Shoe Racks For Closets: What Every Shoe Lover Needs To Know

We all have too many shoes. According to Reuters Life, most of us own 19 pairs, but how many are well organized?

Funnily enough, it is far more pleasurable to buy shoes than it is to organize them. But given shoe racks for closets probably cost less than one pair of shoes, will protect our precious purchases and save us time and stress sorting through shoe piles, we really ought to make the effort.

Remember a shoe rack organizer probably costs less than one pair of shoes.

So what is the best option for closet shoe storage?

Inside this guide you will find:

 

In a rush? Quick overview

Shoe racks for closets are a must have for shoe lovers. Anyone with more than a few pairs of shoes will know the chaos that they can create on your closet floor.

So get organized, save space and time looking for that elusive pair and keep your shoes in tip top condition.

There are 12 different types of shoe organizers which can be categorized as freestanding, over the door and hanging. Each has its own set of pros and cons. The current state of your closet will dictate which style you should buy. They vary in price from $10-$80 and will hold anywhere from 3-50 pairs of shoes.

Counting how many pairs of shoes you actually have and comparing the measurements of your closet to the dimensions of the rack are key things to do when choosing which one to buy. Other considerations include style, weight, ease of installation and versatility.

Before you begin to organize your shoes, you really need to declutter. So take 10 minutes, grab all those pairs you never wear and donate them to a worthy cause. After choosing a rack, sort your shoes into those worn most often and those worn infrequently. Keep your day to day shoes in a prominent position on the rack.

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Why you need a closet shoe rack

Shoes are a pleasure to buy but a pain to store. If you love to shop for shoes, shoe organizers are essential.

I was chatting with my friend, Janice from Beauty Top To Toe, the other day about:

  • how we all have too many shoes; and
  • how most of us can never find the pair we want.

We’ve both tried a fair few shoe organizers we’ve found on the high street, but the choice there is pretty limited. Anyway it got me thinking that there must be a better solution out there. So I started to check online for every shoe rack under the sun. Who’d have guessed there were 12 different types!

But why do we need one?

Unless you’re like Christina Aguilera and have an entire closet dedicated to your shoe collection (check it out HERE), you will need something a bit smaller!

If you are a shoe lover or just looking for the holy grail pair of shoes that you can wear all the time and not get sore feet, your shoe collection is constantly growing. But is it just a messy pile of shoes on your closet floor?

Investing in a shoe closet organizer will keep your shoes organized, save space, save you time hunting down the right pair or the missing shoe and keep your shoes in optimum condition. Eliminating shoe clutter will also reduce shoe stress.

Shoe racks are great as they help you to see all your shoes in one eye shot and do not need “designing” or “fitting” into your closet (which unless you have a handy hubby like me, is going to cost you time and money to install).

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Our favorite closet shoe racks

Favorite_1Favorite_2

Attractive, functional, stackable and expandable with shelves that are ideal for any type of shoe. These shoe racks are sturdy and convenient as they fold flat for easy storage. Can fit 3-5 pairs on each shelf.

==> Click HERE for more details <==

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12 Shoe organizers for closets: the pros & cons of each

Closet storage ideas for shoes can be broken down into 3 main areas: freestanding, over the door and hanging.

  • If you have plenty of floor space, opt for a freestanding version.
  • If you have plenty of hanging space, opt for a hanging version.
  • If you have neither floor space nor hanging space, opt for an over the door version.

Having trawled the online shopping malls for every decent shoe rack out there, I’ve got a nice little collection for you to browse. The following table details the number of pairs of shoes each type of organizer can hold as well as the relevant price range for our favorite picks.

Type

No. of Pairs

Price

FREESTANDING

 

 

   Expandable

6-18

$17-$23

   3 Tier/Utility

9

$28-$38

   Stackable

6-30

$17-$30

   Cubby

10-15

$29-$38

   Large/Tower

50

$80

   Revolving/Tree

18-36

$36-$68

   Shoe boxes/Drawers

6-12

$23-$30

   Rolling

12-50

$24-$80

   Wood

6-9

$23-$29

   Wire

3-12

$19-$44

OVER THE DOOR

12-36

$13-$28

HANGING

8-20

$10-$29

FREESTANDING RACKS

This is the largest group of shoe racks which come in many different styles.

