Hopefully, if you've made it here then you’ve already accepted that leaving your shoes scattered around the bedroom or in mounds at the door is no longer going to work for you. Luckily, some whizz created shoe racks! These nifty inventions will organise and preserve your shoes, save space in your house, and act as a way to display your fanciest pairs in all their glory.
There are many different shoe racks, boxes, and shelving units out there, and with such an array of choice it can be troublesome identifying which to go for. So we thought we’d give you a hand with a straightforward buying guide, as well as a recommendation list of our favourites from trusted sites like Amazon, Argos and John Lewis.
Quick List - Top Shoe Racks
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Table of Contents
We’ve spent our time rummaging through the internet to find out exactly what you should consider when picking up a shoe rack, and in this part, we’ll be looking at these specifications. We’ll get into capacity and size, as well as the different styles and what to expect from the various materials.
If this sounds like your situation, then a rack that holds around 8–12 pairs should be more than enough. Couples or small families could even share a unit this size for their everyday footwear.
Another factor to consider when talking about capacity is the size of the shoe rack itself. Of course, larger dimensions demand more space, which is worth thinking about if you regularly wear more cumbersome footwear such as boots.
Next, you’ll want to consider the style. The perfect choice will depend on the space you plan on putting it, and also whether you'll be sharing it with other people in the household. While different designs are abundant, we believe they can be categorised into the following three categories.
These are the classic shoe rack. They're often found in hallways or bedrooms and usually have between two and five tiers. This style of rack is best for holding a mixture of footwear types, as the lower slats allow for trainers and flats while the top shelf can house taller shoes.
The furniture rack can come as an open display where you can see your shoes, or if you prefer, a closed design that will look just like a regular cabinet. However, if you’re purchasing a closed option, then you’ll want to check the dimensions as this will determine which footwear styles will fit inside the rack.
If floor space is at a premium in your household, then picking up a hanging rack could help organise your kicks without eating up any precious territory. Hanging shoe racks can attach to any inside door or wardrobe, and they come with a certain number of pockets or compartments that store your shoes.
These are usually made from plastic, fabric or a combination of both, which often makes them the most economical choice out of the different styles.
You will want to note the size of each compartment if you have bigger feet, though, as sometimes they won’t fit larger shoes. Also, if they’re made from fabric then you’ll want to check how they are washed because over time they can absorb and retain odours.
Closet racks are ideal for those who've built up a decent collection of footwear and need a way to organise it. They are generally for one person and can come as either hanging or interlocking shoe boxes.
The interlocking box-style racks are actually rather clever as they can grow with your collection, so long as you have the room. That said, they will be able to adapt to whatever space you do have, as they can be stacked both vertically and horizontally. More often than not, closet shoe racks are pretty affordable.
The final thing you’ll want to consider is the material that the rack is made from. Generally, there are four options – wood, plastic, metal or fabric.
Wood and metal materials are often used for furniture-style racks. These will be long-lasting and robust, and the only real difference is their aesthetic, so consider the style of the room that you are planning to put the shoe rack in.
As we know, plastic and fabric are used for hanging or closet racks. This is because they’re more flexible and versatile, which is what you need if you’re working with a smaller space. The downside is that these materials aren’t as durable and will therefore wear down more quickly. They'll also need cleaning more often.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Keplin 5 Tier Shoe Rack Organiser | ![]() | Great Price, Great Design and Great Functionality | |
2 | Vida Designs 3 Drawer Shoe Cabinet | ![]() | A Simple and Sophisticated Shoe Cabinet | |
3 | Livivo Multi-Purpose 16 Section Interlocking Cube Shoe Rack | ![]() | A Sturdy and Rigid Interlocking System | |
4 | Dailyart Over the Door Shoe Organiser | ![]() | Hang Your Shoes Like a Piece of Art | |
5 | Lakeland Extending Steel Shoe Rack | ![]() | A Truly Versatile Shoe Rack | |
6 | Wenko Norway 2 Tier Stackable Walnut Wood Shoe Rack | ![]() | Simple, Neat and Solid | |
7 | Argos 2 Tier Shoe Cabinet | ![]() | A Modern Contraption That Keeps Hallways Tidy | |
8 | mDesign 2 Hanging Shoe Racks | ![]() | Neutral Hanging Organisers With a Surprising Capacity | |
9 | Argos Interlocking Shoe Storage Boxes | ![]() | Perfect for Many Different Spaces Around the House | |
10 | Sable 10-Tier Shoe Rack | ![]() | One for Those Who Just Can't Have Enough Pairs of Shoes |
Could it get any more classic than this? We think not. We love the industrial-style finish that provides a bit of character. While many people may think this could look out of place, metal effortlessly fits into many different modern interior design settings. The materials used are easy to fit without tools, and are sure not to rust or corrode.
