The Genius DIY That Keeps Shoes Organized And Out Of Sight

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There are those who say you can never have too many shoes. Finding somewhere to keep them can be a whole other issue, though. Fortunately, there are plenty of shoe storage solutions that won't break the bank. Over on Facebook, Anika has a genius DIY that is particularly effective. Most of us tuck shoes under the bed occasionally, but Anika has designed a cabinet that rolls right underneath, keeping footwear organized and out of sight. It even has a clear lid, so you can quickly see what's inside. Let's look at what you need to make it and how it's put together.

The box uses store-bought 1x6 and 1x4 lumber, ¾" plywood, a sheet of plexiglass, 4 casters, 2 hinges, and a cabinet pull. Anika uses a technique called pocket hole joinery to hold the carcass and lid together. It's strong and very versatile but does require a special jig. Kreg is the market leader (and what she uses), but you can pick up a similar Pocket Hole Jig Kit at Amazon for much less money. It's also important to use specific pocket hole screws. There is a simpler and less expensive alternative that we'll look at in a moment.

With one exception, the tools required are among the must-buy power tools for first-time homeowners, with a drill/driver and circular saw topping the list. Anika also has a fancy jigsaw, but again, there is a simple alternative that's also a whole lot cheaper.

You can make the shoe organizer any width and length you like, but around 30 inches square will be convenient for many. Depending on the size of your bed, you could build two to go side by side. First, cut the base and sides to length. These can be fixed using pocket hole joinery, but you could also screw from the outside straight into the bottom. Drill pilot holes first, so you don't split the plywood. Glue adds extra strength, and Titebond III is popular. To hold the corners together, just use small L-shaped metal brackets screwed in place on the inside. You can find them in most hardware stores.

Making the lid is equally straightforward, and flat metal joining plates can be screwed on instead of using pocket holes. Attach them a little in from the outside edge, so they don't catch the sides when closed, and make sure to keep the pieces square to each other. The plexiglass is also attached using screws. Stick pieces of tape around the edge and mark hole positions with a pencil. Pre-drill first with a scrap block of wood underneath so it doesn't matter if you press too hard. When assembling, set the adjustable clutch on your drill driver to a low number so you don't accidentally drive the screws right through the plexiglass.

Anika cuts the dividers so they interlock using her saw. You could achieve the same using a handheld jigsaw if you clamp the wood to a bench, but it is a bit fiddly. The alternative would be to cut one divider the full length and the shorter pieces to fit between. Then, fix everything together with L-shaped brackets and screws. It won't give the same flexibility to remove a divider to accommodate boots, for example, but you could decide the spacing before you put it together, leaving some sections larger for that purpose.

Finally, you can attach the hinges for the lid, fit the casters underneath, and attach your choice of cabinet pull to the outside edge of the box. You'll want a sturdy pull, since you'll use it to roll the whole case out from under your bed. Anika leaves her shoe storage plain, but a couple of coats of water-based polyurethane varnish (either clear or tinted) will help protect it from dirt and scratches.

This clever DIY shoe organizer is easy to build and can be adapted to fit any size bed. It's one of a number of storage ideas you can customize to fit your home. You might want to test your woodworking skill with another hidden shoe storage unit that's perfect for an entryway if you need additional space for footwear.