You know how it goes with crafters like us – items that most people would consider trash are hoarded in our garages with the intent of making something brilliant one day. Well, when it comes to stacked shoeboxes, I’m happy to announce that that day is today! There is a plethora of shoebox projects floating around in the World Wide Web, so I’ve sifted through all of them to bring you only the best, most creative and useful projects that can finally get rid of some of those old shoeboxes.

Now, if shoeboxes aren’t in your repertoire of things to collect, you may actually be even luckier, because now you have an excuse to buy more shoes!

For You and the Home

Picnic Box

When the sun is shining and you want to enjoy the outdoors with a simple picnic but don’t have a fancy basket, you can just take a few minutes to turn an old, boring shoebox into a pretty picnic box. This tutorial shows you how to decorate and attach straps, so just use it as a guide and give it your own creative flair.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – 100Directions

Jewelry Organizer

A shoebox lid, a piece of fabric and some cleverly placed thumbtacks is all you need to create a wall-mounted display organizer for your necklaces, bracelets and earrings. If you’re a jewelry fiend then you may need some more space, so you can either create a series of lids or use the larger lid from your boots’ box.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – HomeAwaits

Marker Caddy

All you artists out there need a neat way to keep all your markers, pens or pencils together, so here’s something you can make in no more than 10 minutes. All you need is a shoebox and some empty toilet paper rolls and you’re practically finished already! We have some cool other toilet paper hacks to check out, too.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – AuntPeaches

Wall Art

If you look at a shoebox lid as if it’s a blank canvas, you can make some pretty impressive (and cheap, and easy) art for your wall. All you have to do is get out the paint or some decorative paper and Mod Podge – you can even use personal photos for this one.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – SpunkyJunky and CrèmeDeLaCraft

Boxy Shelves

You can use both the boxes and the lids to make some original wall shelves – a good paint job means that no one will be the wiser! Of course, you can’t store anything too heavy in these, but if you want to try to keep the bottom from sagging, you can just reinforce it with some thicker cardboard or a piece of wood.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – CrèmeDeLaCraft

Charging Station

With our ever-growing dependence on technology, we seem to have millions of cables lying around all over the house. Keep things tidy and in order by making this very simple charging station for all your family’s smartphones and tablets so that you can get rid of that cord clutter once and for all!

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – TashaChawner

DIY Phone Projector

If you ever want to have a night of showing off your photos on your phone, you can build this really cool shoebox projector for next to nothing. You can even use it for videos or movies if you just connect a speaker to your phone.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – Photojojo

Faux Basket

I see these rustic-looking baskets pretty much everywhere I go, so after seeing this tutorial, I wonder how many of them are actual baskets or just jute wrapped around boxes. The tutorial makes use of an old tissue box, but you can make a much larger “basket” with a shoebox instead. Don’t you just love cheap little cheats like these?

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – SouthernFlairCrafts

Nail Polish Box

If you’re still riding the nail art wave like I am, then you probably have dozens of bottles of nail polish that need to be organized and stored neatly. A shoebox really is the simplest storage vessel you can find, and all you need to do is cover it with some paper to make it look pretty.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – TheBeautyDepartment

Simple Storage

As I’m sure you’ve noticed by now, shoeboxes make excellent (and cheap) storage compartments; all you need to do is pretty them up a little. I absolutely love these map-covered boxes, but of course, you can use any kind of decorative or wrapping paper that’ll suit your home.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – InMyOwnStyle

Yarn Heart Box

We all have little bits and bobs that we need to store, and this cute little yarn heart box is the perfect solution. Simply trace or print out the template that you can cut from a shoebox, and then thread your yarn through – a variety of colors will make it look a lot more interesting.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – Happyhourprojects

Sticker Organizer

This one is for all you dedicated scrapbookers (or teachers!)—you know who you are—who let your stickers get a little out of control. So it’s high time that you task yourself with decorating an old shoebox, making some dividers, and getting your things in order.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – KinderCraze

File Caddy

Keep all your files, journals, recipe books or magazines together in a safe place with a single shoebox. The tutorial shows you how to make a few simple cuts here and there, and then you just need to decorate it to make it look pretty.

Shoebox

Yes, I realize the apparent silliness in suggesting that you use your shoebox as a shoebox, but this isn’t just any old shoebox. If you want to keep your shoes safe but still be able to see them, this tutorial shows you how to add in a little window to make things easier.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – Juditu

Ribbon Storage

Don’t let all your ribbons get tangled up and ruined by leaving them lying around, unorganized, in a box. If you just pierce a few holes through the side of the shoebox, you can feed your ribbon through, close the lid, and simply pull out what you need, when you need it. Now that’s efficient!

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – DelicateConstruction

Suitcase

A simple shoebox can be transformed into a really cute antique-looking mini suitcase with the right paint job and some leather strips. Use this as storage, a gift box, or as an actual little suitcase if you need to transport small items. No one will ever know!

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – TheIdeaKing

Chalkboards

This is by far one of the easiest shoebox crafts since all you need is some chalkboard paint to make a whole series of faux chalkboards. You can hang these in the kitchen to make grocery lists or map out dinner ideas, or you can simply use them for some fun decoration.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – Show&TellU

Constellation Night Light

I’ve always been fascinated by space and the night sky, so although this may be a great night light idea for a kid’s room, I’ve kept it out of the kids section because I actually want this for myself! I’m already contemplating a whole series of my favorite constellations.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – Instructables

For the Kids

Toy Storage

The one problem with adorable little kids is all their toys that get left around the house. Make tidying up and organizing less of a chore for them (and yourself!) by decorating shoeboxes for toy storage. These mini houses are just too cute, but you can also get your little ones to help decorate the boxes as they wish.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – TheGoldJellyBean

Dollhouses and Fire Stations

When you look at it through the eyes of a child filled with wonder and wild imagination, a shoe box can be transformed into a really fun playhouse. From dollhouses to mini cafes, fire stations and police stations, it seems that the humble shoebox can be your tot’s oyster.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – GlitteringMuffins and SmallWorldLand

Mini Foosball

This one’s really fun for the younger ones – a one-on-one homemade mini foosball game! Get the kids to help you make and decorate it, and then sit back and enjoy the peace as they keep themselves busy with the game.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – FrugalFunForBoys and UCreate

Puppet Theater

One of the worst things that your child can say is “I’m bored”; it’s up to you then to scramble and find a way to keep them entertained. So to make things a little easier on you, here’s a fun tutorial for a cute little puppet theater that lights up.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – HandmadeCharlotte

Loom

If your little tot is as crafty as you are, then they may appreciate this makeshift loom so that they can make little belts, scarves, bracelets or whatever their creative little minds allow.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – 100Things2Do

Dioramas

This site gives you five great ideas for dioramas that are sure to keep your kid busy and happy. Just set down the materials, offer some helpful advice or a bit of help, and then sit back as your little one expresses their creativity.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – F3Y

Marble Maze

I used to love these ball mazes when I was a child, although mine was on a much smaller scale, which, I’m certain made it a lot more difficult. But if you have a shoebox lid, a marble, and some straws or craft sticks, you can easily make a homemade version of this classic toy.

DIY Instructions and Project Credit – MeaningfulMama and FrugalFunForBoys