10 best shoe racks for a clutter-free home

Nothing feels better than kicking off your shoes at the end of a long day, but the growing pile of footwear by your front door can be a real mood killer. Before you know it, you're holding one left stiletto, and one right ankle boot, you can’t find your trainers, and you’re already late. Stressful right? Well, stress no more, my friend; we have a solution for you - meet the humble shoe rack.

The unsung heroes of the home organisation world, shoe racks will make your life easier. Available in all shapes and sizes, shoe racks can be customised to suit your space and help keep your home (and your mind) organised, but how do you find the best shoe rack to suit your needs? Well, that’s where we come in.

The Recommended has scoured the web to find the ten best shoe racks to meet every need, from the super-sized to the understated. Check out our top picks and take the first step (see what we did there?) to a clutter-free household.

The best shoe racks at a glance:

• Best capacity shoe rack: Amazon Basics 50 Pair Shoe Rack
• Best affordable shoe rack: Xerhnan 4-Tier Stackable Small Shoe Rack
• Best for heels: SONGMICS Shoe Rack
• Best space-saving shoe rack: SONGMICS 10-tier Shoe Rack
• Best wooden shoe rack: Hododou Shoe Rack
• Best covered shoe rack: AcornFort Shoe Rack
• Best customisable shoe rack: HOMIDEC Interlocking Shoe Rack
• Best shoe rack for boots: mDesign Boot Rack
• Best wall-mounted shoe rack: mDesign Wall-Mounted Shoe Rack

The best shoe racks

Best capacity shoe rack: Amazon Basics 50 Pair Shoe Rack

A space for everything

This shoe rack can hold up to 50 pairs of shoes and boots, and the simple, open design makes it easy to spot your favourite pair in no time.

It’s easy to assemble and is made with lightweight materials and lockable wheels for ease of use. This simplistic design will suit any space and can hold up to 7.1kg of weight.

Best affordable shoe rack: Xerhnan 4-Tier Stackable Small Shoe Rack

Great value for money

This versatile, stackable, 4-tier shoe rack provides ample storage without breaking the bank.

It’s made with lightweight yet durable materials and assembles easily for convenient use. This simplistic design is sure to suit any space and offer an appealing space-saving solution.

Best for heels: SONGMICS Shoe Rack

From sandals to stilettos

This shoe rack features customisable, angled shelves perfect for storing heels.

Display your favourite footwear with this 5-tier stackable shoe rack. Made from lightweight yet durable powdered metal, this rack’s simplistic design will suit any space.

Best space-saving shoe rack: SONGMICS 10-tier Shoe Rack

Tower storage

This space-saving shoe rack requires very little floor space but can hold up to 20 pairs of shoes.

It has a tower-like design offers ample storage in the smallest of spaces. Made from thickened metal tubes, this shoe rack is easy to assemble and can support up to 5kg of weight.

Best hanging shoe rack: MISSLO Over-the-Door Shoe Storage

Simple storage

This over-the-door shoe rack is the perfect addition to any wardrobe or storage cupboard.

It requires no floor space and can store up to 24 pairs of shoes. This handy storage solution is available in three colour ways and folds easily for convenient storage when not in use.

Best wooden shoe rack: Hododou Shoe Rack

An aesthetic option

This stylish wooden shoe rack doubles as shelf storage and can store flats and heels.

It offers a sleek wooden design with a maximum load capacity of 100kg. The simplistic design is made with non-toxic bamboo, and the solid upper shelf provides practical storage for heels.

Best covered shoe rack: AcornFort Shoe Rack

Added protection

This shoe rack’s dust-proof cover offers added protection to your favourite footwear.

It features nine shelves that can store up to 30 pairs of shoes. The extra-thick oxford fabric cover protects against dust and spills and is removable and machine-washable for easy maintenance.

Best customisable shoe rack: HOMIDEC Interlocking Shoe Rack

To suit any space

This shoe rack comprises 16 interlocking cubes that create a custom shoe rack suited to your needs.

Its unique design features a durable metal frame and lightweight PP plastic panels that offer effective and stylish storage. This shoe rack can be customised to suit any space and can be easily assembled and reassembled for long-lasting use.

Best shoe rack for boots: mDesign Book Rack

One for the wellies

This shoe rack offers dedicated storage for up to six pairs of boots, is made with sturdy materials, and the elevated design protects your floors from muddy footprints.

It’s ideal for any space, easy to assemble, and available in two colourways for stylish storage.

Best wall-mounted shoe rack: mDesign Wall-Mounted Shoe Rack

Free up some floor space

These wall-mounted shoe racks free up floor space and show off your favourite shoes.

This pack of 2 wall-mounted shoe racks offer storage for up to 6 pairs of shoes and is available in three colourways.

Shoe rack buyers guide

The perfect shoe rack depends on both your needs and style preferences. Before buying a shoe rack, you might be wondering why you should get one, how to use it, and what material it should be. To help you answer these questions and other queries, we’ve put together a handy buyer's guide.

Benefits of a shoe rack

Buying a shoe rack is great for organising shoes, reducing clutter, saving space and adding style to your home. It’s also useful to know exactly where your shoes are so you can save time searching for them.

Your shoes are also protected on a shoe rack. Shoes can end up damaged from being continuously stacked on top of each, so using a shoe rack could very well extend the lifespan of your favourite shoes.

What material should my shoe rack be?

The majority of shoe racks are made from wood, plastic, or metal and have different advantages. The best material for shoe racks depends on the style and job that you want your shoe rack to perform.

Wooden shoe racks have historically been the preferred option and are known for their natural look and durability. Metal shoe racks are more modern and are useful for people who want a sleek look and sturdy properties. Plastic shoe racks are a good alternative if you are looking to move the shoe rack regularly because they are lightweight and cheap.

How do I clean and maintain my shoe rack?

How you clean a shoe rack depends on its material. If you have a wooden shoe rack, then using a damp cloth with water and a little bit of soap is the best cleaning technique. Be careful to avoid harsh chemicals such as bleach, as these might ruin the wood.

Metal shoe racks can also be cleaned with water and a little soap. Depending on the location of the rack you might want to treat it with anti-rust spray. Plastic shoe racks are the easiest to clean and can be done simply with water and a cloth.

How to choose the right size shoe rack

When judging size, you will first want to find the space in your home where you want your shoe rack to go. You can then measure this space and match it with the dimensions of the shoe rack you want to buy. It might be worth buying a shoe rack which is easily adjustable if you’re likely to change the positioning of the shoe rack over time.

It is also a good idea to buy a shoe rack with more space than you’ll need to leave space for new shoes you might buy.

What is the best way to store shoes for long periods?

If you have shoes that aren’t being worn for a long time, firstly, make sure that they are clean and dry before storing them. Next, wrap them in either acid-free tissue paper or cotton shoe bags. This helps to protect them from dust and moisture. If shoes are exposed to dust and moisture for prolonged periods, the material can become damaged and look worn.

When you’ve done this, make sure you then store the shoes in a cold, dry place, away from sunshine and heat sources. If you're storing leather shoes, consider using a leather conditioner to keep the material from cracking or drying out.

If you want to read more of our household related product guides, check out our household page, where you’ll find more home recommendations, including the best blenders, the best air fryers, and the best mini dishwashers.