13 Best Shoe Organizers: Shoe Racks, Stackable Bins, Storage Benches, and More | Architectural Digest

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Picture this: You’re running late only to find the shoes you want to wear are nowhere to be found. Frustrating, right? Finding the best shoe rack will ease that frustration and help start your day on the right foot. Whether you have a large shoe collection or just want to stop digging around your closet to find your favorite pair, choosing the right solution can feel like finding a needle in a haystack. Which is why we’re here to help break down all the possible shoe storage options for your footwear.

When it comes to shoes, you don’t need to be a professional organizer à la Marie Kondo to keep things in order. The first step is to take stock of how many pairs you need to store. Then ask yourself a few questions: What are your favorite shoes and most frequently worn pairs? How accessible do you want them to be? Match those answers up with what amount of space you have to work with, and you’re well on your way to sorting out the perfect organization system.

From metal shoe racks to stackable bins, our team tried out five top shoe storage options and cataloged their favorites after several weeks of testing. We also rounded up some other shoe racks, storage benches, shoe storage cabinets, and other organization ideas that are effective for just about every type of shoe. During our review process, we analyzed ease of use, cleanliness, and how different pairs of shoes fit within them. Beyond functionality, we considered how these otherwise innocuous pieces of furniture can visually define an entryway, closet, or living room. Prepare to bid that unorganized pile of shoes goodbye!

The Container Store

The regular and large sizes can be stacked together to customize the storage to fit your space.

Clear storage makes it easy to see all your footwear at once, and no one does it quite like The Container Store. Commerce producer Lauren Arzbaecher has several of these shoe bins in her closet, in both the regular and tall sizes. “I used to shove the shoes I didn’t wear much in a box underneath my bed, which was fine storage-wise, but because I didn’t see them regularly, I often forgot I even owned them! I have high ceilings in my closet, and these bins utilize the space well with great visibility.” They fall somewhere between a riser and a box, stackable with an open top and front but solid sides. Arzbaecher likes the “flexibility of the open top for tall boots or chunky heels that might not fit without squishing them,” but if you want to keep everything streamlined (and provide extra dust protection), add on a matching lid to polish off your stack.

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Wayfair

This shoe rack works best for sneakers or shorter shoes, but they can be adjusted for taller footwear.

When sharing a space with roommates or a partner, shoes can pile up quickly. A multitiered option is a stress-free way to divide and conquer. “We all get a shelf, which prevents squabbles over not having enough room for each person,” Arzbaecher says. “Plus, sandals fit underneath the bottom level, even with it at the lowest setting, so you kind of get a bonus shelf.” If you’re super short on space, the wooden top allows this shoe rack to serve a dual purpose as other pieces of furniture. Arzbaecher previously used it as a console table, taking advantage of its lower height to set it behind her couch.

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Amazon

Don’t be fooled by its narrow size. This organizer can hold a lot of pairs, from heels to hiking boots.

The space-saving benefits of over-the-door organization are well trod, from hanging towels in a bathroom to stashing raincoats in an entryway. A hanging shoe organizer is a great way to maximize your closet space and keep all elements of your wardrobe together. This 12-slot organizer hangs simply over a door and adds a lot of storage in a compact package. The narrow size allows it to fit in essentially any closet, even if you’re working with french doors. Unlike most over-the-door organizers that are fully constructed from fabric, Arzbaecher appreciated the PVC on this option because she found it easier to wipe clean. “When looking for a way to store shoes with a hanging organizer, I wanted a solid barrier to prevent any dirt that might get stuck in shoe treads from getting onto my wardrobe,” she said. “The clear plastic protects both my shoes and clothes, and is simple to clean with a damp cloth.” If you’re blessed with a big closet, look for a larger option like this one with deeper pockets and different-size compartments to easily fit purses, winter hats, toiletries, almost anything. With the help of your closet door, the world is your organizing oyster!

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The Container Store

Beyond shoes, these are great for all parts your wardrobe. Arzbaecher uses a second drawer for storing sweaters during the summer.

