Struggling with shoe organization? Same! I have so many sneakers, sandals, boots and heels to fit in my small studio apartment — and I constantly get questioned about my storage capacity. But, even with over 90 pairs of shoes inside my two closets, I've kept them categorized by season and style with shoe racks.
It all comes down to using the right method to keep things tidy, even in small spaces. "For a large shoe collection, the ideal (and dream) would be a large closet with built-in shoe shelves to accommodate all of them. However, the average home just doesn’t have this kind of storage," says professional organizer Kayleen Kelly.
You have to ask yourself two things: "What is the volume I need to store and how can I elevate that solution," says professional organizer Shira Gill.
Whether you have minimal storage or a big house, you can still display your shoes with a shoe rack. However, there are other storage solutions to keep your closet, entryway and home clutter-free.
Four professional organizers share their expert tips on the best way to store your footwear and the right place to keep them out of sight inside your home.
What's the best way to store shoes?
"I am a big fan of displaying shoes so you can remember what you own and have easier access," says Gill. A few baskets, bins or shoe racks are great to elevate your decor.
"Ideally, shoes on shelves are our ideal shoe solution for easiest access. If you’re able to incorporate more shelving into your space you can custom design a closet," says the founder of Horderly Jamie Hord.
Built-in or manufactured shelves are great to use as a shoe rack. Other shoe racks double as a bench and you can fit miscellaneous items inside. As for certified professional organizer Samantha Pregenzer, it depends on the amount of shoes you're working on and how much space you have.
"I would utilize any shoe shelving that may be available in the closet and then move on to other solutions. That may be a shoe rack with 4+ shelves to maximize vertical space or a shoe cubby (these typically hold around 20 pairs of shoes). You could also utilize acrylic shoe containers that stack well on the floor. From there you can utilize back-of-the-door shoe hangers for sandals and flats or under-the-bed storage for seasonal shoes/rarely worn," adds Kelly.
Below, discover some editor- and expert-approved shoe racks to make space, and additional shoe organizers to keep things hidden away.
Best shoe racks, according to experts
Simple visuals: Z&L House 2-Tier Shoe Rack
- Easy to assemble
- Great for tight spaces
- Mixed reviews on material
Number of shelves: 2 | Material: 5-year-old bamboo
Shira said to opt for metal or wood (like bamboo) when it comes to shoe racks. "These materials are more durable, easy to clean and last a lifetime than their plastic counterparts," she says. According to shoppers, the shoe rack is durable, fits in tight spaces and is easy to clean.
Ergonomic game: Songmics Hallway Shoe Rack
- Holds many shies
- Easy assembly
- Fairly rigid
Number of shelves: 4 | Material: Non-woven fabric and metal
Kelly recommends a shoe shelf with over four shelves because they are great for storage of around 15 to 20 pairs of shoes (depending on size and bulk). "Shoe shelves are going to be best for bulkier shoes like sneakers and boots (compared to a cubby)," she adds. This is an inexpensive solution if you have a large shoe collection.
Slanted solution: Alganas Shoe Rack
- Ideal for flats and sneakers
- Easy assemly
- Not ideal for heavy shoes
Number of shelves: 3 | Material: Steel, powder coating
Both Shira and Samantha recommend diagonal and steel-made shelves (not those made from plastic). "You definitely want some sort of solid surface or a shelf that has a liner," says Pregenzer. She also recommends something ventilated and those with slots in between with a liner, because you don't want dirt from one shoe going down to the shoes below it. This shelf system from Ikea is angled and slim enough to place near the entrance.
Angled view: Elfa Angled Solid Metal Shelf
- Great for walls
- Very sturdy
- Takes time to install
Number of shelves: 1 | Material: Epoxy-bonded steel construction
Pregenzer's top solution is a rack-like shelving system "so that you can see the shoes, and is easier to place the shelving closer together." She continues, "I like doing that in a garage or entry closet, depending on how much space you have."
