When shopping for a shoe rack, “take inventory of how many shoes you need to store before you purchase, look for durability and something that wipes clean,” says Jessica Moynihan, professional organizer and owner of Neat Method Boston. Shoe enthusiasts know when it comes to storage, the more options, the merrier, so we’ve tested and gathered a list of the best shoe racks for almost every need. Whether you’re short on space, need something for your entryway or backdoor, or finally want to splurge on something fabulous, we’ve got you covered. Our team tested dozens of different options on the market. For two days, we tried 31 shoe racks that varied in price, style, and size to find the best options for those searching. We discovered that the Brightroom Rolling Entry Rack was our top pick overall. It was stylish and roomy. If that option doesn’t work for you, we found the 11 best shoe racks. Keep in Mind: The wheels are convenient but offer less stability. The top of this rack is open, so it’s perfect for boots, and the lower sections will comfortably accommodate booties and high-top sneakers. It will easily fit nine pairs of shoes, and if your shoe size is smaller—or you’re buying for a child—we were able to squeeze 12 pairs. The Brightroom rack is lightweight, and our testers found it pretty intuitive to assemble. It came with a few parts that were well-marked, along with tools to install them. The smooth metal of this shoe rack makes it very easy to clean, with dirt and mud wiping off with a paper towel. Since it’s on wheels, you can turn it around and get every spot. Because of the wheels, the rack will move with the wheel locks engaged. However, our tester “shook the daylights out of it” (using a vacuum), and nothing fell off. Our testers noted the wheels on this rack would make it a suitable solution for someone with mobility issues. Price at the time of publish: $70 Type: Floor rack | Dimensions: 32 x 24 x 14 inches | Number of shoes: Nine | Materials: Plastic, steel Keep in Mind: You’ll need more than one if you have a lot of shoes. This shoe rack is designed with a compact design that’s easy to showcase anywhere. Display it alongside other shoe racks or leave it alone; it will be endlessly versatile. One piece (or shoe rack) holds up to four pairs of shoes on top of it and four more pairs (of flat shoes) underneath the single shelf. Our testers did note that larger shoes (like men’s shoes) hung over the edges of the shelves. It comes in a single piece when you open the box, so there’s nothing to put together. This shoe rack is sturdy, but it did wiggle a bit when we hit it with a vacuum, but it didn’t tip over, and the shoes stayed put. This rack was easy to clean, with our tester saying they brushed off the larger pieces of dirt and got the rest off with a damp cloth. We like this shoe rack as a good value with a simple design perfect for tucking in the back of the closet, but you’ll need at least two if you have multiple pairs of shoes. Price at the time of publish: $20/each Type: Floor rack | Dimensions: 31 x 10 x 8 inches | Number of shoes: Eight | Materials: Steel with epoxy finish Keep in Mind: It doesn’t hold a ton of shoes. And that’s probably where this rack should live, as it accommodates four pairs on the top and bottom, which is about the right size for a busy family coming and going, but not adequate storage for a shoe collector. The top of the rack holds larger shoes, such as men’s shoes or boots, whereas the bottom half fits smaller shoes (like flats or sandals). One of the main reasons this is one of the best shoe racks is that it comes with all six parts you’ll need to assemble. Each piece has clear instructions and is well-labeled (to alleviate the guesswork). Plus, during our testing period, none of the pieces on the rack fell loose (or were lost) when jostled with a vacuum, and the shoes stayed nicely in place. Our tester did note that the rack did rock back and forth (but nothing too concerning). Additionally, our tester noticed that this shoe rack was easy to clean. All that was required was a paper towel to wipe it down, and since there weren’t a ton of nooks and crannies, dirt wasn’t hiding anywhere unseen. Finally, while this piece is a little bit of a splurge, if you’re in the market for a rack that looks handsome and stylish displayed in a foyer, the West Elm Mid-Century rack is a solid, well-constructed option. Price at the time of publish: $220 Type: Floor rack | Dimensions: 27 x 13 x 16 inches | Number of shoes: Six to eight | Materials: Wood with acorn finish Keep in Mind: The slats make it hard to store high heels. This simple rack won’t adjust or have any special features, but we found the construction high quality and stable. The wooden slats are wide and offer lots of shoe storage space. With only two parts to assemble, the Rebrilliant was intuitive to assemble. There was only one type of screw, and it came with a small tool to screw them in. The only difficulty we encountered was the tool wasn’t super steady when adding pressure to get the screws flush with the wood. We were able to fit eight pairs of shoes, including men’s boots, on the rack. The space on the bottom of the shoe rack can store flats and smaller shoes. While the rack is easy to clean with a damp paper towel, we did note that due to the slats, chunks of dirt can fall between them onto the floor. Another downside of slats is that it could be difficult to store high heels. Our testers liked this rack as it’s a good deal and it could be useful in different closets or entryways. Price at the time of publish: $29 Type: Floor rack | Dimensions: 27.51 x 10.23 x 15.75 inches | Number of shoes: Eight to 10 | Materials: Wood Keep in Mind: This will take up ample space in your home. Our tester was able to get 15 pairs of various shoes comfortably on this shoe rack, using the top shelf as well as the lower shelves. Without the top shelf, it holds 12. The Vasagle wasn’t the easiest shoe rack we put together, with 30 parts (plus screws), but it included the tools needed to assemble, even though it was a bit time-consuming. The shelves themselves (except the top) are canvas slings, which can feel unsteady but are better able to accommodate different shoe styles. Price at the time of publish: $40 Type: Floor rack | Dimensions: 11.8 x 39.4 x 36.4 inches | Number of shoes: Nine to 12 | Materials: Particle board, steel, polyester fabric Keep in Mind: This shoe rack is a little wobbly. Our testing team found this shoe rack lightweight and easy to put together. They note not to