Swapping out your footwear based on the season is a strategic way to prevent clutter in your space. After all, no one needs sandals laying around during the wintertime! When the seasons change, your seasonal shoes will be easy to grab from under the bed with this handy plastic pull-out drawer. In contrast to most under-bed bins that have a removable lid, this is instead built as a drawer but maintains the same dust-free protection. “As someone who plays a kind of storage Tetris under her bed, I love that I don’t have to lug this bin out to open it and can instead just pull the drawer open and grab what I need,” Arzbaecher notes. For lofted beds or bed frames with more open space underneath, these drawers are stackable and come in multipacks and wide sizes as well.

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Amazon

Even tall boots fit easily inside this adorable bench.

Want stylish seating for your entryway? That’s exactly what Arzbaecher had in mind when she scooped up this eye-catching bench. “This curbed my aesthetic craving for a green velvet piece of furniture and helped to declutter my space,” she said. A storage bench provides a place to sit to take shoes on and off in addition to interior storage for your footwear. Unlike a typical entryway rack, a bench also keeps your shoes fully hidden. The hinged lid and cushioned seat of this green velvet option make it a comfortable place to land near your front door. For an even more luxe look, try bouclé or leather options.

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IKEA

Odds are, if you’ve been searching for new shoe storage solutions, you’ve seen this best-selling IKEA shoe cabinet before. Popular in apartments for its narrow footprint and thoughtful tilt-out design, it’s incredibly functional for small spaces. A three-compartment version is also available for slimmer spots. The base unit is great on its own for minimalist decor, but if you want something more customized to your style, there are countless DIY hack TikToks focused on the Ställ to make it your own with new drawer pulls, added tabletops, and more.

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Wayfair

Only have a small amount of space to work with? Explore vertical space with a shoe tower, made to fit even in the narrowest areas. Two larger shelves on the bottom and six smaller upper shelves make room for shoes of all sizes, from heels and sneakers. Tidy up your entryway even further by hanging purses, umbrellas, and keys using the double-tiered hooks on the sides. Mirroring the look of a vertical bookcase, this would be right at home holding your favorite paperbacks, plants, and other knickknacks in addition to your kicks. If you need an even smaller footprint, this compact Yamazaki vertical shoe rack holds five pairs and has a convenient carrying handle similar to the Open Spaces rack.

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Design Within Reach

This credenza isn’t technically meant for shoes, but with the sharp design and candy-coated color, we couldn’t help but include it. Architect Fritz Haller’s work inspires USM’s modular furniture, whose chrome-coated frames play right into this years’ design trends. The steel pieces are built to last for generations, making them worth the splurge. The open bottom shelf is tall enough to accommodate even mid-calf height boots, and the two drawers are just as spacious. To achieve the same eye-catching look in a smaller size and lower price point, go for the P2 Bedside Table, which made our list for the best nightstands.

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Urban Outfitters

A nice pair of shoes are nothing without an outfit to go with them. This rack has a rod for clothing hangers and three shelves for all your shoes and accessories. If you have a small closet, this is a great way to double up on storage space for your wardrobe. The wall-mounted design will keep it secure even as you regularly pull things on and off. An oval door disguises an interior set of shelves, topped off with a full-size mirror to check your look before you leave the house.

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Design Within Reach

Need a place to stash your kids’ shoes? This low-profile cubby bench is a handy addition to a mudroom or entryway. Coming in 13 different colors, go with a muted option to blend in with your home decor or a bright one to help get the little ones excited about putting things away. Beyond shoes, the two large slots in the center are large enough to fit tall boots, backpacks, or anything else they might need for school. What’s more, Loll Designs manufactures all its pieces from 100% recycled plastic sheet material, making it waterproof, durable, and easy to clean.

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Amazon

Pumps and platforms can be difficult to store with their tall profile, unless you think outside the (shoe) box. Using a metal grid is a shockingly effective alternative storage option to the typical shoe rack. Leaned up against a wall, you can slot heels into the holes of the grid and hang a large number of shoes with ease. Plus the geometric pattern blends effortlessly into many decor styles.

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The Container Store

You might not have the idyllic walk-in sneaker closet of Lil Baby (at least yet), but these are a close second for any sneakerheads. Clear fronts let you proudly display all your kicks without having to guess where your favorite pair is. The hinged door on each box allows easy access while keeping shoes protected from dust buildup. They also include ventilation holes to keep funky smells at bay. Endlessly stackable, you can keep adding more in the three available sizes as your shoe collection grows.

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