Not Racks, Not Shelves: IKEA Has A Shoe Storage Solution That Maximizes Space

Managing footwear inventory is a struggle that many people face; while you can turn to reliable shelving units or racks to store your everyday shoes on, these solutions might not be the best if they dominate an area with their size. A better option is finding a versatile solution to keep shoe storage organized while maximizing space, like the MACKAPÄR Shoe/storage cabinet from IKEA.

This streamlined storage cabinet retails for $99.99 at the time of writing and is designed to hold 16 pairs of shoes. With this much space, a single MACKAPÄR could be sufficient for an entire family without exceeding the limits of a single piece of storage. Its dimensions measure 31 ½ inches wide by 13 ¾ inches deep by 40 ⅛ inches high, which is a fairly petite footprint for shoe storage. That being said, it's best to measure your space prior to purchasing the MACKAPÄR, which will ensure a seamless installation. It's especially important to think through the ideal spot for this cabinet since proper installation requires that it be securely mounted to the wall.

Design elements of this piece include sliding doors that open from either side, eliminating the need to worry about swinging radius. Inside, the four levels of storage can be placed in either a flat or angled position, depending on how you like to store your shoes. A simple, white exterior keeps this cabinet versatile, making it a vertical shoe storage solution that actually looks good in a number of decorative styles, too. Customers have given the MACKAPÄR a 4.2-star average.

If you feel as though you have been drowning in a pile of shoes, you may be ready to do anything to bring order to the chaos; whether or not the MACKAPÄR is right for your needs, however, is a matter of discernment and preference. One five-star customer review on IKEA's website states, "I love it and it just perfectly fits my hallway at home. Now I don't see our shoes being cluttered in our hallway." While the cabinet is designed to be mounted to the wall, one reviewer says that they didn't install the legs or affix it to the wall; this is seconded by another customer who recommends forgoing the legs if you're a renter.

For the sake of transparency, the MACKAPÄR does have a significant amount of mixed feedback. One aspect to be aware of is that the dimensions of the cabinet do not allow for larger shoe sizes unless they are stored horizontally. That said, the MACKAPÄR's small footprint and ample storage inside could be useful for holding children's shoes or for adults with smaller shoe sizes. For larger shoes that don't fit inside, you can check out these 17 creative DIYs to keep shoe clutter organized at home.

The MACKAPÄR can be stacked two units high (however, proper wall mounting is a must for safety), which can be a winning element for homes that have more vertical than horizontal space available. If you're only going one unit high, though, the top of the MACKAPÄR can deliver an additional surface to your space for a drop zone. You can also fill the shoe cabinet with non-footwear items, like purses and backpacks, to keep your entryway clear.