Pros:

  • They offer the best view of your shoes with pairs sat side by side.
  • They are versatile in that they don’t rely on a closet door or hanging rod.
  • They are portable so can moved from room to room or even house to house.
  • There are lots of different shapes and sizes, most of which are fairly attractive.
  • It is easy to store a mixture of heels and flats.
  • They do not require any installation.
  • Shoes are easy to reach.

Cons:

  • They do take up floor space.
  • If the bottom of your closet is not well lit, telling one color from a similar one can be tricky.
  • If you have a lot of long hanging items in your closet, they may obstruct the rack.
  • You may need to move the whole rack out of the closet to clean it or underneath it.

Here are the main freestanding racks that you can find:

Expandable shoe rack

Expandable

Our recommendations hold 6-18 pairs and are priced approx. $17-23.

==> Click HERE for more details <==

Expandable shoe racks are very versatile as they can grow width wise with your shoe collection. Some are even stackable.

Pros:

  • The shoe rack will fit any closet from approx. 2′ to 4′ and any width in between.
  • They are space saving as you can make the rack fit perfectly to the number of shoes you own.
  • Rods allow for good air circulation and nowhere for dust to collect.
  • Some have a locking mechanism that stops the rack over expanding.
  • They are quite cheap per pair of shoes that can be stored.

Cons:

  • The tilt on some models is too steep and shoes that don’t have heels will slip off. Either look for racks which have non slip rods or stick a few bits of non-slip material onto them.
  • They take up floor space and cannot be placed under long hanging items.
  • Sometimes the depth between the tiers is too narrow for deep shoes.
  • If the horizontal rods are fixed to the extreme front and back of the rack, smaller shoes may not reach both and can fall through.
  • As there is not much supporting the shoes, a gentle knock can create a shoe avalanche.

Utility or 3 tier shoe rack

3 tier shoe rack

Our recommendations hold 9 pairs and are priced approx. $28-38.

==> Click HERE for more details <==

Pros:

  • 12″-13″ deep shelves make holding men’s shoes a cinch.
  • Mesh shelf options prevent heels sticking out.
  • Superior to two rod racks as shoes do not slip off.
  • Air can flow freely allowing shoes to breathe.
  • The neutral but modern look will suit most closets. They are made in a variety of materials for further décor matching.
  • Tilted options have a bar or lip to prevent shoes falling off.
  • Some models are stackable.
  • Easy to clean.

Cons:

  • They are quite expensive per pair of shoes that can be stored.
  • They take up floor space and cannot be placed under long hanging items.
  • Wire rack shelving options are not suitable for stiletto heels.

Stackable shoe rack

Stackable shoe rack

Our recommendations hold 6-30 pairs and are priced approx. $17-30.

==> Click HERE for more details <==

Pros:

  • Makes the best use of your vertical space, ideal for small closets.
  • Versatile as you can buy 1, 2 or more units depending on your closet height.
  • Mixture of rods, slats, mesh, flat and tilted shelves to suit your preference.
  • Some models can be stacked upwards as well as expanded horizontally.
  • There is good air flow so damp shoes can dry quickly, minimizing odors.

Cons:

  • Multiple flat rod options are not suitable for stiletto heels.
  • They take up floor space and cannot be placed under long hanging items.

Cubby shoe organizer

Cubby shoe organizer

Our recommendations hold 10-15 pairs and are priced approx. $29-38.

==> Click HERE for more details <==

Our preferred cubby shoe organizers are all made from different materials including poly panels, wood laminate and canvas with a chrome frame.

Pros:

  • Poly panels are easy to clean, strong and lightweight. They are just snapped together to assemble and can be configured in any number of ways to suit you.
  • Wood laminate offers a sturdy top surface for extra storage.
  • Canvas is easily removable from the chrome frame to allow for washing and is a soft material that won’t damage shoes.
  • Cubbies allow you to easily see all of your shoes at a glance so they are easy to find.
  • They are space efficient.
  • There are no cracks for stiletto heels to fall through.

