Packaging always poses a problem in my house. Bulky, clunky, cardboard that takes up way too much room and is always a pain to squish into the recycling bin. But no such packaging causes more clutter than the humble shoe box.
These boxes always seem to hang around in great numbers. Piling up in our wardrobe and taking up inordinate amounts of space. And yet we continue to hang on to them. Despite them being oh-so-easy to recycle, something in us tells us they might be useful. And the truth is – they really are! You just have to actually do something with them to find out what that is.
So in order to help you justify your collection of cardboard, I’ve discovered the best uses for all your old shoe boxes. Turning clutter into storage solutions, what could be better!
Draw dividers
There are few things I get more satisfaction out of than a perfectly organised drawer, and your old shoe boxes could be just the thing you need to achieve just that. Don’t waste money on expensive plastic dividers. Instead, take your old boxes, and either simply drop them into a drawer for a large internal divider, or measure, trim and adjust them to help you separate several categories neatly side by side.
You can even cut up the lid of the shoe box for extra divider slats to sit within the boxes themselves. Personally, I love using them in my underwear drawer to separate bras, pants and socks, so they don’t merge together in one messy tangle.
Cable organiser
One of the worst, and most easily created, forms of clutter comes from tangled up chargers and cables. Those pesky wires always seem to find themselves tangled into some sort of monstrous electronic nest, but not anymore.
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For storing your chargers, cut up cardboard tubes from loo or kitchen roll to the height of your shoe box. Pack them tightly inside the box side by side and upright. Then, simply coil your cable, wire or charger and place it inside the tube. Label each tube so you know exactly what the wire does for extra smug organisation and easy access when you need them.
To create your own streamlined, tangle-free charging station – cut small holes (one for each device you want to charge) along the long side of the shoe box for cables to pass through. Then, cut a larger hole on one end of the box for the main extension cord/multi-socket lead. Put the socket inside the box and plug in your chargers, then simply thread the charger cords through the small holes and close the lid. Wrap the box in decorative paper to help make it look more stylish. Now you have a concealed charging station that’s no longer an eyesore and prevents your cables getting tangled into one another.
Jewellery box
Try turning your old shoe box into a decorative jewellery box. It’s crafty, decorative but also an opportunity for you to create a storage solution that prevents pieces getting tangled or damaged.
You can create bracelet and bangle holders by placing rods across the box, adding custom compartments for rings and earrings using cardboard strips, or turning the lid into a hanging display for necklaces and stud earrings. Another clever option is using upright toilet paper rolls inside the box to neatly organise necklaces and bracelets while preventing tangling.
To give it more of a deliberate and fashionable look, I suggest covering the outside with decorative wrapping or even giving it a fresh paint job. For the inside, I’d definitely line it with soft fabric, both for a more luxurious feel and to help cushion the treasure inside.
Pantry storage
Bring some calm and order to your pantry and kitchen cupboards, without spending a fortune on glitzy storage solutions. Your old, clean (emphasis on clean) shoe boxes are perfect for everything from corralling snacks to separating spice packets, helping to eliminate clutter and keep shelves organised for good.
Shoe boxes actually work as a great option for this as, unlike fixed plastic organisers (which often cost an arm and a leg), cardboard shoe boxes can be easily cut, customised and arranged to fit the specific, sometimes awkward, dimensions of your kitchen cabinets. They can also slide in and out with ease, acting like pull-out drawers for easy access and minimal rummaging.
Memory box
A classic, often traditional, use for old shoe boxes that still stands the test of time today is turning them into your sentimental memory box. They provide a protective, dark environment for delicate items, and offer a nostalgic, eco-friendly way to organise cherished possessions.
To help make the memory box feel a little more special, turn it into a craft project. Cover it with fabric, decorative paper or paint and line the inside with soft fabric or acid-free paper to help keep all your precious memories safe.
To ensure both the box and its contents remains safe for long-term storage, you can add a small silica gel packet inside to keep moisture and humidity at bay, and use archival tissue paper or acid-free envelopes for storing old photos and documents to prevent yellowing. Just make sure you store it in a cool dry place, like a wardrobe shelf or under the bed for safekeeping.
Paperwork holder
Remove visual clutter from your desk or workspace and keep paperwork where you can actually find it by making your very own document holder – using, of course, your old shoe box. There are several ways you can do this, the simplest being to open up the box, remove the lid and cut slits into the short sides of the box, make sure they line up on either side. Add a few of them and use these as separate dividers for letters or documents that will slot in horizontally.
For another, equally simple approach, open up the shoe box and use measured cuttings from the lid to create dividers across the box, slotting in paperwork or magazines vertically for easy visual access.
Compost
An eco-friendly way to reuse shoe boxes and cut clutter can also be the secret to helping your garden thrive. Old shoe boxes are excellent for composting as they provide high-carbon ‘brown’ material, which balances nitrogen-rich food scraps in your compost pile.
To use them safely and effectively, ensure the cardboard is not glossy or wax-coated, remove any tape or staples and break the boxes down into small, manageable pieces to speed up decomposition. Mix these shredded pieces directly into your compost heap, ensuring they are well-mixed with ‘green’ materials like grass clippings, gardening off-cuts or kitchen scraps.
