The Best Under Bed Storage Solutions for an Organized Home
When you come home after a long day, the last thing you want to see is dirty shoes scattered around your front door. Entryway shoe storage solutions can help you turn your entryway into a stylish and functional space, which is precisely what you want when you first step into your home.
“As the first thing you see when you return home, an organized entryway can set you up for more enjoyable living,” says Suze Dowling, co-founder and Chief Business Officer at Pattern Brands. “It’s all about creating seamless pathways to encourage positive habits.”
Setting up shoe storage in your entryway can transform your experience when you enter or exit your home. As Dowling mentioned, it encourages positive habits (putting your shoes where they go) while keeping your home organized and tidy. And as a bonus, it’s easier to find things when your home is orderly, so entryway organization can also save you time.
Ready to Organize Your Entryway?
The right shoe storage solution will transform your entryway from a small and cluttered space to a functional, aesthetically pleasing haven to come home to. It’s all about finding an option that fits your lifestyle and preferences.
10 Entryway Shoe Storage Ideas from Professional Designs and Organizers
1. Shoe Rack
A shoe rack is one of the most straightforward solutions to entryway shoe storage. Shoe racks feature rows of shelving for convenient storage. Look for a rack with enough room for all your shoes, potentially with adjustable or varied shoe shelf heights to accommodate boots and high-heeled shoes.
Our favorite entryway shoe rack is from Open Spaces and was recommended to us by Caroline Solomon, founder of New York-based home organizing business Neatly. “I’m partial to the Open Spaces Entryway Rack for its sleek factor and ability to store up to nine pairs of shoes at a time,” Solomon told Living Cozy.
Read more: Check out our review of the Open Spaces Entryway Rack here.
The Open Spaces Entryway Rack is a multi-use three-tier rack made from powder-coated steel for lasting durability and sleek aesthetics. It comes in a range of versatile colors and could fit in with almost any space. And the top shelf is perfect for storing boots and taller shoes.
“The Open Spaces Entryway Rack turns organization into decor with its durable steel frame and powder-coated finish,” says Dowling, co-founder of Pattern Brands. "It can be used across many different rooms and can be used to organize, decorate or showcase items that are most meaningful to you."
↦ Shop the Open Spaces Entryway Rack now at patternbrands.com
2. Bench
A shoe storage bench is a standard home accessory that offers a comfortable spot to sit while removing or putting on your shoes. And it makes a great first impression on guests.
The Burrow Carta Bench is an incredibly versatile option that would work great in any size of entryway or mudroom. Its padded seat offers an excellent spot to tie your shoes and the perfect height to fit under a coat rack. Plus, it can help with keeping shoes tidy if you tuck them underneath on a tray.
If you’d like to keep your shoes hidden, you might prefer an entryway bench with storage. The solid wood Totem Bench from Burrow features a minimal design with a spacious inner storage compartment that you can use for shoes.
"[A] bench with storage is a perfect idea because it's closed storage, so everything is hidden (give a tidier feeling). And it's super practical because you can sit down on your bench to change your shoes," interior designer Anais Chaumien told Living Cozy.
Depending on your space (and budget), you could even install a bespoke shoe rack bench like the example below, which was shared with us by Mona Reeves, Principal Architect at Re:modern.
“An organized entryway is important because it sets the emotional stage for the rest of your home," said Reeves. "A system for storage, especially, is necessary for entryway design to help households manage clutter and everyday things that come with the flow of a lived space. For entryway shoe storage, I design bespoke solutions that work with an individual or family's habits."
3. Cubbies
Cubbies add several small boxlike compartments to your entryway, where you can store shoes, bags, and anything else that you need to keep on hand. It’s best to have dedicated shoe cubbies for cleanliness, and you’ll want quality material that can stand up to the debris that’s often on the bottom of shoes.
"Cubbies are ideal for multiple family members to find what they need quickly. Because entryways can get cluttered quickly, it's important to have a coherent design that unifies all those little items," Reeves told Living Cozy.
Pottery Barn's Livingston Shoe Storage Cubby features classic details and an eye-catching open grain, both of which are sure to make a good impression. In addition, it's made from sustainably sourced mango wood, ensuring a beautiful yet durable surface for your shoes, bags, and other belongings.
Interior designer Jessica Welling also shared her Ikea entryway cubbies hack with us: “When each family member has their own cubby for shoes, coats, backpacks, etc., there's no excuse for missing shoes when it's time to head out the door. This is an Ikea hack using the inexpensive Billy bookcases.”
And if you have a bit more budget to play with, you could get a custom cubby bench installed in your entryway. Here's another custom example shared by Re:modern:
4 Shoe Bins/Boxes
Shoe storage bins allow you to keep your shoes organized and easily accessible near your door. These bins generally stack, but you can also make bins using baskets and other containers.
“I like to use bins or baskets to prevent a giant shoe heap on the floor. Even better if you can give each family member a separate bin,” said Welling.
And with a separate bin for each person, you should have room for your favorite pair of shoes as well as any weather-specific boots or shoes you need for the season.
