I admit, there's nothing original about crate furniture, but crates are the ultimate utilitarian shelving option: they are sturdy, cheap, and are really REALLY easy to make into furniture. The catch, of course, is that it's not terribly attractive. I just needed a shelf by my closet to hold some extra shoes, clothes, and miscellaneous nik-knacks (don't try to tell me how it's spelled!) Using zip ties to hold the crates together, I've been able to change the shape at least 2 or 3 times. Plus, it's sometimes really handy to have immediate access to a crate or 2 if you need one.