I admit, I’m a big fan of boxes and drawers, big and small. Moreover, from an aesthetic point of view, I like wooden ones more, but from a practical point of view, I still prefer plastic ones: they are durable, you can store anything in them anywhere, it’s easy to take care of — such containers are well cleaned. And there are countless ways to use boxes in the country economy — from the usual and obvious to very creative.
And in what roles are their plastic counterparts capable of performing? I suggest discussing options and sharing ideas.
In the garden
Plastic containers may be unsightly, but they are very practical: they will not get wet in water, they will not rot in the ground, they can serve faithfully for a long time, even if the conditions of service are not the most favorable. It is not surprising that summer residents willingly use it.
Mobile beds
Of course, the idea of such beds is unlikely to be useful to owners of extensive plots — it is most often adopted by city farmers and just citizens who want to make a small vegetable garden in the yard, on the roof of the house or on the balcony.
Mini beds from boxes are mobile, their location is easy to change, combining in different ways for your own convenience and comfort of plants. A vegetable garden in such containers, if desired, can be placed almost anywhere.
However, do not think that the possibilities of boxes are exhausted by mini-beds. It all depends on the number of these boxes and the ingenuity of their owner. Some, for example, consider such containers to be a convenient material for the construction of high beds on vast areas. And why not?
Or maybe you don’t need beds, but flowerbeds? Then what do you say about this option?
By the way, it is quite possible to break up a small children’s vegetable garden in box cars, where a young agronomist will be happy to grow his first crop.
Vertical Gardens
And who said that the boxes must be placed in a horizontal plane? Looking at the following photos, you will see that plastic containers are an excellent material for creating vertical gardens and vegetable gardens:
The convenience and practicality of such designs is a controversial issue, of course, but they invariably have fans. Someone is attracted by originality, someone is pushed to experiment by crowding… Whether such an idea suits you or not, you can evaluate it by carefully weighing all the pros and cons of vertical beds.
By the way, for both vertical and horizontal planting areas of this kind, the correct choice of a liner is very important, which will keep the soil in the boxes and prevent it from drying out quickly:
Nonwovens, fine mesh, polyethylene film, coconut cloth — there are many options, and each has both advantages and disadvantages.
Bulbous in boxes
This idea has recently become quite popular. In the comments, some seven-year-olds have already talked about how tulips and gladioli are planted in boxes.
The advantages are obvious: the box helps not to lose bulbs (even the smallest ones) when digging, and in general significantly facilitates this process; in addition, it can serve as some protection from rodents, replacing the usual baskets for planting bulbs.
However, to plant flowers in boxes, you will have to dig more. And it will not be possible to place tulips in a flower garden among perennials in this way — this is an option for continuous plantings. Well, after all, there are probably no universal solutions that have no disadvantages at all.
Composting waste
Another popular topic is composting of household waste. And here, too, boxes help us — summer residents have learned to build compact and practical garden composters from them:
We equip the chicken coop
Plastic boxes are a practical and budget material for the arrangement of a suburban chicken coop. Even special explanations are not required here — the photo clearly shows what’s what:
Of course, this is not all the possibilities of using boxes in gardening. Many summer residents know how convenient it is to keep seedlings in them and store the harvest; every home craftsman in the workshop or garage probably has boxes with tools and materials — I think any of you will list more options without any problems.
But a cottage is also a house. And there is also a use for plastic boxes in the house, do not even doubt it!
Furniture fantasies
Do not rush to frown contemptuously. Yes, I agree, it is difficult to call the “box” furniture exquisite. Boxes can sometimes become a good help in the arrangement (albeit temporary) of a country dwelling. Well, the owners of luxury cottages hardly watch this selection anyway.
Cabinets, racks and shelves
These are perhaps the most common pieces of furniture made of plastic boxes. There are various models — for clothes, for books, for children’s things, and for kitchen accessories. Boxes are a truly universal material.
By the way, it is not necessary that the boxes are the same and arranged in strict order. The main thing is that the finished furniture is comfortable and durable.
If there are not enough boxes, you can combine them with boards. Just make sure that the design turns out to be reliable enough: not every box is suitable for such a solution.
Stools, tables and bedside tables
It can be more difficult to do without a chair or at least a stool than without a bookcase, you must agree. But if there are strong drawers (such that they will surely withstand the weight of a person), it is very easy to make this simple piece of furniture.
Moreover, the design of the “box” stool, as you can see, allows for options: high or low, on legs or without them, with plywood seats, wicker, soft… Everything is in your hands!
Well, since we got stools, why not make a table. Or at least a nightstand.
And even a whole “furniture set” can be swung if there are enough boxes:
Even if not for home, but for a country party with friends, such furniture is quite suitable.
Sofas and beds
A sleeping place is another necessary attribute of any dwelling. No, you can rest on the floor, of course… But it’s still more comfortable on the bed. Even if it is made from improvised materials — in our case, from boxes. Well, if you don’t want a bed, make a sofa on the veranda so that there is a place to sit in between summer labors and worries.
Boxes. Just boxes…
In the end, it is not necessary to make something complicated. To carefully store toys or clothes in the country, you can use boxes and without any additional tricks. Well, almost… We don’t want to live like in a warehouse, do we?
A simple decor made of fabric, ribbons, yarn or other improvised materials will help turn an ordinary — not too attractive, frankly speaking — box into an independent and rather cute element of the situation.
Of course, this is not all that can be made from plastic boxes in the country, but I will stop, perhaps, adding to the proposed ideas only a few words about how not to make a mistake when choosing a material for their implementation.
The boxes are different…
This fact seems obvious, and it would be possible not to focus on it, but if you have never encountered such a container before, perhaps the information will be useful.
The first thing to consider is the purpose of the product. If you are going to store clothes or tools in a drawer, this, in principle, is not so important, but if you need a container for the harvest, you should make sure that the plastic from which the box is made is suitable for storing food.
The second point is the strength, which is directly related to the safety of using plastic containers (especially in cases where it is planned to use it for other purposes). Even seemingly reliable large boxes are made of rather fragile plastic, which easily splits from a light blow, and thin and fragile, at first glance, are often able to withstand a considerable load, deforming, but not breaking.
By the way, keep in mind: plastic sometimes does not tolerate atmospheric influences — the material quickly loses its strength and literally begins to crumble, which can be an unpleasant surprise for you. Sharp shards of plastic are dangerous! The main enemies of such boxes are frost and sun. Be careful if you plan to use them outdoors.
However, I am sure that most summer residents have been using plastic boxes in the household for a long time – and not only as containers. What else? Tell me!
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