Baskets For Backdoor Shoe Storage: So Simple It's Often Overlooked

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Shoes are essential items, but they can get out of control when not properly managed, such as at a backdoor entrance. Whether they're from your children running in and out from the backyard or friends entering and exiting to your patio, pairs of shoes left at the backdoor can become a tripping hazard and an unsightly mess in no time. Fortunately, the solution is so simple you can implement it today: place a shoe basket by the backdoor, stopping them in their tracks.

While you likely have a shoe storage solution at the front door — maybe in the form of a shoe bench, shoe rack, or the IKEA TRONES that makes the most of limited entryway space — few homes also have a docking station for shoes at the back door. The benefit of placing a shoe basket in this spot is that it's a quick and easy way to organize shoes without requiring you to purchase a bulky, permanent fixture. You can easily place a basket by your backdoor when hosting a kids' playdate or a BBQ with friends, clearing it after the event is over.

In order to make the most of this solution, choose a basket that can accommodate a generous number of shoes without feeling too cramped. While one made of wicker or natural fibers will probably look more luxurious than a plastic basket, consider the reality of your lifestyle before committing to a basket that cannot easily be rinsed out. If you have young kids who will be tracking in mud and dirt, sticking to a plastic option — such as the Brightroom Large Y-Weave Decorative Storage Basket ($8 at Target) — may be for the best. An adult-only space, on the other hand, is the perfect setting for a basket like the IKEA SNIDAD ($34.99) which is well-reviewed and made of hand-woven rattan.

You can get more storage out of any basket by orienting the shoes vertically in the basket, which will make them easy to grab and prevent a buried-shoes situation. Since shoes will inevitably leave debris behind, periodically shake out the basket and rinse it from time to time if it has gotten muddy inside.

While you might think this tip is only for warmer times of the year, a backdoor shoe basket is also ideal for winter months if anyone in your house is going out the backdoor. A plastic shoe bucket (with no holes in the bottom) can be an ideal place to dock your winter boots that have snow lodged in their treads, as it will prevent muddy puddles from accumulating. If you want to keep things as affordable as possible, check out your local Dollar Tree, as they often carry a variety of plastic buckets that can curb the mess.