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DIY Shoe Rack

November 24, 2021 By Erin Spain 2 Comments

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Home Depot. All opinions are my own.

Ever since I moved into my new house, I’ve tried to keep my closet as organized as possible. (Sometimes I fail at this, but I’m trying!) The one thing I didn’t really have a good solution for though was shoe storage. I’ve had them lined up on the floor and on some shelves for months, but I finally got around to building a DIY shoe rack!

Today I’ll share the tutorial with you.

Project Supplies:

  • RYOBI Compact Series Drill and Impact Driver Kit
  • 1×12 Boards
  • 2×2 Boards
  • 1×2 Board
  • Pocket Hole Jig
  • 1 1/4″ Pocket Hole Screws
  • 1 1/4″ Wood Screws
  • Saw
  • Stain or Paint

How to Build a DIY Shoe Rack

Step 1: Cut Your Wood

miter saw

I used my miter saw to cut my wood to the following dimensions. (You could modify the dimensions based on your specific needs. I designed this to fit below the built-in shelves in my closet.)

  • (3) 1×12 boards cut to 50″ long each
  • (4) 2×2 boards cut to 28 1/2″ long each
  • (4) 2×2 boards cut to 12″ long each
  • (4) 1×2 boards cut to 12″ long each

Step 2: Build the Sides

I used a pocket hole jig to drill 2 pocket holes into each end of my 12″ long 2×2 pieces, as well as each end of my 1×2 pieces. Then, I attached 2 of the 12″ long 2×2 pieces to 2 of the 28 1/2″ long 2×2 pieces using 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws, forming a frame. I repeated this process for the second “frame,” and these will serve as the base/legs of the shoe rack.

For this project I used my RYOBI Compact Series Drill and Impact Driver Kit. I love how compact and lightweight these tools are, plus they run off the same 18V batteries that the rest of my RYOBI tools use. They have a brushless motor for longer run time, longer motor life, and more power. I also love that they have built-in LED worklights to illuminate your workspace. Because of their compact size, I’m able to work with them in tight spaces. I absolutely love them!

Step 3: Add Brace Pieces

making a shoe rack

I attached the 1×12 pieces horizontally inside the frame using 1 1/4″ pocket hole screws, evenly spacing them out. These will form the braces which we will attach our shelves to.

Step 4: Attach Shelves

building a DIY shoe rack

I attached the shelves by drilling them into the 1×2 brace pieces using 1 1/4″ wood screws. For the top shelf, I just attached that directly to the top of the side frame pieces. Because of the small amount of space between shelves, I had to drill my screws at a slight angle.

building a DIY shoe rack

Step 5: Paint or Stain

I stained it using a Provincial color wood stain, and then added a Polycrylic top coat. You could definitely customize it by painting or staining it any color you choose.

Staining a DIY shoe rack

This was a relatively easy project and would be great for a beginner woodworker. Plus I loved using my new RYOBI tools! I have a little more organizing to do and then I’ll be moving it into my closet.

DIY Shoe Rack
DIY Shoe Rack
DIY Shoe Rack
DIY Shoe Rack

For more DIY ideas, check out my project gallery here.

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Filed Under: Closet, DIY, Home & DIY Blog, Organization, THD ProSpective, Tutorials, Woodworking

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Comments

  1. Annie List says

    December 12, 2021 at 3:08 pm

    Wow – this turned out incredible! I love the in depth step by step instructions. Thanks for sharing, Erin! I cant wait to try 🙂

    Reply
    • Erin Spain says

      January 15, 2022 at 9:28 am

      Thank you!

      Reply

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