Cons:

  • Shoe cubbies are quite small. Most will accommodate a pair of shoes but not side by side. They will need to be stored one on top of the other, with one back to front. Men’s shoes may require one cubby per shoe.
  • Dust and dirt can collect at the bottom of each cubby. Each slot will need to be cleaned individually.
  • Canvas cubbies could do with re-enforced shelves to better maintain the shape.
  • They take up floor space and cannot be placed under long hanging items.

Large shoe rack: 50 shoe tower

50 Pair Shoe Tower

Our recommendation holds 50 pairs and is priced approx. $80.

==> Click HERE for more details <==

If you have a large shoe collection, this rolling tower tall shoe rack is for you as it makes the most of your vertical space. It holds up to 50 pairs of shoes on a sturdy, rolling frame. It is quite pricey at around $80 but considering the number of shoes it holds, per pair it is very good value. There are 10 shelves, each of which can hold 5 pairs of shoes. It is much sturdier than other horizontal bar racks that just clip into the side frame as it is screwed together. Best of all the bars have a rough surface, stopping your shoes from slipping off.

Revolving shoe rack

Shoe tree

Our recommendations hold 18-36 pairs and are priced approx. $36-68.

==> Click HERE for more details <==

A shoe tree is a bit like a revolving cake stand. Our favorites have either 3, 4 or 7 tiers each holding 6 pairs of shoes. We love the floor to ceiling version which is secured with a tension pole and comes with a basket to hold accessories such as belts.

Pros:

  • Trees are a great vertical storage solution that take up no wall space.
  • They only take up about 1 foot square of floor space, which is much less than standard 2-3 shelf horizontal designs, leaving you loads of room for other things. They could also be used in the corner of a bedroom.
  • The heavy duty chromed steel with weighted base provides a stable, revolving rack.
  • The height of each tier can be adjusted to accommodate shoes of differing heights.
  • There is a handle at the top to help with spinning or moving about.
  • As you can spin the tree it is easy to reach every pair of shoes.
  • No dirt can fall into the shoes from the ones above.

Cons:

  • Assembly takes 5-10 minutes but no tools are required.
  • They can be heavy when fully laden due to the weight of the shoes and the base.
  • When full, you can only see the soles of your shoes which may make finding the pair you want trickier as well as not being particularly visually appealing.
  • Depending on the width of your shoes, it can get crowded and you may not be able to use all the prongs.
  • They are not as stable on carpet; for best results use on solid floors.
  • They seem quite expensive but they hold a lot of shoes so the cost per pair is actually quite low.

Shoe Boxes/Drawers

Shoe boxes

Our recommendations hold 6-12 pairs and are priced approx. $23-30.

==> Click HERE and HERE for more details <==

Pros:

  • Using the boxes that came with the shoes is cheap (ie, FREE) and environmentally friendly as you are recycling. Just attach a photo of the shoes to the front so you know what’s in the box.
  • See through boxes allow you to identify your shoes easily without having to label every one.
  • Our favorites are all stable when stacked and are made from top quality plastic or recycled materials.
  • When you no longer need the boxes for shoes (say ‘shock horror’ you donate some!), you can repurpose the boxes for toys, craft supplies etc.
  • Front opening boxes or drawers mean you do not need to unstack the top ones to get to the bottom. They offer easy access.
  • Some boxes and drawers interlock, providing an even more stable and customized structure, that you can use to make the most of your vertical space.
  • Stacked boxes look very neat and protect your shoes, keeping them in tip top condition. They can be stacked on the floor or shelves.

Cons:

  • Not all boxes are suitable for large mens shoes.
  • Some boxes are quite expensive per box/per pair of shoes.
  • Boxes that require removing from a stack to empty are best for shoes that you do not wear very often. If you try on 30 pairs every day before choosing, boxes are not going to work for you.

Rolling shoe rack

Rolling canvas shoe bin

Our recommendations hold 12-50 pairs and are priced approx. $24-80.

