Turn An Old Shoe Box Into The Cutest Storage Bin With A Dollar Tree DIY

That stack of old shoe boxes in your closet is only getting bigger! Why not put some to good use? DIY hacks are a dime a dozen, but this one stands out with how easy it is to do. You can complete the craft in an afternoon, repurposing a simple shoe box into an elegant basket for books, magazines, or knick-knacks.

Apart from using it to hold books, you could use it to store folded clothes in a closet, or accessories in a dresser, for example. Or, perhaps you need a decorative basket for holding toilet paper in the bathroom. Maybe you're looking for a place to elegantly display cleaning supplies. This DIY bin is perfect for any or all of these uses.

To start the craft, source the materials from what you have in your home. You'll need hot glue, gift wrap or wrapping paper, and scissors. Braided rope looks great on the outside of the box, similar to this decorative nautical rope from Dollar Tree. You may style yours similarly, or choose from other materials to add a unique touch. Ribbon, gift wrap, old wallpaper, and fabrics are all perfect for decorating your shoe box. There are no wrong answers here! It's DIY, and your imagination is the limit. Be as creative as possible with many different materials, or use tones that blend in with your home's existing colors.

To start, either grab your scissors and cut the lid off the box, or if it isn't attached, simply remove it. Place it aside, as you'll need it later on. Take out any tissue paper from the shoes and save it for repurposing in other crafts. Then, gather your wrapping paper. Glue the paper to the box with a hot glue gun so it sticks well. You could use craft glue, though it may not adhere as quickly as hot glue and may need some time to dry. Completely cover the outside and inside panels. It's okay if the bottom of the box's inside is bare at this stage.

Here's where the rope comes in. Cut it into pieces as tall as the box itself, and glue these, one by one, next to each other on the outer panels. The nautical rope creates a basket-like appearance that helps this DIY craft look fancy, not trashy. Over the top edge of the rope, add more wrapping paper from the outer edge to the inside of the box. Hide the seam with ribbon by gluing it over the paper and rope to create a border. Now, collect the lid you set aside earlier. Glue paper over it, and stick it down over the bottom of the box's interior with more glue. It'll cover the bare cardboard underneath.

Decorate the wrapped box by adding your favorite embellishments to the outside. Make the storage basket pop with glitter and a fringe, or leave it as plain as you'd like. For bonus points, attach a rope handle on each side so it's easy to carry. Once the glue dries, it's complete. You've successfully turned an old shoe box into a clever storage solution.