The Clever Shoe Storage Solution That Comes From An Unexpected IKEA Must-Have

When your abundance of shoes starts to get out of hand, you can make more space, find extra storage in the room you have, or, as a distant third option, cull the collection. Knocking down walls to make more closet space is hardly an easy solution for most DIYers, so the best bet is to create sensible organization with smart additions to your current setup. Get the right product, and the process is cheap, quick, and effortless. Borrowing from a clever Dollar Tree must-have to keep your shoe closet neat and tidy, IKEA lovers will be glad to know that product may be none other than the VARIERA shelf insert.

The VARIERA is a versatile riser standing barely over 6 inches tall, enough space for most shoes (save for boots and the highest of high heels). Add it onto your shoe closet shelf, and you now have an extra platform for a few pairs of shoes with plenty of space underneath for just as many. The steel construction features a powder-coated finish to protect against rust and deterioration. It works great in the shoe closet, but even if you need an extra rack to hold wet boots and shoes near the entryway, this shelf can do the trick. And those are just a few of the many ways this flexible design proves it's one of the best IKEA products for an impressively organized closet.

The IKEA VARIERA shelves are flexible two-part systems. One piece with a smooth surface is the primary shelf. Its matching "sleeve" (featuring holes in the top) can slide into it, making an extendable shelf that can stretch from approximately 18 inches wide to approximately 29 inches. Whatever the space's width, you can set up your VARIERA to span it end to end.

The shelves come in multiple sizes with a range of depths as well, from roughly 5 inches to 11 inches. If you have enough space, stack two VARIERA shelves on top of each other. You can stack two deep shelves, two shallow shelves, or one shallow shelf toward the back of a deeper shelf, giving you space to store tall boots or multiple rows of kids shoes.

Once you decide on the stacked configuration, connect the shelves with small screws. You can then screw the VARIERA to the shelf it's sitting on to keep it from shifting as you pull shoes out. For a more renter-friendly solution, this can also be an unexpected way to use Command Strips around the home. Just put them under the legs for a damage-free connection. As a finishing touch, update the design with paint. Sand the surface to rough it up, apply a high-adhesion primer, and add the color of your choice to tie this shoe shelf riser with the rest of your decor.