An easy DIY to customize your boot tray

Remember one of the things that I said I was considering for our mudroom update was a boot tray?  Although I’m still not 100% sure that I want shoe storage in here, as much mud and grass as the boys (ahem, mostly Michael and his work boots, bless his sweet heart) have been trekking through the house lately, I’ve realized that we really do need a boot tray.

But I wanted to do something different and fun.  I really like the ones I see on Pinterest with the river rocks, so something along those lines, but different.

Here’s what I came up with:

 

They’re shells.

We’ve been taking the boys to the beach since W was a baby, so that’s a lot of beach trips, and they always collect at least a few.  We’ve got a huge collection.  And they’re mostly sitting around in bags and buckets.  I figured, why not make them functional, and bring that subtle coastal touch to the room that we love so much?

So, here’s how we did it

*Affiliate links included-disclosures here

Grab your shells:

 

 

 

And your tray (I picked mine up at Hobby Lobby on sale for 50% off).  The dimensions are 21 “W X 14.5 “D X 4″H:

 

 

 

 

 

Man, I love that tray!  The wood with the brushed metal finish…Gah!

Here is a link for this specific tray from Hobby Lobby.  However…it’s way more expensive than what it was marked in the store.  I think it must be for a set, even though the pics online only show one tray. I’ll link some good alternatives at the end of the post.

Then just pour the shells into the tray.  I put the larger shells on the perimeter, and used the flatter ones in the middle so the boots would have a more even surface to stand on.

 

 

I also added a couple of rocks from my grandparents old lake house that I grabbed when it was sold.  Just sentimental pieces.

 

 

Here’s a peek at how the room is coming together!  Still need a coat of paint on the doors, lighting, and a new rug…but it’s almost done! (Here’s the DIY for the fabric wall treatment).

 

 

 

 

As far as practicality…Beau plays with a lot of those shells outside in the dirt all of the time and then just hoses them off.  I figure, when they get too muddy, I’ll dump them on the deck and hose ’em off, or in the sink in the utility room (which is right beside the mudroom) and do the same.  Easy.

I would be careful doing this project if you have small children who still want to put all of the things in their mouths, or dogs.  Our pups, Marshall and Tucker, love to chew on the big shells (they turn their noses up at these), but other dogs might want to chew on these smaller ones.  I bet they could be a choking hazard.  Just an FYI.

Some options for boot trays

Here are some great options for boot trays.  Again, I linked the exact tray above, but it was just much more expensive than in store.  If you want that exact tray (which I couldn’t find anywhere else online), I would try looking in your local Hobby Lobby if you have one.

 

What do you think?  I’d love to hear your comments below!

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Edit- Here’s a peek at the completed mudroom!: