If you’ve ever tripped over a sneaker on your way to get more coffee, or if your front hallway looks like a shoe store exploded (and then gave up halfway through organizing), or perhaps you work at a daycare where littles can barely put their own shoes on, much less tuck them away tidily, friend, this one’s for you.
I used to think shoe clutter was just part of life—like taxes or that one rogue sock that mocks you from behind the dryer. But then I had an epiphany (right after stubbing my toe on a size-12 hiking boot): “What if shoes didn’t have to live on the floor?”
Enter: the DIY hanging shoe organizer. Made with just two boards, a handful of screws, and enough smug satisfaction to power you through the week.
Why a Hanging Shoe Organizer?
Because I love my teeth. A small fortune in braces and years of teenage angst shouldn’t be wasted on a hallway face-plant because of some random cons.
A hanging shoe organizer lifts the mess up and out of the way. It saves space, saves your toes, and makes your hallway feel like it belongs to a functioning adult.
Also, this one’s actually cute. No cheap plastic pouches or over-the-door situations that pop off at 3 a.m. and give you a heart attack. Just simple, sturdy, stylish shoe storage that you made with your own two hands.
Supplies You’ll Need:
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2 boards (1×6 or 1×8 works great – depending on your shoe-hoarding habits). Dimensional lumber comes in at around $6 CDN per board, but I suggest spending the little bit extra and going with select lumber for a better look, which come in at around $12/board if your shoe rack will be visible to guests (as in the case of the daycare)
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A mitre saw and table saw (or that neighbour who “owes you one”)
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Sandpaper
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Wall anchors (unless you enjoy drywall repair)
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Stain or paint (if you want to match your hallway’s confused aesthetic)
Optional: Your favourite playlist, because everything goes smoother when you’re dancing with a power drill.
Step-by-Step: How to Build Your Hanging Shoe Organizer
How this came about?
Well, the daycare I work at has very narrow hallways – as in 36″ narrow – but has anywhere from 12 to 24 kids per class. Storing shoes for that many littles, and their teachers, had become a bit of chaos and made a narrow hallway even narrower.
This photo was taken on a weekend when no littles were around (the only time I can build without toddler “help”). You can see that even with the baby shoes home for the weekend, there is not much space to work with. The boot tray cuts into the narrow footprint by 14″ leaving just 22″ for adults and kids to get through.
Let’s be real here; my a$$ is wider than 22″!
Step 1: Measure Twice, Cut Once
Cut your two boards to your desired length—roughly 24″ to 36″ is perfect for a typical entryway or closet nook.
For this area I needed a 67″ hanging shoe organizer, so I cut down a 1x6x8 to that length. From the leftover wood, I cut two (in this case 3) triangles for the ends and as a middle support. Set your mitre saw to 45 degrees and leave a little toe if possible. (Toe being a small flat section so that you have about ¾” of space between the bottom points after you attach the boards.)
Step 2: Attach Your Sides
Mount one triangle to either end of your first board (mine is 67″) and use glue to hold in place. Then pre-drill and reinforce the attachment with 1 ¼” wood screws drilled in from the back.
Step 3: Rip down your fronts
You could totally attach your second 1×6 board to the front of the angled sides as-is if you want, but I have teenagers so I know the stink that emanates from shoes in small spaces. I decided to rip down my 1×6 board to 1 ½” strips so that there was a bit of breathing room and so that dirt and water don’t pool inside the hanging shoe organizers.
Step 4: – Sand now
Sand now because it’s a PITA after assembly.
Step 5: Attach the fronts
I attached a board at the top, and another just above the toe spacer at the bottom (you can see the glue drool). Split the distance between the two boards and add your third board to the middle. I used wood glue and finishing nails to hold them in place, then came back and pre-drilled and used wood screws to reinforce.
Step 6: Paint, stain, oil, tattoo, cover with stickers…
After two coats of exterior grade primer – because your shoe racks will get wet with rain and snowy weather – I added two coats of paint which will allow them to be wiped down when dirty.
Let the kids paint it, or cover it in unicorn stickers if you’re feeling extra Pinterest-y. But truly? It’s beautiful in its simplicity. No engineering degree required.
Step 7: Hang and fill
Hang it up. Hit every wall stud, or use wall anchors or your drywall won’t survive.
Fill it with shoes. Step back and admire your clutter-free floor and your own brilliance. Bonus: your hallway is now a tripping hazard–free zone. Unless you count your dog, which I always do.
Why This Organizer Works
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Space-saving genius: It floats above the floor, giving you back your precious square footage. Remember how the boot tray took up 14 valuable inches into the hallway? This one takes up 6 ½”. More butt space!
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Easy DIY: You built it with just two boards. TWO. That’s fewer than it takes to make a birdhouse.
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Customizable: Paint it pink, stain it walnut, add gold hooks. Or keep it rustic and call it “chicly unfinished.”
- It fits every size shoe: seriously just look! Adult Uggs, to baby size 1’s. From slippers to rain boots!
- Easy to drain, easy to clean, easy to build, easy to brag
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Fit more in less space: make one rack, make 12 – it all takes up the same amount of foot space because you’re building vertically!
Final Thoughts (and Shoe-induced Wisdom)
Listen, your shoes deserve a better life. YOU deserve a better life—one where you’re not wrestling with rogue runners or playing hide-and-seek with flip-flops.
This DIY hanging shoe organizer is quick, clever, and shockingly satisfying to build. It brings order to chaos, sanity to your mornings, and makes you feel like a woodworking wizard.
Before:
After:
Before:
After:
So go forth! Build it. Hang it. And never trip over anyone’s footwear again!
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Have a great one!