All you need is an old timber crate and castors to create a rustic, mobile storage unit.

Step 1 Clean crate and, if required, give it a light sand to remove any splinters.

Step 2 Turn crate upside down. Using a screwdriver, screw castor wheels to the base at each corner, using screws and washers. (Make sure the screws and washers are the correct size for the castors.) You may need to drill the holes for the screws first if they don't go into the wood easily. Turn crate the right way up and there you have it - a custom-made mobile storage unit.

Step 3 (optional) You can leave the crate natural, like we did, or paint a colour to suit your scheme. You could even stencil "BOOKS" on the side, depending on what you plan to use it for.

Step 4 (optional) If you want to make a lid for your crate to conceal the contents - or for your storage unit to double as a coffee table - you can simply use a scrap piece of timber cut to size. Attach the lid to the opening of the box with hinges.

Tip You may be lucky and find an old wooden box or crate on the side of the road or at your local fruit market; if not, try second-hand stores or check out Nelson & Co (Nelsonandco.co.nz), which stocks a range of House Doctor vintage-style wooden storage boxes.

Note We used Zenith stitching screws with button heads, $3.20 for 35, and Dans large flat washers, $5.57 for 6, Bunnings.