Shoe Racks Blog

Modular Shoe Storage allows you to customize your shoe rack!

A modular shoe rack or storage system simply means that you can customize your shoe rack without the cost of a built-in unit!  Choose a specially designed modular shoe rack or think outside of the box!  A modular shoe rack is usually sold in one or two tiers and is stackable, so you can purchase as many units as you want and stack them from floor to ceiling (within reason, of course).  Stacking shoe racks vertically is also the most space-efficient  type of shoe storage, using vertical space that is typically wasted and turning it into a shoe storage setup, at the same time maximizing shoe rack capacity.  Most units hold three to four pairs of shoes (depending on whether you are storing heels and pumps or bulky men’s shoes and running shoes).  So, if you stack four of five of these on top of one another, you can have a 20 pair shoe rack!  To really get the most shoe storage possible, though, you have to think outside of the box.  The best way to do this is to look for other types of products that will hold shoes.  Some of my favorites include plastic drawer systems, bins or regular old shelving units!  A plastic drawer system is very affordable, and the larger ones will hold six to eight pairs per drawer, so you could easily fit thirty to forty pairs of shoes in the same space as a large shoe rack – and, better yet, shoes don’t get dusty and they never fall on the floor!  Another option are stacking bins, the type that you see used for clothes in the closet, toys in the playroom or tools in the garage.  These are very affordable, and open, so you can always see what’s in them!

Get your tiny shoes in order with this Aquarium Shoe Rack!

It’s been a long time since we’ve featured a kids shoe rack, so I was so happy when I stumbled upon this one!  It straps right over the closet rod, using up virtually no closet space, but offering ample shoe storage options.  The cotton polyester blend fabric stands up to medium and heavy use, perfect for little ones.  Strap it over the closet rod and organize away!  The pockets are perfect for storing shoes, but can also be used for other items.  Even little kids and toddlers can use this to keep their bedroom or playroom organized, with separate pockets for toys, clothes and shoes.  The pattern is absolutely adorable, a vibrant aquarium scene complete with fishies.  Over the closet rod shoe racks are a great choice for homes with limited storage.  They make use of the vertical space in the closet, which is usually overlooked by people in need of more closet space.  This one is perfect for kids, the colors and themes will inspire them to put their shoes or toys away.  Another feature I like about these, as a general rule, in the kids room, is that it allows you to have storage space up top where little hands can not reach.  Keep markers and paints (nothing dangerous like medicines, though) in the upper pockets to keep tiny hands from reaching!  The velcro is very strong and wide, perfect for bearing the weight of multiple pairs of shoes, toys and much more!  An easy way to keep things organized in this bag is to make tags for each shelf so that you and the kids know what goes where - a great closet organization tip!  When the kids grow out of their sea-creature phase, they can still use this in the corner of the closet to maintain their style.  And, best of all, the price is right!

Product of the Week:  A Shoe Rack Specially Designed for the Mud Room

You’ve probably heard me go on and on about mud, muddy shoes, mud on the carpet, etc.  And, yes, you guessed it – I’m a neat freak!  In fact, I am hereby declaring this to be MUD WEEK!  It has been raining buckets where I live on the beautiful Northern Coast of California, and since we live out in the country, buckets of rain eventually just means buckets of mud.  We have mud flowing down the driveway, into the front yard, then around the house and down the backyard and into a creek, where, no doubt, it meets up with its muddy friends! 

If it were up to me, I probably wouldn’t venture outside, but you know kids and mud.  Since they’ve been cooped up for about a month now, there are no more excuses, it’s time to visit the world that exists outside our cozy home.  The question then becomes:  How do we keep the mud outside?  I can’t possibly allow mud on the carpets, especially since we are renters, so I have to think of a way to trap it at the door. 

That’s where this week’s product of the week comes in:  It’s a great new shoe rack designed specifically for mud rooms.  Even if you don’t technically have a mud room, this is still a must have mud control shoe rack that can be kept at the entryway to your front or backdoors.  At the front, it begs visitors to take their shoes off before entering your home, and, at the back, it begs your kids to take off their muddy boots!  A win-win, either way!  There is nothing really that different about this shoe rack except that whoever invented it had the great idea of putting a metal tray on top for muddy shoes.  It’s a nice looking shoe rack, made of solid beech wood and stained an elegant walnut.  When the weather turns better, simply remove the tray and use it as a regular old shoe rack in your closet! 