This Shoe Storage Organizer on Wayfair (pictured above) comes with a set of six stacking shoe organizers with clear sides so you can see what's inside. In addition, it includes ventilation holes to let the shoes breathe to prevent unpleasant smells. The boxes also feature a stackable and foldable design for convenience.
"Baskets or bins categorized and labeled by user or shoe type (athletic, walking, sandals, hiking boots) are flexible for a variety of spatial arrangements. Use covered or uncovered bins. Uncovered allows greater airflow to avoid odor build-up," added Sherri Curley from The Practical Sort.
If you like the idea of open storage, check out these Marie Kondo Ori Rattan Bins from The Container Store. With handwoven quality and open, rounded handles, these bins are easy to carry and sturdy. In addition, they’re made from natural rattan, which is a renewable material known for flexibility and strength.
5. Boot Tray
A boot tray serves as a catch-all for footwear, like a dedicated spot on the floor to keep your shoes. Most are easy to clean and don't take up too much space, and they'll save your floors from unnecessary messes.
“If you have the space for one, a boot tray is a great way to contain mucky boots or dirty, wet shoes. It's especially useful in the Fall and Winter months,” Jessica Welling told Living Cozy.
The Anthropologie Marquetry Boot Tray is an elegant option for avoiding muddy floors. It's made from pine wood and wipes clean easily for ongoing maintenance. The natural wood grain is visible beneath a dark black stain, creating a modern style that fits any home. Tuck your boot tray under an entryway bench if you need to save square footage in a small space.
This Bed Bath & Beyond Home Boot Tray is made from polypropylene and offers a convenient and durable spot to store muddy, messy shoes. And with a price tag under $10, it's proof that boot trays don't need to be expensive! Plus, it cleans quickly with a hose or in the sink so you can enjoy clean, dry floors during the chilly months in your home.
6. Vertical Shoe Cabinet
A vertical shoe cabinet provides a practical, space-saving solution to keeping your shoes organized by the front door. In addition, it's an excellent option for minimalist spaces where the idea is to keep things out of sight and tucked away.
“If you have a narrow space, consider a piece of furniture designed to maximize vertical storage. Alternatives like these from IKEA are great because they take up only a small footprint and offer a lot of storage,” said Seana Turner of The Seana Method.
The IKEA shoe cabinet that Turner recommends has a small footprint because it only has legs on the front, allowing it to stand close to the wall above the baseboard. It has four compartments, each of which can hold up to two pairs of shoes.
This Wayfair Shoe Storage Cabinet can hold up to 18 pairs of shoes with nine shelves. In addition, empty shelves can hold other accessories, like purses and bags, increasing the functionality of this free-standing vertical cabinet.
7. Ladder
Ladder shelves are all over DIY channels across the web, and they also work well for shoes!
You might use a ladder bookshelf and repurpose it as a shoe shelf or make use of an old A-frame ladder in your garage. If you make your own, you’ll want to stand the ladder upright and lay boards across each level of rungs to create your shelves.
"Consider using wooden ladders as a form of entryway shoe storage. The shoe ladder gives a classy look to any entryway. One downfall of ladder shoe storage is that you cannot store many shoes in it. However, if aesthetics is the main reason for entryway shoe storage, you can never go wrong with a ladder,” said Scott Cam, founder of Blueprint Homes.
The Pottery Barn Temple Street Shoe Ladder is a contemporary take on the classic ladder shelf. It is made from steel with a matte black finish and an anti-slip pad on the bottom. In addition, it features four shelves for storage and has a relatively small footprint.
For something more classic, check out this West Elm Ladder Bookshelf. It's a perfect candidate to repurpose into a shoe shelf, and it comes in a range of colors and sizes. And this ladder bookshelf is a great, time-saving alternative to making your own.
8. Over-the-Door Storage
Over-the-door shoe storage is all about function and less about form. It's an excellent choice for those who have a lot of shoes without a lot of space (we see you, apartment dwellers). You just need an out-of-the-way spot and a door to hang the organizer on.
"Over-the-door hanging shoe organizer: it's not as decorative as the options above but is a real life-saver if you don't have a lot of space. Hang your shoes behind a closet door or your bedroom's door. Please don't do that in your living room. It's a huge no!" said Chaumien
This 12-tier Over-the-Door Shoe Rack from The Container Store will give you an out-of-the-way vertical storage solution for heeled and flat shoes like flip-flops. It mounts easily over doors of any thickness with felt pads to avoid damaging your door. It’s made from metal, easy to assemble, and will hold up to 36 pairs of shoes.
9. Hanging Shoe Organizer
A hanging shoe organizer is a hidden storage solution that's ideal for entryway closets or wardrobes. It's another product that focuses more on function than form, providing a practical choice for those living in a small space.
“Install a hanging shoe organizer in your wardrobe. Again, it's not a beautiful solution, but it's hidden, which can be a great option! If you have a wardrobe or a closet in your entryway, hang a shoe organizer on the rod,” recommends Anais Chaumien.
