Shoes can take up a lot of space in your home, and finding a practical way to organize them can be challenging—especially if your closet is already bursting at the seams. One of the smartest ways to store footwear is by utilizing the space under your bed. Below, you’ll find 30 creative and efficient ways to keep your shoes tucked away, dust-free, and easy to grab when you need them.
Before You Begin: A Few Quick Tips
- Measure the Height: Not all beds have the same clearance. Use a tape measure to find the maximum container or organizer height that can fit under your bed.
- Consider Wheel or Caster Options: If you have to access your shoes frequently, rolling storage will save you from having to drag heavy boxes.
- Keep Shoes Clean: Quickly wipe down or air out shoes before storage, especially if they’re damp or dirty. This helps prevent odor and dirt buildup.
- Sort by Season or Use: If you have a large collection, organize by purpose (workout, casual, formal) or season (summer vs. winter). This makes rotation and retrieval easier.
With these tips in mind, let’s jump into the ideas!
1. Low-Profile Rolling Shoe Drawers
- What It Is: Wooden or plastic drawers on wheels that slide easily under the bed.
- Why It’s Great: Ideal for heavier or larger shoe collections. The wheels make it effortless to pull out when picking your shoes each day.
- Extra Tip: Label the drawer front (e.g., “Sneakers,” “Heels,” “Flats”) to quickly locate the pair you want.
2. Fabric Under-Bed Shoe Organizers
- What It Is: Rectangular fabric organizers with dividers for each shoe or pair. Often zippered on top.
- Why It’s Great: The clear cover keeps dust away while letting you see your shoes. Dividers prevent scuffs by keeping pairs separated.
- Extra Tip: Choose organizers with sturdy handles to easily slide them out.
3. Clear Plastic Boxes with Lids
- What It Is: Individual transparent boxes that stack or slide under your bed.
- Why It’s Great: You can view what’s inside at a glance without opening the box. Lids help protect from dust and moisture.
- Extra Tip: For added convenience, tape a small photo of the shoes on the box front, so you know which pair is inside instantly.
4. Repurposed Dresser Drawers on Casters
- What It Is: Old drawers from a dresser, fitted with wheels.
- Why It’s Great: A cost-effective, eco-friendly DIY option if you have spare drawers. You can paint or stain them to match your bedroom décor.
- Extra Tip: Line the inside with shelf liners or fabric to protect your shoes from wooden splinters and to create a finished look.
5. Adjustable Under-Bed Shoe Rack
- What It Is: A low-profile rack with horizontal bars that can expand or contract.
- Why It’s Great: Perfect for those with limited height under the bed but enough width to line up multiple pairs.
- Extra Tip: Make sure the bars are close enough so that shoes won’t slip through or get caught.
6. Foldable Shoe Cubes
- What It Is: Cube-shaped fabric organizers that fold flat when not in use.
- Why It’s Great: Great for people who need flexible storage, especially in smaller apartments or dorms.
- Extra Tip: Use one cube per shoe category (e.g., one for sandals, one for flats) and label accordingly.
7. Vacuum-Sealed Shoe Bags
- What It Is: Plastic bags from which you can remove air using a vacuum.
- Why It’s Great: Ideal for rarely worn or off-season shoes (e.g., winter boots in summer). Minimizing air also helps reduce mildew and odor.
- Extra Tip: Make sure shoes are 100% dry before sealing to avoid trapped moisture.
8. Slim Rolling Pallet Shelf
- What It Is: A DIY shelf made from a small wooden pallet or plywood with wheels underneath.
- Why It’s Great: Slide the entire shelf out to pick a pair of shoes—simple and rustic-chic.
- Extra Tip: Add a low rail or trim around the edges to prevent shoes from sliding off when you roll it in or out.
9. Under-Bed Shoe Bench
- What It Is: A compact bench with cubby-like compartments for shoes, designed to fit under a higher bed frame.
- Why It’s Great: It can also act as a spare bench if you pull it out, sit on it, and put shoes on comfortably.
- Extra Tip: Add cushions on top if you plan to use it as a real seat. Ensure the height of the bench doesn’t exceed your bed frame’s clearance.
