6 Best Shoe Racks to Get Organized and Free Up Floor Space
Say goodbye to that unsightly pile.
Tested by Carolyn FortéHome Care & Cleaning Lab Executive Director
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A great shoe rack doesn't just make your closet, entryway or mudroom look tidier. Having a dedicated spot for your footwear makes it easier to spot what you have — no digging through bins or, worse, a pile on the floor. They can even extend the life of your favorite styles, keeping them free from dirt, dust and moisture.
But like any organizational system, narrowing in on something truly functional is key. And since there are so many different types of shoe racks out there — cubbies, over-the-door hanging systems, under-bed storage and tiered shelves — the analysts in the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care & Cleaning Lab put some of the most popular and well-rated options on the market to the test using their own shoe collections.
Pros
- Expandable up to 46 inches for 18 pairs of shoes
- Can stack two
- No assembly required
Cons
- Not ideal for boots
Capacity: 18 | Dimensions: 18 x 7 x 25-46 inches | Weight: 3.32 lbs. | Material: Natural wood, metal | Assembly required: No
Whether you have a small or large shoe collection, the Whitmor 3-Tier Expandable Shoe Rack is a great choice for storing them all. It has three metal tiers that extend to fit a larger shoe collection — up to 18 pairs in total. And if you need even more room? An additional unit can be attached to create a taller shoe rack with enough room for an impressive 36-pair collection.
The unit is easy to assemble — no tools required. And, in our tests, we found it to be surprisingly durable. The metal bars are appropriately spaced for various high-heeled shoe sizes without slippage. Flats and sneakers also fit well without sliding off the metal bars, but there's not much space for taller, bulkier options like winter boots.
Pros
- Durable all-metal construction
- Lightweight and portable
- Comes with all tools needed for assembly
Cons
- Doesn't fit as many pairs as the product listing suggests
Capacity: 12 | Dimensions: 25.13 x 8.75 x 24.13 inches | Weight: Not listed | Material: Metal | Assembly required: Yes
This all-metal option from The Container Store is lightweight but very sturdy. And while boots and high-tops are relegated to the top level, we found it was generally a good option for both bulkier sneakers and more narrow flats. The product listing shows 16 pairs, but in tests, we were only able to comfortably fit three pairs on each level for a total of 12 pairs.
There's minimal assembly required — it comes with the screws, an Allen wrench and a one-pager that walks you through the simple process. Once built, you can easily transport the rack to another room, thanks to handles on either side of the unit.
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Pros
- Handles on three sides
- Lightweight
- Zippered cover keeps dust out
Cons
- Flimsy when not filled
Capacity: 8 | Dimensions: 37 x 23 x 6 inches | Weight: Not listed | Material: Fabric, PVC | Assembly required: No
Boot storage poses a problem because of the height of these shoes, but this four-compartment box offers a unique solution that takes advantage of the often wasted space under the bed. While it does seem a bit flimsy at first (the box doesn't keep its shape without boots tucked inside), it does maintain its structure when filled. In tests, we found you can tuck one pair of tall boots or two pairs of short booties in each section.
Even when full, the organizer is lightweight and easy to pull — three out of four sides have handles for accessibility. The whole thing is also encased in a zippered plastic cover that helps prevent shoes from getting dusty while in storage. Ultimately, we found this to be a great solution for eliminating big, bulky boot boxes from a closet.
Pros
- Comes in both white and black
- Lightweight and easy to move
- Small footprint
Cons
- Only fits five pairs of shoes
- Tiers aren't suitable for boots
Capacity: 5 | Dimensions: 8.75 x 7 x 30.5 inches | Weight: Not listed | Material: Powder-coated steel | Assembly required: Yes
If you're short on square footage, we love how well this tall, slim shoe rack takes advantage of vertical space. It's easy to set up (though you will need a screwdriver), and despite its small footprint, it's very sturdy, stable and unobtrusive. It comes in both black and white, but you almost can't even see the metal rack when it's filled to its five-shoe capacity.
It does only hold a single pair on each tier, and it's best for shoes with heels or grippy soles that won't slide off. Boots don't fit — even low booties — but high-top sneakers just passed our fit tests. Overall, this metal organizer is ideal for organizing small entry areas or in a closet, though it's lightweight enough to move around to meet your needs.
