Clever Organization Hacks With IKEA Shoe Storage That Don't Involve Shoes

IKEA has its fair share of iconic products — almost everyone has heard of items like the BILLY bookcase or KALLAX shelving unit. But it's also made a name for itself in shoe storage with its slim, shallow shoe cabinets. These units are popular among IKEA fans looking for compact solutions, partly because they're perfect for creative IKEA hacks.

Thanks to their slim but roomy design, many people use these shoe cabinets to store a variety of items beyond footwear. From transforming them into craft supply centers to repurposing them as a nightstand, there are plenty of innovative uses for them. To give you an idea of which ones to invest in for these DIYs, we've ranked some of the best IKEA shoe storage cabinets based on reviews to get you started. Choose the one you like most, and see how you can use it outside of the closet or entryway. Store much more than just footwear with these IKEA shoe storage hacks.

Art materials all over the house? Watch how the popular IKEA HEMNEs shoe cabinet can tuck away craft supplies. The four-compartment version in this video costs $179.99 from IKEA, but there's also a two-compartment option for $169.99 if you need an even more compact unit. The compartments are large enough for most kid's craft supplies, including reams of paper, boxes of markers and pencil crayons, and paint palettes. If you're in need of even more storage, consider these IKEA hacks to add clever storage to any kid's room. 

For those who love gift-giving, it's nice to have a wrapping station already stocked for birthdays and holidays. An IKEA shoe cabinet is an excellent slim storage option that will fit a variety of gift bags, tissue papers, and ribbon spools. This one is the two-compartment IKEA HEMNES ($169.99). With an almost 29-inch cabinet width, it may fit most shorter wrapping paper rolls, though it might not have the space for very lengthy ones. To organize long rolls, try this TikTok hack that will change the way you store wrapping paper.

There are so many ways to use the IKEA TRONES for extra storage. This wall-mounted cabinet costs $39.99 for a two-pack from IKEA and is truly so versatile. You can line various units along a wall to create your own slim storage layout beside a desk. This project is great if you don't have the space to install large shelves, but still need to add extra storage. As a major bonus, the closed compartments hide clutter, unlike open office shelves. Consider pairing this idea with one of these clever IKEA desk hacks to make your office even more practical and cozy.

Floor space can come at a premium in very small bedrooms, to the point where fitting in a bedside table even feels like a stretch. The IKEA TRONES can add extra storage to a small bedroom as a nightstand alternative. It's wall-mounted and shallow — as this picture shows, it hardly juts out further than a headboard. The compartment provides a decent amount of storage for your bedside accessories, and you even have some space along the top for a small lamp and glass of water. Use slim baskets (like this magazine basket from Walmart for $39.99) to take advantage of the space underneath the unit for storage.

This IKEA TRONES headboard hack is another fabulous option for small bedrooms, or really, any bedroom where you want to boost storage space. As mentioned above, the TRONES shoe cabinet doesn't stick out from the wall much more than some headboards. So why not mount several units behind the bed to create a headboard, complete with hidden compartments? The simple look of the TRONES lends well to minimalist rooms. It's only available in white or black, but you can cover the plastic with your design of choice using contact paper or peel-and-stick wallpaper.

This video from @claudiaberresford shows just how perfectly the IKEA BRUSALI shoe cabinet ($99.99) works for storing pants. Rolled-up pairs fit so nicely, it's almost like the cabinet was made for this purpose. We like how this hack makes it easy to see all your pants options — it can be so easy to forget about some pairs when they're folded in a wardrobe. Of course, you can use this hack to store other clothing as well. It's a great way to add a bit of unobtrusive storage on an empty wall.

The IKEA GREJIG shoe rack is a stackable metal shoe rack that can be used as so much more. One possible repurpose is as a shelf riser. The rack is extremely affordable; at $4.99 it's cheaper than many dedicated shelf risers. It's made of metal, so you don't have to worry about the rack bending or snapping under moderately heavy loads (a risk with cheap plastic risers). You can also stack up to three of these racks on top of each other to make tiered storage for spices, pantry staples, mugs, and more. 

If your sweaters or shirts tend to end up in an unsteady pile teetering on your closet shelves, use the IKEA GREJIG shoe rack ($4.99) to split up the space and bring some much-needed organization. This product works particularly well for use in closets because of its size. It's designed to store adult shoes, so it also has the surface area to fit folded pants, sweaters, and shirts. The stackable design (up to three layers) is great for filling and organizing taller shelves on a budget.

One more use for the $4.99 IKEA GREJIG shoe rack is on kitchen counters. It's the same idea as the previous two hacks: Use it as a riser or a small shelf for storing items. If industrial-style kitchen designs inspire you, the metal rack will probably feel far more appealing than any plastic counterparts. It has folding legs too, so when you want to clear off your counters completely, you can fold it flat to store away in a cupboard.

Bathrooms are another space that can benefit from compact storage. Some simply don't have enough room to hold products, spare toilet paper, and accessories. But as long as you have enough empty wall space, you can add a slim IKEA shoe cabinet for extra storage. If you live in a damp climate, it's prudent to go with the IKEA TRONES unit ($39.99 from IKEA) since it's made of plastic. Otherwise, you can use one of IKEA's particleboard offerings, like the IKEA STÄLL ($149.99 from IKEA) that's shown in this video.

