Outdoor Shoe Storage Ideas
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Storing your shoes outside keeps dirt out of your home and frees up space inside. The key is choosing a spot that protects your shoes from rain, snow, direct sun and pests, like a covered porch, patio, entryway or garage. Here are 100+ outdoor shoe storage ideas, tips, DIYs and products, so whether you have lots of space or only a little, you’ll find a storage solution that fits.
At a glance: Outdoor shoe storage ideas, tips, products and DIY projects from a professional organizer who has moved more than 20 times. The biggest tip is to keep shoes protected from rain, snow, direct sunlight and temperature extremes, such as on a covered patio, in a garage or in a weather-tight cabinet. You’ll find racks, benches, cabinets and wall storage, plus DIY ideas for every skill level, including no DIY skills. Product images link to Amazon.
I grew up in an absolutely no-shoes-inside home and I’ve continued that practice in my own home. Because we don’t wear shoes inside our home, it is much easier to keep shoes outside in the garage or in a covered entryway rather than inside our home.
I highly recommend not wearing shoes in your home. It keeps all that dirt and yuck outside. It makes cleaning tasks much easier. I don’t know about you, but I’m all in on anything that makes cleaning easier!
I’m a professional organizer and have moved more than 20 times, thanks to the military, into all kinds of homes. Because we’ve moved so many times, I’ve tried almost everything for shoe storage. These are my best shoe storage ideas and favorite product suggestions. There are also DIY shoe storage ideas for all skill levels, including no DIY skills.
Outdoor Shoe Storage Ideas
The single biggest tip for storing your shoes outside of your home is to make sure that your shoes are protected from the elements. It’s important to protect them from extremes in temperature, direct sunlight and moisture. I’ve kept them on a covered patio and in an entrance hallway. Both were covered and provided protection from rain and snow.
You also need to watch for pests. You don’t want rodents, spiders or bugs building homes in your shoes. Keeping shoes in an area with frequent traffic rather than in an isolated corner helps. Frequently shaking out your shoes will also prevent pests from making a home in your shoes.
Rotating seasonal shoes into your shoe storage area can help reduce pest and environmental damage. I recommend placing the shoes you wear each season in your outdoor storage and keeping out-of-season footwear in storage inside your home. This reduces the space needed outdoors and gives you the opportunity to check shoes as you rotate them each season.
Expert Tips for outdoor shoe storage
- Protect shoes from the elements: Make sure that shoes are stored in a garage, under a roof or in a weather-tight cabinet.
- Choose storage materials that will hold up: Select shelves and cabinets made from materials that are made for outdoor use, such as bamboo, metal or plastic. Make sure metal shoe racks are treated to resist rusting in the elements.
- Maximize vertical storage: In small spaces, take advantage of the vertical space by choosing floor to ceiling wall shoe racks or stackable units. This allows you to maximize shoe storage without taking up much floor space.
- Measure carefully: If you are ordering or installing shelving on the wall, be sure to measure carefully to allow the best use of the space for storage, both in width and height.
- Plan organization for families: Choose the type of storage that will work best for the ages and needs of your family members. members.
- Open shelves work best for children to make it easy for them to find shoes to put on and put shoes away.
- Shoes should be kept in a convenient place for each family member.
- Shoes should be on lower tiers for shorter family members.
- Shoes be placed where they’re easy to reach without bending or stretching for older family members.
- Consider how many shoes you need to store.
- Plan organization for the types of shoes you have. Find the best choice of storage depending on the sizes and types of shoes you have.
- Plan for vertical space for boots.
- Consider shelf height for the difference in height between smaller and larger shoes.
- Consider storage for heels and delicate shoes to protect them.
- Use a boot rack or boot shapers to maintain the shape of boots. You can use my No Cost Solution for Storing Boots instead of purchasing boot shapers.