==> Click HERE for more details <==

Rolling shoe carts can be found as racks or closet cubes/bins. Depending on the style, they will share the pros and cons detailed above. For racks, you need to be doubly sure that the tubular shelves are non slip. Overall they roll! What more can I say. If this would be useful to you, you’ll know!

Wood shoe rack

Wooden shoe rack

Our recommendations hold 6-9 pairs and are priced approx. $23-29.

==> Click HERE for more details <==

Pros:

  • Wooden furniture can be very attractive with its simple and natural color tones. It often looks more expensive than it is.
  • Cedar has a beautiful reddish tinge and smells great in a closet.
  • Fast growing bamboo is used for some options for an eco friendly solution.
  • 13″ deep shelves can accommodate full sized men’s shoes.
  • Sturdy, stable with a strong construction.
  • Can hold purses and other accessories as well as shoes.
  • Almost solid shelves mean that shoes don’t get caught in or fall through slats.
  • Some racks have the option for shelves to be flat or angled.
  • Some racks come with a bench seat on top so you can sit down to choose or put on your shoes.

Cons:

  • Wooden shoe racks are generally not very versatile in terms of expanding or stacking abilities. (NB: an exception to this rule is the Seville Classics resin wood utility rack that can be stacked and expanded as well as folded flat!)
  • Don’t over tighten screws when assembling a wooden rack or the pieces may crack.
  • Sometimes the depth between the tiers is too narrow for deep shoes, eg high heels.
  • They take up floor space and cannot be placed under long hanging items.

Wire shoe rack

Wire shoe rack

Our recommendations hold 3-12 pairs and are priced approx. $19-44.

==> Click HERE for more details <==

Pros:

  • Wire racks are lightweight so portable but sturdy and easy to assemble.
  • They can be used to store a mixture of shoes, purses, sweaters and much more.
  • Some have a back lip on each shelf to stop things falling off or scuffing the wall.
  • They are visually accessible so you can see through racks to the shoes below.
  • The shelf rack design is better than just a rod (front and back) as shoes cannot fall through the middle gap.
  • Dust and dirt from shoes does not collect on the rack, but falls through to the bottom where it can be swept away.
  • Wire promotes great air flow so damp shoes can dry quickly, minimizing odors.

Cons:

  • They will not hold an extra heavy load.
  • They are not ideal for high heels, especially stilettos, as they fall through.
  • They take up floor space and cannot be placed under long hanging items.

OVER THE DOOR SHOE RACK

Over The Door

Our recommendations hold 12-36 pairs and are priced approx. $13-28.

==> Click HERE for more details <==

Over the door shoe organizers can instantly transform a closet door into a vertical shoe wardrobe. They come in two different designs: racks and pockets. Racks are generally metal whereas pockets are made from fabric, either nylon or linen. They have metal fasteners that hang over the top of your closet door.

Pros:

  • A great option if you’ve no room left on your closet floor or hanging rod as they make use of the dead space on the back of your closet door.
  • They are quite cheap per pair of shoes that can be stored.
  • You can easily see your shoe collection at a glance and find what you’re looking for. They also offer easy access to each pair of shoes.
  • Pockets are often plenty wide enough for women’s shoes – look for 5″+ widths for men’s shoes.
  • Pockets are also good for storing other accessories such as scarves and gloves.
  • Quick to install if they just slip over the top of the door.
  • Racks – shoes can be mixed, wide with narrow, to make the best use of space on the rack.
  • Racks – some have foldaway bars or come in separate parts for added versatility.
  • Racks – can be easily wiped clean and some come with plastic bumpers to protect the door.
  • Racks – have good air flow so damp shoes can dry quickly, minimizing odors.
  • Racks – some have the fixings to turn them into a wall mounted shoe rack as well as a back of the door organizer. These might be useful for your mudroom or garage. You would need to ensure it was fixed securely to a wall that could cope with the load.