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Pros
- Doesn't require any floor space
- Mesh pockets appear durable and promote airflow
- Stays put when opening and closing the door
Cons
- Pockets don't have much stretch and can't accommodate boots
Capacity: 24 | Dimensions: 4.5 x 19 x 64 inches | Weight: 9.9 oz. | Material: Olefin, polyester | Assembly required: No
The big advantage to an over-the-door shoe rack like this one is that it doesn't take up any floor space — great for small apartments and even dorm rooms. Still, this organizing system is sizable enough to fit up to 24 pairs of shoes. In tests, we had no trouble with flat shoes, sneakers and clogs, but found boots and booties to be too large, especially considering the pockets don't have much stretch. Our Lab pros did, however, appreciate the mesh material rather than plastic which tends to dry out and crack. The mesh also allows for airflow.
The unit holds an impressive 24 pairs of shoes, or 12 if you're storing bigger shoes that require two pockets — one for each in the pair. Just note: The top row of pockets could be difficult for short users to access, depending on the height of the door. On the upside, the hooks and top hole grommets seemed sturdy and the whole thing stayed in place when we opened and closed the closet door we tested this product on.
Pros
- Moisture-resistant
- Fits most types of shoes
- Has a separate area for storing other items like umbrellas and sports equipment
Cons
- Stilettos may slip through the cracks and/or tip over
Capacity: 8 | Dimensions: 28.38 x 10.63 x 25.25 inches | Weight: 8.6 lbs. | Material: Bamboo | Assembly required: Yes
Because this shoe rack is made of moisture-resistant bamboo, it's a great option for wetter, muddier spots like the garage or an entryway or mudroom. We like the attractive wood look for these higher-traffic spots too.
The unit, which has handles for portability, is multi-functional. Use the four tiers for shoe storage — each can technically fit three pairs but two pairs are a more comfortable fit, according to our tests. Boots and booties need to go on the top shelf, but we found most shoes stayed squarely in place. Stiletto heels were the exception, as we found they may slip through the cracks or tip over. The bonus side section is the ideal spot for umbrellas, yoga mats, other sports equipment and even tote bags.
How we test shoe racks
In the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab, we've put dozens of shoe racks through various tests over the years. We evaluate how easy they are to assemble and install, how sturdy, stable and durable they are, and whether they hold a variety of shoe and boot styles and sizes. It's a plus if the tools needed for assembly are included with the rack.
We consider factors like overall dimensions and how much floor or closet space they occupy, how many pairs of shoes each holds, overall design, adjustability, portability and more. We note any significant pros and cons, like if the small shoes or high heels fall through the rungs or over-the-door models rub up against clothing hanging in the closet.
Finally, we consider the attractiveness of the overall design, especially for racks meant to be on display, and whether they provide real value for the floor space they occupy.
What to look for when shopping for shoe racks
✔️ Design. Shoe racks are made out of all kinds of materials, but metal and wood tend to be sturdier than less expensive options like plastic or engineered wood. Also, consider whether you want an open or closed design. Open racks allow you to readily see your shoes plus have better air circulation, but closed cabinets may look neater (especially in open areas of the home, like the entryway or mud room) and keep dust out.
✔️ Size. It's important to make sure any shoe rack you're considering, whether a closed cabinet for the entryway, under-bed storage or a traditional shelving system, will fit where you plan to put it. Beyond the unit's dimensions, you'll also want to consider its capacity, or how many shoes it can hold. Choose a shoe rack with enough tiers, cubbies or slots to accommodate as many shoes as you need to store.
✔️ Types of shoes. Most shoe racks can accommodate sneakers, loafers, sandals and other low-profile footwear, but if you have many heels or boots, you may want to look for storage solutions with more space between tiers, adjustable shelves or shoe racks made specifically for these types of shoes.
✔️ Assembly: Most shoe racks require some assembly. Though it's generally a rather simple process, you may want to check to see whether the product you're eyeing comes with all the necessary tools.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Brigitt Earley is a writer and editor with over 15 years of experience writing about home products, including furniture and organizational systems like shoe racks. She worked under the guidance of experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute, including the product reviews analysts in the Home Care & Cleaning Lab, to distill testing data for the shoe racks recommended in this story.
Carolyn Forté brings more than 40 years of experience as a consumer products expert to her role as executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care and Cleaning Lab. With her testing and writing expertise in appliances, cleaning, textiles and organizational products, she's a stickler for details and a fan of products that truly stand out from the rest and solve everyday problems, like shoe clutter. She leads our annual Good Housekeeping Best Cleaning & Organizing Awards and has authored several organizing bookazines for the brand.
Carolyn Forté brings more than 40 years of experience as a consumer products expert to her role as executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Care and Cleaning Lab. Using deep analytical testing and writing expertise in appliances, cleaning, textiles and organizational products, she produces cleaning and home care advice for GH, has authored numerous books and bookazines for the brand and partners with the American Cleaning Institute to co-produce the Discover Cleaning Summits. She holds a bachelor's degree in family and consumer sciences from Queens College, City University of New York.
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