tighten all the screws and bolts before putting the bracket on the back, which is in the instructions. The rack easily holds nine pairs of shoes of varying sizes men’s and women’s shoes. You could possibly squeeze ten pairs of smaller-sized women’s or kid’s shoes onto this sleek rack. The shelf’s texture allowed for easy cleaning with a damp paper towel. Our vacuum test showed this rack was a little wobbled and swayed when touched, but the shoes stayed put. The vacuum we banged into it didn’t damage the wood or metal. Our testers found this curved metal beauty a little high priced but noted they’d definitely consider it if they were looking for a stylish shoe rack that would sit by a front door or in a mudroom. Price at the time of publish: $139 Type: Floor rack | Dimensions: 13.5 x 25.63 x 16 inches | Number of shoes: Eight to 10 | Materials: Steel, MDF Keep in Mind: One of the higher priced racks on our list. Our testers raved that they were able to fit 12 pairs of different sizes of shoes on the three shelves, including winter/rain boots, men’s shoes, and women’s shoes. This tester did step outside the box and utilize the top shelf to hold so many shoes. Easy to put together, with clear directions about which bolts to use, an included Allen wrench meant this shoe rack assembly should be easy for almost any skill level. The Open Spaces rack feels very sturdy. When hit with a vacuum (during testing), the shoes did stay in place; the rack did move a few inches. It’s also metal, so it is easy to wipe down if any dirt collects. Besides being great for smaller spaces, this rack could also work as a drop-off spot in an entryway. Use the top shelf as a spot for keys and bags, and the shoe rack becomes useful. Price at the time of publish: $147 Type: Floor rack | Dimensions: 12.5 x 33.8 x 26.1 inches | Number of shoes: Six to nine | Materials: Steel Keep in Mind: You’ll find that it is challenging to store booties or larger shoes. Our testers found this rack sturdy and solidly constructed, but the shoes did fall off when we tested it aggressively on the door. Also, they noted that the top rack wouldn’t be able to accommodate booties or high tops without hitting the doorframe. This rack was easy to put together, with clear instructions and everything clicking into place nicely. Because this rack has two parts: a top and a bottom, each piece must be connected, followed by installing an over-the-door hook. The Whitmor is extremely easy to clean. It wipes down with a paper towel and didn’t show any streaks or residue. Our testers felt that even if you had many dirty pairs of shoes, they would still be easy to clean. It’s designed to store the most shoes of all our picks, this rack will keep all of your shoes off the floor and at eye level, making it easier to pick out a pair when getting ready. Of note, the distance between the racks isn’t adjustable, so this rack really only accommodates shoes—not boots, booties, or high tops. Price at the time of publish: $56 Type: Over the door | Dimensions: 22.5 x 7.5 x 48.75 inches | Number of shoes: 24 | Materials: Plastic Keep in Mind: It doesn’t hold shoes, just boots. This freestanding floor rack arrives in one piece, so there’s need to worry about assembly. It felt sturdy with four pairs of boots when pushed from side to side but felt slightly wobbly when pushed front to back. It also moved when pushed with a vacuum, and the boots stayed situated. One note, anyone using this rack may want to clean their boots before storing them. Due to the design of the rack, if you placed dirty boots on it, the dirt or mud might slip off and fall onto the floor. The rack itself is easy to wipe down with a damp towel, but you’d need to sweep the floor nearby if your boots shed any dirt. This boot rack does what it’s supposed to do. It holds four pairs of tall boots, and it does it for a reasonable price. Price at the time of publish: From $40 Type: Floor rack | Dimensions: 37.38 x 9.58 x 19 inches | Number of shoes: Four pairs of boots | Materials: Natural wood with steel fasteners Keep in Mind: With super clean, modern lines, our pick for the best modern shoe rack holds up to 12 pairs of shoes of all varieties. Our testers placed men, women, and children’s shoes on the rack, and this choice lived up to our expectations. The only real drawback is that tall boots can only be placed on the top, which is a solid top—the other shelves are metal rods. Even a pair of children’s rain boots were a tight squeeze and had to be placed on top. The Brightroom rack felt stable when we shook it and hit it with a vacuum, with no shoes falling. The rack actually has a metal piece on the top shelf that allows it to be attached to a wall, giving additional stability. A quick swipe with an all-purpose cleaner and wet towel cleaned this rack up, even when we smeared dirt on the wire racks. While this rack doesn’t have a lot of space for tall boots, it’s a versatile choice to store quite a few pairs of shoes, and we like that the solid top shelf is suitable to be used in other ways—including a basket full of gloves and hats. Price at the time of publish: $48 Type: Floor rack | Dimensions: 24.8 x 11.81 x 25 inches | Number of shoes: 12 | Materials: Metal, wood
Our Testing Process
Our testing team takes the process of trying these products out very seriously, and our methodology is as thorough as possible. First, we assembled the racks, timing how long it took to get them out of the box, and assembled the shoe rack. We noted if the instructions were clear and if the process was easy (or not). Next, testers put different assortments of shoes on each rack. We featured a variety of options, including men’s, women’s, and children’s shoes. In addition to boots and noted how many would fit. They opted to try different configurations, too. Some of the racks we tested could be expanded or reconfigured to accommodate more shoes or fit in a smaller space. We tried reconfiguring them, noting the ease and if tools were needed. Because we take our testing seriously, the team even took out vacuums and bumped into the racks, just like you might do at home. We noted which racks took the abuse well and which showed marks or had any issues. Since we already had the vacuum out, we tried cleaning the racks and observed if the process was easy or difficult. Finally, we sat on the bench-style shoe racks to make sure they comfortably held a person’s weight, slid over the door racks back and forth on doors to see how they held up, and shook closet racks around to make sure they felt sturdy.