Cons:

  • Pockets – wide shoes may not fit into the organizer at all.
  • Pocket space may be wasted on smaller shoes unless you double them up.
  • Dust and dirt may build up in the pockets, which will be a bit of a pain to clean.
  • Plastic pockets do not allow shoes to breathe as well.
  • Racks – shoes can slip off the rods unless there are non slip pads.
  • Racks – some racks are quite deep which can either interfere with the clothes being stored inside a closet or with the doors if they open inwards into a walk in closet.
  • Racks – some racks have individual hooks for each shoe. These are not as versatile as racks with rods as the space is often tight so some may be wasted unless you are only storing women’s shoes. You will also struggle to store open toed shoes on them.
  • Racks – some are not that easy to assemble.
  • Racks – are not ideal if they need screwing into your door, especially if you are renting your home.
  • Racks – cheap versions are wobbly when you open and close the door so shoes are prone to falling off.
  • The metal fasteners can scratch your closet door or frame or prevent it from closing.
  • You might be able to see the hooks from your bedroom when you close the closet door.
  • The organizer can become lop sided unless heavy shoes are balanced out. Also it is best to place your heaviest shoes at the bottom.
  • They are a bit cumbersome.

Tips when buying:

  • When looking at pocket organizers, double check whether each pocket holds one shoe or one pair of shoes, before you buy something that will only hold half of your shoe collection.
  • Choose fabric pockets over plastic ones so the air can circulate more freely and your shoes can breathe. This will prevent the buildup of mildew.
  • Look for an over door shoe rack with plenty of hooks to be secure and well balanced. Also ensure the hooks are of a good quality so that they don’t bend under the weight.
  • Check the length of the organizer will fit your door or will hang low enough if you want kids to be able to reach their own shoes.
  • Check the width of the organizer is not too big for your door.
  • Check the width of the metal fasteners is not too small for your door.
  • Ensure the material or rack frame is sturdy and has fixings (such as velcro) to ensure it doesn’t wobble or flop around when the door is opened and closed.

HANGING SHOE RACK

Hanging shoe organizer

Our recommendations hold 8-20 pairs and are priced approx. $10-29.

==> Click HERE or HERE for some cool colors <==

Pros:

  • They are quite cheap per pair of shoes that can be stored.
  • You can store 8-20 pairs of shoes in quite a narrow space on your closet rod, if you have any to spare.
  • They can be folded up when not in use.
  • Most have steel frames to ensure the shape is retained.
  • They are made from attractive canvas material which is breathable and allows shoes to air out.
  • Assembly is very minimal. Slot in the hooks and hang on the closet rod or wrap the velcro around the rod.
  • Shoes are mostly at eye level when you open the closet, making selection quick and easy. There is also no bending down to find the right pair.
  • Most have double hooks for secure hanging.
  • You can use them as a useful divider in a his and hers closet or just to divide different types of clothing.

Cons:

  • They are no good if you are short on hanging space in your closet.
  • Shoes can make the canvas dirty and being open cubbies, they can get dusty. Use shelf liners to avoid both problems. (NB: Richard’s have one hanging shoe organizer that has a zippered front to keep the dust out.)
  • Needs reinforced shelving to help the organizer say in shape when fully loaded.
  • Shoes need to be sandwiched together to fit into the cubbies. Leave the heel on display to show which pair is which.
  • Most cubbies are 5.5″ square which is OK for women’s shoes but less so for mens. (NB: Richard’s hanging shoe shelves are 8″ wide which is great. Honey Can Do also have a 12″ square option.)
  • Double check your closet rod is hung high enough to accommodate the organizer.
  • Organizers can swing back and forth when you’re putting shoes away.
  • They should be hung near the hanging rod brackets if heavy when full to give extra support.

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Shoe rack buying guide: what to look for

When looking for shoes racks for closets, remember that there is much more choice online than on the high street. But before you go mad with your credit card, think about the following points to ensure you buy the right one for your shoes and your closet.

Where do you have room to put your shoe rack? Do you have free floor space, hanging space, back of the door space or shelf space? This will determine which of the 12 styles detailed above will be most appropriate.

Count the number of shoes you own – you’ve probably got more than you think. Check under your bed, under the kitchen table, in your gym bag, under your desk at work or any other place you might find another pair stashed away. Declutter them first by throwing away any you no longer wear so that you don’t overspend on buying a rack.

