The Easiest Way To Decorate A Small Wooden Crate

Looking for the easiest way to decorate a small unfinished wooden crate? Why not try a vinyl transfer?

It's the quickest way to get a finished home decor piece and look like a pro. Check out the simple steps.


I absolutely adore living in my tiny cottage home.

It's cozy, full of charm and old world craftsmanship.

It's also very, very small.

Which is fabulous, since I'm not a fan of giant open spaces. I want a house that hugs me.

However, when you're a girl who lives in a tiny home and is also addicted to decor accessories, well, you might have a problem.

As my grandmother used to say, sometimes my eyes are bigger than my stomach.

So how do I balance my love of both?

Very carefully.

I never grab a cart at the store. I think twice about where I'll display and store an item before purchasing it.

This post is sponsored by Crates And Pallet

And I choose small decor pieces that are also functional, like these adorable unfinished wooden crates.

They're cottage style cuties, perfect for a creative DIYer, like myself, who enjoys putting their own spin on things.

Which is exactly what I did.

Now, they came in a four pack, and I just couldn't decide on one way to finish them all, so I didn't. I chose a few different techniques. 

Years ago, I aged several wooden crates I'd found for free. This time around I was excited to do more.

So over the next two weeks, I'll share them all, like how I decoupaged a wooden crate with napkins and how I used small wooden feet to transform a third.

But today, I want to start with the quickest and easiest way to decorate a small unfinished wooden crate.

And that, my friends, is with paint and a vinyl transfer.

How To Add A Transfer To A Wood Crate

This is the simplest way to take an unfinished wooden crate and turn it into a home decor accessory or organizational tool for your cottagecore or farmhouse style home.

Depending on the transfer you use, your crate can also be customized for any holiday or event. I mean how sweet would one of these look as a centerpiece on a rustic wedding or holiday dinner table?

1. Gather Your Supplies

You can use any type of paint you like to cover you crate, but since I don't like a lot of prep, I used chalk paint.

Wooden Crates
Chalk Paint
Paint Brushes
Misting Spray Bottle
Plastic Cups
Fine Sanding Block or Paper
Clear Coat in Satin
Farmhouse Transfer

2. Paint The Unfinished Crate

I started by wiping my wood clean to make sure it was free of dust and debris. Then, since I was using chalk paint, I just started painting. 

No prep necessary.


I did spray a little water on the paint to make it easier to work with, less thick and easier to blend as I went along. First I covered the outside of the crate.

Then I moved on to the inside, making sure I covered every surface and every side of every slat.


The chalk paint covered the wood very well, so I only needed to apply one coat. 

3. Cut Out The Transfer

While the crate was drying, I chose my transfer from the sheet and cut out the one I wanted.

I made sure to leave a little room around the outside of it, so when I used the rubbing tool, it wouldn't slip off the vinyl and mar the paint.

4.  Apply The Transfer To The Wood

Once I had the transfer pattern cut out, I decided exactly where it would look best. 

Then I peeled away the backing and stuck it onto the painted wooden crate. 


I simply used my fingers to press it down to secure it in place.

Then I used the enclosed rubbing stick tool to put pressure on the transfer until it released.


Next, I peeled the top vinyl piece away to reveal the transfer pattern.


If there were parts that didn't release immediately, I just put the clear piece back down and rubbed some more until it did.

To blend and remove any of the transfer seams around the edge, I took a small sanding block and rubbed it gently on those spots.

5. Seal The Transfer

When I was done I brushed on a sealer on top of the transfer to lock it it place.


I also gave the entire crate a coat of satin sealer so the finish on the front would match the rest of the piece.

When I was done, about 30 minutes after I started, I had a beautifully decorated crate ready to be displayed in my home to welcome spring.


It was another very simple craft and one that will be generating big smile in this tiny house for a long time.

Day and night.


Whether it's holding real eggs.

Napkin covered faux eggs.

Or the bills.

What would you put inside?