Turn An Old Pair Of High-Heeled Shoes Into Stylish Bookends

Before you buy a brand new pair of bookends for your bookshelf, you may want to dig deep in your closet. Chances are, you have the perfect old pair of heels that you can transform into makeshift bookends, saving yourself that extra cash. Plus, it's a fun winter project. Believe it or not, high-heeled shoes or boots can serve as excellent stands for your bookshelf, and you won't have to say goodbye to an old favorite simply because you don't wear them as much anymore. This is the perfect DIY project for anyone who tends to cling to old clothing items — maybe you aren't quite ready to say goodbye just yet. 

If you don't have an extra pair of heels lying around for this project, you can also easily thrift an old pair at your local secondhand store, allowing you to choose a pair that matches the rest of your interior aesthetic. Just make sure to wash them thoroughly; you can eliminate smelly shoe odors with ingredients you already have at home. If you have a more modern vibe, you could opt for laced black boots or brightly colored heels. If your home is more traditional, a pair of classy heels would look excellent. There are a few different ways to go about this DIY project, but this is an activity you can most likely complete in just one day. 

If you're on the lookout for other shoe-related DIYs, you can also turn your old footwear into planters, birdhouses, jewelry holders, or wall art. Bookends are also a great project for any other used or secondhand items lying around in your home; you can even dress up your shelves with living bookend planters.

It's a simple process to turn your favorite old pair of heels into your new favorite pair of bookends. Besides the shoes, you will need something to weigh them down with to make them stable enough to hold your books. While it's easier to fill boots or sneakers with rocks or cement, you may need a different tactic when it comes to delicate high heels. One easy way to ensure these shoes don't fall over when propping up books is to fill them with sand or pebbles.

If you don't want to go through the process of stabilizing your shoes or you want to maintain their aesthetic, there's another option. You can purchase standard bookends, or even use heavy bricks from your garden, and adhere them to your shoes. For an even cheaper option, you can create a gorgeous bookend on a budget using Dollar Tree napkin holders and attach those to your heels. This way, your bookshelf will not only be organized, but it will showcase your fashion.