With 26 cubbies for storage, this Recycled Over-the-Door Shoe Storage option from Pottery Barn is perfect for small spaces. It's an intelligent storage solution with durable over-the-door hooks to keep your entryway clutter-free. And it's made from 100% recycled materials, perfect for those who'd like to protect the planet with their purchases.
10. Hall Tree
A hall tree is something of a multi-purpose solution to the entryway. If your entrance is empty or in need of an overhaul, a good hall tree could do the trick. It'll provide space for everything you want to drop off after walking in the door, as well as a spot to sit to put on or take off your shoes.
“One way to keep this space organized is with a Hall Tree. Get one that has a place to hang coats (if you don't have a coat closet) and drawers to put shoes, hats, scarves, etc. This way, everything has a place and won't add clutter to your doorway,” said Nikki Klugh of Nikki Klugh Design Group.
Inspired by antique furniture, this Narrow Hall Tree from Pottery Barn is simple, eye-catching, high-quality, and versatile. It features two storage shelves for shoes and hats, with six coat hooks and a sturdy bench. The powder-coated rustic finish gives it a timeless, industrial look that fits almost any interior décor style.
How to Decide What Entryway Shoe Storage Solutions Are Right for You
Space
Before you buy anything, measure your entryway and write down the dimensions you’re working with. Measure around anything you can’t or don’t want to move but be flexible with the rest of the area and make use of verticle space too. You’ll also need to consider how many pairs of shoes you need to store, which can add up quickly in a large household.
“It depends on two things: how many pairs of shoes will be stored here, and how the space is shaped. If there's room for shoe storage in a coat closet, that may be a great solution, either on the floor or over the door,” says Amy Trager, certified professional organizer.
“If it's an open entryway, without a closet, there may only be room for a shoe tray or short, two-tiered rack. Consider exploring whatever vertical space is available—not just the horizontal floor space."
“If it's an open entryway, without a closet, there may only be room for a shoe tray or short, two-tiered rack. Consider exploring whatever vertical space is available—not just the horizontal floor space,” continued Trager. “More shoes can be stored if there's vertical space available, and it will prevent shoes from piling up.”
Always double-check your measurements before you order and lean towards too many shelves instead of too few. You don’t want a shoe mess piling up beside your shoe storage solution!
Read more: The Best Under Bed Storage Solutions for an Organized Home
Location
Ideally, storage space should be located at the main entry point you use to come into and leave your home. The closer to the door it is, the less space you'll need to walk through with dirty shoes or boots to take them off. And the more likely it is that you and your guests will use it.
“When you talk about home entryways, there are usually two main entry points to the home: front door and garage door. The formal entry, or front door, is usually the first place guests see in your home. Keeping this area organized creates a sense of cleanliness and balance to your guests right when they walk into your home," says Nikki Klugh of Nikki Klugh Design Group.
“A well-thought entryway is the first step to finally enjoying peace at home after a long day; that's how important it is!"
“Imagine coming home after a long day and immediately arriving in a messy entryway? You will immediately feel irritated, whereas your home should be your safe haven! Having great organization and storage is also super important. Even if the space is not messy, imagine coming back home and not being able to find a place to drop your shoes, your bag, or your keys?” adds Chaumien. “A well-thought entryway is the first step to finally enjoying peace at home after a long day; that's how important it is!"
Think about the path into your home and find a strategic spot to get the most form and function out of your shoe storage solution.
Read more: The Best Storage Baskets for Organizing Your Home
Design/Aesthetic
The entryway is your first impression on guests, and it should represent your home well. So, you'll want to find a shoe storage solution that fits the style of home decor or general aesthetic in your home.
For example, if you have a contemporary home, you might want a modern metal frame shoe organizer. But if your space is traditional or modern farmhouse, you'll probably want something more rustic or classic.
It's also worth thinking about whether you'd like your shoes to be on display with open shelves hidden out of eyesight in a bench or shoe storage box.
"With no second chances to make a first impression, your entryway is the gateway to what lies beyond," comments Sherri Curley from The Practical Sort. “Will the initial greeting be welcoming or chaotic? What's the mood you wish to convey? Whether you're entertaining guests or returning to your home, start on the right foot [pun intended].”
“If shoes, purses, backpacks, briefcases, coats, umbrellas, and postal mail clog up your entryway, not only is it unwelcoming and detracts from aesthetics, the disorder can cause safety hazards and emotional upheaval. Too much visual stimuli results in sensory overload leading to anxiousness and unease.”
Think about the colors, materials, and textures in your home, and pick a shoe organizer that goes well with all of it. And if you're constantly changing styles, pick something versatile that can go with almost anything. That way, your decor can transform without your shoe storage solution ever looking out of place.
Budget
Entryway shoe storage options can range from a few dollars for a simple storage box from Amazon or Ikea to thousands of dollars for large, custom-made solutions. Consider your budget and set a maximum amount that you can spend. If it’s not enough for what you want, save up for a few months to get the storage solution you have your eye on!