This one from Elfa can be custom and is made from a sturdy metal material. One thing to notice is that you need to purchase separately the wall-hanging system that holds the shelf in place.
Shoes on display: Mehoom Bamboo Shoe Rack Organizer
- Sturdy and durable
- Great capacity
- Not for small spaces
Number of shelves: 4 | Material: Bamboo
This is another bamboo pick featuring a mid-century aesthetic. It features four shelves to fit different shoe sizes, including boxes. The organizer is made from thick bamboo and features rounded corners. Also, you can use it as a bookshelf if you want to. According to shoppers, you can fit about 16 pairs of shoes on the rack.
Best shoe racks, according to editors
Top shelf: Lanteful Tal Narrow Shoe Rack
- Holds a lot
- Great for small corners
- Can be flimsy
Number of shelves: 10 | Material: Metal and plastic
Editor Amanda Fama recommends this shoe rack for tiny corners. "I bought this shoe rack when I moved into my tiny studio apartment, and I've had it for about a year. It holds a ton of shoes (although, I probably pack too many in each compartment), and it's super easy to put together. It even comes with handing hooks that can be adhered to the top bars for things like hats and purses, which is convenient," she says.
Strong hold: FILWH Bamboo Shoe Rack
- Easy to build
- Bamboo is strong
- High-top boots don't fit
Number of shelves: 3 | Material: Bamboo
Fama also owns this shoe rack for its sturdy construction. "I had this shoe rack for about two years while I was renting in Nashville, TN, and I was pleasantly surprised by how many shoes it held. The first year, I used it near my front door so I could store my everyday shoes — and the second year, I used it in my bedroom to store heels, flats and sneakers. The bamboo is strong and blends into nearly any décor," she says.
Multifunctional: Apicizon Shoe Rack Bench
- Extra storage under bench
- Very sturdy
- Can't fit many shoes
Number of shelves: 2 | Material: Wood
I bought this last year when I needed to keep shoes accessible whenever I had to quickly leave my apartment. Usually, I keep two pairs of running shoes, two pairs of casual sneakers and a pair of boots in the bigger space. While this is a shoe rack, it also doubles as an organizer and bench thanks to the cushioned top. It's sturdy and keeps my shoes out of sight when guests come in.
Other shoe storage products to shop
Clear sight: The Container Store Our Shoe Box
- Easy to stack
- Can see the shoe clearly
- Can't fit chunky sneakers
I have about 90 clear shoe boxes from The Container Store because it's easier for me to stack them up inside my two closets. I both have standard-size and large boxes for bigger shoes (like boots and chunky sneakers). They fit in my Ikea armoire and on top of my closet with ease, and all I have to do is remove them (which adds a bit of extra time). Other than that, they're easy to clean and allow visibility for easier shoe finds.
Around the corner: Brightroom Over The Door 26 Shelf Mesh Shoe Organizer
- Very sturdy
- Great for small spaces
- Not ideal for boots
Associate editor Shannon Garlin says this system has worked for her and it's easy to assemble "I have a singular closet in my apartment and accumulate a lot of shoes. This shoe organizer allows me to keep them nicely tucked away without taking up precious space! It has 26 slots and a little shelf, which I also love to store small handbags, beanies and belts," she adds.
How we chose
We talked to professional organization experts for recommendations on the best shoe racks, considering value, ease of installment and materials. We also asked Shop TODAY editors for their favorite shoe racks. Additionally, we added other shoe storage products that help with organization.
Meet the experts
- Jamie Hord is the founder of Horderly Professional Organizing, a brand focused on providing organizing services and products.
- Shira Gill is a professional organizer and best-selling author of Minimalista.
- Samantha Pregenzer is a certified professional organizer and founder of Simply Organized, an organizing company that helps stressed-out homeowners turn clutter into beautiful, maintainable spaces.
- Kayleen Kelly is a professional organizer offering in-home services and decluttering kits.
