Ditch The Bulky Shoe Rack & Try An IKEA Storage DIY That Maximizes Closet Space

Regular House Digest readers know by now that finding a sharp shoe storage solution is rarely an issue. The challenge occurs with limited space, which can easily toss some of the more exciting yet unfortunately bulky hacks and DIY racks out of contention. There's a lot to be said for streamlined solutions that organize all of your shoes and leave a minimal footprint themselves. You may even need this particular hack for a practical setup if you have only barely enough space for your shoe collection. And it all starts where so many find creative shoe storage inspiration. That's right — we're headed to IKEA, this time for a simple set of BERGSHULT shelves to lift your shoes while elevating the closet with subtle elegance and zero wasted space.

The BERGSHULT comes in two sizes, a 31 ½-inch option at $10 a piece and a 47 ¼-inch length for $20. At 11 ¾ inches deep, the latter offers just enough space to hold adult shoes without sticking too far out into the room. For a kid's shoe closet, you may even be able to scale down in depth and price by opting for the 31 ½-inch option with a 7 ⅞-inch depth. Measure the space, and grab as many shelves as you need to fill the area. Don't forget to pick up enough SIBBHULT brackets (two or three per shelf) to support them all. If needed, you can also stack shelves for a space-saving multi-tiered arrangement. Lay out your footwear along the wall where it will sit when on a shelf, and see how many layers you'll need to fix your shoe organization struggles.

While a simple IKEA shelving option is about as basic as basic gets, you can still find ways to enhance the storage space and the aesthetic. Fill the closet wall from end to end, wrapping the shelf around corners for a continuous run to maximize the amount of shoes you can put on it. If the shelves don't fit quite right, cut them to length. Follow the steps to properly cut IKEA shelves for a perfect custom fit, concealing the cut end against the adjoining board or the wall.

When stacking your shelves, separate them by about 6 to 7 inches, an ideal height for holding adult shoes. To be on the safe side, though, measure your tallest pair of shoes and space the shelves accordingly. Luckily, the ideal height is easy to measure because the SIBBHULT bracket is 7 inches tall. Let the bottom of the bracket touch the top of the shelf beneath it, and you'll ensure a proper gap without wasting wall space.

Have fun with how you style your shelves after you resolve the layout question. No, you don't need any decor on them, but a paint job or patterned contact paper overlay can offer significant style points. Match the color to the closet walls to make the shelf take up even less space visually, abiding by essential tricks to paint IKEA furniture's difficult surfaces. If multiple people share the space, you can also add fun signage for the front of the shelves, clearly defining where each person's shoes belong. Though more low-key, this rack alternative leaves plenty of room for DIY inspiration.