What to Know About Shoe Racks Before Shopping
Type
There are a myriad of styles of shoe racks, but the basics are floor racks and over-the-door racks. Some floor racks are meant to live in a foyer or entryway as a spot to place shoes when coming inside and some are more appropriate in a closet.
Dimensions
We’re probably stating the obvious here, but before you put your card down on a new shoe rack, you want to make sure it will fit in your space. But what you may not have considered, will it fit your shoes. “Measure height, width, depth, and more importantly measure your shoes,” says Jessica Moynihan, Neat Method Boston owner. “Keep in mind the height between shelving to account for heeled shoes, keep in mind the depth of the shelving for larger shoes, keep in mind the amount of clearance you have if utilizing shoe racks under hanging space, for example: Will tall boots fit?”
Number of Shoes
One key consideration when shopping for a shoe rack? How many shoes do you expect them to hold? Are you looking for storage for your entire shoe line-up, or are you in the market for a waystation in your mudroom for messy boots? Once you have an idea of how many shoes and what size, you can start shopping.
Materials
Most of the shoe racks we tested were made of metal, wood, or plastic. What you select when shopping depends on the reason for the rack. A sturdier material is probably a great choice when shopping for something for a mudroom, while plastic can be easier to clean.
Other Shoe Racks We Tested
Simple Houseware 4-Tier Shoe Rack Storage Organizer
This rack didn’t get off to a good start with our testers struggling with assembly and the lack of included tools. We found the design awkward, with larger shoes hanging on the shelves.
Squared Away 4-Tier Foldable Wood Shoe Rack
Another rack that our testing team didn’t love, the complaint here was the quality of the materials (low) versus the price (high). This shoe rack felt flimsy enough that you’d probably have to replace it shortly.
Elfa Utility Mesh Shoe Storage Over-the-Door Rack
Our testing team did not like this rack and said: “They didn’t know a single soul who would.” It took three people to assemble this shoe rack, with our tester feeling like they needed an engineering degree to figure the rack out.
Your Questions, Answered
What is the best place for a shoe rack?
This depends on where you need storage, says Jessica Moynihan, Neat Method Boston owner explaining, “Make space in a closet to avoid clutter by the door or in bedrooms. Everyday shoes can be stored in an entryway closet, and shoes worn less often can be stored in your primary closet.”
What is the best way to store shoes?
When they’re not in regular rotation, Moynihan suggests stashing them in shoe boxes so they don’t get damaged. “If you have a larger collection of shoes, we recommend storing them in plastic shoe boxes for maintenance, storing in a shoe box will eliminate dust, scuff marks, etc.,” she explains. “To maintain structure, add shoe trees to elongate the lifetime of shoes. If you live in a seasonal area, consider swapping shoes out seasonally to save space in your primary closet.”
What is the most space-efficient way to store shoes?
Use vertical space. Shoe risers to store shoes on top of each other, add a command strip to the bottom to keep them from sliding. To save space horizontally, put the left shoe facing forward, and the right shoe heel forward.
Who We Are
Tanya Edwards is an award-winning writer and editor with bylines at Better Homes & Gardens and other publications. As the new owner of two shoe racks and multiple shoe storage solutions, she brings a passion for footwear storage to this piece. For this story, Tanya spoke with professional organizer Jessica Moynihan, Neat Method Boston owner about storage solutions for shoes.
What is BHG Recommends?
Next to all of the products on this list, you may have noticed our BHG Recommends seal of approval. Products that earn the seal have been put through rigorous testing to make sure they’re worth a spot in your home. We buy most of the products we test ourselves, but occasionally we are provided samples by companies if buying isn’t an option. In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products and we let you know that we got it for free to remain as transparent as possible about our picks. Looking for more products that have earned our BHG Recommends seal of approval? Check out our picks for everything from picnic blankets to humidifiers.
