Not Baskets: Wayfair Has A Shoe Storage Solution That'll Upgrade Your Entryway

For all their usefulness, baskets are not always the best storage solution. When it comes to managing shoes, in particular, baskets can be rather basic — they're great for kids' sneakers or flip-flops, but not the best for nicer shoes that might get scuffed up being grouped together. For a serious entryway upgrade, Wayfair has a promising option, the Jurina 15-Pair Shoe Storage Bench by Loon Peak, which is a better way to store shoes.

Normally retailing for about $95, this shoe storage bench features a spacious cubby system, which is three cubbies high and five cubbies wide. Its measurements are 18.9 inches high by 41.3 inches wide and 11.8 inches deep, with each space offering a width of 7.7 inches and a height of 5.3 inches. The body is crafted from manufactured wood, and the top features a fabric-covered bench pillow, making this a practical storage find, as well as a place to sit while you put your shoes on. It comes in eight available color options, depending on your home's style. This product can wrangle footwear in mudrooms that lack appropriate storage, or it can be installed in an entryway that is cluttered with multiple pairs of shoes. Enhance the coziness of the piece with another accent cushion on one side or drape a throw over the bench pillow and put it to work in your bedroom.

Consumers have a generally positive impression of this piece, with a 4.5-star average from over 3,600 reviews at the time of writing. Elements that receive the highest marks include the bench's ease of assembly, appearance, and durable design.

Before you click "add to cart," it's best to do your homework. Since this piece is sizable, envision where you'd position it, measuring to ensure that it isn't too cramped; now is also a good time to account for the swinging radius of any nearby doors or closets. Thanks to the ample number of cubbies, this bench could be suitable for households with multiple members — you could squeeze even more storage capacity out of the cubbies by pairing them with storage bins or baskets for pairs of children's footwear. Peruse through the best IKEA baskets ranked by beauty and function to discover some options that could work alongside the storage bench.

Customer reviews on Wayfair's website include many that praise the bench, "I love this storage bench by Loon Peak. Fits almost all my sneakers and shoes. I throw everything on top of this bench and it's great if I need extra seating in my studio apartment." Some criticisms of the piece, however, state that the bench is not suitable for larger shoe sizes. One customer writes that they have to store their shoes on their sides in order to fit within the cubbies, which is worth noting for some individuals. 

While the various finishes of the piece are versatile enough to work well in many interior decor styles, individuals who find joy in personalizing their furniture could easily do so with the help of patterned contact paper. For inspiration, check out an IKEA hack to turn a plain shoe cabinet into a chic statement piece.