36 Clever Shoe Storage Ideas to Tidy Up Small Spaces

If you’re looking to store a large number of shoes in your closet or garage, go with industrial shelves. You can typically adjust the position of the shelves and while they are solid and sturdy, they can also be easily moved. It makes them a good option for renters who aren’t able to install a custom closet or add built-in shelving systems.

7 Entryway Shoe Storage Ideas

Shoes have always been the bane of my trying-to-keep-my-house-clutter-free existence. We’re a shoe-free house so my family kicks them off when they come into our home where they collect in an ever-growing pile in our entryway. Do you have the same issue? Let’s get those suckers organized with seven entryway shoe storage ideas that will kick your shoe pile clutter to the curb! These ideas would work for your laundry room, mud room, or other spaces where shoes tend to collect too.

Now’s a great time to knock out this little organizing project because several of my favorite shoe storage solutions are on sale as part of Wayfair’s Fresh Start Sale! With home items up to 70% off and fast shipping, the Fresh Start Sale is perfect for kicking off this organizing project or a refresh project in your bathroom, bedroom, living room, or other space in your home! Let’s get to it, starting with my entryway shoe storage ideas and wrapping up with other favorite Wayfair products to snag while on sale. (post includes affiliate links and is sponsored by Wayfair; full disclosure statement available )

1. Shoe Baskets

The simplest entryway shoe storage idea is to corral them in a large decorative basket. It’s one of my go-to garage entryway ideas and works well in other spaces where room is limited too. There are so many pretty options in all sorts of shapes, sizes, and styles. I LOVE that’s not only gorgeous, but the perfect size for a shoe basket:

It has a metal framework inside to hold its shape which is nice. These are some of my other favorites (#2 is great if you prefer a basket with a lid):

2. Storage Ottomans

If you have an entryway console with open space underneath it, storage ottomans that you can tuck under your console are the perfect solution! I migrated all of my entryway furniture and accessories from our previous home where it wasn’t in a spot where shoe storage was needed so my ottomans are just for sitting. But if I were buying new ottomans for our current home, I’d buy upholstered storage cubes like or that have lift-off tops with quite a bit of storage space inside:

3. Entryway Shoe Storage Bench

Some of my favorite entryway decor ideas involve having seating in your entryway. If you want a nice bench to sit on while taking shoes on and off and eliminate shoe clutter, consider an entryway bench with storage space under the seat such as :

Lifting up the hinged bench seat reveals a TON of storage space for shoes, boots, dog leashes, umbrellas, and whatever other clutter tends to collect on your entryway floor. We fit nine pairs of shoes neatly lined up inside but if you’d prefer to use the space more like a basket and just pile them in, you could fit several more:

I love that the seat stays open on its own when lifted up and closes slowly so won’t drop on little fingers. Along with the white color option, it comes in gray, natural, and teal and is currently 37% off as part of Wayfair’s Fresh Start sale.

It’s over 30% off and comes in dark blue, gray, mist green, and several other colors. Also check out and which would both work well in an entryway or at the foot of a bed.

4. Hall Tree

If you’re lacking storage space for coats in your entryway, a storage piece by your front door with hooks for hanging coats plus drawers or shoe cubbies like is a great solution:

Along with the white color option, it’s also available in black, navy, and gray. Here are a few other on-sale hall trees that I love the look of and have good reviews:

Several of them have shelving on top that’s perfect for bins storing hats, gloves, and other outdoor winter gear.

5. 2-Tier Rolling Baskets

And because it’s on wheels, it could also be used to maximize shoe storage space in an entryway closet, rolling it in and out of the closet as needed to grab and store shoes.

6. Shoe Storage Cabinet

Another entryway shoe storage idea is to store shoes in a small cabinet. You could use a shoe cabinet with the look of a typical furniture piece such as (the dusty gray oak finish looks so pretty!):

or shallow piece such as (on sale for under $100!) that has tilt out shoe storage space and is perfect for small or narrow entryways:

7. Over the Door Shoe Storage

If you have a coat closet in your entryway, you can create shoe storage without taking up closet floor space by adding a shoe storage piece to the back of the closet door. Several of these options are significantly discounted for the Fresh Start sale:

Other Fresh Start Sale Favorites

Now that we’ve tackled entryway shoe storage, what other projects are you planning to jump into this year? If you’ve got a room refresh on your to-do list, these are the Fresh Start Sale favorites from my own home that I have, love, and recommend:

and these are the on-sale furniture, lighting, and decor pieces I’ve been eyeing:

Want more inspiration for getting organized? Check out my post on 20 home organization ideas!

Thanks as always for stopping by the blog! I’m working on posts for choosing and hanging drapes, shelf styling, and our fireplace remodel that will all be coming your way in the next few weeks. Be sure to subscribe to get my emails so you don’t miss a thing!

36 Clever Shoe Storage Ideas to Tidy Up Small Spaces

Maria Sabella is an E-Design consultant and has spent the last six years working in the interior design and staging industries, as well as writing digital content focused on home-related topics.

Shoe storage can pose a challenge, especially when it comes to small spaces. Instead of allowing sneakers to pile up by the front door and dress shoes to get damaged in over-stuffed cabinets, gain some inspiration and clever tricks to maximize space to store your shoes in a neat way—no matter how small your space is.

We’re sharing 36 clever shoe storage ideas to tidy up small spaces and keep your favorite pairs in mint condition.

Use Clear-Front Shoe Boxes

Store shoes in boxes that have clear fronts so you can quickly find the pair you’re looking for and flip lids for easy access. They look neat, typically have vents to allow for good air circulation, and they are stackable to save space. Place the boxes on a shelf, on your closet floor, or under the bed for space-saving storage.

