The Ultimate Shoe Organization for Small Spaces

I’m always looking for creative, low cost, and artistic ways to decorate a room. When my husband and I first bought our home in Washington, DC we knew that we would have to sacrifice on closet space. So I turned the smallest bedroom we had into my makeup/ dressing room. I quickly realized that I needed a solution to store my shoes in a way that I can see the options that I have, because if it’s out of sight, then it’s out of mind. I first thought to do long floating shelves. That idea immediately was thrown out because honestly it’s a hassle hanging floating shelves (You have to level it, drill the holes in the proper place and then do all kinds of tricks to get the shelves aligned to the screws on the wall.) NO THANK YOU!

Then I came across the IKEA LACK WALL SHELF on pinterest. I see it a lot in other beauty rooms, but mainly used for storing books and other décor styling items. I thought to myself “Mmmmmm this could work for my shoes.” However, instead of going to IKEA, I always search craigslist first. Now, I know that route can be a bit sketchy, but if you’re a skilled craigslister like I am, and add Jesus on top of that, you’ll be able to sense the sketchiness ahead of time. Typically when I’m on craigslist, I search for moving sales. To my luck, I found 3 LACK Shelves being sold for $25 each (Half the price if bought brand new). I checked out the photos, and they were in excellent condition. So I sent in my inquiry, and thankfully, they were still available! So we picked them up and brought them home. Side Note: The great thing about craigslist is that the items are already built (building an ikea “anything” can drive you to the mad house).

Hanging The Shelves

This was pretty easy. This requires two people, a screw driver, a drill (if you have plaster walls like I do), measuring tape, a pencil for marking the holes, and something sturdy to stand on. Here are the steps for hanging all three side by side:

1. First measure out the width of space all three shelves will take up on the wall. For three shelves that was about 35 ¾ inches (Almost 3ft wide.)
2. Determine how high up the shelves need to go, to clear the ground. I want my shelves to be staggered. So the two shelves on the end were going to be 6 inches off the ground (right above my baseboard), and the one in the middle 3 inches off the ground.
3. Have your partner hold up the first shelf 6 inches off the ground, while you stand on something sturdy, to mark the holes with your pencil.
4. Then after the holes have been marked, set the shelf down, and pre-drill holes (directly on top of the marks you made) to help guide the screws into the wall. I have plaster walls, which makes it very difficult to screw anything in, without a hole pre-drilled. If you are working with dry wall, you also have the option to place anchor screws in the wall for more sturdiness.
5. Now your holes are ready to make the first shelf mount. Have your partner hold up the shelf aligned to the holes you made in step 4, stand on something sturdy, then take your screw driver, pair of screws, and begin screwing the shelf into the wall. (One shelf up…WHEW)
6. Repeat step 3 for the second shelf, but this time have your partner hold the shelf 3 inches off the ground directly next to the first shelf you mounted, and again mark your holes.
7. Repeat step 4 and 5.
8. Now for the final shelf. This third shelf will be at the same height as the first shelf you mounted. Measure 6 inches off the ground, or if you’re anything like me, just eye ball it.
9. Repeat steps 3 through 5.
10. The best step ever!! Add your shoes and whatever other stylish items you want and do the happy dance for a job well done!

Some Tips and Tricks

I chose 6 inches off the ground for the two shelves on either side, because that’s right above the baseboard. So if you prefer to use your baseboard as a means of where the shelves will land, it makes measuring a whole lot easier.

Done!

I know it may seem like a lot of steps, but trust me, it’s super simple, and super chic! When you can join home décor and organization in one solution, you get the perfect marriage.

Let me know if you think you’re going to try it, and if you have any questions!

Happy Decorating!

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