3 DIY Shoe Rack Ideas for More Organized Footwear

by Marianna E Perez 02/09/2025

Shoes are a perfect example of something small that takes up a lot of space. Luckily, there are lots of clever ways to store and organize your shoes no matter the size of your collection. If you're interested in new ways to organize your footwear the DIY way, here are some ideas to inspire you.

Wooden Peg Shoe Rack

Storing shoes vertically is an excellent way to make the most of your closet or entryway space. A simple DIY solution for vertical shoe storage is wooden pegs on boards. Attach the boards to the wall or inside of a closet door and space the pegs wide enough apart to fit a pair of shoes. You can easily hang many styles of shoes this way to make the most use of the space available.

Ladder Shoe Rack

For a stylish shoe storage option that also shows off your footwear, try making a DIY rack out of an old ladder. Simply lean the ladder against the wall or other surface and hang shoes off the rungs by the heel. This option is ideal for heeled shoes, as completely flat soles will slip right off. However, you can also turn your ladder into a full shelving unit to store shoes of every style.

Tension Rod Shoe Rack

When working with a small closet space, it's easy to feel like you don't have enough room for your shoes. However, by using tension rods you can DIY shoe storage without any shelf construction. Use small tension rods arranged horizontally in pairs to support the length of each shoe. If you need to add or remove this storage, it's as simple as unscrewing the rods to release them. This method is perfect for shoes of all shapes and styles and can fit any closet space.

Smart shoe storage is crucial in keeping your living space tidy and for prolonging the life of your footwear. Try these DIY ideas for adding more shoe storage to your home.

About the Author
Author

Marianna E Perez

Marianna E. Perez is a Real Estate professional with over 20 years of experience. A lifelong resident of South Florida, she keeps her finger on the pulse of the latest trends and movements in the real estate market. She offers clients top-notch guidance from start to finish, ensuring the entire process is seamless, efficient and rewarding. Prior to entering real estate, Marianna was Senior Vice President of Commercial Real Estate Banking at City National Bank of Florida. She provided strategic leadership facilitating profitable and efficient origination of real estate loans. Marianna was a trusted advisor to clients and to the bank growing a real estate portfolio to over $300 million. She is firmly committed to the philosophy “not quantity, but quality,” which she practices in both her personal and professional life. Marianna is a graduate of FIU where she earned a bachelor’s degree in business management. She is a member of the Miami Association of Realtors, a lifetime board member of the BASF (Builders Association of South Florida), a member of CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women), and ICSC (International Council of Shopping Centers). She is also involved with the Women’s Leadership Council (United Way TNC). In addition, Marianna has received these special industry accolades: Housing Hall of Fame inductee 2017 Builders Association of South Florida, Associate of the Year 2017 Builders Association of South Florida, Florida’s Best Awards Chair 2016 and 2004 Builders Association of South Florida, Vice President 2008 Builders Association of South Florida, President’s Award 2008 and 2003