Recreate Joanna Gaines' Stylish Storage System That Doubles As Decor

Finding storage solutions for all of your most-used items that are both functional and fashionable can be a struggle, especially if you're trying to decorate your home on a budget. Thankfully, however, expert renovator, entrepreneur, and designer Joanna Gaines has shared a clever idea that might just offer a solution to your problems. She shows how to create a DIY, budget-friendly, and modern shelving unit made out of wooden boxes.

Though Gaines is well-known for her ability to transform spaces by adding modern farmhouse elements into a home, she's also committed to ensuring that these rooms are actually functional when they're put to use. In an interview with Architectural Digest, she states that creating organizational space is one of her top priorities. "I think storage is the most undervalued part of a home," she said. "Adequate storage can make every room feel more peaceful and beautiful simply by removing clutter and freeing up visual space. I like to purchase unique pieces that offer a lot of practical organizational space." This shelving idea is the perfect example. With a few wooden boxes and creative placement, you can create your very own storage system that will both free up clutter and add some modern décor to your home.

If you're interested in trying out this idea yourself, all you need are some plain wooden boxes. You could use ones like the Monjani Large Open Top Organizers at Walmart for less than $5 each. Stack these boxes up in your desired layout, then use them as a spot to stow away items in just about any space. "You can really incorporate this look anywhere, whether it be the living room ... or a kid's bedroom, a playroom," Joanna Gaines said on YouTube. "You can think through this on a lot of different levels. Even a mudroom. Great for storage, but it also can highlight any of your favorite art pieces, your favorite books. So it really can go a long way."

Because you're simply stacking up the boxes, you don't have to deal with any complex assembly or shell out a ton of money to create something functional for your space. The final result is completely flexible, and, if you choose not to secure the boxes together with anything, can be changed over time in accordance with your needs. "This all cost about $150, and it's unique," Gaines says. "As time goes on you can add to it, take away, modify it — but I think it's interesting enough to really set the space apart." However, if you have kids or pets, it may be best to connect these crates together with wood glue and nails. You may also want to secure it to the wall with Utook Furniture Anchors, which cost $8 for a pack of 12 on Amazon.

While it's certainly possible to copy Joanna Gaines' storage system exactly, the fact that this concept is so simple gives you plenty of opportunities to make it your own. If plain wood boxes are a bit stark for your taste and you're looking for something that better aligns with the vintage décor in your home, pick up some sturdy retro shipping crates and stack them up in the same way. There's also, of course, always the chance to paint or stain the wooden boxes to make them feel more polished or align better with your color scheme.

If you don't have a ton of available floor space in your home, you could also opt for smaller options like these Calpalmy 6-inch by 6-inch Unfinished Wooden Boxes from Amazon — a pack of eight costs $23. Mount these on the wall to create some unique floating shelves that provide additional storage space without taking up a ton of room. With this idea, the possibilities are truly endless, so don't be afraid to get creative and experiment until you're able to create something that you love. Even with plenty of different customizations, it's likely that you'll still end up saving yourself quite a bit of money in the long run.