Recycle shoe boxes: 11 creative tips to turn them into something new

One of the most recycled and reused items, by far, are cardboard boxes. And the boxes that we find most often at home, are cardboard shoe boxes. They are very suitable for re-use due to their medium size and they are not too thick but are made of a resistant material (usually cardboard of some type).

So, intuitively finding ways to reuse these boxes or turn them into something else which is useful, is quite simple. However, the ways to make the most out of them are endless. It is best, then, to get a few tips and ideas about how best to recycle them and create new objects easily. Here is our selection of practical tips and creative ideas for reusing shoe boxes:

A wonderful first to recycle shoe boxes can be to use them as pencil / pen holders. By creating sections / dividers with cardboard strips, you can divide pencils, pens or markers by color, for example. This way you can find a solution to a very common accumulation problem that, especially those with small children, know about very well.

By drilling holes through the box, you can insert the ends of the colored ribbons that you use for wrapping or packaging (or other crafts). Those who do creative work will be particularly aware of how convenient it is to have the ribbons in one dispenser, ready to use, to be pulled out and cut as needed.

An idea that seems quite obvious but can be adapted to a thousand different needs and a thousand ways is that of cladding shoe boxes of different sizes with materials that can transform them into unique gift boxes, decorative objects or simple, space-saving containers.

In the event that the boxes serve as containers for storing your personal effects and/or reorganizing space, you can use convenient tags that indicate the contents to the owner. Those covered in fabric, for example, could be perfect for storing whatever you want and without sacrificing the aesthetics of being a beautiful box.

And how about using shoe boxes to keep your earrings in order? Just put one or more lids perpendicular to the base of the box and use them to place your earrings on. In this way, you keep them tidy and always have them on view when you have to choose what to put on.

Cover and lined and divided into compartments, a shoe box can become an excellent jewelry box. Use the materials and colors you prefer and you will see what wonders will come out of your project.

Obviously, jewelry boxes, lined with care (even on the outside) - as well as being very useful - will become wonderful decorative objects. They will be beautiful little cases in which to keep whatever you like.

Another phenomenal idea is to hang the boxes on the wall like shelves and use them as an organizer. Hanging up in the bathroom, for example, they could be perfect for keeping your make-up products in order.

And a proposal that, on the other hand, few would think of, is to use the boxes to build a doll's house. The little ones will be thrilled.

Simply by inserting nails or pins, your shoe box will become a sewing thread bobbin holder.

And finally, by disassembling the box, cutting and gluing it, a magnificent desk organizer can come to life from a simple shoe box. Useful for when you need to store and organize books, notebooks and other stationery material. It's also useful for holding other work implements or tools.

Now it's your turn. Run off and get all those empty shoe boxes that you were going to throw away, and get to work!