The Best Shoe Organizers For Closets

If you plan on housing your shoes in your closet, you're going to need a shoe organizer to help make the most of such a compact space. Lucky for you, there are tons of options to choose from. Many shoe organizers for closets feature a hanging design, while other choices offer short shelving units or stackable bins. Whether you have just a few pairs of shoes or an extensive collection, there is an organizer out there for you. To help you find the right one, we've gathered a list of some of our favorite shoe organizers for closets.

Simple Houseware Hanging Shoe Organizer

Simple and effective

This hanging shoe organizer is perfect for compact closets.
Best Overall

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This shoe organizer is designed to be hung on your closet rod with ease. It holds ten pairs of shoes on its fabric shelves and comes in gray, black, brown, and turquoise. The slim design allows you to place it perfectly alongside the rest of your clothing, while the generous compartments mean you could fit two pairs in one depending on the type of shoe. Plus, there’s a small side pocket to store little items like socks, gloves, and even jewelry.

Pros:

  • Talk about excellent cost value. The affordable price means you can spend on storage and more on your next shoe purchase.
  • This is the ideal choice for anyone living in cramped quarters. Even small closets will have room for this space-efficient organizer.

Cons:

  • This organizer might have trouble holding multiple pairs of heavy sneakers or boots.

Simple Houseware Over-The-Door Hanging Shoe Organizer

The space-saver

Designed to sit flush with the door, this organizer can help you free up precious closet space.
Best Over-The-Door

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Convenient and space-efficient, this organizer is meant to be placed on the back or front of your closet door. It can holds 24 pairs of shoes in its clear pockets, and there is no hardware needed to install it. We love that the plastic pockets protect your favorite pairs of shoes from dust, and any unused pockets can hold accessories like belts, scarves, gloves, or socks. Plus, it’s available in different colors you can choose the one that suits your fancy.

Pros:

  • The four durable hooks to hang this on make it a reliable design, so you won’t have to worry about it collapsing.
  • Aside from making it easy to see the contents of each compartment, the plastic pockets also protect from dust and damage.

Cons:

  • We wish the pockets were a little larger.

Seseno Shoe Storage Boxes

Stacks on stacks

You can stack your shoes however you please with these clear bins.
Best For Stacking

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Keep your shoes neatly organized and protected in these clear, stackable storage bins. Designed to help you maximize your space, these bins can be stacked to your desired height or placed side by side to suit your needs. When stacked, the bins stay in place with a convenient clasp. The clear plastic makes the shoes you’re looking for easy to find, while the ventilation holes provide air circulation and odor prevention. With an easy-to-open front door and many potential use cases, these bins win our nod of approval.

Pros:

  • We really can’t emphasize the versatility enough. The ability to stack these or set them side by side makes them very easy to configure around the dimensions of your room.
  • The ventilation holes are very useful. Aside from letting the shoes breathe to reduce odor, the ventilation holes can also help prevent mold from developing.

Cons:

  • These are a bit pricier than other options, but we think they’re worth it for the convenience they provide.

Whitmor Hanging Shoe Shelves

The shoe lover's delight

Able to hold up to thirty pairs of your favorite shoes, this hanging organizer is designed to handle the most sizable shoe collections.
Best For Large Collections

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Made from polycotton fabric, this organizer can neatly store up to 30 pairs of shoes. The hanging design allows you to keep additional floor space open while also making your shoes easily accessible. The breathable canvas shelves help to keep your shoes smelling their best, and the three metal hooks will ensure that this unit stays in place on the rod. Plus, any leftover shelves are roomy enough to store other items you might need to organize.

Pros:

  • We appreciate how easy these are to assemble.
  • The fabric is plenty strong, but that doesn’t come at the cost of breathability. This means that your shoes will be able to breathe while they’re stored in these compartments.

Cons:

  • Extra-large shoes may need to be stored one per pocket.

Simple Trending Stackable and Expandable Shoe Rack

A classic design

Featuring five tiers and six individual side pockets, this shoe rack is sure to get the job done.
Best Shelving

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This classic shoe rack features a five-tier design that’s perfect for up to 18 pairs of flats, heels, and boots. It also has six individual side pockets to hold shoes or any accessories you’d like to store. This rack is made of thick metal with a powder-coated finish that’s smooth and corrosion-resistant. The tiers are made with a polyester canvas that is easy to wipe clean, and it’s offered in various colors, so you can choose the one that best complements your decor.

Pros:

  • This rack is built with high-quality, corrosion-resistant materials, so this is a purchase you can count on to last.
  • We appreciate that the height can be adjusted. Plus, if you want to, you can buy two racks and stack one on top of the other for extra vertical storage.

Cons:

  • We wish this rack was a bit easier to assemble. That being said, it isn’t too challenging.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I look for when purchasing a shoe organizer for my closet?

We recommend first considering the number of shoes you need to store. Many shoe organizers come in varying sizes — some can hold 10 pairs of shoes while others can hold 30 or more. It’s also wise to consider your shoe size, as organizers tend to have pockets with varying widths and lengths. We would then suggest you consider the design. Would you like your shoes to hang on your door? Do you prefer a small shelving unit? Or maybe you’d like to store your shoes in drawers? Take all of this into account before you make your purchase.

Can I put other items in my shoe organizer?

Of course. You may not end up using every pocket or box that is meant for the shoes. Rather than leaving them empty, feel free to store other items in them. Some common items that are placed in this unused space are belts, jewelry, socks, sunglasses, and small purses or bags. You can even store non-attire items like toys or trinkets.

How do I keep my shoe organizer smelling fresh?

To keep your organizer smelling fresh, we recommend that you don’t store shoes you’ve just worn inside of it. Let those shoes air out for a few hours before placing them in your closet. You can also hang an air freshener in your closet, place fabric softener sheets around the shoe rack, or put a few drops of essential oils in your shoes in your closet to combat any odor.

About the Author

Chelsea may be outdoorsy, but she’s no stranger to fashion. Living in San Diego allows Chelsea to follow the latest in fashion design. As a writer for Fashion Spot, her goal is to encourage trends she believes in and promote products that allow people to feel like the best versions of themselves.

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