Shoe Racks Blog

Shoe Racks on the Go!

Since I’ve had so many comments lately asking whether a shoe rack is portable or not, I decided to explore this idea of a portable shoe rack.  First, some reasons that you would need a portable shoe rack and, second, what type to look for! 

Many of you may be asking, why on earth would you need a portable shoe rack?  If you are asking this, you obviously have never traveled with me.  I know that traveling is a lot easier if you can keep the amount of stuff you bring to a minimum.  But, I just can’t ever decide ahead of time what I’m going to need.  So I usually pack up about one pair for each day I’ll be gone and stuff them around my clothes in a bag.  I know it seems excessive, but this is the only way I can be sure that I will have the right shoes at the right time.  There is a tradeoff, though – I usually end up skimping in the clothes department. 

Another reason someone might want to have a portable shoe rack is if they sell, make or decorate shoes, then they may need to take a rack with them to shows. 

What kinds of racks can be considered “Portable”? 

• Rolling Shoe Racks – Technically these are portable, but only from room to room.  You can’t take these in the car or (worse) a plane, and expect your shoes to stay on the rack. 
• Plastic Bin – These are very portable but they don’t really keep your shoes organized, just in one big pile, so I don’t think they count as a rack in this scenario. 
• OTD Shoe Rack – This is by far the best option.  You can put your shoes in them and then roll them up and throw it in your suitcase. When you get to the hotel, unroll it, hang it over the nearest door and voila!  you have your travel shoe organizer! 

Bonus:  Here is an article on how to purchase shoes for travel.

From O-T-D Shoe Rack to Toy Storage Rack

You are now looking at my absolute favorite shoe rack ever.  These over the door shoe racks are easy to find and can be used for pretty much everything.  I have two of them in my house right now, and have had them for years.  The first one I use in downstairs in the coat closet for shoes. 

The second one pays its way as the best toy organizer I have ever found.  It hangs on the back of the kids’ door!  Here is how to get the most out of your organizer:

As an Over the Door Toy Organizer:

In the kids room, an over the door shoe rack is great for toys.  Kids need a toy storage solution that is simple enough for them to use.  This organizer is almost as easy as throwing their toys into a bin, but since they are hidden behind the door you don’t have to worry about looking at them spilling out of a basket.  The pockets aren’t big enough for large toys, obviously, but they are great for small items (think My Little Pony and all her little accessories). 

If you are overrun with stuffed animals, you can easily put the smaller ones in here.  As you can see in the picture, the OTD shoe rack that I have has 24 sections.  If you look more closely, though, you will see that each large pocket actually has another small pocket attached to the front of it, making it a 48 pocket organizer.  Here is another similar one with 24 larger pockets. 

Another benefit to these over the door racks is that you can use them for years – you will never NOT have a use for them.  Once kids get older, they can organize their own shoes, socks, hair clips and more in here.  And, when they move out of the house, they can either take it with them to the dorms, or leave it for you. 

Some other uses for these multi-purpose racks:

Bathroom:  For toiletries, hair accessories, shaving tools

Garage:  For Lightweight tools, hardware and cleaners

Closet:  Shoes, Scarves, Belts, Socks and Accessories