10. Stackable Plastic Shoe Drawers
- What It Is: Modular plastic drawers that can be stacked side-by-side or on top of each other.
- Why It’s Great: Perfect for large shoe collections because you can keep adding drawers as your collection grows.
- Extra Tip: Ensure each drawer slides smoothly and is the right height for your largest shoes, like high-tops or ankle boots.
11. Repurposed Suitcases
- What It Is: Vintage or old suitcases used for under-bed shoe storage.
- Why It’s Great: Adds a charming, retro vibe to your room, and you can store multiple pairs inside one suitcase.
- Extra Tip: If you want to protect your nicer footwear, line the suitcase with soft fabric or insert smaller shoe boxes inside.
12. Clear Pull-Out Bins with Dividers
- What It Is: Larger plastic bins that have built-in dividers for multiple pairs.
- Why It’s Great: Keeps pairs separated while still letting you see everything. The pull-out handle makes access hassle-free.
- Extra Tip: Choose bins with wheels if you have heavier shoes or if you’ll be accessing them daily.
13. Under-Bed Hanging Shoe Pockets
- What It Is: A row of pockets attached to a panel that lays flat under the bed, each pocket fitting a shoe.
- Why It’s Great: You can “file” your shoes in each pocket, saving you from rummaging for matching pairs.
- Extra Tip: Select a sturdy fabric to hold heavier shoes without tearing.
14. Tiered Sliding Shoe Shelves
- What It Is: A low wooden or metal frame with multiple tiers or levels, each shelf on sliding tracks.
- Why It’s Great: Maximizes vertical space under taller beds. You can pull out each tier to grab the shoes from the back.
- Extra Tip: Measure carefully to ensure you can fully pull out each tier without hitting the bed frame.
15. Over-the-Door Shoe Organizer Repurposed
- What It Is: A standard over-the-door shoe organizer, modified to lay flat or be folded to fit under the bed.
- Why It’s Great: If you don’t have door space, reusing this type of organizer under your bed is a clever solution.
- Extra Tip: Fold or roll it to the right size, and secure it with ties or small bungee cords if needed.
16. Shoe Capsules in Fabric Cubes
- What It Is: Small, capsule-like fabric cubes designed for one pair each, then lined up under the bed.
- Why It’s Great: Great for delicate or high-end shoes because each pair is isolated.
- Extra Tip: Look for moisture-wicking fabric or include silica packets to keep musty smells at bay.
17. DIY Wooden Slat Rack
- What It Is: A wooden platform with slats spaced just wide enough to slide shoes in from the side.
- Why It’s Great: Easy to see all shoes at once, and no rummaging necessary.
- Extra Tip: Sand and seal the wood to avoid splinters and to protect from moisture damage.
18. Rolling Wire Basket Organizers
- What It Is: Wire baskets with casters, similar to those used in some pantry or produce storage.
- Why It’s Great: Lets your shoes breathe; dirt or moisture won’t get trapped like in a closed bin.
- Extra Tip: Perfect for frequently used shoes since you can quickly spot them and the wire frame is easy to grab and roll out.
19. Shoe Storage Bag with Velcro Straps
- What It Is: A large fabric bag divided into multiple compartments, closed with Velcro.
- Why It’s Great: Great for people with different shoe sizes in one household—each compartment can accommodate varied shoe widths.
- Extra Tip: Reinforce the Velcro if you have heavier shoes or boots.
20. Bed Frame with Built-In Shoe Drawers
- What It Is: Some bed frames come designed with storage built into the base, specifically for shoes or general items.
- Why It’s Great: This integrated solution is sleek and keeps your bedroom looking tidy.
- Extra Tip: If you’re in the market for a new bed, look for options with multiple drawers or separate compartments to keep footwear organized.
21. Lazy Susan-Style Under-Bed Shoe Carousel
- What It Is: A rotating circular platform (similar to a Lazy Susan) that fits under your bed, with compartments for shoes.
- Why It’s Great: Spin it to find the pair you need, rather than pulling out the entire unit.
- Extra Tip: Balance the shoes evenly around the carousel so it rotates smoothly.