Hang an Over-the-Door Organizer

If your closet shelves are bursting at the seams, maximize space by hanging an organizer over the door. It’s an inexpensive and non-permanent way to add extra shoe storage and typically has multiple fabric or clear plastic pockets. The organizer is very versatile as it can also be used to store other items such as seasonal accessories, jewelry, or toiletries.

Mix Open and Closed Shelving

If you are in the process of designing a closet, make sure to incorporate both open and closed shelving to accommodate various types of clothing, shoes, and accessories. Keep in-season and frequently worn shoes on open shelves for convenient access and store out-of-season pairs. For example, during the winter season, store away flip-flops in baskets or behind closet doors.

Place Wicker Baskets in the Entryway

Large wicker baskets provide a great spot to store casual shoes in your entryway. Not only are they sturdy and not easily destructible, but they also bring in a textural element and a natural material. Use one large basket for everyone or go with smaller, individual baskets for each household member to stay organized.

Install Floating Shelves

Floating shelves offer flexibility and versatility that a built-in or freestanding shelf doesn’t, as you can position them exactly to your liking. Hang floating shelves in your closet or bedroom and use them to store heels, sandals, and other lighter or more occasionally used pairs.

Group Shoes by Type

A good organizational system is key to saving space and keeping shoes from getting damaged. Sort them into groups and store them as such; these could be heels, boots, sneakers, summer shoes, event-only pairs, and so on.

Hide Them in the Coat Closet

If you have a coat closet in or near your entryway, use the built-in hidden storage for your shoes. Store them on the floor, hang an over-the-door pocket organizer, or bring in a tiered rack to keep everyone’s shoes neatly organized instead of them piling up by the front door.

Store Shoes in the Garage

If you keep sports equipment in your garage, keep the coordinating shoes next to it so you can grab all your gear in one go when needed. The shoes can be neatly placed on a shelf while the skateboards are hung above them to keep everything off the ground and in their designated places.

Install Custom Closet Shelves

When it comes to installing custom closet shelves, create a storage system that best suits your needs, the types of garments and shoes you own, and the size of your closet. Dedicate an area of your closet to shoes; go through your shoe collection first and discard any damaged and never-worn pairs, then sort them into categories to be able to estimate how much shelf space needs to be dedicated to shoes.

Organize Shoes on a Mat

During the cold, wet months, keep a door mat inside your entryway or mudroom and store outdoor shoes on it to prevent trekking dirt all around the house. A coir mat is a durable, sturdy choice that gets mud off the soles and allows shoes to fully dry.

Add Floor-to-Ceiling Shoe Storage

Think vertically and add floor-to-ceiling shelves inside your closet so that not an inch of space goes wasted. Leave enough height on some shelves to hold tall boots and hang others closer to each other to hold flats, flip-flops, and sandals. This will help you fit more shelves in and give the closet a custom look.

Label Boxes

If you don’t like the look of shoes being stored in bulky, different-colored boxes, purchase a set of uniform brown shoe boxes. Then, take a picture of each pair of shoes and attach it to its corresponding box. This will create a neat storage display while allowing you to quickly identify where each pair is located.

Go With Industrial Shelving

If you’re looking to store a large number of shoes in your closet or garage, go with industrial shelves. You can typically adjust the position of the shelves and while they are solid and sturdy, they can also be easily moved. It makes them a good option for renters who aren’t able to install a custom closet or add built-in shelving systems.

Place a Shoe Rack in a Closet

Place an inexpensive tiered shoe rack inside your coat closet to keep it organized and make use of vertical space. It still allows you to hang up coats and jackets and even an organizer over the door if you want to get as much storage out of the small space as possible.

Use Clear Storage Bins

Clear storage bins allow for an uncluttered, clean finish when it comes to closet storage and organization. While they may not be large enough for adult-size shoes, they’re a functional and pretty way to hold baby and toddler pairs.

Get a Metal Shoe Rack

Install a metal shoe rack in your closet to maximize vertical space and store shoes neatly. Some of the main benefits of this storage solution are that it takes up very little space since the rack can be mounted directly on the wall or a closet door. It’ll keep shoes accessible and easy to grab since they are out in the open.

Store Shoes on Freestanding Shelves

If you live in a rental that doesn’t provide much built-in closet storage or you’re not up for a big closet remodel in your own home, bring in freestanding shelves. Place shoes directly on the shelves or inside shoe boxes that can be stacked so that you can fit in more pairs.

Build a Mudroom

If your home size, style, and budget permit, consider adding a mudroom with built-in shoe storage. Typically located at the back of the house, you enter a mudroom through a garage or a back door, and the room’s main purpose is to prevent trekking dirt inside. The most practical built-ins combine multiple different types of shoe storage; shoes can be organized in cubbies on the floor, in wicker baskets, or in closed cabinets, which are great for out-of-season shoes that need to be stored away for the season.

Line Boots Along a Closet Wall

Boots can be a challenge to store because of their height. If you own a large boot collection that doesn’t fit on a shelf or inside shoe boxes, line them along a closet wall instead of squashing them down and potentially damaging them. If needed, purchase boot inserts to help them keep their shape.

Incorporate Built-In Storage

Built-in storage is one of the best ways to customize a space to your needs, whether it’s shelving to hold books in the living room or cabinets to store shoes in your entryway. Supplement open built-in storage with wicker baskets for shoes—not only will they add a nice textural element to the space, but they’re also an inexpensive storage vessel that’s perfect for holding casual everyday pairs of shoes in a neat and organized way. This will help prevent cluttering the floor.