A Scrap Wood Build
A handmade wooden shoe rack brings a little more order and character to the back porch at House 173.
Way back in 2011 (it's painful to think that was 8 years ago already), just after the back porch remodel, I built an umbrella stand for the back porch.
As a matter-of-fact the umbrella post has consistently been the most viewed post here at House 173, and that's always been a head-scratcher for me!
But there ya have it. Probably within a week or two of finishing the umbrella stand, I was looking around the shop and noticed a stack of old hardwood bed slats that had been laying around for a couple years waiting for inspiration. Somehow, when I saw those boards I immediately knew what I wanted to do and where it would go. This was another one of those projects I didn't draw plans for, but I just measured the space on the back porch where I wanted it and set to work.
That picture was about the middle of the remodel, but the space in the lower right next to the outside door is where I pictured the rack going, and here it is:
It wasn't a difficult build, but I want to show a couple happenstance features. First, in the picture below you can see that the old bed slats were chamfered.
Yea yeah yeah, I know the rack is a bit dirty, but the back porch serves as the mud room so - dirt happens! Anyway, I made it wide enough for two pairs of shoes on each shelf. That's six pair - if we needed more space, I figured we should just be putting some shoes away! It's never been a problem so...no problem! You can also see that a large bag is clipped to the one side of the rack, that's where returnable bottles are kept 'til return time. Not particularly glamorous, but it's functional!
I also antiqued the rack a little bit. And that's the shoe-horn that hangs from the side of the rack.
Here's one angle of the rack in its habitat. In the winter we put a drip tray inderneath for obvious reasons!
And here's the full-frontal!
And a final shot. The total cost of the shoe rack was $0! Even the paint was leftover from some other project that even pre-dated the umbrella stand!
Frequently Asked Questions
What wood is best for a DIY shoe rack?
Pine, cedar, plywood, and reclaimed lumber are commonly used for DIY shoe racks because they are affordable, durable, and easy to work with.
Is a wooden shoe rack good for porch storage?
Yes. Wooden shoe racks work well for covered porches and mudrooms, especially when finished or protected from excessive moisture.
How deep should a shoe rack be?
Most shoe racks are built between 10 and 14 inches deep to comfortably hold everyday shoes and boots.
Can a shoe rack be made from reclaimed wood?
Absolutely. Reclaimed lumber is popular for DIY shoe racks because it adds character while reusing existing materials.
What is the best way to organize shoes near an entryway?
Open shelving, benches, cubbies, and simple shoe racks help reduce clutter and keep frequently used footwear organized near entrances.
Are shoe racks good for small porches?
Yes. Compact shoe racks help maximize limited porch or mudroom space while improving organization and reducing clutter.
Should outdoor shoe racks be sealed?
If exposed to humidity or seasonal moisture, outdoor shoe racks benefit from paint, stain, or protective sealers to improve durability.
Why build a shoe rack instead of buying one?
Building a shoe rack allows for custom sizing, material choices, and a design that better fits the style and dimensions of the space.
Keywords
shoe rack, DIY shoe rack, back porch storage, wooden shoe rack, porch organization, reclaimed wood project, mudroom storage, small porch ideas, DIY storage project, old house organization