ᐅ Experiences with shoe racks in the lower section of a Kallax unit?

Hello everyone,

I have a somewhat specific question for those who own a Kallax shelf unit from Ikea and use the lower sections for shoe storage: What experiences have you had with shoe racks or similar inserts in the lower Kallax compartments?

Specifically, I’m interested in whether you use such racks to better organize your shoes, if the racks are sturdy enough, if they make it easier to take shoes out and put them back in, or if there are any issues with the width/depth that should be considered when choosing. I’m also interested in materials that have proven reliable and possible alternatives to the original Ikea shoe racks.

I’m planning to modify this shelf specifically for that purpose and want to gather practical and durable solutions. Thanks in advance for your opinions and tips!

For reference: The Kallax shelf unit typically has a compartment size of about 33x33x39 cm (WxHxD) (13x13x15 inches).

I have not used special shoe racks in it for some time. Instead, I place simple, reinforced plastic or wooden boards inside the compartments to stack multiple pairs of shoes. This works well because it improves both visibility and access to the shoes.

When choosing such boards, it is important to consider the maximum load capacity. Common plastic shelves often cannot support enough weight, which can be especially problematic for heavy winter boots. In my opinion, metal grids or wooden slats with sufficient stability are more durable and safer.

I have no direct experience with Ikea’s own shoe racks, but many online user reviews tend to be critical, noting that the fit is not always perfect and some shelves slip when placing shoes. Therefore, I recommend a custom solution that can be supplemented with non-slip mats or rubber pads if needed.

letar schrieb:
When choosing such shelves, you should definitely pay attention to the maximum load capacity

This is a good point that I would like to add to: Why install shelves at all? Most Kallax users simply place their shoes either horizontally or vertically in the compartments. My question is whether these shelves actually provide an additional benefit that justifies the effort.

Aren’t the shelves more of a hindrance, for example, when you have to place heavy shoes on higher shelves and then have to question their stability? Such intermediate inserts might even mean you have to give up compartments below because the height is reduced by the shelf.

A more interesting approach would be modular divisions that allow flexible adjustment of compartment height. For this reason, I would rather opt for pull-out shoe drawers or boxes that can be removed more quickly than fixed shelves.

I can add something here because I really love simple and practical solutions! 🙂

I put two old wooden frames as shelves in the lower Kallax unit (slightly raised, like tiers) and placed rubber mats underneath. This not only keeps things organized but also makes it much easier to take the shoes out: You can see them better, and they don’t tip over as much.

Of course, it’s not perfectly stable, but for the price, it’s a great and simple solution. It also makes cleaning easier—you can just wipe or vacuum underneath.

Naturally, you shouldn’t put very tall shoes on the upper shelf, or it gets tight. But it works perfectly for sneakers or athletic shoes. 🙂

I believe that when it comes to shoe shelves in the Kallax unit, there is also a personal aspect involved: how many pairs of shoes you have, how often you wear them, and how tidy you want to keep things.

For me, the lower shelves usually hold the shoes I wear daily, which I want to have quick and easy access to. The shelves help me avoid mixing everything up. I know all too well the feeling of rushing in the morning trying to find the right pair.

However, I initially had issues with the stability of the shelves and had to reinforce them myself, for example with small wooden strips or metal brackets, to keep everything secure. It required some effort, but for me, the time saved when finding shoes was worth it.

I’m curious: have you had similar practical experiences with adding strips or supports to make the shelves more durable?

Hello Gaizka,

First of all, a big plus for your well-structured question! That makes it much easier to answer.

I also use Kallax for shoe storage and have purchased the Ikea shoe racks for it. These are narrow metal grids that can be placed inside the compartments. They are relatively sturdy but are only suitable for lighter shoes. I wouldn’t recommend them for heavy boots.

The advantage is that the racks promote ventilation of the shoes, preventing the sweaty odors that can linger in closed compartments. The downside is that they don’t always fit thick or unusually large shoes perfectly—especially wider models.

My tip: If you manage a large variety of shoes that differ greatly (from delicate ballet flats to heavy hiking boots), it’s worth choosing racks with adjustable dividers or using boxes. You can also have inserts cut from wood or metal at a hardware store.