They say it only takes 38 seconds for guests to judge your home, which puts a lot of pressure on your entryway’s design. Clean, sensible storage maintains an open area to make you feel welcome. When you can add a bit of style and decoration, the whole layout sets the ideal comforting tone for anyone entering the house. It doesn’t have to take a ton of money or effort, either. In fact, you may only need to head to the Dollar Tree to find creative storage ideas for a clutter-free entryway while staying within a shoestring budget.

For this DIY entryway hack, grab several Dollar Tree crates, like the Mini Collapsible Storage Baskets, and turn them on their sides. With the openings facing forward, you now have a ready-made storage cubby. Stack several bins in a grid pattern, and you’ll make room for the entire family to store their shoes, with added shelving and hooks above providing a landing spot for backpacks, handbags, and more. No more unsightly clutter or shoes to trip over as you walk in the door. The setup only takes a few minutes and some basic tools, but the best part is how much you’ll save with a clever repurposing of budget-friendly products.

The neat part of this DIY is that there are several Dollar Tree bins and baskets that you can turn on their sides to fit in the design. At only 6 ½ inches deep when turned on its side, the Mini Collapsible Storage Basket may not be big enough for all shoes. Luckily, you can look at deeper options, like a circular Essentials Wire Basket or the more oblong 7-Quart Waste Basket, to hold a broader array of footwear while bringing unique shapes to the cubby layout. Measure your space, and plan the layout based on the size of the storage crate’s opening.

Open shelving is, for many reasons, one of the worst ways a shoe organization system ruins an aesthetic, so it’s worth considering a few upgrades to your new storage cubby. While a lot of Dollar Tree’s crates come in different colors, you can always paint them to fit your entryway’s design. You may need to give smooth plastic items a quick sanding with fine-grit sandpaper and a primer application before spray painting. After decorating them how you want, install the bins on the wall. Pre-drill holes in the bottom of the bins, and use wall anchors for a firm hold if you can’t mount the bins into studs. With the cubbies in place, you can design around it, adding trim and a top to complete a cohesive unit. Take inspiration from attractive interior entryway ideas to make your home feel more welcoming, and pull off a storage system you’ll love while staying strict to a low-cost Dollar Tree budget.