Don't Sleep On This Affordable IKEA HEMNES Alternative For Chic Shoe Storage
If you're sick of seeing shoes scattered everywhere and have been looking for a solution to help combat this, look no further than a shoe cabinet. One of the best ways to store your shoes is this handy piece of furniture, freeing up the space your shoes take up. IKEA has plenty of options that fit this specification, but the BRUSALI shoe cabinet and the HEMNES shoe cabinet both fit the bill well.
These two options will help to keep your entryway or mudroom neat and free from clutter — but which one is better for you and your space? When it comes to space, the BRUSALI is smaller than the HEMNES. Despite the HEMNES being arguably more popular, the BRUSALI could be better for your space. Plus, in terms of price, the BRUSALI cabinet is cheaper. The HEMNES shoe cabinet is currently priced at $169.99, whereas the BRUSALI is $99.99, making it a better choice if you're trying to stay within a tight budget.
Both cabinets have pros and cons
Despite having a similar design, the dimensions of the two shoe cabinets are pretty different. The HEMNES cabinet (pictured above) measures 35 inches wide and 50 inches tall. It features two compartments with space for around six pairs of shoes per compartment. It also has a slim top drawer to store items like keys or even gloves and scarves during colder weather. Unlike the BRUSALI, the HEMNES cabinet is elevated on standing legs, so you can store slim things underneath, too. It is mostly made from particleboard and fiberboard with solid pine drawer sides and backs.
On the other hand, the BRUSALI cabinet (pictured below) measures 24 inches wide and almost 52 inches tall. As mentioned, this makes it slightly better for smaller spaces. It has three compartments, all of which can hold approximately four pairs of shoes. In this respect, both shoe cabinets are similar because they will hold the same amount and organize all of your shoes equally. The BRUSALI sits flat on the ground, though there is an open shelf at the top for added storage. It's constructed from particleboard and fiberboard, amongst other materials, which could perhaps explain the lower price.
The BRUSALI cabinet has a lot to offer
If you want more space to store your shoes, you could purchase two BRUSALI cabinets and put them side by side to make one larger cabinet. However, this would cost more than the HEMNES cabinet. As for appearance, the BRUSALI comes in dark brown or classic white. Reviews for this product point out that it's ideal for sneakers and non-boot shoes and also that it's an excellent pick for small spaces. An important thing to note is that several reviews stated this cabinet needs to be attached to the wall to stay upright, although this is likely true with most shoe cabinets.
Overall, the BRUSALI shoe cabinet is an excellent alternative to the HEMNES cabinet if you want something slim but still house a good amount of shoes. While the price difference isn't huge, it's enough for you to be able to redistribute the saved money elsewhere if you're buying the cabinet as part of a larger home redesign. Still, if budget isn't an issue for you, the HEMNES cabinet has a slight edge when it comes to style.