When you think outside the box, you can turn plenty of flea-market finds into clever storage solutions that corral clutter and give your home a memorable vibe.

Whether you’re making a shelving unit out of wood crates or reclaiming an old baker’s rack, vintage furniture can easily add extra space for storing household items. Employing some creative recycling ideas can make your home one-of-a-kind, making it stick in peoples’ minds after a long day of open houses.

Double-duty trunk

Employ an old trunk as a coffee table, and you’ll get two for the price of one. Not only is it a convenient place to perch drinks, it’s also the perfect storage spot for stashing blankets, games and living-room extras.

Vintage displays

When it comes to storage in the kitchen, think outside the cabinet. A vintage retail display rack is the perfect coffee mug and dish towel holder and adds an interesting focal point to the room.

Repurposed finds

Thinking beyond the item’s original purpose to see how it can serve today’s needs is key to spotting genius flea-market storage. Here, hand-stenciled trunks—complete with stemware collections—may have been used to transport drinking glasses to the colonial-era Belgian Congo. Now, they provide bedroom storage.

Stylishly contained

Organize small papers and trinkets inside pretty dishware, such as gravy boats. These shapely vessels add a layer of charm to any vignette and corral small items that can sometimes go wayward.