This hack from @sorryweareopentday is fabulous if you can spare a bit of space between a couch and wall. Line the wall with IKEA shoe storage cabinets, and then place your couch in front. The top of the cabinets becomes a surface for living room knick-knacks and the compartments provide plenty of storage. Just keep in mind that you won't be able to access items inside the compartments without moving the couch, so this solution is best for seasonal storage rather than for items you use every day.

Small apartments don't always have the space for big garbage and recycling bins. The IKEA TRONES is a creative alternative. You can fit small bins within each compartment for sorting garbage and recycling. If you have space left over, use it to store cleaning supplies. We love this hack because it looks much sleeker than regular bins and keeps garbage hidden, while hardly taking up any space. The IKEA TRONES is the ideal unit for this job since it's made of easy-to-clean plastic.

Another job for the durable and plastic IKEA TRONES is as a garden hose storage unit. This project involves a little more DIY work. You'll need to cut a hole into the back of the cabinet and compartment to fit the unit over your tap. This step is only necessary if you want to keep the hose connected to the water source though. If not, you can simply mount the TRONES cabinet to the wall as normal and use it to just store your coiled-up hose, sans water connection. How long the plastic will last in the sun is one potential issue, as it is not exterior-grade. 

As this video from @flynnoutdoors shows, the IKEA TRONES shoe cabinet is the perfect size for storing standard cans. It has plenty of space, and with different compartments, you can sort different drinks into each one. For people who buy cans in bulk, this is a much more stylish way to store them than placing them on a pantry shelf. However, all these drinks will be heavy, so just make sure to mount the cabinet securely to wall studs. 

Kitchen baskets and bins are useful for storing food staples. However, if you're tight on counter or pantry space, you might have run out of room for these accessories. If you have some empty wall space in (or close to) the kitchen or pantry, an IKEA shoe cabinet is an excellent alternative. It offers a few compartments for you to store staples, but without taking up the large footprint of a new shelf or cabinet. You can even store produce in this unit too; it's especially great for veggies like potatoes that like dark and cool conditions.

In some kitchens, it's possible to mount an IKEA TRONES unit on the side of a cabinet. This adds much-needed storage in an often-overlooked spot. Just keep in mind that the TRONES needs to be mounted using screws, so it will leave holes in the cabinet finish. You can use it as overflow pantry storage or as a kid-friendly snack holder (its lower height makes it possible for kids to reach into the compartments). It's also a good spot for clearing countertop clutter; you can swipe odds and ends like phone chargers and mail into the compartment.

This video from @ariellelonek shows another creative way to use the IKEA TRONES shoe cabinet for storage. These shoe cabinets are an excellent option for stashing linen if you don't have a linen closet (or if your current one is full). The compartments make it ideal for this job: You can use each section to store towel sets for different members of the family or to separate different bedding sets. Place a piece of art above, style the top, and you'll have the chicest towel and sheet storage spot in town. 

The IKEA STÄLL shoe cabinet is a great storage solution for kids. In part, it's because of its height (little ones can easily reach the bottom compartment, while older kids can reach both). The bin-like design also makes it more intuitive for children to use. We love this idea from @playroominspo to use it as an entryway center. Of course, it's very useful for shoe storage in this area, but it's also fabulous for backpacks, lunch bags, hats, and other accessories youngsters need to grab as they leave home.

Take advantage of the slim IKEA TRONES cabinet in a small child's bedroom. In this video from @simplyscenic, the creator explains that they use it for clothes storage in an RV that's tight on space. It can hold a fair amount of children's clothes in a much smaller footprint than a wardrobe and the compartments help with organization. Plus, if you fold items strategically, it can be easier to see what's in each section compared to deep wardrobe shelves. 

We've included a lot of IKEA shoe cabinet storage hacks on this list — here's something a little different. You can also use an IKEA shoe cabinet to cover unsightly features on walls, such as an electric box. Many of the brand's shoe cabinets are made of particleboard, which is pretty easy to cut through, so you can make an opening at the back. Another option is to use the cabinet to hide your wi-fi modem and cables. Of course, any empty cabinet sections are great for storage use too.

Anyone with a pile of baking trays in the cabinet knows that this typical storage solution is a pain. It's all too easy for the stack to topple over. Here is a better alternative: The IKEA TRONES shoe cabinet is an ideal size for storing baking trays and pans. It might not fit very large accessories, but as this video shows, there's plenty of space for most common household baking trays, muffin tins, and cake pans. It's also easy to find and grab what you need, since everything is visible at a glance. 

This IKEA hack from @justinktufono makes this shoe storage solution look downright stylish. The idea is perfect for small bedrooms because of the cabinet's shallow profile. The STÄLL shoe cabinet is shown here ($149.99), but other styles can do the job just as well. This hack adds compact but useful bedroom storage, and the top of the cabinets also provides a spot for you to place TV accessories, like sound bars or gaming consoles.

There's nothing glamorous about changing diapers, but you can make the process smoother with convenient, better-looking storage. Instead of storing diapers in their bulk box or bag, consider placing them in an IKEA TRONES cabinet, mounted beside the changing table. Place other changing accessories like wipes in here too. The unit looks nice and sleek, and the design makes it easy to open with one hand. Plus, it's made of plastic, so in case there are any mishaps, it's very easy to clean.