- Look for adjustable shelves so they can be moved to accommodate your own shoes:
- Shoes of different sizes, such as men’s shoes, which are often larger shoes
- The shoe storage needs of each family member
- Winter boots
- Snow boots
- Flip flops
- High Heels
- If you want to have storage that provides seating, use a sturdy shoe bench with a weather resistant cushion. You want the bench to be able to hold up to use for everyone in your family.
- Consider your budget because there are affordable options for everyone. There are also creative repurposed and DIY options.
Outdoor Shoe Organization Products
There are many different sizes, colors and styles of shoe organizers. I’ve selected a variety of options that are popular and fit unique needs and spaces.
Click on images below to be taken to the product.
Large Capacity Shoe Organizer Storage for Garage
Holds 36-38 Pairs Shoes & Boots
Water, Dust & Oil Proof Design
4.4 star rating
Holds 40-50 Pairs | Set of 2, Stackable Shoe Shelf for Garage
Adjustable Flat or Angled Shelves
4.7 star rating
Holds 26-32 Pairs of Shoes, with Tall Shoe Boot Storage Shelf and 15 Hooks
Stackable
4.2 star rating
Waterproof UV-Resistant Resin Storage Bench
Adjustable Shelves
4.5 star rating
Stackable racks provide flexibility for your current space and as your needs grow and change. Whether you have a few pairs of shoes or many, stackable units can work well.
Stackable outdoor shoe racks are a great way to use vertical storage space without taking up much room in a small area. They help keep floor space clear.
Holds 9 Pairs of Shoes per Rack
Plus extra bottom storage for slippers, sandals, or small accessories
Dimension - 11" D x 26.3" W x 19" H;
4.6 star rating
Strong load-bearing, stable and durable, Each layer of the Shoe Rack can bear the weight of 40 lbs
4.2 star rating
Expandable & Adjustable Shoe Organizer Storage Shelf
Wire Grid
4.6 star rating
Holds Up to 16 Pairs of Shoes
Adjustable Slanted Shelves, Bronze
4.5 star rating
Stackable Shoe Storage Box
Thick Plastic Shoe Storage for Sneakers & Boots
6 Pack White
4.6 star rating
Open shelves provide easy access to your pairs of shoes. This is a good idea for children who need easy solutions for shoe organization.
Holds 9 Pairs of shoes per Rack
Plus extra bottom storage for slippers, sandals, or small accessories
Strong yet Stylish, Supports up to 30 lbs per shelf without bending
4.6 star rating
Free Standing Shoe Storage Stand with One Movable Storage Shelf
Holds 10-15 Pairs of Shoes
4.6 star rating
Simple Assembly
Stores up to 12 pairs of adult shoes
4.6 star rating
Stackable Shoe Storage Organizer
Adjustable Shoe Tower
Easy to Clean
4.1 star rating
Interlocking Plastic Shoe Organizer for Garage
Space Saving Design, 12 x 35.1 x 27.2 Inches
Available in two colors
4.6 star rating
44 Pairs Tall Shoe Rack
Heavy-Duty Metal Adjustable Shoes Organizer for Garage and Front Door
4.6 star rating
A shoe storage bench is helpful in providing the comfort of a place to sit while putting shoes on. A shoe bench is particularly helpful for younger children and older family members.
A shoe rack bench is the perfect choice if you need the convenience of a bench and want the shoes hidden away.
3 Tier Sturdy Shoe Bench
Holds up to 300lbs
Available in 5 colors
4.6 star rating
Industrial Shoe Organizer Storage Bench
29.5 inches Entry Bench with Mesh Shelves
Easy Assembly
4.6 star rating
15 Compartments
11.8 x 41.3 x 18.9 Inches
Available in 6 colors
4.5 star rating
Adjustable Shelves
Measuring 39.4 inches wide x 15 inches deep x 22.5 inches high
Includes 4 Coat Hooks for the Wall
Overall Dimension:38.5 inches long X 14.2 inches wide X 20.8 inches high
4.2 star rating
Waterproof All-Weather
Heavy-Duty Chest Box with Seating Bench for Garden, Patio, and Outdoor
80 Gallon
4.4 star rating
A shoe cabinet can be a good option to store shoes and keep the dust off of them. The doors on a shoe storage cabinet are a great idea if you’d like to keep the shoes out of sight.
