One of the issues of living in a small space is where to keep your stuff, especially for people who have a lot of shoes (and who doesn’t?). No matter how hard some resist, the temptation to buy another pair of shoes can be overwhelming. Buying them is easy. Storing them is the problem.
If this sounds familiar, you’ve come to the right place. This article will explore how to store shoes in a small space. There is sure to be something that can work for you.
How to Store Shoes in a Small Space
1. Under-Bed Storage
There is plenty of unused space beneath a bed. If you have an abundance of shoes, but no place to put them, under the bed is prime real estate. This usually vacant space can be utilized for shoe storage in a few ways.
There are several shoe storage systems that you can purchase from either big box stores or online retailers. A rolling shoe rack can typically store nine pairs of shoes. The rollers on the bottom make it easy to slide in and out from under the bed.
Another under-the-bed storage idea for shoes is to purchase large plastic containers that are low enough to easily slide under a bed. Many container stores have bins that are made specifically for the storage of shoes under a bed.
2. Shoe Cabinet
Even if your home only has a limited amount of floor space, you can put a handy open-design shoe cabinet in the hall near the front door. They don’t take up a lot of space and come in various colors and styles to suit any home décor.
A shoe cabinet is a convenient way to store your shoes in a neat but easily accessible way. It doesn’t need to be near the front door; these easy-to-install units can be placed anywhere. They can add form plus function to any room.
3. Stackable Shoe Rack
Stackable shoe racks come in various styles and sizes and are usually made from wood, metal, or plastic. They can be placed in the back of a closet for hidden yet easy shoe retrieval or against a wall. You can find shoe racks designed for a few pairs of shoes or larger units that can house many more.
4. Over-the-Door Hanging Shoe Rack
A great place to store multiple pairs of shoes without taking up a lot of room is to use the space behind doors. Many different retailers sell products specifically for utilizing this vertical space. There are plenty of options when purchasing this type of shoe storage unit. Some can hold up to twenty or more pairs.
There’s no installation necessary, so this is a perfect solution to a shoe storage dilemma for those who aren’t handy or crafty. Simply hang the hooks on the product over a door, and you’re done.
5. Mudroom Bench
A mudroom bench has a shelf on its underside specifically for shoes. Although this style of bench is typically placed in a room where you’d sit down and take off your wet or muddy boots, it can be used anywhere.
For those with a flair for home design, a mudroom bench makes a great stylish addition to the home while adding functionality. They can be purchased new, or they can often be found at yard sales or flea markets.
6. Closet Hanging Shoe Organizer
A possible solution to the shoe storage problem is to purchase hanging shoe organizers. These handy shoe storage items can be found in most department stores.
On one end is what looks like a hook or the top of a coat hanger hung from a closet pole. Below it hangs several cubbies made of fabric specifically designed for shoes. The vertical use of these hanging shoe organizers takes up significantly less space than if you laid out the shoes on a horizontal shelf.
7. Build Small Shoe Shelves
For those good with their hands, try building a small shoe shelf. With some cut wood and brackets, you can create an area on the wall that doesn’t take up too much space yet can hold shoes.
You can build small shelves that go up the wall vertically, with each shelf holding one pair. Another option is to mount a shelf high on a wall and place the shoes you only wear occasionally up there.
8. Tension Rods
A straightforward way to create instant additional storage for shoes is by using tension rods. Place two of them a foot above the floor in a closet, and you’ve just doubled your space for shoe storage.
Depending on your available closet space, you can add more tension rods and open up even more space for shoes.
9. Ladder
When asking how to store shoes in a small space, it can help to think outside the box. If you live in a tiny city apartment, you may have a ladder leaning against the wall in an inconspicuous place. You can use the ladder’s steps for shoe storage.
The ladder most likely remains unused except for rare occasions, so why not utilize its steps for something useful?
10. Repurpose Bathroom Towel Rails
Repurposing bathroom towel rails can provide additional space to hang them for someone with an extensive collection of heeled shoes. A series of towel rails can be installed inside closet walls, and as long as they’re within reaching distance, they’re great for pumps.
Once installed, just hang the shoes by their heels, and you’ve just opened up a ton of additional space for high heels.
11. Shoe Ottoman
Some department stores and online retailers sell what’s known as a shoe ottoman. This clever piece of functional furniture can be used as a traditional ottoman in the living room, but inside is space explicitly used for shoe storage.
Your shoes will be out of view, and you haven’t taken up any additional floor space.
12. Rotating Shoe Rack
A shoe rack or tree can store multiple pairs of shoes in a small space. Its vertical design allows for hanging shoes on its tiers, and since it can be rotated, you can easily see and take the ones you want to wear. It operates on the same principle as a lazy Susan; just give it a spin and take the shoes you need.
So Many Shoes, so Little Space
The problem of how to store shoes in a small space can be solved with a bit of ingenuity. Many space-saving shoe devices can be purchased from big box stores or online retailers.
For those good with their hands, something as simple as installing towel racks or tension rods can create a new space for shoes. Whatever your space limitations are, at least one of our recommendations should work for you.