12 Smart Ways to Organize Shoes in Your Entryway

Nothing can be more unnerving than stepping into an entryway that has been taken over by shoes. If you live in a household where leaving shoes in the entryway is a habit, you may want to keep the area as tidy as possible. A number of different shoe storage units can transform your foyer into a clean and practical space.

Being the first thing you see when you step into your house, an uncluttered entryway lays the foundation for a better way of life. By creating a seamless entrance, you may also be encouraging positive habits for yourself as well as your family — not to mention making it easier to find the shoes you’re looking for.

1. Wooden Crates

Organizing your shoes doesn’t always mean you need to shop for storage units. A DIY-able solution involves stacking a few wooden crates on top of each other in a vertical position. To make sure the unit doesn’t collapse, consider applying wood glue between the crates. You can also paint them to accentuate the color palette of your entryway. This storage idea particularly corresponds with a rustic or modern farmhouse-style interior.

A make-shift shoe storage unit can be just as stylish as any other solution.

2. Shoe Bench

You’re probably familiar with the struggle of trying to put on or remove your shoes in a standing position while trying to balance yourself on one foot. Well, a shoe storage bench can save you all that trouble. Many varieties even come with soft padding for extra comfort. This convenient solution not only offers a place to sit while wearing or removing shoes but also serves as a storage unit for your footwear. The bench typically features a rack or two underneath the seat so you can store your sneakers after taking them off.

A shoe bench is essentially a seat and a shoe storage solution combined into one unit.

3. Cubby Units

Cubbies basically consist of several, typically square-shaped, compartments for storing anything from shoes to bags. It’s usually a good idea to dedicate an entire cubby unit to shoes. You’ll also want it to be made from a decent material that can handle the dirt and debris on the underside of shoes. The simple design of the cubbies allows for convenient access so that family members can easily find their shoes before heading out. In many cases, these storage units can even double as shoe benches.

Cubby units provide a sleek and simple solution for storing shoes in entryways.

4. Plastic Shoe Containers

Plastic shoe containers are perfect for keeping your footwear organized and easy to access. Many varieties are specially designed to be stackable. You can, however, use similar containers for this purpose. Clear plastic boxes are also ideal if you don't like to keep your shoes out in the open, but still want to see what’s inside. The containers will also feature ventilation holes to prevent bad odors by allowing the shoes to breathe. You can place these boxes anywhere from entryway shelves to cubbies.

Plastic shoe containers are ideal for storing shoes in a way that they’re easy to access.

5. Shelved Sideboard

If you have more than a few pairs of shoes in your entryway, a small cubby unit or a shoe bench probably isn’t going to cut it. A shelved sideboard for shoes would be your best bet in this case. This is mainly ideal because openly displaying that many shoes in an entryway is a huge no — even if you neatly place them on shelves. A sideboard, on the other hand, allows you to keep your footwear out of sight. These shoe storage units are available in a wide variety of styles, colors, and finishes, and can even be custom-made to suit your needs.

Consider going for a shelved sideboard if you have too many shoes to store.

6. Wicker Baskets

Consider going for individual wicker baskets for each member of your family. Simply slide them under an entryway bench or table. A cute idea involves labeling each basket with the names so that everyone knows where their shoes go and can easily find them. Wicker and rattan are actually among the most versatile elements of interior design. They can integrate into a wide range of design styles including rustic, Scandi, Boho, modern farmhouse, and cottagecore.

Wicker baskets provide a trendy solution for your shoe storage needs.

7. Open Shelving

An open shelving unit can be just the solution you may need for keeping seasonal shoes by the front door. A stylish wooden design can easily assimilate into any interior space that features hardwood floors, earthy colors, and other organic elements. A couple of shelves are normally enough for storing flats in the summer and boots in the winter. You can use the top shelf to display other items such as patterned throw pillows. A houseplant or two beside the shoe shelves can be a nice touch.

A wooden shelving unit for shoes can go well with a variety of interior design styles.

8. Space-Saving Shoe Rack

A go-to shoe storage solution among many homeowners is often as simple as a small rack. Space-saving shoe racks can be perfect for entryways that can’t accommodate bigger pieces like cubbies and sideboards. These compact units are available in a variety of colors, designs, and materials — and can go well with almost any foyer design. Try shopping for a cute shoe rack at your local home center; you may be surprised at how inexpensive they can be.

Small show racks are perfect for entryways where space is limited.

9. Vertical Shoe Cabinet

Another space-saving solution for storing shoes in the foyer is a vertical shoe cabinet. It is a great option for minimalist interiors where the focus is on eliminating clutter. The cabinet essentially makes use of vertical space, making it ideal for entryways that are relatively narrow. You can find these shoe cabinets in a variety of colors as well as layouts; your local Ikea will most likely have a decent selection that can fit up to ten pairs of shoes.

You can prevent your footwear from taking over the entryway with vertical shoe cabinets.

10. Slipper Basket

Many homeowners will prefer that guests leave their footwear at the door. This especially makes sense in homes that have hard-to-clean carpeting in hallways and living rooms. One way you can encourage your visitors to take their shoes off in the entryway is by placing a basket of fresh slippers and labeling it ‘for guests’. You may also want to provide a separate basket or a boot tray for your guests to leave their shoes in after switching to the slippers.

Passively let your guests know that your home is a no-shoe zone by placing slipper baskets in the entryway.

11. Hanging Shoe Organizer

A hanging shoe organizer is an excellent option if space is limited but you have more shoes than you can count. Do bear in mind, however, that this over-door shoe storage is less about style and more about function. It basically consists of pouches in which you can sort your footwear. Consider hanging the shoe organizer somewhere that’s not very overt. The inside of an entryway closet door, for instance, can be a great spot. 

Hanging shoe organizers are effective solutions for storing your footwear.

12. Repurposed Water Gallons

An incredibly resourceful solution for organizing shoes in the entryway involves sorting them in repurposed water gallons. If you have cubbies, for instance, this method allows you to fit more shoes in a single compartment. Simply cut off the top section of plastic water gallons, sand down the sharp edges, and you’re good to go. It’s probably not the prettiest solution but it can be a life-saver if you’re running out of storage space for your shoes.

Repurposed water gallons can maximize shoe storage space in your foyer.