36 Grids Storage Cabinet Stand
Expandable for Heels, Boots, Slippers
6-Tier Shoe Storage for 18-24 Pairs of Shoe
Storage Cabinet with 3 Adjustable Shelves & Metal Legs
45 Inches Tall
4.5 star rating
Portable Folding Shoe Rack with Magnetic Clear Doors
Sturdy 6 Layers-12 Grids
Easy Assembly
4.6 star rating
Wooden Shoe Storage Cabinet
5-Tier Design with Adjustable Shelves
5 star rating
6-Tier Shoes Storage Cabinet with Adjustable Shelves
Available in 4 options
4.4 star rating
Tall narrow shoe storage work well for:
- A narrow entryway
- Storage in a dorm room
- Small apartments
- When you have more wall space than floor space
- When you have a large shoe collection and need extra shoe storage
Slim Shoe Storage Tower with Hooks
Space Saving
Measuring 11.8”D x 20.5”W x 43.5”H
4.5 star rating
Holds 14 Pairs
10" x 18.5" x 43.5" (L x W x H)
Available in 4 colors
4.6 star rating
Perfect for Narrow Closet
Dimensions of 18" W x 11.02" D x45.07" H
4.5 star rating
Holds 12 - 20 Pairs of Shoes
Adjustable and Removable Dividers
9.5 x 23.6 x 47.8 Inches
4.2 star rating
Adjustable levels allows for differing sized shoes and shoe types
Holds 6 pairs of shoes on each tier; resulting in 36 pairs in one square foot of space
Measures at 99.21"H x 12"W x 12"D
4.4 star rating
Freestanding Wood Shoes Storage Organizer with Adjustable Shelves
Measures at 9.4" D x 24.8" W x 53.3" H
4.8 star rating
Reversible Doors and Adjustable Shelves
For Garage and Small Spaces
4.4 star rating
Tall Shoe Rack for 12-24 Pairs of Shoes with Wooden Top
Space Saving, Metal Frame
4.7 star rating
Narrow Shoe Cabinet with Removable Shelves for Small Spaces
Holds 18 Pairs of Shoes
4.6 star rating
9 Tiers Holds 18 Pairs of Shoes
17.3" Wide Foldable Shoe Storage
4.5 star rating
You can also adapt closets or cabinets you already own to store your footwear.
12 Pack of Waterproof, Stackable Shoe Storage Boxes, with Marking Labels
Transparent Window
4.5 star rating
Adjustable Organizer
15.74inches X 23.62 inches
4 star rating
Hanging shoe storage on the wall can maximize limited outdoor storage space when there’s just not enough space to put a storage unit on the floor.
Many over-the-door shoe organizers can be hung on nails or hooks on an outdoor wall.
6-Pack with Sticky Hanging Strips
Plastic Shoes Holder
4.3 star rating
Set of 2 Black Metal Shoe Storage Holders for Wall
Holds 8 Pairs of Shoes
4.2 star rating
Hanging Shoe Organizer
12 Large Pockets Shoe Storage for Narrow Shoe Storage
4.6 star rating
4 Tier Hanging Shoe Rack Organizer
Metal Heavy Duty Behind Door Storage or Wall Mount Shoes Shelf
4.4 star rating
2 Pack Wall Mounted Shoe Rack Holds 12 Pairs of Shoes
Space Saving Metal Wall Shoe Rack for Small Space
4.5 star rating
DIY Outdoor Shoe Storage
Repurpose a bookcase or storage unit you already have. This type of dual purpose shoe storage solution is a great idea for small spaces because it gives you flexibility to use one storage space for multiple uses.
