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Repurposed Storage: Think Outside the Ammo Box

As a family of 8 with a dog and cat, you can bet we need as much storage as possible. I am pretty crazy about only keeping what we need and not having our home look as if the kids own the place and we reside. Don’t get me wrong, kids gotta have their things too, but why not store then in less than obvious ways, right?

Thrifting is my gig, and when I spied this military ammunition box without its lid, I knew it had to be mine. Can’t beat the $5 price tag. tsk.Thrifted military ammo box makes for awesome under-seat shoe storage. Repurposed storage at it's best! by Prodigal Pieces www.prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

I snatched it up, intending to put it in my shop. After bringing it home, I loved it so much I wanted to keep it. It reminded me of my Dad as a Marine, and my big brother, an Army man.

A rule for myself though, is if I can’t find a use for it, then it’s got to go. Decorative pieces don’t really jive around here most of the time.

Thrifted military ammo box makes for awesome under-seat shoe storage. Repurposed storage at it's best! by Prodigal Pieces www.prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

After a day or two I had an idea come to mind. You see, my littlest doesn’t have much space for things of her own right yet. We need to makeover our girls’ room, much like we did our boys’ room, and give her places to put her clothes, toys, etc. (remember, we live in a 3 bedroom home, less than 1600 sq. ft.)

Thrifted military ammo box makes for awesome under-seat shoe storage. Repurposed storage at it's best! by Prodigal Pieces www.prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

Recently, it was time for me to go shoe shopping for her – when I head to the basement to dig through the tubs of shoes – since winter was around the corner. I brought out all the shoes her size and dumped them on the floor. There they sat for a week or so. (don’t judge, we’re CRAZY busy lately!)

Thrifted military ammo box makes for awesome under-seat shoe storage. Repurposed storage at it's best! by Prodigal Pieces www.prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

Then it drove me crazy there they sat. The good ol’ ammo box came to the rescue. tee hee hee. Repuposed storage at its best!

I do have a stash of goodies that come to my rescue from time to time. I knew I had a few sets of small casters still left after I made my faux shipping crate table, and the storage boxes for my boys, so I grabbed a set and got to work.

Thrifted military ammo box makes for awesome under-seat shoe storage. Repurposed storage at it's best! by Prodigal Pieces www.prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

The bottom of the box was pretty thin and I knew I would have to reinforce it in order to hold a caster and take the pressure of turning. A scrap strip of luan was the perfect width, so I cut up four pieces and painted them black.

Thrifted military ammo box makes for awesome under-seat shoe storage. Repurposed storage at it's best! by Prodigal Pieces www.prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

After that, I placed them on the bottom corners with some glue, and then attached the casters to the four corners.

Thrifted military ammo box makes for awesome under-seat shoe storage. Repurposed storage at it's best! by Prodigal Pieces www.prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

It was ready to go and went perfectly under my antique pew I talked about HERE. Doesn’t it look great? This is where we all get our shoes on before we head out the door, and makes life easier for mom.

Thrifted military ammo box makes for awesome under-seat shoe storage. Repurposed storage at it's best! by Prodigal Pieces www.prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

I filled the box while my littlest was sleeping. When she woke up, she had a sweet surprise. ♥

Thrifted military ammo box makes for awesome under-seat shoe storage. Repurposed storage at it's best! by Prodigal Pieces www.prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

She loved seeing her shoes all tucked away in a “secret” space. I loved seeing them up off the floor! ha!

Thrifted military ammo box makes for awesome under-seat shoe storage. Repurposed storage at it's best! by Prodigal Pieces www.prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

I know her little tootsies won’t stay little forever, but until we can build our built-in shoe storage for everyone, this works just fine. I’ll probably use it to store our dog and cat essentials later on when we finish our kitchen remodel. (that brown flooring has got to go!)

Thrifted military ammo box makes for awesome under-seat shoe storage. Repurposed storage at it's best! by Prodigal Pieces www.prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

Moral of the story…when you’re out and spy a potential storage piece, try to envision how you could use it. This ammo box would have also made an awesome wall unit or possibly a light fixture, etc. It’s fun to think outside the ammo box.

If you do have a project you’d like to share, just click on the “Submit YOUR Prodigal Piece” tab at the top of the page for a feature. I love seeing what you do!

Pin and share! ♥

Thrifted military ammo box makes for awesome under-seat shoe storage. Repurposed storage at it's best! by Prodigal Pieces www.prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

More of my repurposed projects:

DIY Walk-In Closet Makeover with Barn Wood by Prodigal Pieces www.prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpiecesAntique Stereo Repurposed Into Sewing Cabinet by Prodigal Pieces www.prodigalpieces.com #prodigalpieces

Comments

  1. Michelle Cotter says

    Larissa, I always look forward to waking up and finding a post from you, you are such an upbeat way to start my day! Love your ideas and LOVE your way of seeing things. You are so funny and clever! Makes me wish we were neighbors so I could pick your brain AND get a good laugh in person! Have a great day!

    • Larissa says

      You just made my day, Michelle. That’s what it’s all about. Thank you!! {{hugs}}

  2. GWEN says

    yay! you left it just the way i would have. love the look AND the untility of it!

  3. Mary-In the boondocks says

    Your adorable little one looks so happy to have found her shoes !! Love that picture!! Great repurposing, the box was pretty perfect to begin with. 😉

    • Larissa says

      She is!! I still find her pulling it out to see the “hidden treasure”…I love it!

    • Larissa says

      tee hee. I’m such a nut. 😀 She still keeps pulling it out and organizing…a girl after my own heart.

  4. Keri says

    Ooh! I love that ammo box!!! Great way to store those little shoes!! I also love your old pew!!

    • Larissa says

      Yes, can’t go wrong with wooden boxes, right? That pew is a dream come true – thank you!

  5. Debrashoppeno5 says

    Ammo boxes are so coòl. I paid $15.00 for mine and made it into a table using black pipe for the legs. I love it but it’s at my booth right now. It may make it’s way back home.

    • Larissa says

      Love it! I just had to keep this one since is proved useful. It fun to stow away a piece every now and then, right?

  6. Susan Stevenson says

    oh yes! I have an old crate that I use for shoes by the front door. I have a 19 year old that must have 50 pairs of shoes because every one ends up around the house. I use the crate to collect all her shoes!

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