Double check the measurements of the rack you are interested in to confirm the number of pairs the manufacturer’s description says it can hold. Divide the number of inches wide by 10 to confirm the number of mens shoes that will fit. Note you will be able to fit more womens shoes in the same width though.

Choose a rack that will accommodate a few extra pairs of shoes so there is room for growth.

Check the height of the free space available at the bottom of your closet, underneath the hanging clothes. Will a rack fit?

What is your budget?

Will the style you are interested in hold the various shoe types that you plan on storing on it? Is the height between shelves large enough to hold your high heels? Remember mens and womens shoes differ in both size and weight.

What material would you prefer your rack to be made from:

  • plastic – is not very attractive but is easy to keep clean, budget friendly and lightweight.
  • wood – is pleasant on the eye, is available in antique styles but might require some maintenance.
  • metal – is often the most expensive and heavy but is durable and stylish.
  • wire – is modern looking, lightweight and available in floor and over the door models.

Do you like the style and look of the rack? You are going to see it every day so make sure you like it. Does it match with the overall theme of your bedroom or other closet organizers that you own.

Choose an adjustable rack to make the best use of your space. Or at least one that is expandable.

How heavy is it? Bear this in mind if you want to be able to move it around to clean under it for example.

How easy will the rack be to clean?

Choose a rack that requires little to no assembly or installation for the quickest and easiest way to an organized closet.

For tilted shoe storage racks, make sure there is either a front lip holding the shoes in place or some sort of non-slip material covering the frame.

Most racks are 9-12″ deep. If you will be storing men’s shoes on the rack, go for the larger size.

Consider extra features such as racks with tilting as optional, or those that allow you to store your shoes back to front.

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How to organize shoes

Buying a shoe rack is not miraculously going to result in organized shoes in your closet. Unfortunately you’re going to have to do a bit of work!

So start by finding all of your shoes wherever they may be.

Next declutter: be ruthless. Do you ever wear half the shoes taking up all that room on your closet floor? Toss those that are worn through or otherwise irreparable. Donate those that are so out of fashion you wouldn’t be seen dead in them or those that you just never wear. It’s crazy I know but there is no point in hoarding shoes you don’t wear! Now you’re left with a ‘Keep’ pile.

Donate gently worn shoes to provide shoes to those in need.

Check out Soles4Souls.org

Now group your shoes into an order that makes sense to you. This may be like with like, such as flats, dressy shoes, gym shoes etc. It may be by color. It may be by heel height.

Select your ‘Go To’ shoes or those you wear most often and put them on your shoe rack in the most accessible location, usually front and center of the top rack shelf.

Now assign a home on your shoe rack to all your other shoes, with those worn least often being the least accessible or furthest out of eye shot.

If you can’t fit all your shoes on the rack, store those that you hardly ever wear up on the highest shelves in your closet or elsewhere perhaps under your bed. One idea for a small closet it to only keep ‘in season’ shoes in there. Swap them over when the season changes.

Try out your new shoe system for the next two weeks. How does it work? Do you know where all of your shoes are? Is the system too much hassle or too complicated to use? If so, make any necessary amendments.

Practice a strict “1 in, 1 out” policy for any new shoe purchases!

Want to know how to organize your boots? Now that’s a whole other story. One I’ll get round to soon. In the meantime, check this out for some helpful information from About.com.

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Shoe storage FAQs

Shoe storage is a key closet organization problem. I have received a number of questions lately from readers all related to how to organize shoes. Here they are with my recommendations:

Where can I store flip flops?

Check out this flip flop hanger by Beehive Central which can hold up to 7 pairs of flip flops, sandals or slippers. It can even hold jewelry, belts, scarves etc. It can hang on your closet rod, doorknob or wall hook.

Flip Flop Hanger

==> Click HERE for more details <==

Or how about this DIY version made from wire hangers? Click for the ‘how to’ from TheWeekendHomeMaker.com.

DIY Flip flop hanger

Or how about just using a regular box or bin? Image credit: KennyAnderin.Blogspot.com.

