How to Put Together Wire Storage Cubes

Wire storage cubes are sold flat in boxes and have to be assembled. The good thing about this is that they can be assembled in the configuration that works best for your needs, and as you will see, that is sometimes NOT as storage!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Wire Storage Cubes kit
• Cable ties, also known as Zip Ties
• Wire cutters (optional)

1. 
    
   Standard unit

   Take the pieces out of the box. For a standard two over two cube, there will be 16 wire squares plus those round things to fasten the squares together. I throw those round things into the trash. I discovered (through research on the internet) that it is much easier to use zip ties to fasten the squares.

2. Now you have to decide what the final configuration of your storage unit will be. If you want to do the standard two over two, you can use the picture on the box as a guideline (or the photo in Step 1). If you want to do something different, just make sure you have the correct number of wire squares.

3. 
    
   One over two unit

   For this one over two shoe storage unit: Start with two squares - use the zip ties to attach them together in two places, close to the edges. See the photo for placement. Then attach a third square to one of them so they are in a row, then a fourth. Connect the fourth square to the first square, so that you have a box that is open on both ends.

4. 
    
   Placement of the ties at the joint

   Now you will attach the fifth square to four sides of this open box. Your first "cube" is done. You will simply attach the squares, one at a time, onto this as you build your configuration. In the one over two unit, there were 13 squares used: six around the lower level, one between the two "cubes" and two for the back; the upper level was three around the "cube" and one for the back. Generally two zip ties per meeting line should suffice.

5. 
    
   Double decker rabbit condo

   Now, for an interesting twist on the Wire Storage Cubes - they can be used to make the most amazing rabbit or guinea pig cages! See the resources below for further info. The photo is a double decker cage I made for two rabbits. The beauty of this is that they can easily be reconfigured whenever you want - in this case, the white rabbit was visiting while his Mom was on vacation, so I simply added a second floor to my rabbit's cage for the week. When he left, I took away part of his floor and my rabbit again had a second level ledge to jump up to.

Tips & Warnings

• They can be hung, using the zip ties, from the wire closet shelving sold at any DIY store, creating storage for shoes or in my case, scrapbook supplies.
• Use the wire cutters to snip off the excess length of zip tie if you want.
• Rabbits will occasionally snip the zip ties with their teeth - simply replace as necessary.
• If you snip the excess zip ties, the part left can be sharp, so be careful or trim the corners so that it is blunted.

Resources

• Great example of cages
• Wire closet shelving

[rumblebug]

on 1/9/2009 Great versatile ideas for using and putting together these wire crates. These would work great in my daughter's room.

[Limowreck]

on 12/11/2008 I wish I had had these instructions back when I was struggling to put my storage shelves together. Thanks for another great and useful article. *****

[JulieMayfield]

on 11/29/2008 Great instructions! I've had to do this a time or two myself.

[luv2laugh]

on 11/22/2008 very interesting and thorough!

[Gardengates]

on 11/22/2008 I love the idea of using these cubes as pet enclosures! Great! Thanks.