Learn how to make a wooden boot tray that is attractive enough for your foyer. This pretty piece of decor is simple to make, and very useful in the home.
Have you seen these pretty wooden mats that some are using for their welcome mat? Some are put together with rope or beads, and I have always admired them.
Here in the north, it can get pretty messy in the winter. We have a boot tray in our laundry/mud room right off the garage, which is great for messy boots. However, we really needed one at the front door for guests, which is why I attempted to make an attractive wooden boot tray for our foyer.
How to Make a Wooden Boot Tray
This particular tutorial is quite easy. We did not take the rope or bead method. I didn't even use screws or nails, and I only used two boards on the back.
Basically all you need to do is buy a nice plastic boot tray. Maybe you already have one.
This one does the job, but it's not that pretty, and, although it has a little raised pattern, let's face it, the shoes still sit in the mess.
So we found 14 feet wood pieces about 1.5 inches by 1/4 inch and cut them down to fit the tray. They also sold smaller width pieces about 1/2 inch in size but I thought they looked too small. Two more pieces were cut to add to the bottom to hold it all together.
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It's similar to the contractor wood shim welcome sign I made before only using much stronger materials.
As I mentioned before, I did not use nails or screws. I simply used strong wood glue. Now, here's a mistake I did make. I should have put the glue on the individual slats, not the crosspiece. Why? Because the glue will show in between the slats. It's not really noticeable but I'd do it differently next time.
Books act as a clamp and were left there overnight.
After the glue dried, I used some poly wood stain to give it a more finished look.
Now, when our guests come to visit, I'll have a pretty wooden boot tray for their shoes to dry off, right next to the front door.
This would also be a nice addition to a mud room or near any entrance to your home.
DIY Attractive Wooden Boot Tray For Your Foyer or Any Entrance
Equipment
Materials
- Plastic Boot Tray
- Wood pieces - 14' - about 1.5"x1 1/4"
- Wood Glue
- Heavy books
Instructions
- Cut the wood to fit the boot tray.
- Place wood glue on the individual slats of the wood.
- Repeat until the boot tray is covered with the wood pieces.
- Place heavy books on the tray and allow it to dry overnight.
Billie D Frye
How would this work if there are a lot more people coming and going?
Patti Estep
Billie, you could make a larger one or have one on each side of the entrance depending on how your home is set up.
Barbara Trapp
Gosh, At first I thought you meant a food tray! All you need are a couple of holes drilled on the side outside wood pieces, add rope handles. Maybe stack and glue 2or3 wood pices to the top and bottom to keep dishes from sliding off. What a perfect tray for outside eating!
Patti Estep
Hi Barbara,
That is an excellent idea!
Thanks for sharing,
Patti
Kim Smith
I am so doing this. I look at my black plastic tray near the front door and wonder "How could I dress it up?" This is perfect. I am going to get some wood and try it. Pinning!
Patti Estep
Hi Kim,
So glad you like it. I've been thinking about this one a long time and I'm so glad I did it because it looks great.
Thanks for stopping by,
Patti
Sandra L,
Fantastic! You must have read my mind. New carpeting has been installed in my apartment and I have been so worried about any stain. Shoes and boots especially when you come in from the rain. The boot tray are ugly and right now I have clear mats from the Dollar Store. Just emailed this to my daughter so we came conspire to make this project. I don't have a mud room as you come from outside right into the foyer. I have seen the trays in clear and thought I could paint it the same color as the carpet and it will pretty much blend in. Great project.
Patti Estep
Hi Sandra,
I'm so glad you like. Of course there are many options out there. I believe the one from Behr used garden stakes. I looked for them but didn't see anything that I liked. I'm sure you and your daughter will find the perfect solution.
Thanks for stopping by,
Patti
Carole West, Garden Up Green
This is what I really need instead of just where ever because when I come inside the cowboy boots come off and just land. I've got my work boots and then nice boots because I've found them to be the most comfortable shoe ever. Like this idea!!
Patti Estep
Hi Carole,
Yeah, I figured it would be nice to have something pretty to look at in our entrance, even when there are no boots.
Thanks for stopping by,
Patti