According to a 2011 Consumer Reports telephone poll, the average American woman owns nearly two dozen pairs of shoes. The American man owns an average of one dozen pairs of shoes. Even without the addition of children, a small family needs a shoe storage solution to keep a tidy home. Shoe racks for the closets and doors are among the most popular options. Choosing a shoe rack largely depends on how accessible the shoe must be and whether the buyer wants an easily portable rack rather than something bulky and meant to stay in place. The buyer must also consider the amount of space they have to dedicate to a shoe rack because racks vary in size from compact minimalist designs to wall-to-wall shelves of finished wood.
Aside from portability and placing, shoe racks also great differ in appearance and durability. From wooden freestanding shelves to flexible, plastic over-the-door racks, buyers have many options from which to choose.
Shoe racks are available for sale in big box department stores, secondhand shops, and online on eBay.
1. Evaluate Your Space
Many people who buy shoe racks are working with limited space. Fortunately, there are all different kinds of shoe racks, so homeowners can find a storage solution that works for them.
Shoe Rack
Ideal Use
Short Standing Racks
For rooms with plenty of floor space, but limited space overhead
Perfect under closet bars
Tall Standing Racks
For rooms with plenty of floor space; for example, large closets or bedrooms
Entranceway Racks
For entrance halls
These racks usually feature a slim design to minimize their footprint
Over-the-Door Hanging Racks
For rooms with limited floor and wall space
Closet Bar Hanging Racks
For closets with limited floor space, but plenty of space among the hanging clothing
Buyers place hangable racks nearly anywhere. If a homeowner finds himself or herself without space on the floors, doors, or closet bars, a hanging rack are installable on a bare wall instead. Different shoes may require different types of shoe racks; for example, some people store high heels and boots on special racks.
In general, standing racks are less malleable than hanging racks. Wood, metal, and plastic are common materials for standing racks, whereas hanging ones might use plastic or even canvas. Due to this, it may be wise to measure a space before buying a shoe rack for it.
2. Consider the Shoe Rack's Aesthetics and Sturdiness
Shoe racks are not equal when it comes to aesthetics. Of course, aesthetics are not important to everyone, and it is even less important if the rack sits at the bottom of a closet, only seen by the buyer. However, the rack's sturdiness heavily relies on its material, which often dictates its overall appearance. The least expensive options are thin, flexible plastic cubbies. In general, while these racks are functional, they might not match the bedroom decor. Wooden shoe racks are heavier and sturdier, especially ones built with solid wood rather than composite wood. While composite wood is inexpensive and lighter than solid wood, it quickly bubbles when in contact with water and does not last as long. Metal shoe racks are also a fashionable and sturdy option, depending on the style.
3. Determine Shoe Rack Size
Some shoe racks inevitably hold more shoes than other shoe racks. Short racks versus tall racks are a great example of doubling the available shoe space. This also means that it is possible to buy too much or too little shoe storage. To avoid this, shoppers can count their pairs of shoes and make an educated guess on how many shoes they buy per year before committing to a shoe rack. Most shoe rack packages give an estimate on the number of shoes they hold; for example, it is not unusual for a package to say, "Holds 20 full size pairs of shoes." One rack can hold anywhere from nine to several dozen pairs, depending on its size.
4. Decide on Shoe Rack Complexity
Certain kinds of shoe racks require assembly; for example, large wooden shoe racks rarely come prebuilt. On the other hand, hanging racks are generally ready to hang on the wall or door right out of the package. On the bright side, even racks that require a lot of assembly are usually simple to put together since they are just shelves and sometimes doors to hide the contents.
Expensive wooden furniture is often an exception to this rule. For example, designer entryway benches or oak-finished tree cabinets are generally for sale prebuilt. To ship this kind of furniture, either the buyer arranges delivery or the seller carefully wraps and packages it to minimize jostling and potential damage during the trip.
5. Buy More Than One Shoe Rack
A versatile shoe collection may require a versatile shoe storage solution. For example, there are special racks for high heels, boots, and dress shoes. In addition, some shoe racks are stackable, so buying multiple racks builds a taller set of standing shelves. Another reason to buy more than one shoe rack is to place them in different areas of the house; one rack can go by the front door for well-used shoes, and another placed in the closet for evening, dress, or other less casually worn shoes.
Safely Installing a Shoe Rack
For heavy shoe racks, homeowners or renters may want to place felt under the legs to prevent scratching wood and linoleum floors. Parents of babies and young children should consider bolting heavy racks to the wall, preventing a child from pulling the rack onto themselves. Besides basic safety precautions, it is necessary to follow the instructions the shoe rack came with to install it properly.
Buying Shoe Racks on eBay
To buy shoe racks on eBay, look for the search bar on any eBay page. Enter keywords like "mahogany shoe rack" or " closet shoe rack." Narrow your results by adjusting the price range or limiting the search to specific sellers. If you accidentally narrow the search too far, click the back button or start over by returning to eBay's main page. Remember to save favorite sellers or specific searches so you can return to the search quickly if you must leave.
Choosing an eBay Seller
With millions of sellers participating in the online marketplace, eBay is bound to have quite a few people and companies selling shoe racks. To choose a seller, look at their feedback. Feedback is an indicator of how satisfied past buyers were with their experience. You may also want to look at their location. It takes longer to receive an item from Australia than it does another part of the United States. Take these aspects of a seller's profile into consideration before finalizing your purchase.
Conclusion
Choosing a shoe rack is mostly personal preference. There is no "best" shoe rack overall. Buyers should choose a shoe rack that fits their space and meets their own requirements for sturdiness and aesthetics. This may require measuring the allotted space and counting their shoes to determine how many shelves they need. In general, hanging wall racks are ideal for people who do not have much floor space, whereas standing shelves are ideal for people who have ample floor space but little wall or door space. Some people may benefit from a combination of different racks to fit all of their shoes.
In addition, some shoe racks require a bit of assembly. In general, metal and wooden racks do not come pre-built because it is more economical and convenient to ship them in flat packs. However, even wall racks may require a few screws to install properly. On the other hand, most door racks leave the door free of damage.
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