What are the best shoe storage ideas? The best shoe storage puts everyday shoes right where they come off and moves everything else out of the way. By the door, use a shoe cabinet, a shoe bench or a boot tray. In closets, add shelves, cubbies or an over-the-door organizer. In small spaces, use dead space such as under the bed, behind doors, under the stairs and up the wall. Store tall boots upright, keep off-season pairs in clear bins, and give each family member a set number of spots so the pile doesn't come back.
Below are 18 shoe storage ideas for entryways, closets, bedrooms and small spaces, plus how much room shoes need, tips for keeping your shoe collection organized, and answers to common questions.
Entryway Shoe Storage Ideas
1. A shoe cabinet with doors
A closed shoe cabinet is the tidiest entryway shoe storage: shoes disappear behind doors and the top becomes a console for keys, mail and a lamp. Low, sideboard-height cabinets (about 35–40 inches tall) look like furniture rather than storage. Our Travero Sensor-Lit Shoe Cabinet hides eight shelf levels behind four doors. See how to choose a shoe cabinet for sizes and shelf heights.
2. An open base for everyday pairs
Keep the two or three pairs each person wears daily in an open space at floor level, so they can step out of them without opening a door. Cabinets with a raised open base do this and make it easy to sweep underneath.
3. A shoe bench
A bench with cubbies, baskets or a cabinet below gives you a seat for putting shoes on and storage in one footprint. A seat height of about 17–20 inches works for most adults.
4. A boot tray or washable mat
A rubber or metal tray by the door catches mud, snow and rain. Wet shoes dry there before going into a cabinet or closet, which protects floors and wood shelves.
5. Hooks and a peg rail above
Combine shoe storage with hooks for coats, bags and dog leashes. Hang adult hooks at about 60–66 inches and a second row at about 40 inches for kids. See more entryway ideas.
6. A hall tree or locker system
In a mudroom or busy family entry, give each person a locker or cubby with a shoe shelf at the bottom and hooks above. See our mudroom ideas.
Shoe Storage Ideas for Small Spaces
7. A slim tilt-out cabinet
Tilt-out cabinets store shoes at an angle in about 7–11 inches of depth, so they fit narrow hallways and tight spaces where a standard cabinet would block the walkway. They suit flats and sneakers better than boots.
8. Over-the-door organizers
Pocket or rack organizers on the back of a closet or bedroom door hold multiple pairs and take no floor space at all. Choose pockets for flats and sandals and a wire rack for heavier shoes.
9. Vertical shoe racks and towers
A tall, narrow rack stacks 8–10 shelves on less than 2 square feet of floor space. Anchor anything tall to the wall.
10. Wall-mounted shoe shelves
Floating shelves or ledges mounted low on the wall turn shoes into a display and leave the floor clear for cleaning. They work well for sneakers and heels you want to see.
11. Under-bed storage
Low rolling bins or zippered boxes under the bed are ideal for off-season shoes and occasion pairs. Pick bins with lids to keep out dust.
12. Use dead space
Look at the space under the stairs, the corner behind a door, the gap beside a fridge or washer, and the top shelf of a closet. Corner shelves, a slim rolling cart and stackable bins can turn dead space into shoe storage.
Shoe Storage for Closets and Bedrooms
13. Closet shelves and cubbies
Add shelves 12–14 inches deep at the bottom of a reach-in closet, or a cubby unit with one pair per cube. Space shelves about 6 inches apart for sneakers and flats and 8–11 inches for heels and ankle boots.
14. Clear, stackable shoe boxes
Clear boxes protect special pairs from dust and let you see what is inside. Label the front, store the heaviest boxes at the bottom, and keep a few for travel.
15. Upright boot storage
Store tall boots upright with boot shapers, or on a boot rack, so the shafts don't crease. They need about 16–20 inches of height.
16. A bookcase for shoes
A bookcase with adjustable shelves makes an attractive shoe display in a dressing room or bedroom. Put a tray on each shelf to protect the wood. See bookcase for shoes.
17. A dresser or storage cabinet
If your closet is full, a cabinet with doors in the bedroom can hold shoes on the lower shelves and bags or accessories on top. See bedroom storage ideas.
18. A kids' shoe station
Give kids low, open cubbies or bins labeled with their names, at a height they can reach. Kids' shoes are small, so a 30-inch shelf can hold 4–5 pairs.
How Much Space Do Shoes Need?
| Shoe type | Shelf width per pair | Shelf height |
|---|---|---|
| Kids' shoes | 5–7 in | 4–5 in |
| Flats and sandals | 7–8 in | 3–4 in |
| Adult sneakers and loafers | 8–10 in | 5–6 in |
| High heels | 7–9 in | 6–8 in |
| Ankle boots | 8–10 in | 8–11 in |
| Tall boots | 8–10 in | 16–20 in |
For depth, 12–14 inches fits most adult shoes lying flat.
Open Shoe Racks vs Closed Storage
Open shoe racks are cheap, light and let shoes air out, which helps with smells and damp pairs. Closed storage, such as a cabinet or lidded bins, hides clutter and keeps dust off. A good balance: open storage for the few pairs you wear daily and wet shoes, closed storage for everything else. In living areas and entryways that guests see, closed cabinets in neutral colors blend in with your home decor.
How to Keep Your Shoes Organized
- Edit first. Donate pairs you haven't worn in a year and repair the ones you love.
- Store by frequency. Everyday pairs at the door, occasional pairs in the closet, off-season pairs in bins.
- Set a limit. Give each person a fixed number of spots by the door, such as two or three pairs.
- Rotate by season. Swap sandals and boots twice a year.
- Let shoes breathe. Dry wet shoes before storing them, use cedar or charcoal for odors, and avoid sealed plastic bags for leather.
- Clean as you go. Wipe trays and shelves every few weeks so dirt doesn't build up.
Shoe Storage Ideas FAQ
How do I organize my shoes in a small closet?
Use the full height: a shelf or cubby unit on the closet floor, an over-the-door organizer, and clear boxes on the top shelf for occasional pairs. Keep only the shoes you wear this season in the closet.
What are some space-saving shoe storage ideas?
Tilt-out cabinets, over-the-door organizers, vertical racks, wall-mounted shelves, under-bed bins and shoe benches all hold multiple pairs in very little floor space.
Where is the best place to store shoes at home?
Store everyday shoes by the door you use most, in a cabinet, bench or rack, and keep the rest in a cool, dry closet or bedroom away from direct sun and heat.
Where can I store shoes in a small bedroom?
Under the bed, on the back of the door, in a bench at the foot of the bed, or on the lower shelves of a closed storage cabinet.
What are the different types of shoe racks?
Freestanding tiered racks, stackable racks, vertical towers, over-the-door racks, wall-mounted racks, rolling carts, shoe benches and shoe cabinets with doors or tilt-out compartments.
What is a shoe stand called?
Usually a shoe rack. Enclosed versions are called shoe cabinets or shoe cupboards, and a seat with shoe storage is a shoe bench.
How do I keep my shoes from dry rotting in my closet?
Store shoes in a cool, dry, ventilated space, away from heaters and sunlight, condition leather a few times a year, avoid airtight plastic, and wear stored pairs now and then.
What is the best entryway shoe organizer?
For most homes, a low shoe cabinet with doors plus a tray for wet shoes. It hides clutter, gives you a console top and keeps the floor clear. In a narrow entry, choose a tilt-out cabinet or a shoe bench.
Related: How to choose a shoe cabinet · Entryway ideas · Mudroom ideas · Shoe cabinets