfromwva

      October 01, 2015 at 11:04 am

      such a great idea!!! i am so grateful to own one of your caddies!!! love it!!

      Reply
      • GirlfromWva

        October 04, 2017 at 11:41 pm

        i still have mine! It holds 2 small succulents in pots at the moment.

    3. Anne@DesignDreams

      October 01, 2015 at 8:54 am

      Beautiful Gail! I want one!!!

      Reply
    4. Kimm at Reinvented

      November 03, 2014 at 7:46 pm

      I love it! Love the detail in the spindle handle. I would use one for utensils at parties, or flower vases, how fun!

      Reply
    5. girlfromwva

      October 26, 2014 at 8:14 pm

      love my caddy! keep my hand garden tools in it!

      Reply
    6. Mandy

      August 17, 2012 at 12:28 am

      Wow! These look great. Nice work 🙂

      Reply
    7. Sharon @ Elizabeth & Co.

      July 23, 2012 at 9:10 pm

      What a great project! Nicely done!

      Reply
    8. Becky@Beyond The Picket Fence

      July 20, 2012 at 4:39 am

      Thanks so much for sharing yours Gail--I love how each caddy can have it's own personality.

      Reply
    9. Suzanne@Meridian Road

      July 20, 2012 at 1:31 am

      I'd take either one, actually! I love the handle on the larger one, too.

      Reply
    10. Katie

      July 19, 2012 at 12:42 pm

      seriously... i would have never thought to make a caddy out of all those reclaimed items! amazing job!!!

      Reply
    11. Laurel Stephens

      July 19, 2012 at 2:51 am

      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!

      Reply
    12. ~ Liz ~

      July 18, 2012 at 10:49 pm

      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

      Reply
    13. lauren @ West Furniture Revival

      July 18, 2012 at 10:30 pm

      LOVE THEM, GREAT IDEA TO USE THE CHAIR PARTS!LAUREN

      Reply
    14. Tuula @ The Thrifty Rebel

      July 18, 2012 at 9:54 pm

      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!

      Reply
    15. Peggy

      July 18, 2012 at 4:42 pm

      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!!

      Reply
    16. Meari

      July 18, 2012 at 4:18 pm

      I LOVE your caddies! So many possibilities 🙂 Thanks for sharing, Gail. (I like the idea of using them as planters)

      Reply
    17. Corn in my Coffee-Pot

      July 18, 2012 at 3:51 pm

      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! 😉

      Reply
    18. Sandi @ The Primitive Skate

      July 18, 2012 at 3:35 pm

      Love these Gail! Love the spindles for the handles. Have a wonderful day!

      sandraallen260@centurytel.net

      Reply
    19. Carwin Candids

      July 18, 2012 at 2:22 pm

      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!

      Reply
    20. I Play Outside The Box

      July 18, 2012 at 2:16 pm

      I love the handle on the larger one allot too!! Just too cute!!

      Reply
    21. Taryn @ Design, Dining + Diapers

      July 18, 2012 at 1:58 pm

      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!

      Reply
    22. Julie @ followyourheartwoodworking

      July 18, 2012 at 12:41 pm

      I've made quite a few totes, but never used a spindle before for the handle. Great idea!

      Reply
    23. Jamie@OwlReally.com

      July 18, 2012 at 12:25 pm

      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/

      Reply
    24. Terri

      July 18, 2012 at 12:07 pm

      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!!

      Reply
    25. Susan @ homeroad.net

      July 18, 2012 at 11:34 am

      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

      Reply
    26. ✿ⒹⒺⒺ✿@ A Lapin Life

      July 18, 2012 at 11:31 am

      Hi Gail,

      Your caddies are super cute!

      Dee

      Reply
    27. Cassie @ Primitive & Proper

      July 18, 2012 at 11:09 am

      these are adorable, gail! what an awesome idea!

      Reply
    28. Full Circle Creations

      July 18, 2012 at 11:05 am

      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

      Reply
    29. Sue

      July 18, 2012 at 10:52 am

      What a cute caddy! Yezz, I need more scrap wood ;o)
      Have a great day,
      Sue

      Reply

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    Hi, there! I’m Gail Wilson, the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. I’m obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believe that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again—myself included! I hope you’ll enjoy the journey and pick up a few tools along the way… literally!

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