This post may contain affiliate links. All prices quoted are accurate as of the time this post was published. You can read my full disclosure policy here.
Easy DIY covered boot tray crafted with leftover scrap wood, wood stain, and river rocks. Read more for in-depth step-by-step instructions.
Many of my DIY projects do not start with any plan and this project is no different. My hunny bunny and I had left over scrap wood that was wasting space and we wanted to turn it into something functional. This project can easily be modified to fit any space and used for indoor or outdoor use. The dimensions listed are suggestions and please measure all materials you will use for your project.
All supplies listed I had on hand except the river rocks. You can find these at most hobby craft stores.
Materials:
- 8 ft. 1×6 board
- 5 ft. cabinet plywood 1/2 inch sheet (good to have extra plywood)
- finishing nails
- 8 1/2 ft. wood floor trim (good to have extra floor trim)
- Your choice of wood stain ( I used Martha Stewart Crafts Wood Stain in Espresso)
- 1 ArtMinds decoupage glue sealer gloss finish (optional)
- 4 40oz. Ashland decorative filler river rocks
- Glue gun + glue sticks (optional)
Dimensions:
- Cut 8 ft. 1×6 board into three 32 inch planks
- Cut two cabinet plywood 1/2 inch sheets into 12×32 inches (top and bottom)
- Cut two cabinet plywood 1/2 inch sheets into 12×16 inches (side pieces)
- Measure and cut 8 1/2 ft. floor trim into two 32 inch pieces (top and bottom) and two 17 inch pieces (sides)
How to build the covered boot tray
We started by assembling the cabinet plywood pieces into a rectangle where the corners meet at a 90 degree angle, making a rectangle shape. Make sure the top cabinet plywood pieces sit on top of the side pieces, sandwiching the side pieces between the top and bottom. Fasten with large finishing nails in all four corners.
Flip over structure onto a flat surface and fasten the 1×6 boards flush with the rectangle box we just made. This will be the back of the covered boot tray. Make sure the three 1×6 boards are evenly spaced. Fasten with finishing nails in all corners to lock top, bottom, and side plywood pieces together with the 1×6 boards.
Measure trim pieces corner to corner to fit the length and height of the box. Cut the ends of trim piece at 45 degree angle with miter box saw. If you do not have that, use a circular saw and not make corners a 45 degree angle.
Fasten cut trim corners to meet together like a picture frame with finishing nails and make sure they are flush with the box.
How to style the covered boot tray
First, lay down a protective layer of either cardboard or a paper bag to prepare for staining the wooden covered boot tray. Then, try staining a test patch to see if you like the wood stain’s appearance. Use your stain’s instructions on it’s packaging before staining.
Once you are happy with the stain, go ahead and stain everything inside and out. I used three coats of Martha Stewart Crafts Wood Stain in Espresso.
OPTIONAL: After your stain is dry, glue your river rocks with a glue stick or your choice of glue to the base of the covered boot tray. Once river rocks have been glued to the base and area is completely covered, spread a thin layer of gloss decoupage glue over the rocks to seal the river rocks once more. This adds an extra layer of protection and a glossy look to the rocks.
You do not have to glue your river rocks to the base of your tray and you may choose to use loose rocks.
Let the gloss decoupage glue sit for the time listed in the product’s instructions and style as you wish!
Check out the full tutorial on my Jumprope profile for step-by-step instructions on how I stained and added river rocks to the covered boot tray.
Notes:
Measure your widest pair of shoes and how many you would like to fit in the tray ahead of time. I have a size 8 women’s US shoe size and can fit 4 pairs of shoes snuggly beside each other.
In the future I would like to add stained furniture feat to the bottom to raise it off the ground. You can also repurpose this covered boot tray into storage or an indoor furniture piece. The possibilities are endless!
DIY Covered River Rock Boot Tray
Ingredients
- 8 ft. 1×6 board
- 5 ft. cabinet plywood 1/2 inch sheet (good to have extra plywood)
- finishing nails
- 8 1/2 ft. wood floor trim (good to have extra floor trim)
- Your choice of wood stain ( I used Martha Stewart Crafts Wood Stain in Espresso)
- 1 ArtMinds decoupage glue sealer gloss finish (optional)
- 4 40oz. Ashland decorative filler river rocks
- Glue gun + glue sticks (optional)
Instructions
Assemble covered boot tray
- We started by assembling the cabinet plywood pieces into a rectangle where the corners meet at a 90 degree angle, making a rectangle shape. Make sure the top cabinet plywood pieces sit on top of the side pieces, sandwiching the side pieces between the top and bottom. Fasten with large finishing nails in all four corners.
- Flip over structure onto a flat surface and fasten the 1×6 boards flush with the rectangle box we just made. This will be the back of the covered boot tray. Make sure the three 1×6 boards are evenly spaced. Fasten with finishing nails in all corners to lock top, bottom, and side plywood pieces together with the 1×6 boards.
- Measure trim pieces corner to corner to fit the length and height of the box. Cut the ends of trim piece at 45 degree angle with miter box saw. If you do not have that, use a circular saw and not make corners a 45 degree angle.
- Fasten cut trim corners to meet together like a picture frame with finishing nails and make sure they are flush with the box.
Decorate boot tray
- First, lay down a protective layer of either cardboard or a paper bag to prepare for staining the wooden covered boot tray. Then, try staining a test patch to see if you like the wood stain's appearance. Use your stain's instructions on it's packaging before staining.
- Once you are happy with the stain, go ahead and stain everything inside and out.
- OPTIONAL: After your stain is dry, glue your river rocks with a glue stick or your choice of glue to the base of the covered boot tray. Once river rocks have been glued to the base and area is completely covered, spread a thin layer of gloss decoupage glue over the rocks to seal the river rocks once more. This adds an extra layer of protection and a glossy look to the rocks. You do not have to glue your river rocks to the base of your tray and you may choose to use loose rocks.
- Let the gloss decoupage glue sit for the time listed in the product's instructions and style as you wish!
Notes
Thanks for reading and explore more DIY projects at www.mandbee.com