Ditch The Cabinets: This Hack Turns Wire Shelves Into Space-Saving Shoe Storage

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Shoes have an undeniable way of taking over a home. They turn every entryway and closet floor into a tripping hazard, and simply throwing them inside a cabinet just hides the problem. Even if you tried organizing the cabinet, it can still end up looking overcrowded and disorganized. If you are tired of looking at piles of footwear and need a clever way to store shoes without a shoe cabinet, you can DIY a reliable, space-saving storage solution using wire shelves. The trick, as shown by TikTok user @abbey_roadhome, is simple: Mount wire shelves at a 45-degree angle, turning them upside down so that the front lip, which normally hangs down, now flips upward to act as a built-in shoe fence, and cover them with plywood. This setup is much less messy than a cabinet and looks great, too.

For a bigger visual impact, you can install the shelves in an empty closet. You'll need some slabs of plywood of a similar size to the wire shelves, thin rectangular wooden planks to cover the front of the wire shelving, your choice of wallpaper for a more aesthetic background, and finally some paint that matches your wallpaper to paint the wooden shelves and front pieces. You will also need some basic fasteners depending on your shelf type, and some brackets for extra stability. If you don't already have any wire shelves lying around your house, you can find some as part of IKEA's BOAXEL storage system or on Amazon; products like the Hausof Closet Shelves are a good choice.

If you are setting up your new shelves in an entryway or an empty corner, the process is incredibly straightforward. Depending on your shelving type, you will need to install the framework first, such as vertical metal posts for freestanding units or support brackets for wall-mounted ones. This is also the perfect time to plan out the vertical distance between each shelf.

@abby_roadhome

Don't throw away those wire shelves!!!!! WATCH THIS! #beforeandafter #shoes #diyproject #lifehack #storage

♬ A sprinkle of happiness – asa palette cafe

If you decide to install the system inside an empty closet instead, measuring is your essential first step. Standard wire shelves range from 12 to 15 inches deep, which accommodates most shoe sizes but might not fit every closet. Check your closet's depth to ensure the shelves fit with enough clearance for the door to close completely.

Next, mount your vertical suspension rails securely to the wall studs. If you want extra stability, especially if you plan to angle the shelves at 45 degrees for a boutique-style look, you can add custom wooden support blocks on the left and right inner walls. Measure the depth of your shelves and how far they will reach if placed diagonally, then install your wooden block supports at that distance. Add plywood pieces on top of your wire shelves to help you store stiletto shoes with ease.  Creating your shoe shelves is that simple, but there are some extra steps you can take to improve the aesthetic of your storage space.

Adding a beautiful background to your shelving unit is the first step to creating an aesthetically pleasing shoe storage unit. Apply a peel-and-stick wallpaper behind the frame before snapping the shelves into place. Just make sure the wallpaper is slightly wider than the shelves so it beautifully frames your new display. If you're unsure where to find budget-friendly wallpaper, you can check Amazon for products like the Mileper Floral Peel and Stick Wallpaper, which is under $10 at the time of writing. You can also integrate dedicated hangers for coats, belts, umbrellas, and hats next to your storage unit, adding them to the inside of your closet door if space permits. Otherwise, you can set your wire shelves up in an entryway or an empty corner and decorate around them, perhaps even installing a curtain for some added aesthetic value.

For a different chic touch, you can install a mirror next to or above the shelving unit or in place of the hangers. Proper accent lighting will further bring a high-end closet aesthetic to life. There are many cool ways to add closet lighting, and one of them is installing stick-on puck lights. You can also run flexible LED light strips along the edges of the wallpaper or on the inside of the closet to illuminate your shoe collection and the beautiful wallpaper.

Finally, you can elevate the look by painting the inside of the closet door a coordinating color. To hide the wire lips, wedge custom-cut painted wooden rectangles into the front of each shelf, tapping them gently into place with a hammer. This is the perfect way to hide ugly wire shelves and create a lovely closet aesthetic.