Shoe Storage Ideas

A shoe cabinet is a standalone furnishing for specialized shoe storage. Shoe storage cabinets come in a variety of sizes and color finishes to enhance your decor. You can stash your shoes out of sight in pull-out bins and drawers to instantly tidy up your living space. Closed storage keeps dust from collecting on shoes that you wear infrequently, and the top offers a great place to display your favorite photos and knickknacks.

Manufacturers produce shoe storage cabinets out of solid wood, medium-density fiberboard and other engineered products like plastic or metal.

Tip: Some shoe storage cabinets feature one or more open shelves or cubbies in addition to doors. Choose open shelves or cubbies to keep the shoes you wear most often within quick reach.

If you don't have much space to spare, storing shoes vertically makes sense. Shoe storage boxes let you keep pairs together in an enclosed container that seals out dust and debris. Most can be stacked to shrink the footprint of your shoe storage area. Shoe storage boxes can be as decorative or plain as you like. When shopping for stacking shoe boxes, consider the capacity, dimensions, materials and closures.

• Some shoe boxes only hold a single pair, while others can accommodate two or more.
• Always double-check measurements to make sure your shoes will fit.
• Clear plastic boxes make it simple to find shoes in a hurry. Boxes made of cotton, linen and other fabrics promote airflow to help keep shoes fresh.
• Depending on the box, you may need to remove a lid, slide out a drawer or open a flap to get to your shoes.

Adding a bench seat to your entryway, closet or bedroom can help you get those lace-up boots, strappy sandals and running shoes on more easily.

Shoe storage benches provide a handy seat and offer space for stashing your shoes. These benches feature shoe storage options like shelves, cubbyholes, cabinet doors and drawers. Some benches even have cushions for added comfort. A shoe storage bench can be a beautiful addition to your room.

Tip: To get your shoes on in a flash, choose a bench with open storage. This style lets you sit down, bend down, grab a pair, and get them on fast.

Need to find a home for more than just your favorite footwear? Multi-tasking furniture is the solution. These pieces are typically large with ample shoe storage. They combine footwear shelves, cubbies, or bins with other storage solutions like:

• Exterior hooks for hanging coats, scarves, hats and bags.
• Small and large drawers for socks, gloves, hats and more.
• Decorative baskets and bins that can hold small accessories.
• Interior or exterior rods for hanging clothing and outerwear.
• Attached or removable trays for jewelry, watches, mobile devices and other small items.

Tip: To pair the look of the room with the shoe storage, choose furniture that complements the decor theme and palette of your space.

If having quick access to your shoes in your entryway, bedroom or closet is a top priority, shoe storage racks may suit your needs. These open storage solutions feature solid, wire or slatted shelving for your shoes. With their open design, racks allow you to view all your footwear options at once. 

For families, racks make it simpler for everyone to get their shoes at one time. The lack of drawers and doors allows kids to easily find and retrieve their shoes on their own. Some shoe racks stack, giving your shoe collection room to grow.

Some shoe racks are equipped with wheels, making your footwear storage space mobile. Rolling utility carts have small casters designed to maneuver through small spaces. Some have locking mechanisms to lock the cart in place. Rolling shoe carts can simplify household chores, provide temporary storage and more. 

Because these storage solutions are mobile, you can roll them out of the way to mop the floor or run thevacuum cleaner.

Store the shoes of your visitors or overnight guests, and then roll the carts out of the way when they depart.

Keep boots on one rolling cart and sandals on another to make swapping out your season footwear easy.

Shoe trees draw inspiration from retail displays and allow you to store more footwear in less space.

Designs vary, but most feature a central pole with two or more wire racks. Instead of resting shoes flat, you hang them vertically. Some trees rotate, so you can access all stored footwear sizes with just a spin. A shoe tree has a small footprint, so it fits in a corner like a coat rack. It helps footwear hold its shape and reduces the risk of scuffs and scratches due to over-handling.

Consider shoe shelves as an option for your shoe storage.

• Add wood shelves to the clothes cabinet or closet to create a dry and dust-free place for your prized footwear.
• Attach shelves to adjustable wall brackets for a convenient shoe display.

That unused space on the back of your closet door is a great spot for stashing shoes with hanging storage. Over-the-door hangers have hooks that secure to the top of the door for quick and easy installation. To hold shoes, hangers may feature:

• Wire holders
• Clear vinyl or plastic pouches or bins
• Breathable fabric pouches or bins
• Other hanging shoe storage options include a shoe-hanging rod for the closet or wardrobe.

Depending on the design of your bed, you may have some extra, handy storage space waiting underneath it. Underbed shoe storage solutions have shallow dimensions that allow them to slide under the bed frame. Many have handles to make pulling them back out easy. Most underbed shoe storage solutions store multiple pairs of shoes in:

• Plastic bins with open tops
• Fabric bins with zippered lids or open tops
• Plastic boxes with snap-on, lift-off or flip-up lids
• Fabric boxes with removable lids, flaps, or zippers

Boots pose a special storage challenge. Shoe cabinets and the storage space found in closet systems may not have enough room for boots. Tall boots with flexible shafts can develop creases if stored upright. To keep boots in like-new condition for longer, choose shoe storage that holds them upside down. Alternatively, insert wood, plastic, or metal shapers to help them retain their shape.