Super-Clever, Jaw-Dropping Ideas for Shoe Storage
Look at spaces other than your closet when you've run out of room for shoes
Tired of rummaging in your overflowing and crammed closet for a particular pair of shoes every time you go out? Or, do you constantly find yourself quibbling with the kids about dumping their shoes in messy heaps? Clearly the time has come to explore alternative spaces to accommodate all those shoes.
If you don’t have a walk-in closet, no worries – you can overhaul a redundant hallway space, an unused cupboard or the under-stairs area – they’ll do just as well. Browse through these ideas and make space for all that footwear, and more importantly, make life easier for yourself.
If you don’t have a walk-in closet, no worries – you can overhaul a redundant hallway space, an unused cupboard or the under-stairs area – they’ll do just as well. Browse through these ideas and make space for all that footwear, and more importantly, make life easier for yourself.
2. Go under the stairs
The space under the staircase can be an awkward place to access. Put it to use by installing shoe storage under the stairs with pull-out shoe racks. By turning the cupboard into drawers, you’ll utilise the space more efficiently. Plus, when it is closed, it’s almost impossible to tell that it is there.
Tip: Slanted shoe shelves are recommended as they show off your footwear better, in terms of both aesthetics and ease of use.
Take a tip from these clever understairs storage hacks
The space under the staircase can be an awkward place to access. Put it to use by installing shoe storage under the stairs with pull-out shoe racks. By turning the cupboard into drawers, you’ll utilise the space more efficiently. Plus, when it is closed, it’s almost impossible to tell that it is there.
Tip: Slanted shoe shelves are recommended as they show off your footwear better, in terms of both aesthetics and ease of use.
Take a tip from these clever understairs storage hacks
3. Use dead spaces
Take a look around and see where you have dead space or underused corners that you can put to use. This narrow space, which would likely have been left empty, becomes a functional place for shoe storage, with a spot of customised shelving.
Take a look around and see where you have dead space or underused corners that you can put to use. This narrow space, which would likely have been left empty, becomes a functional place for shoe storage, with a spot of customised shelving.
4. Steal space
Here, shelving space has been taken from a thick wall. This setup is rigged so that lights turn on whenever the doors are opened. The shallow depth of this cabinet is just the right size for storing shoes in a limited space. The cabinet doors, when shut, present an understated, inconspicuous look. The top of the storage cabinet can also be utilised for decorative pieces and artworks.
Here, shelving space has been taken from a thick wall. This setup is rigged so that lights turn on whenever the doors are opened. The shallow depth of this cabinet is just the right size for storing shoes in a limited space. The cabinet doors, when shut, present an understated, inconspicuous look. The top of the storage cabinet can also be utilised for decorative pieces and artworks.
The long corridor, here, leading down to a bathroom, is a perfect place for a run of open storage – it’s long, low and easy to use. Open shoe racks are a great way to keep your shoes aired and spaced out nicely.
5. Pop in some racks
Already have a hall cupboard? Make it work for shoes by fitting some simple wire racks like these. It’s a good idea to include enough room on the lower deck for boots, so measure your tallest boots and plan your shelves accordingly.
Tip: Maximise storage space by adjusting the spacing of the shelves based on the height of your shoes. Also, adjustable shelving helps you get the most out of your space as you can change the shelves seasonally to be able to easily access the appropriate shoes for the right weather.
Already have a hall cupboard? Make it work for shoes by fitting some simple wire racks like these. It’s a good idea to include enough room on the lower deck for boots, so measure your tallest boots and plan your shelves accordingly.
Tip: Maximise storage space by adjusting the spacing of the shelves based on the height of your shoes. Also, adjustable shelving helps you get the most out of your space as you can change the shelves seasonally to be able to easily access the appropriate shoes for the right weather.
6. Fill a narrow gap
Skinny, underused wall spaces can be maxed out with special shoe holders, which allow you to display your collection with ease.
Tip: Point one shoe forward and one backwards– it makes it easier to pick the perfect pair.
Skinny, underused wall spaces can be maxed out with special shoe holders, which allow you to display your collection with ease.