Flip flop box

How can I distinguish black and navy shoes in the dark?

This question is from a reader who went to work with one navy shoe and one black one which I imagine was a rather embarrassing problem!

Your closet needs light. For a quick and easy fix involving no wires or complex installation, try this pack of 3 super bright LED battery lights. The lights are stuck on your closet walls and then pointed to the exact location of your shoes.

Closet lights

How can I find shoes in shoe boxes without opening every box?

Unless you invest in clear shoe boxes, the best way to know which shoes are in which cardboard boxes is to stick a picture to the front (image credit). You can either take your own photos, print out an image from the internet or cut one out of a magazine. Alternatively you could get your label maker out and create a label describing the shoes or just use a marker pen.

Shoe Boxes with photos

I have too many shoes to fit on my one shoe rack that is already taking up the whole width of my closet.

There are a few answers to this question:

  • Declutter your shoes. With fewer to organize, you will need less organizers.
  • Swap your shoe rack for another stackable version so you can add more rows and hence more shoe storage space. Use your existing shoe rack in another closet.
  • Invest in other types of shoe organizer. Try a hanging organizer if you have any hanging space left or an over the door organizer if not.
  • Your final option is to store out of season or shoes that are not worn very often elsewhere, such as in boxes on a high shelf, a spare room, or your garage.

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DIY shoe rack options for those on a budget

If your last dime went on a pair of shoes rather than a shoe rack, you will need to find creative ways to organize and store your shoes. These interesting ideas from around the web may be useful to you if you have a small closet or want something a bit more customized.

Picture rail shoe rack – Use existing or install new picture rails or architectural plaster moldings to use as shelves for your high heels. These shoes will be on display all the time, so this idea is only really suitable for good looking shoes. The only downsides are that your shoes will get dusty and you will get to see the insoles. Hang the rail above a mirror for a classy look. Image credit: mmadden at Flickr.

Hang heels from shelves

Wooden pallet shoe rack from Re-Nest.com. No assembly required. Might not be ideal for keeping your shoes scuff free though.

Pallet shoe rack

Drain pipe shoe rack – a novel idea from ApartmentTherapy.com.

Drain pipe shoe rack

Magazine rack shoe organizer – pretty cool from DesireToInspire.net.

Magazine rack shoe rack

Shelf grabber – check out the ‘how to’ guide over at NotMartha.org.

Shoe grabber rack 1 Shoe grabber rack 2

3 tier pine shoe rack – find the complete project instructions at Au.Lifestyle.Yahoo.com.

DIY wooden shoe rack

A super simple and attractive shoe organizer for under $20 – build your own with FamilyHandyMan.com.

DIY wooden shoe shelf

Use a bookshelf – even a small closet might have room for a small bookshelf. Use the top for accessories and the shelves for your shoes. This top idea is from Deliciously Organized.

Bookshelf shoe rack

A reclaimed shoe rack – full ‘how to’ instructions can be found at DIYIdeas.com.

Rustic DIY shoe rack

Shoe rack plans – can be found at WoodWorkingCorner.com.

Wooden shoe cabinet

Coat hook shoes racks – buy some cheap 2″ coat hooks and mount them on your closet wall. Hang up your shoes – job done.

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Funky shoe racks gallery

The Nest Shoe Rack can be found at Amazon.com.

Funky shoe rack

The Miami Stiletto Shoeshelf from MashallahDesign.Lacaptas.com.

Stiletto shoe shelf

The Shoe Wheel from RakkuDesigns.com.

Shoe wheel

The Hotel Box from PureNoMade.co.uk.

Fancy shoe box

The Footprint from CharlotteTangye.co.uk.

Footprint shoe rack

Hold My Trainer from Bouf.com.

Hold my shoes rack

An industrial design by Demetrius Tanase as seen on Behance.net.

Unusual Shoe Rack

The Perigot 6 Pair Shoe Rack from Furnish.co.uk.

Unusual Shoe Rack 2

The Skorder Shoe Rack from JohannaEliason.com.

Unusual Shoe Rack 3

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I’d love to hear about your shoe storage successes and problems. Please leave me a comment.

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