How To Build A Custom Shoe Closet

Every girl dreams of having a wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling custom walk-in closet! The idea of being able to display and have a particular space for every article of clothing, handbag, and shoe you own sounds wonderful, but how can you get this luxury with a small space or in a rental? Most closets have a clothing rod stretching from wall to wall and at least one shelf above the rod for boxes or storage. The main question is where do you put your shoes and what organizing system do you purchase? Here is a guide to help you learn how to build a custom shoe closet with little to no expertise in building! Yes, you can do it!

Step #1: Find an already built or easy to build bookcase

Measure

How to build a custom shoe closet? The first step is to measure your space from floor to ceiling for length, from wall to wall (or wall to the end of your hanging clothes) for width, and from the back wall to a preferred line for depth. This will give you an idea of what size bookshelf/bookcase will fit in your closet and yes, I said bookcase. It’s the perfect piece of furniture for your custom shoe closet! Make sure to maximize your space, by finding the largest possible bookcase to fit in your space.

Go shopping!

Next, search online and in stores for a bookcase to fit your ideal measurements. Use the OfferUp(Letgo) and Facebook Marketplace app to find ready-made solutions or search on Google for other options (Ikea has the Billy Bookcase). I purchased a custom bookcase on OfferUp – the owner used real wood for the back of the bookcase and melamine for the sides of the bookcase to make the shelves adjustable.

Step #2: Figure out the height of each shelf by creating a layout for your shoe closet

Once you have found your bookcase, take your shoes and line them up across the shelf. What type of shoes do you have – boots, sandals, high-heels, running shoes? Would you like them organized by color or by type of shoe – or both? Would you like the top shelf (or even the middle shelf) to showcase handbags, wallets, or custom pieces in your wardrobe? What direction would you like your shoes – do they fit facing in one direction?

The height of each shelf depends on the type of shoes you own and the shoes you will be using for each season. For adding melamine shelves, go to your local Lowes or Home Depot with your measurements and an employee will cut the extra shelves for you at no additional cost! This is a great option for those of you who do not have tools at home or the time to create a custom shelving unit from scratch!

Tip: Once you set up your layout of the bookcase, go to your local Lowes or Home Depot for extra shelves (they will cut them to the exact size you need)! Make sure you purchase clear brackets for adding the extra shelves!

Step #3: Add lighting to accentuate your custom shoe closet!

This is the moment you realize you can go beyond the norm and create something magnificent! Building a custom shoe closet lets you explore all options and adding light is one of them! Decide on what type of lighting you would like – white (warm or cool) or possibly multi-colored – and start looking at options.

There are many choices at Lowes, Home Depot, and Amazon, but I went with the Brillant Evolution LED Puck Light 6 Pack with Remote (I linked the most inexpensive pack from Amazon, but I purchased mine from Lowes as they are available from many stores). Just like my note on investing in good quality table essentials in my Fall Table Setting Ideas blog post, going with a more expensive, but higher-quality puck lighting alternative is better in the long run! Also, a side note – the Brillant Evolution pack comes with batteries for all six puck lights included in the price!

Tips: If you are curious about the different lighting alternatives, purchase many options and figure out which one you like best! For the Brillant Evolution puck lights, I purchased two packs (one remote per pack) and I am using my extra pucks around our home. The remotes aren’t specific with certain puck lights so you can use 8 in your closet and 4 in your living room and both remotes work in both settings.

Optional Step #4: Add brackets and hooks

How to build a custom shoe closet and include a bit more? If you are looking to add handbags and purses, purchase brackets or hooks to hang your special items!