Tip: Point one shoe forward and one backwards– it makes it easier to pick the perfect pair.
7. Keep those shoe boxes
If you love your shoes, you want to be able to select them easily and keep them dust free. Stack up shoe boxes on shelves. Whether you keep the original boxes or buy new ones, take a photo of each pair of shoes and affix it to the front its box, like this owner has done. You need to see what you have at a glance or you won’t wear it.
If you love your shoes, you want to be able to select them easily and keep them dust free. Stack up shoe boxes on shelves. Whether you keep the original boxes or buy new ones, take a photo of each pair of shoes and affix it to the front its box, like this owner has done. You need to see what you have at a glance or you won’t wear it.
8. Repurpose furniture
This freestanding armoire could well have been a place to store linen. I love that now it is being used to keep all the shoes in one place. So, if you’ve run out of room in your closet, you can look at turning other pieces of furniture into shoe holders.
This freestanding armoire could well have been a place to store linen. I love that now it is being used to keep all the shoes in one place. So, if you’ve run out of room in your closet, you can look at turning other pieces of furniture into shoe holders.
9. Anywhere goes
Use space wherever you can find it, including on landings. This customised sliding glass door closet takes on a gallery wall effect. Of course, it helps that the shoes on display are evening ones, giving it a boutique-style impact.
Use space wherever you can find it, including on landings. This customised sliding glass door closet takes on a gallery wall effect. Of course, it helps that the shoes on display are evening ones, giving it a boutique-style impact.
If your garage connects to your home, you probably use it as an entrance, which means you could use a mini mudroom to change shoes in the area near the door. Put down a doormat to trap dirt before people step foot in your house.
10. Shoe drawers
The drawer idea is particularly useful in an entry area, where normally you would exchange outdoor shoes for ‘home’ ones. A drawer takes advantage of the available depth and uses every inch of that space. These drawers are just large enough to fit a few pairs of footwear, and the gaps allow the shoes to breathe.
Tip: Make it fun by giving each family member a designated spot to stash their shoes and boots. That way they have no excuse to leave their shoes any old where!
The drawer idea is particularly useful in an entry area, where normally you would exchange outdoor shoes for ‘home’ ones. A drawer takes advantage of the available depth and uses every inch of that space. These drawers are just large enough to fit a few pairs of footwear, and the gaps allow the shoes to breathe.
Tip: Make it fun by giving each family member a designated spot to stash their shoes and boots. That way they have no excuse to leave their shoes any old where!
11. Stack them high
If you want to make your hallway work harder, invest in some bespoke shelving for your family’s shoes. Box shelves are a classic look that allows everyone to find their footwear easily.
If you want to make your hallway work harder, invest in some bespoke shelving for your family’s shoes. Box shelves are a classic look that allows everyone to find their footwear easily.
13. Hunt for hidden depths
Think you have no more room for storage? This smart solution is a brilliant way to make a staircase multi-task – the bottom couple of treads have a shoe drawer hidden beneath them. Just make sure the drawers will be easy to shut safely, by fitting them with recessed handles.
Read more:
17 Amazing Shoe Racks That Make You Wish You Had More Shoes
Extreme Storage: Ideas to Store Your Shoes
Tell us:
Which of these ideas would you use? If you have other tips, we would love to hear from you in Comments below.
Think you have no more room for storage? This smart solution is a brilliant way to make a staircase multi-task – the bottom couple of treads have a shoe drawer hidden beneath them. Just make sure the drawers will be easy to shut safely, by fitting them with recessed handles.
Read more:
17 Amazing Shoe Racks That Make You Wish You Had More Shoes
Extreme Storage: Ideas to Store Your Shoes
Tell us:
Which of these ideas would you use? If you have other tips, we would love to hear from you in Comments below.
Storage near the front door is always a good idea – but only if it’s tidy and practical. Built-in storage wins every time. This clever cupboard features a sliding door to avoid encroaching onto the hallway space.
Tip: Narrow console tables, slim shelves and specially designed skinny shoe cabinets can all help to keep your entryway clutter-free.