The best part, however, is the capacity, which is surprising when you pitch it against the dimensions. The minimalism of the design allows it to store up to 20 pairs of shoes, without taking up too much floor space. For the price, the design and the functionality, this shoe rack from Keplin takes our number 1 spot!
Perfect for those looking for something discreet yet functional, this three-tier cabinet from Vida Designs ticks both these boxes. The cabinet is made from strong wooden materials, with aluminium handles and runners.
If the black doesn't go with your current decor, never fear, as there are five different finishes to choose from. There is some self-assembly required, but buyers have found that it is simple and easy, with one reviewer saying this was the easiest and quickest flat pack they've ever put together!
This interlocking shoe cabinet from Livivo is built using metal frames and highly-durable plastic panels, which makes the whole thing very rigid and sturdy. It can be put together in any way you desire which is great for tricky spaces like under the stairs. You can even split it up and use it in multiple places around the house.
In addition to this, it's pretty good value for money when compared to other interlocking systems as you get double the amount for only a little more money. If the black is a bit imposing, it comes in white and grey colourways, too.
Built using a breathable fabric back and a wipe-clean plastic front, this hanging rack from Dailyart is simple yet chic. It's also easy to install and has mobile hooks that comfortably fit on any door that is under 4 cm wide.
The rack can hold up to 12 pairs of shoes comfortably and we love that the PVC allows you to organise them so that they can almost be like a display if you wish. Our favourite aspect though? Coming in under £10, this is a brilliant budget option!
This extending rack from Lakeland is very intuitive. Not only does the expanding mechanism allow for the shoe rack to grow as your collection does, but the fact that it can shrink too means that it can fill spaces in the house that other shoe racks wouldn't be able to.
The shoe rack has anti-slip, foam-covered bars which means you don't have to worry about your kicks falling off. It's also stackable, so even when you've filled it at its fullest extension you can keep on buying more shoes. What's not to love about that?
We love how simple, neat, and tidy this product from Wenko Norway is. The shoe rack is made from walnut wood, which has a high-grade oil finish and is renowned for its durability, supposedly lasting between 150-400 years.
This rack is also stackable, so if you find that you have filled the spaces, simply acquire another and stack them effortlessly on top of one another. Our only qualm is that they could have added a panel across the back to stop shoes from slipping through.
We think Argos are selling themselves a bit short here, because while the name of the product is '2 Tier Shoe Cabinet', that isn't technically the case. There are four tiers, which can each fit two or three pairs on depending on the size. The design is simple and stylish and will fit right in with any modern household.
As with the previous Argos-own product on our list, this rack will only fit feet up to size 10, so it isn't ideal for everyone. Also, there is some construction required (with tools) so you'll want to prepare yourself for that.
If you're looking for some space-saving storage, then you'll love this pair of hanging racks, which will fit seamlessly into any wardrobe. They are mounted with a simple velcro mechanism around the pole, so as long as you don't over-stack them, they'll hold up just fine.
The hangers can store up to 20 pair of shoes and come in a range of non-offensive tones such as linen, stone, taupe and the grey shown in the picture. They are rather narrow though, so they may not house big and chunky shoes very well.
These interlocking cubes from Argos can be configured in many different ways, making them perfect for fitting into several spaces around the home. You can purchase an initial set of eight, and if that isn't enough, you can pick up some more and they'll still all be able to be stacked together.
There is an issue though. Unfortunately, if you have feet that are over a size 10, you aren't going to be able to store your flippers in here as the compartments are too small. Sorry!
Coming with a mammoth ten tiers, this is a shoe rack for those that can never have enough new footwear. The rack is made with fabric shelves and metal poles, and is easily constructed as it requires no tools. The material is also waterproof, so you don't have to worry about dripping if you've been out in the rain.
Furthermore, it comes with several spare parts such as an extra shelf and various connecting tubes, which are handy to have around for a back-up. It's a good value buy, and the only reason it's so low on our ranking is that we don't know whether many people have the need, or the space, for such a large rack.
On a sorting spree? Organising various corners of your home pays off dividends when it comes to being able to find what you need. From beauty products in the bathroom to stray stationary in your workspace, here are a few more ways to spark a bit of joy.
There are shoe racks for every type of shoe, from chunky hiking boots to delicate heels – you just need to correctly analyse your needs before you commit to buying one. We're confident that if you follow the advice in our guide, you'll find the perfect purchase. And if it's a bit big, you'll just have to buy more shoes!
Author: Lewis Clark
No. 1: Keplin|5 Tier Shoe Rack Organiser
No. 2: Vida Designs|3 Drawer Shoe Cabinet
No. 3: Livivo|Multi-Purpose 16 Section Interlocking Cube Shoe Rack
No. 4: Dailyart|Over the Door Shoe Organiser
No. 5: Lakeland|Extending Steel Shoe Rack
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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