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‘Drip Tray’ for Muddy or Wet Shoes

by

Y’all.

We have an epic problem.

And I don’t use the word epic flippantly and without consequence like most of the universe.

Melty, muddy snow, all over my floorDo you see that? Melty, muddy snow.

*hold me*

We don’t have the good fortune of having a mudroom. Apparently 114 years ago, architects weren’t concerning themselves with mudrooms. (or linen closets, coat closets, or pantry’s… just sayin’)

This is where we walk into our casa.

Our kitchen, no mudroom to collect dirty, messy shoes.

What happens when a girl gets sick of stepping stocking-footed into cold puddles throughout the kitchen?

THIS:

Make your own drip station for muddy/snowy boots and shoes | Reality Day Dream

La la la la la!

Let me show you how. This is an EASY build!

This is what you’ll need: (includes affiliate links)

We started out by cutting the 1×3 boards down on the miter saw as follows: (2) 48” and (2) 12.5”. We chose these dimensions because we wanted our ‘drip tray’ to be 4 feet wide, and deep enough to accommodate Nick’s GIANT boots. You can adjust the dimensions to fit your needs.

Drip Tray for Snowy Boots and Shoes

We drilled angled holes with our Kreg Jig for easy assembly, glued the ends, and screwed these bad-boys together.

Assembling a 'Drip Tray' for Muddy Boots and Shoes

Base and border for the drip tray

Now that our ‘frame’ is built, It’s time to cut the Plexiglass and MDF to size! The goal here is to have a water-proof system (plexiglass) that’s still sturdy and supported (MDF) for the bottom of our ‘tray’. We cut them down to 48” x 14” (the exact dimensions of our ‘tray’ thingamajig). We used our table saw, but you could use a circular saw or band saw too! Whatever ya got!

Create a sturdy and waterproof base for your drip tray

We used the Kreg drill bit to drill counter-sink holes 8” apart. You can use two different size drill bits to achieve this same effect. The reason we needed counter-sink holes is so that the screws will screw in far enough that they won’t stick out and scratch the floor. Make sense? We used 1” fine thread screws.

Make a drip tray for wet shoes in your mudroom!

I stained the ‘tray’ using Rustoleum Dark Walnut, and then varnished and let it dry overnight. Then we taped things off in preparation for the silicone (to seal all those cracks)! You can see that we didn’t bring the tape all the way to the corner. That way the silicone will get where it needs to go, and after we smooth it out, we can remove the tape and have a perfect crisp line!

Assembling the drip tray to keep my home clean and drip-free

Creating a 'Drip Tray' for muddy (or snowy) boots and shoes!

All that’s left is to dump in the ‘river rocks’!

The final step, adding the stones

We ended up rinsing our rocks in a 5-gallon bucket, because they were pretty dirty. Then we just spread them out in our ‘tray’, stood back, and admired our handiwork!

And the finished product- smart and easy!

Isn’t it THE BEST when you’re able to identify a problem in your home… and come up with a solution?!

Build this 'Drip Station' to catch all those drips from your family's drippy, snowy, muddy shoes and boots! GENIUS!

No more dirty puddles!

No more wet socks!

DIY 'Drip Tray' for snowy (or muddy!) boots and shoes

I love how simple this was to build… and it comes at a perfect time since we’re in the midst of a perpetual snowy polar vortex that gets tracked into my kitchen. And believe it or not? The girls leave the stones alone!

Are you lucky enough to have a mudroom? Do you have a system for shoe storage? Let’s chat!

Beth @ Reality Daydream

UPDATE! We’ve overhauled our whole entryway and kitchen since writing this post! There are tutorials for everrrrrything! (including those cubbies for hats and mittens! Check it all out here!

Kitchen update... by Reality Daydream

Disclosure! we’re SUPER HONORED to have been chosen as a “Lowes Creator”, and were provided with a Lowes gift card to help with the cost of supplies… but as always, all ideas, thoughts and opinions are 100% our own. Because that’s how we roll yo.

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Comments

  1. 61

    Hi there – I am finding this waaaaaay after the fact and it is brilliant – can I ask? Do you have to take all the rocks out to drain the water or does it just evaporate – we live in Canada – I am just wondering where the water goes and the logistics of draining the tray 🙂 Do you have to clean the bottom of the box over time?

    Reply
    • 62

      The water just evaporates! And it’s brilliant! In the spring, after it’s not muddy anymore, we dump the rocks into a 5 gal bucket, and spray down the tray to clean it. Then just store it all in the garage until the next winter!

      Reply
  2. 63

    How did you make the calendar in the frame? Is it a big chalkboard or did you use chalkboard paint on something?

    Reply
  4. 71

    Aahhhh this is perfect! We have a small tiled area when you walk in the front door, much like yours. A shoe rack doesn’t cut it. I was planning on building a coat rack etc, but could not for the life of me figure out what to do with shoes. But this is perfect, will have to do before the winter! Thanks!

    Reply
  5. 72

    Thank you for the great idea!

    I will be adapting it at my church for use under wet baptismal gowns. I’ve tried to find a commercial solution but it was either the wrong size or too clunky/inappropriate (garden trays, beer dip trays, etc.). I plan to use a white decorative fill for a more “pure” look and maybe a cover screen/mesh to keep the kiddies out.

