The Shoe Storage You Can Get At Costco That Outshines Competitors

When it comes to home decor and small furnishing pieces, some shoppers are Ikea loyalists, some swear by Target, and others never miss an Aldi deal. Then, there are the Costco members. Deserving a category all their own, Costco members insist that their membership to the warehouse retailer ensures exclusive access to incredible finds at unbeatable prices. And often, they're right. There are tons of home items at Costco that outshine competitors like Ikea, Walmart, and Amazon both in price and quality. One such item is the Trinity Shoe Bench.

This stylish and no-nonsense bench features a simple design built to last. With a Champagne powder-coated steel frame and an MDF wood top in a cozy gray wood color, it's designed to look great in an entryway or mudroom, or even to zhuzh up a garage. In terms of capacity, the rack can hold up to 300 pounds and measures 36 inches long, 13.2 inches deep, and 18 inches tall, with divided shelves underneath to accommodate a collection of shoes and boots (and anything else you need to stow). Better yet, the shelves feature wide-wire gaps to make cleaning the unit a breeze — whether you're storing grassy soccer cleats, sandy flip-flops, or muddy work boots.

Comparable benches from Costco's competitors don't have the combination of style and storage versatility at the affordable price point of Costco's $60 Trinity bench. Based on their websites, you won't find a similar bench that holds both shoes and boots in-store at either Walmart or Target. Ikea's closest match is their Tjusig bench, which is highly rated but doesn't have a spot for boots and costs $10 more. Plus, the Trinity Shoe Bench has a 4.8-star rating with over 300 customer reviews.

Two points immediately stand out in reviews of the Trinity Shoe Bench: its sturdiness and ease of assembly. Many shoppers say it's good value for the money, feels nice and solid when sitting on it, and holds up well to daily use. One reviewer noted: "There are frame reinforcing bars under the top that are not visible in the product photos. Because of these, the bench is probably much stronger than rated." Meanwhile, another said the Trinity bench was a welcome replacement for a cheaper, flimsy shoe stand they purchased from another store. Reviewers also can't seem to rave enough about how easy it is to put together. In fact, an 81-year-old reviewer wrote: "Nice bench to put in garage & get hubby's shoes off the floor. I put together without any help in about 20 minutes." Another said it took less time to assemble than it did to unbox.

Many reviewers also say it looks great — even better than expected. Its versatility in form and function is perhaps what makes it so popular, and the split shelves are a real selling point that will help make your entryway more functional. The tall shelf can also be used to stow backpacks, purses, or bulky items to grab on your way out the door. Many buyers use their bench for other storage needs too, including one who said they use it to store their sparkling water. Another bought three benches to utilize in their fifth-wheel RV, saying they work great as a coffee table and end tables while providing much-needed extra storage. Another creative use one reviewer mentioned is lining their walk-in closet with the benches, using the tops of the units for extra storage to maximize their closet's vertical space.