The current shoe rack situation in my home is not ideal. We’ve struggled to find a way to store shoes in our tiny, awkward entryway. When my husband came home with plastic racks from the hardware store last year, I admitted defeat. The stackable plastic shelves are practical, but they’re so utilitarian that I’m itching to find an alternative.
The shoe rack ideas he found are better than what we had before, at least. It was a constant mess of shoes, ready for someone to trip over and fall down the stairs. The benefit of the plastic racks is they’re easy to clean and can be stacked vertically, so they take up very little room width-wise.
Still, I’d love to find something more stylish that fits in better with my mid-century modern decor. We’re planning on redoing our entryway soon, and I’ve been on the hunt for a better option.
Below, you’ll find a list of clever, affordable shoe rack ideas that I shortlisted for my entry redesign. I’ve had to nix a few because of limited space, or because they don’t quite work with the style I have in mind, but I’m sure many of you will find inspiration within this list.
Vertical or Hanging Shoe Rack Ideas
Whether you live in a small space or prefer to access your shoes from a hanging rack, here are some shoe rack ideas with a small footprint that won’t take up much floor space.
Clothing and Shoe Rack Combo
If we had enough room, I’d consider this option, but alas, we’re stuck with a tiny landing that doesn’t fit much more than a 1-foot wide shoe rack. This rack is still an excellent choice for someone with a small living space since it provides both shoe and clothing storage. It’s not ideal for someone with an extensive shoe collection, though.
Cubby Holes
Here’s another wooden option for someone lacking horizontal space. Go upward instead of cluttering the floor. The cubbies are perfect for showing off a shoe collection.
Under-the-Stairs Shoe Storage
Photo by Anna Stathaki | Photography – Look for staircase design inspiration
This isn’t a quick and easy shoe rack idea, but it’s clever and super functional. It’s right by the door, but also holds a ton of shoes so you won’t be running all over the house trying to find that one specific pair.
Vertical Closet Rack
Put your footwear overflow in your closet. If you have no shelves or barely any floor space, use an inexpensive vertical fabric rack to make use of dead space in your closet.
Behind-the-Door Rack
The backs of doors are often wasted space — especially in a closet. Use that empty space to install a shoe rack like this one (which holds a lot of shoes).
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Sticking your shoes on a door rack helps to clear closet floor clutter. The less clutter your closet holds, the easier it’ll be to get dressed and ready in the morning.
Vertical Shoe Rack With Drawer
This cute little shoe rack takes up very little space and features a drawer for storing entryway items like keys. The only drawback is that it doesn’t quite fit bulkier footwear like boots.
Wall-Mounted Shoe Rack
Photo by Weedman Design Partners – Look for entryway pictures
Here’s a simple shoe rack that’s super accessible, especially for kids. This shoe rack doesn’t really take up vertical or horizontal space and is located right below the coat rack. It won’t fit a ton of shoes, but it can easily fit those most commonly worn.
Shoe Rack Credenza
Okay, this credenza is not what I’d call affordable, but the idea is a smart one. Repurposing this kind of furniture to include shoe storage space is genius.
Whether you DIY this kind of shoe rack or find a way to repurpose a vintage piece, this design is the perfect way to hide shoe clutter.
IKEA Cabinet
While it has a price tag of over $100, I think it’s one of the smartest shoe storage ideas, and I’ve long coveted the unit for my home because it keeps shoes out of sight. Even the tidiest shoe rack produces visual clutter, but this one keeps everything tucked away.
Horizontal or Floor Shoe Rack Ideas
If you have more floor space, a horizontal shoe rack may work for you. Here are a few shoe rack ideas that are low to the ground and accessible.
Simple Wood Shoe Rack
This option would be easy to DIY for people with a bit of woodworking know-how (*cough cough* not me). I love this simple little rack because the sleek top can be used as a surface for decorative items.
Easy Under the Bed Shoe Storage
Some people simply don’t have room for all their shoes in an entryway. The racks I have by the front door store maybe six pairs at most. This shoe-specific storage container is perfect for seasonal and special occasion footwear. Leave the sandals and high heels tucked away during the winter unless a worthy event is on the calendar.
Wire Rack
Photo by Tali Roth – Look for staircase pictures
I adore this vintage shoe rack for its simplicity and retro design. It has a small footprint space-wise, and because of the wire construction, it doesn’t have the bulky look that some shoe racks do.
Built Ins With Shoe Storage
Photo by Buckenmeyer Architecture – Browse entryway ideas
If you have the luxury of a large entryway in your home, and if you have carpentry skills, you can create a built-in seating area with lots of shoe storage. Though shoe rack ideas like this aren’t as easy as buying something and having it shipped to your home, they’re sturdy and will last for years to come.
Combo Shoe Rack
I love multitasking furniture pieces, and this combination shoe rack and umbrella stand is no exception. Do you have an umbrella? Are you always struggling to stuff it into your coat closet? Or does it find its way to the floor, cluttering up your space? This unit keeps your umbrella in a neat and tidy position and features lots of room for shoes and other items.
Shoe Rack Bench Seating
I’ve always been jealous of people with grand entryways that have space for seating and spacious coat storage. In my tiny front door area, people are often fumbling to take off and put on their shoes in a precarious balancing act.
Related Post: Storage Benches
This little shoe rack bench and combo makes it possible for people with limited space to kill two birds with one stone.
Take to the Air
This unique up-high storage idea is best for showing off a shoe collection. I probably wouldn’t want to showcase my dirty sneakers and worn down sandals, but if you’re a sneakerhead, it is a great clutter-reducing option for displaying your precious footwear.
Garage Shelves
Photo by ORG Home – More garage photos
The garage is the perfect place to stick all your shoes, especially if you use it to enter and leave your home. I’ve seen all manner of garages — from those used to store every little thing to meticulous, bare ones with nothing inside. I don’t have a garage, but if I did, I’d definitely use it to store shoes!
Utilitarian Shoe Rack
This simple, practical shoe storage option makes it easy to put away shoes and keep them well off the floor.
Wire Floor Rack
While this rack sits on the floor, it keeps the soles of your shoes elevated and helps hold shoes in their proper shape. It’s lightweight, compact, and super cheap.
Stackable Shelf
This super straightforward shoe rack is stackable, so you can build upon it as your household or shoe collection expands. It’s not just for shoes, either. Use it for storing bags, scarves, and sweaters, too.
Shoe Warmer
This super-smart design includes a spot to store your shoes and a built-in warmer that delivers heat to dry your rain-soaked or snow-filled sneakers and boots. It also comes with a surprisingly affordable price tag.
Boot Storage Rack
It’s all about shoes, but what about boots? Bulky winter boots don’t often fit well on traditional shoe racks. This storage unit keeps boots in order, so you don’t end up tripping over a pile of winter footwear in your entryway.
Simple 2-Tier Wooden Shoe Rack
This solid wood shoe rack is made of cedarwood which helps tone down odors and keeps away fabric-eating moths.
White Shoe Rack
If you’re searching for a more decorative shoe rack, opt for this adorable unit. The durable frame is easy to wipe down, and the top rack makes a perfect home for a houseplant.
Kid-Friendly Shoe Rack Ideas
Made for storing tiny-sized footwear, this rabbit-themed rack is a cute storage spot. Every platform is adjustable, and the metal base prevents the unit from toppling over. Kids will learn to happily put away their shoes without a fuss using this vertical rack.
Metal Shoe Storage
This vertical rack fits up to 24 pairs of shoes. It’s a practical solution for those with lots of footwear to store, but it doesn’t skimp on design. The weighted bottom prevents the rack from falling over while you spin it.
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