A pile of shoes by the door is one of the most common sources of clutter. It makes the entry look messy, trips people up and makes it harder to find the pair you need when you are in a hurry.
The right shoe storage keeps the entry tidy and makes leaving the house easier. Here are 10 ideas for every size of entry, from a narrow apartment hallway to a family mudroom, plus a few rules that keep shoes under control.
Before You Buy: Count and Measure
Count the shoes that really need to live by the door. For most households, that is two or three pairs per person: everyday shoes, outdoor shoes and perhaps sports shoes or boots. Everything else can live in bedroom closets.
Then measure the space. Note the depth available without blocking the walkway (keep at least 36 inches clear where you can), the width of the wall and the height under any shelf or console.
1. A Storage Bench
A bench with cubbies or a lift-up lid gives you a seat and hidden shoe storage. Sitting down to put on shoes is easier, especially for children and older family members.
Choose a bench about 18 inches high and 14 to 16 inches deep. Cubbies with baskets keep shoes hidden while still being easy to reach.
2. A Slim Tip-Out Shoe Cabinet
Tip-out cabinets are shallow and hold many pairs in very little floor space. Many are only 7 to 10 inches deep, so they fit in hallways where a regular cabinet would block the way.
Fix tall tip-out cabinets to the wall so they cannot tip forward. The top doubles as a surface for keys and post.
3. Baskets Under a Console
Two large baskets under a console table hide shoes and look neat. Woven seagrass, rattan or fabric baskets add warmth to the entry.
Give each person their own basket, so everyone knows where their shoes belong.
4. An Open Shoe Rack
A simple wooden rack keeps everyday shoes visible and easy to grab. Two or three tiers fit neatly under a coat hook rail or beside the door.
Open racks let shoes air out, which helps them dry and stay fresh. Choose solid wood or metal that won’t be damaged by wet shoes.
5. Wall-Mounted Shoe Shelves
Narrow wall shelves lift shoes off the floor and make cleaning easier. Slanted shelves with a lip display shoes neatly and stop them sliding off.
Wall shelves are ideal in very narrow entries, because they take no floor space at all.
6. A Boot Tray
A tray by the door catches mud and water from wet boots. Rubber trays with a raised edge are practical; galvanized metal or woven trays look more decorative.
Fill a tray with small river stones so water drains away from the soles and boots dry faster.
7. A Closet Organizer
If you have a coat closet, an over-door organizer or shoe shelves inside keep shoes hidden. Stackable shoe shelves on the closet floor double the space.
Keep everyday shoes at the front and seasonal pairs at the back or on the top shelf.
8. Rotate Seasonal Shoes
Keep only current-season shoes by the door and store the rest in labeled boxes. Swap sandals for boots in the fall, and boots for sandals in spring.
Clear boxes make it easy to see what you have. Store them under a bed or on a high closet shelf.
9. A Ladder or Hooks for Boots
Boot hangers or hooks keep tall boots upright. Hanging boots by clips also helps them keep their shape and dry properly.
A small wall-mounted peg rail near the door holds boots, umbrellas and bags in one place.
10. A Shoe Limit
Set a simple rule: two pairs per person at the door. It keeps the entry calm, and it is easy for everyone, including children, to follow.
Once a week, move any extra pairs back to bedrooms.
Shoe Storage by Entry Size
- Very narrow entry: wall-mounted shelves or a slim tip-out cabinet.
- Small entry: a slim cabinet with a mirror above, or baskets under a wall shelf.
- Medium entry: a storage bench with hooks above.
- Large entry or mudroom: built-in cubbies with a bench, hooks and baskets for each person.
See small entryway ideas for more ways to use a tight space.
Keeping Shoes Fresh
- Let wet shoes dry on a tray before putting them away.
- Use open racks or ventilated cabinets so air can circulate.
- Place cedar blocks or baking soda sachets inside closed cabinets to absorb odors.
- Clean the tray and rack every few weeks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I store shoes in a small entryway?
Use a slim tip-out cabinet, wall shelves or baskets under a console.
What is the best shoe storage for an entryway?
A storage bench, because it gives you a seat and hidden storage.
How many shoes should be kept by the front door?
About two or three pairs per person. Store the rest in bedroom closets.
How do I stop shoes piling up by the door?
Give each person a basket or shelf, set a two-pair limit and clear extras once a week.
Final Thoughts
The secret to a tidy entry is matching your shoe storage to your space and your household. Benches, slim cabinets, open racks and baskets all work, as long as you limit how many pairs live by the door and rotate the rest seasonally. Add a boot tray for wet days and your entryway will stay clear all year.
See small entryway ideas, small space storage ideas, or go back to entryway decor ideas.
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