22. Rolling Crates with Lids
- What It Is: Wooden crates or sturdy plastic crates equipped with lockable wheels and fitted lids.
- Why It’s Great: Protects shoes from dust and crushing, especially helpful for taller footwear.
- Extra Tip: Use them for boots or high-tops by keeping the lid slightly elevated or selecting taller crates.
23. Breathable Zip-Up Under-Bed Shoe Bags
- What It Is: Specialized under-bed bags made from mesh or breathable fabric with zip closures.
- Why It’s Great: Prevents odors by allowing airflow. The zip closure keeps out dust and bugs.
- Extra Tip: Perfect for sweaty gym shoes since they can air out better than in plastic bins.
24. Collapsible Cubbies
- What It Is: Similar to foldable shoe cubes, but each cubby stands upright, holding one pair each.
- Why It’s Great: Easy to expand or collapse based on how many shoes you need to store at a time.
- Extra Tip: Line the bottom with cardboard or thin plastic for extra stability if the fabric is flimsy.
25. Vertical Shoe Tower on its Side
- What It Is: A typical vertical shoe tower or bookshelf, tipped horizontally so it slides under the bed.
- Why It’s Great: An innovative way to repurpose a piece of furniture you already have.
- Extra Tip: Add felt pads to the edges so the tower won’t scratch your floor when pulling it in and out.
26. Under-Bed Ottoman (Multi-Purpose)
- What It Is: An ottoman or bench with a hinged seat for shoe storage, low enough to slip under the bed.
- Why It’s Great: You can pull it out, sit on it while putting on shoes, then hide it away again.
- Extra Tip: Ensure the height of both the ottoman and its lid fits within the bed frame clearance.
27. Slide-Out Wooden Platform with Shoe Slots
- What It Is: A custom-built wooden platform with pre-cut slots that hold shoes securely.
- Why It’s Great: Keeps shoes upright and prevents them from banging against each other.
- Extra Tip: Measure your largest pair of shoes or boots to ensure the slots are wide enough.
28. Hanging Canvas Shoe Shelves (Adapted for Under-Bed)
- What It Is: A hanging canvas shoe shelf typically used in closets, laid down or adapted with a wooden frame to slide under the bed.
- Why It’s Great: Each compartment is soft and flexible, preventing scratches or scuffs on your shoes.
- Extra Tip: Add handles or small wheels to the wooden frame if you plan to slide it frequently.
29. Under-Bed Cabinet on Wheels
- What It Is: A small, custom cabinet or trunk on wheels, divided into sections for shoes.
- Why It’s Great: Gives a clean, polished appearance while keeping your shoe collection concealed.
- Extra Tip: Incorporate a latch or magnet closure so the door(s) won’t swing open when moving the cabinet.
30. Under-Bed Shoe Duffel
- What It Is: A sturdy canvas or nylon duffel bag designed with separate compartments for multiple pairs.
- Why It’s Great: Quick to pull out and carry elsewhere—handy for those who travel with multiple pairs of shoes.
- Extra Tip: If space allows, choose a duffel with wheels for easier rolling in and out.
Maintaining Your Under-Bed Shoe Storage
- Clean Regularly: Vacuum or sweep under the bed every few months to remove dust.
- Wipe Shoes Before Storing: If they’re muddy or wet, let them dry and clean them to avoid transferring dirt or moisture.
- Rotate Seasonal Footwear: Keep off-season shoes in more sealed or vacuum-packed containers, and switch them out as the weather changes.
- Label Thoroughly: Whether you use post-it notes, color-coded tags, or pictures, keep your shoe storage labeled to save time and frustration.
Conclusion
By cleverly utilizing the space under your bed, you can avoid cluttered closets and messy entryways. From rolling drawers and fabric organizers to DIY crates and carousel systems, there are countless ways to keep your shoes neat, dust-free, and easy to access. Pick the solution that best fits your bed’s clearance, your shoe collection size, and your personal style.
Pin or bookmark this guide for future reference, and enjoy a tidier home with all your favorite footwear conveniently stashed out of sight—yet right at your fingertips!
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