    Reply
  6. 73

    I love that you didn’t feel the need to glue down the rocks. I do childcare, we live in a split foyer & that is our main entry. I have 2 boot trays but still need the rocks. Everywhere else I have seen them, they recommend hot gluing each. &. Every. Rock. down. ummmmmmmmm no. I am so going to just dump some rock in the trays & call it done. Thank You!

    Reply
  8. 77

    Living in San Diego, California we don’t have snow to deal with. Got anything that catches dog hair and leaves? I have a couple of terriers with hair that acts just like Velcro! They go outside, play in the yard and come back in and it’s dog hair and leaves everywhere! I love your idea for wet and muddy shoes but I don’t think it’ll work for me. Let me know if you come up with a solution! LOL

    Reply
  10. 80

    What an awesome, practical and good looking solution! I would love to have this at my house, but alas I have a 12 year old autistic dude with a rock fascination living in my house. He’d have that empty in a New York minute:) I was thinking of something like that for plants, higher up and on a much smaller scale, though!

    Reply
  12. 82

    Ha! I made one of these last week too! But I purchased a boot tray for under $5 from Lowes and then added the river rocks to it. My two year old wouldn’t leave the rocks alone, so I hot glued them to the bottom! Voila! Works perfect for those wet snowy shoes!

    Reply
  13. 83

    This is the prettiest drip tray I’ve ever seen! I love those kinds of stones. Our back entry way is gross too. I finally took 2 11×13 pans and put them on the dryer so when we come in we put our shoes/boots on there so they are out of the way. Then when they dry I put them in our shoe caddy hangy thing. Yours is way prettier. I’d have to find a way to have it off the ground since the only space to put it would be where the heating vent is. IT would need legs 🙂

    Reply
  15. 86

    That is amazing!!! I never would have thought about putting the rocks in there but they make it so much better—any yuck can just drip down through them and get off the shoes/boots! Awesome instructions and tutorial!!! I love it!!! Sharing!

    Reply
  16. 88

    What a clever idea! I have the same problem at my house, no mudroom! I am working on getting more handy with the saw, but I am hoping my husband will be nice and make this for me. Love it!

    Reply
  17. 89

    I made something similar for my step daughter for Christmas. I bought a premade tray and I hotglued the river rocks to the bottom so our future granddaughter can not run off with them.

    Reply
  18. 91

    Your updates still aren’t showing up in feedly, just FYI. When I remember to check instagram and see yours your pictures then it reminds me to check in here! I don’t mind really…it’s like finding a snickers you forgot you had.

    Reply
  19. 94

    Yes, we have a mudroom. A mudroom with CARPET. We have two boys, ages 5 & 7, who run a small scale free range poultry operation. This is a bad combination!

    Reply
  20. 96

    I love this, Bethany! Do the rocks absorb any of the water, or does it all collect in the bottom of the tray? I need a customizable solution here in KC too! xo

    Reply
    • 97

      The water just trickles down through the rocks, and if there’s enough of it, it will pool at the bottom. But that’s why we put plexiglass and sealed the corners with silicone. Everything is waterproof and wont soak into the wood. And throughout the day, the water will just evaporate!

      Reply
  21. 98

    This is a great idea and I love it. However, with two little grandsons running around, those rocks would not stay in the tray. They would be all over the house and Inevitably I would have a broken tv screen, window, oven – you get the picture! Maybe when the boys are at least 10 years old, I could get th is done! Also, love the girl’s coats. Just bought the same one for my granddaughter, Rowan to wear next year. It is so darn cute!!!!

    Reply
  22. 99

    this is lovely! But, I also LOVE the orange painted letter/pen organizer on your shelf. I picked up the exact same one at a garage sale…..do you have a tutorial on how you painted it? I’m sure I could figure something out, but I love the inspiration you give! 😉

    Reply
  23. 102

    I love this! Not only did I pin it, I printed it out for my husband. We have a shoe tray that we bought at Lowe’s, but it just isn’t getting the job done. The water collect in the bottom of it, and it’s still a mess. Our other issue is that our 15-month-old loves to play with shoes and drags them all over the living and dining rooms.

    Reply
  25. 107

    I love it! I’d need one just as deep (men’s size 14… might have to even add an inch 😉 )

    I wonder if fake grass would work as well…no possibility of stolen rocks. There is NO way my niece would leave the rocks alone. She likes to collect them on walks. Taht might look too much like the dog toliet boxes, however….

    I may have to just keep the rubber mat. 🙁

    Reply
  27. 111

    I LOVE this idea! It sure beats a simple mat that I would have to wash over and over and looks out of place (“Why do you have a mat in front of the door and next to it?”). This looks purposeful – even when there aren’t shoes in it! What a great idea!

    Reply

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Attention: Almost any do-it-yourself project involves risk of some sort. Your tools, materials, and skills will vary, as will the conditions at your project site. Reality Daydream has made every effort to be complete and accurate in the instructions of the plans on this website. Reality Daydream will not assume any responsibility or liability for damages or losses sustained or incurred in the course of your project or in the use of the item you create. Always follow the manufacturer’s operating instructions in the use of tools, check and follow your local building codes, and observe all commonly accepted safety precautions.