Now get outside and make some Mud Pies!

Shoe Trees provide Revolving Shoe Storage and Much More!

On a whim, I decided to give this Shoe Rack a try.  It is known as a shoe tree, because it is basically a chrome tree with branches and everything, just like a real tree.  Except instead of leaves, this tree grows shoes (sort of).  Actually first I buy the shoes, and then decorate the tree with them.  You get the idea. 

The main reason I was interested in this shoe tree is that it is revolving.  It’s really a great space saving idea, here’s why:  On a normal shoe rack, the storage you use is really only two dimensional, up to down and side to side.  This shoe rack, however, is able to make use of all three dimensions!  The reason it can do this is because it rotates.  That way you can put this shoe rack in the corner of your closet and still use the storage space on the back – basic physics, if you ask me!  A regular freestanding shoe rack can’t use the space in the back because you could never get to those shoes.  But since this one spins, you can make use of the whole rack, while taking up very little room.  And, since it is over four feet high, you know that you are in the maximum shoe storage potential zone. 

Here are some observations after using it: 

• Spins Great!  It’s easy enough to spin and doesn’t topple over because it has a weighted base 
• Adjustable height between racks accommodate some larger shoes, however it is really not designed to hold large athletic shoes or boots 
• Chrome – Love it! 
• 24 pair capacity – this is a pretty good capacity for a shoe rack that only takes up 12” in diameter 

All in all, I really like this shoe rack and give it two thumbs up!  Available at StacksAndStacks.com.

Imagine having a million pairs of shoes, just piled up in the closet, some in the kitchen some in the living room and a few by the bed. You get the occasional “would you pick up your shoes!” and even you get a few stubbed toes from your own shoes. The truth is, you know that when you put those shoes back in the giant pile in the closet, you may never find them again.

The answer to this problem is simple - a discrete shoe cabinet.  I love the whole idea of shoe cabinets. Not only does it keep your shoes out of the way, it keeps them organized and eliminates that scary pile in the closet.

This particular shoe cabinet is from StacksAndStacks.com. It holds up to 36 pairs of shoes and has three separate pull out sections. The sections open allowing you to easily see your shoe selection.   The best part about a shoe storage option such as this one is that your shoes are out of sight. There is no clutter in the closet, no expensive storage units to keep stacking - just one unit that would actually be able to go anywhere in your house.

There are other styles that are smaller in size or different styles. Not only does storing your shoes keep them off the floor but it also keeps them in good condition. By storing them in a unit such as this one, you keep the shape of the shoe, they get proper ventilation and they stay clean. When your shoes are in a giant pile in the closet they scuff each other and get in weird shapes from laying in every direction.   Shoes are not cheap, so invest in a storage system that will help you maintain and take care of your shoes.

 Shoe Bags for Athletes, Travelers and Shoe Fanatics 

Shoe Bags are like a shoe rack on the go!  It is nice to keep a shoe bag on hand for a lot of reasons.  Here are a few different shoe bags, and a few different ideas for how (and when) to use them. 

1. Travel – Here is a nice travel shoe bag, it is made of a thinner material than traditional, hefty shoe bags, so you can squish it into your luggage more easily, without taking up any extra space, (which means you can bring more clothes, right?)  Throw a few of them in your suitcase, just in case you bring home more shoes than you left with J. 
2. Car – Keep a shoe bag in the trunk of your car in case you make an unexpected trip to the beach or have to change a flat in the mud.  Better yet, put a spare pair of shoes in the shoe bag so that you can swap them for the ones you just got muddy.  This is especially a great tip if you have kids (you moms know what I’m talking about).   
3. Athletes – Golf shoe bags are great for serious golfers, and also for every other athlete.  If you have little soccer players at home, get them a bag for their cleats – they will think it is a gift for them but you know that it’s more about you and your car.  Leather is a great option for athletic shoes, especially the sharp, pokey kind.  Young athletes will love something from Adidas, Nike or another trendy athletic gear company. 
4. Shoe Fanatics – What can I say, a nice shoe bag can get your nice pumps to and from a party without damaging them, and you can wear something more comfortable (think Slippers) in the car, no one has to know!