Use wooden crates from a craft store or repurpose wood wine crates or soda bottle crate to stack and create a DIY shoe rack.
This is an inexpensive way to create open compartments for shoe storage. You can stack the crates in clever ways to create stylish shoe storage. You can find inspiration online.
3 Pieces Unfinished Natural Wooden Crates
17" x 13" x 8.9"
Each, Holds Up to 50 Pounds
4.1 star rating
12 Individual Slots
13 x 10 inches with Carrying Handles
4.2 star rating
Add paint or decoupage decorative paper to create storage that matches your decor.
2 Rustic Wood Storage Crates
Farmhouse Style Nesting Wooden Crate
5 star rating
DIY Shoe Rack Tutorial from Family Handyman: a beginner-level, wall-mounted shoe rack made from boards and wood dowels.
Create a college style bookcase storage shelf using cinder blocks and wood planks.
Repurpose coat hooks or even large Command Hooks to hang shoes from.
Make your own industrial shoe racks with plumbing pipes and wood with this tutorial from Home Dzine.
Repurpose skate boards to create ledges.
Use a deck box or garden storage box for your shoes. You can add levels and compartments by using milk crates or tension rods.
Place crown molding to create ledges to hang shoe heels from. This is a great solution for storing high heels. It’s also an artistic way to display a shoe collection inside if you have the closet space.
A DIY shoe ladder leaned against the wall allows you to hang shoes from their heels.
Repurpose a magazine rack to hold shoes on the wall.
Repurpose a wood pallet to create your own shoe shelf.
Create DIY floating shoe shelves.
Create your own DIY industrial shoe rack with this simple tutorial.
Create shoe cubbies from large PVC pipes with these tutorials on Pinterest.
Use multiple tension rods in a nook to create levels to hold shoes.
Add wood planks to a ladder to create shelves and a rustic touch to your décor.
Create storage from milk crates and zip ties. Or hang milk crates on the wall to create shoe shelves.
Outdoor Shoe Storage FAQ
Keep them somewhere protected from the elements, like a covered patio, a garage, under a roof or in a weather-tight cabinet. Choose racks and cabinets made for outdoor use, such as bamboo, plastic or metal that’s treated to resist rust. A spot with frequent foot traffic is better than an isolated corner, because it helps keep pests away.
Store shoes where people walk by often rather than in a quiet corner, and shake them out frequently before you put them on. Rotating seasonal shoes helps too. Keep only the shoes you’re wearing this season outside, store the rest indoors, and check each pair as you swap them.
The best choice depends on how much covered space you have. A sturdy shoe bench with a weather resistant cushion gives everyone a place to sit. A cabinet with doors keeps shoes out of sight, and stackable racks or wall storage work well when floor space is tight.
What makes outdoor shoe storage great?
Storing your shoes outside keeps the dirt outside of your home and reduces your cleaning chores.
It keeps the germs and bacteria on shoes outside rather than bringing them into your home.
Keeping shoes by the door saves time. No more running back to get shoes or taking the time to put them away in your closet.
Storing shoes outside saves indoor space and keeps the floor of your closet clear.
It reduces clutter inside your home. Shoe clutter is a tripping hazard and can be dangerous.
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You can find all our best storage and clothes organizing ideas in the table below. You can scroll though the table and look for ideas or search for specific ideas with the magnifying glass in the upper right-hand corner (on desktop). Click on the topic and then click through the specific article.
I’m a mom of 3, a veteran, military spouse. I’ve moved into 20+ homes all around the world. My passion is helping busy people make the space and time for what’s really important to them. Learn more about Organized 31 and me.
Great ideas! Storing shoes outside will definitely open up space indoors for other things. Many of these products would work just as well in the mudroom or garage, too.
Wow, shelves, who would have thought! You really wasted bandwidth for this drivel?
There are unique and DIY ideas later in the article. Many readers are looking for a comprehensive list of products that they can quickly look at for ideas.