Not Baskets: Wayfair Has A Storage Find That'll Organize Both Shoes And Blankets

Managing household inventory is just one of many domestic duties that everyone needs to master. Sometimes, however, being successful at this task is less about your personal organizational skills and more about possessing the right solution. If you've been struggling to find a home for shoes and blankets around the house, Wayfair has a storage find — the Red Barrel Studio Raland Lift Top Storage Bench with Lower Shelf — that can upgrade your entryway by storing both in one convenient location.

Normally retailing for $545, this storage bench is often marked down significantly — such as a discount at the time of writing that has dropped the price to $105.99 — so it's worth monitoring the price before buying. As advertised, the piece features a storage compartment under the top of the bench, which can be an ideal spot for storing neatly folded blankets. The lower shelf of the bench features a slatted design that provides you with a surface for shoe storage, effectively maintaining a clear floor underneath. The bench's dimensions measure 18 inches high by 47.63 inches wide by 15.75 inches deep. Available in four different finishes — gray wash, white oak, dark walnut, and barnwood — you can select whichever best reflects your home's decorative sensibilities.

With more than 4,000 reviews and a 4.6-star average at the time of writing, it's safe to say that this bench could be worth considering for those needing more functional storage to their home.

A storage bench is a pretty basic piece of furniture, but there are many ways to incorporate it into your home. It can be situated in an entryway for convenient shoe storage; multiple reviews state that the bench makes for an ideal spot to sit while getting shoes off and on. It can also serve as a drop zone for family and friends to leave their bags on. If you want to make the bench a little more stylish, consider draping a lightweight throw over the length of it and adding a pillow to one end; a bench cushion could also enhance the coziness.

One five-star review on the Wayfair website states that this product is a better way to store blankets in the living area: "Love this bench and the storage is great for blankets. Beautiful in our living room! Easy to put together." This bench could also be right at home in bedroom settings, where it can house extra throws or blankets that aren't currently in use. Stash your slippers on the lower shelf or even add a couple of baskets to contain workout clothes, library books, or other items which may otherwise clutter a bedside table.

Since the bench's lower shelf has a limited size, it's best for storing shoes that you use on a regular basis, such as your daily sneakers or sandals. Long-term storage of shoes that aren't in rotation can be left to another piece that resides in your closet or a wall-mounted footwear storage solution, like the IKEA TRONES that makes the most of limited entryway space.