The best shoe racks

Every shoe-lover knows the problem: you need something to separate your mules from your mocassins and your stilettos from your slingbacks, or they all end up in a jumble in the under-stairs cupboard or bottom of the wardrobe. Even those of us who are less of the Carrie Bradshaw persuasion are sure to be acquainted with cluttered hallways thanks to pairs of shoes abandoned carelessly by the door. The solution? A stylish shoe rack.

But before you press Go on that shopping cart, a few questions. What space do you have in mind for your shoe storage? If it’s the under-stairs cupboard, go for a squat, low-to-the-ground option that’ll keep shoes from cluttering up the floor. If it’s a wardrobe, go for a tall hanging option to make the most of vertical space and… well, keep shoes from cluttering up the floor. If you have a long or broad hallway where you can afford a little extra space, go for a good-looking wooden option that doubles up as a design feature.

When it comes to dimensions, our advice is to make peace with the size of your collection - don’t make a conservative estimate and be stuck with too-small shoe storage. If you’d rather play it safe, there are some options that are easy to build on by stacking or attaching, or even take the storage vertical by using bench surfaces to hold bags and boots. How you use them is up to you, so without further ado, here are our picks for the best shoe racks in the shops right now.

Enthusiasts of industrial and rustic design, rejoice: this beautifully made shoe rack from John Lewis’ Calia collection is the perfect meeting of form and function, trend and longevity. It’s made to a very now industrial style, but from high-quality, durable solid oak and steel to ensure it’ll be a favourite piece for years to come. It’s probably best kept for a smaller household to avoid a squished-in look, but those three compartments are sizeable, and the top bench offers another option for storage - however it’s used, this handsome storage unit gets top marks from us. 

This trendy shoe rack is one that you certainly won’t want to hide away in the under-stairs cupboard. Copper is huge again for 2018, and with very good reason: it adds a beautiful warmth to any scheme, and acts as a surprisingly versatile neutral, so no matter how crazy your shoe collection, this Alana shoe rack from MADE is sure to bring it all together. The all-over metal design (no plastic here) and angled legs with protective rubber feet to avoid scratching hardwood floors are all nice touches, especially considering the comparatively low price. If you want a stylish modern option but don’t want to stretch to solid wood, this is it. 

With its almost 'found' feel, this vintage-look hallway unit from Maisons du Monde would make the perfect finishing touch to an eclectic entryway or mudroom. Each of the four compartments has its own label holder, so you can customise your cubbies at will, or even assign everyone their own! This industrial unit is perfect for the household who might have tons of shoes, but for whom a preferred few always seem to end up cluttering up the hallway, and the flat bench surface means extra sitting space to tie laces comfortably, or room for bags. It’s up to you.

The original budget shoe rack, you can just have one Tjusig for extra capacity underneath the hanging clothes in your wardrobe, or add more as your shoe collection grows. Stack them on top or expand side to side: this is easily the most customisable and versatile shoe storage solution out there. And for an inexpensive option, it’s rather good-looking, with mirror-shine silver spindles for storing everything from flats to stilettos and clean white woodwork, all for just £20. 

Keep shoes out of sight, but within easy reach, with an in-wardrobe hanging shoe shelf. This coffee-brown fabric version looks smart whether your wardrobe consists of an open-fronted rail in the spare room or a fabulous fitted version, so there’s no need to hide it away. With its tall design that cleverly takes advantage of vertical space, it offers the best trade-off on our list between space taken up and capacity offered. It has space for ten pairs of shoes, but you could easily fit a couple into a standard wardrobe if your collection is on the larger side. Those mesh pockets at the side for socks and laces are a thoughtful touch, too. 

If you dislike the oftentimes cluttered look and feel of display shoe storage, this sleek cabinet is the perfect solution. The simple handleless design, slimline construction and stylish matt grey finish mean it can blend in easily to bedrooms or dressing rooms, and each drawer offers storage for three or four single-layer pairs of shoes. If you’re desperate to show off a bit after all, you can always arrange a few of your favourite pairs on top while keeping beaten up (but oh-so comfy) trainers under wraps. 

If you like the fuss-free design of IKEA’s Tjusig shoe stand, but it looks just a little too rough and ready for your tastes, the REMMI bench from Habitat is a more period home-friendly version for you to get your hallway decorating teeth into. The whole thing is made of durable rubberwood and above its spindled shoe rack there’s a panelled wood bench that’s just right for perching while pulling on wellies. As such, it’s a great choice for a mudroom: tough but beautiful, and for a not-too-shabby price.