An Affordable DIY Shoe Rack That'll Make Use Of Your Empty Water Bottles

Plastic water bottles are convenient on the go, but oftentimes they end up in a landfill or ocean instead of being recycled. According to the Ocean Conservancy, more than 120 billion plastic bottles are used annually in the U.S. alone. Luckily, there are creative ways to upcycle them — one being a genius shoe storage idea. You can actually build a handy rack out of water bottles to house your family's shoes. This DIY is affordable, fun, and helps the planet a little bit, too.

Shoes are one of those items that always seem to generate a mess. If you don't have an organizational system in place, they can end up scattered or in a pile near the front door. A rack gives everyone in the household a place to set their footwear after walking inside, and it's also beneficial to keep one in the bedroom. If you need an extra rack, time to save your empty plastic water bottles! In order to make this multitiered piece shared by Deep's Craft, you'll need four bottles per shelf, cardboard, tape, and heavy-duty glue. 

Begin by removing the labels and allowing the bottles to dry out. In the meantime, you can create shelves out of the cardboard. Cut two approximately 18-inch squares, then glue them together so it's one thick piece. Add masking or packing tape around the edges to make it more seamless. Once your shelves are ready, you can start constructing the rack. Glue a water bottle (with its cap on) to each corner of one of the squares. Then, glue a shelf on top, so it's attached to their caps. Repeat this until you have a multi-level shelf.

Once your shoe rack is complete, upgrade it with a coat of paint so that it can blend into your home's decor. Make sure that it's fully dry before setting your shoes on it. Also, don't overload the rack; use an amount that seems appropriate and doesn't cause the shelves to bend. Keep in mind that water bottles made of slightly thicker plastic, like for carbonated water, might make it more sturdy.

If you need additional storage, build several racks and set them side by side. You can even make various sizes so that it becomes a unique-looking storage corner. While housing sneakers and flip flops will be the shoe racks' main job, you can also place home decor on the shelves. Try incorporating small plants, picture frames, or trinkets to make it visually pleasing.

Move your rack to an entryway, garage, or closet. Frankly, it can go anywhere that needs a shoe storage solution! Will it be the most luxe-looking piece in your home? Perhaps not. But it's an excellent way to reuse those plastic water bottles, save money, and embrace organization all at the same time.