Whether you’re a shoe aficionado, you have a small closet, or you’re just looking for ways to maximize your space, you’ll find that a shoe storage cabinet can make your home a lot less cluttered and a lot more beautiful!
Below, we’ll help you figure out the best ways to choose the best shoe storage cabinet for you. If you’re wondering about the best type of shoe storage cabinet, we can break it down into three general categories: material, finish, and capacity.
What are the different types of materials used for shoe storage cabinets?
One of the first choices you’ll get to make when you’re looking at shoe storage cabinets is the material that will be on display. Here are the main options you’ll have:
Wood
This is one of the most common choices, and it’s relatively clear why: If you’re looking to have a shoe storage cabinet that is out in the open and is commensurately aesthetically pleasing, this may be your best bet. You can choose from several different shades of wood, and also among features like drawers, shelves, or doors for your perfect shoe storage cabinet.
Plastic
While plastic might not be the most aesthetically pleasing choice, it can be a practical one. Plastic is durable and waterproof—meaning that it will last forever, and will be hard to damage or break! A plastic shoe storage cabinet is a good choice if you’re looking for a shoe storage cabinet to keep outside or in an often-damp entryway.
Fabric
Fabric shoe storage cabinets differ from shoe storage racks (such as the ones that hang on the backs of doors) in that they’re free-standing, even though they’re made of fabric. They are collapsible, portable, and lightweight. They can be your choice when you are looking for something temporary and don’t want to spend too much.
Metal
Metallic shoe storage cabinets are fantastic for helping you achieve a more industrial look in your home! You’ll want to make sure they don’t go anywhere where they might get wet, or anywhere that they will be in constant sunlight (as that will make them hot to the touch, which can be potentially dangerous at home).
What finish should I choose for a shoe storage cabinet?
The finish that you choose for your shoe storage cabinet is a completely aesthetic choice, so it’s a good idea to start by looking around at the choices and styles already present in your home. Go stand in the room where your shoe storage cabinet will be featured, and look around. What colors and shades do you see? Write them down.
After you’ve completed this assessment, you have two general options.
- If you’re going for a minimalist or classic look, consider picking a shade or finish for your shoe storage cabinet that is already present in your room—or one that’s very similar. If your room is full of warm, red tones, pick a mahogany or reddish shade. If your room is full of lighter tones, like creams and beiges, pick a pine, or a very light neutral.
- If you like bold colors, however, and would like to take a differing approach, select a color or finish that is opposite of what’s already in your room. Warm, if your room is cool; dark, if your room is light. This can have a very cool, modern effect that will look sophisticated!
What shoe storage cabinet capacity is best for me?
When you’re looking at shoe storage cabinets, one thing that will stand out in terms of your options are the different capacities you’re offered. Typically measured in number of shoes, these capacities give you the option to cater your future shoe storage cabinet size to something that will truly work for you.
The different capacities generally on offer are measured in units of ten—so, you’ll be able to pick up a shoe storage cabinet that holds 11-20 shoes, 21-30 shoes, 31-40 shoes, and 40+ pairs of shoes.
If you’re wondering how to pick the best one, there are two basic strategies. The first is simple: Go count the number of pairs of shoes you have. Once you’ve found that number, round up, and buy a shoe storage cabinet with a capacity slightly larger than your shoe collection. (If you know that you have fewer shoes than normal, or are about to acquire a large amount of new shoes, size up accordingly.)
The other option is to stick to the amount of room you have. The details and dimensions of the products you’re looking at should be listed. First, measure out the room you plan to put your shoe storage cabinet, and then purchase a piece that is slightly smaller than that dimension. If it does not have the capacity you need, you can use it to store your most commonly used shoes, or consider downsizing your shoe collection.