Shoes. Some people love them and have many pairs, while others think of them as just a necessity and own just a few different styles. But whatever your feelings about shoes are, it's a safe bet that they have become an organizational issue for you at some point. Perhaps your kids have a habit of leaving their shoes in the middle of the floor where you can trip over them. Or perhaps your closet floor is a mess of shoes and it takes forever to find the pair you are looking for. The solution to this problem is simple: a shoe rack. For those of you who like DIY projects, preferring to make things rather than going to a store, a PVC shoe rack is perfect for you.
PVC Pipe is sturdy, inexpensive, and it comes in many sizes - it's the secret weapon of DIY projects because of its versatility. In fact, we've found three great DIY PVC shoe racks that show off just how versatile it is. Take a look and see which one will help you solve your shoe-storing dilemma.
#1 - Easy and Movable PVC Pipe Shoe Rack
This shoe rack is perfect for mudrooms, by front doors, in bedrooms, or inside closets. It's an easy project that only requires a few materials and tools. And you can create it in whatever size, configuration, and colors (or designs) you want. The possibilities are endless!
For this project you will need:
- • PVC pipe - in a diameter that will fit a pair of shoes (6" pipe works great)
- • PVC glue
- • Paint primer
- • Spray paint
The tools you will need are a miter/hand saw (to cut the PVC pipe) / pipe cutter and clamps.
To make this customizable shoe rack, you first need to determine how many pairs of shoes you want it to hold and in what configuration you want to assemble the shoe rack. Then follow these steps to put it together:
Image sourced from www.diyncrafts.com (see below)
- 1. Cut the PVC pipe into 10” long pieces.
- 2. Arrange the PVC pipes into the configuration you want and use clamps to hold it together.
- 3. Mark the pipes where they meet each other so you know where to put the PVC glue.
- 4. Remove clamps, apply PVC glue where you marked, and glue pieces together, replacing clamps as you go. Let the glue on the assembled shoe rack dry completely.
- 5. Remove clamps and spray shoe rack with primer.
- 6. Paint or decorate the shoe rack as desired.
You can watch a video of how to do this project on the DIY & Crafts website.
#2 - DIY PVC Wall Mounted Closet Shoe Rack
This shoe rack is designed to get your shoes off the closet floor and into their own little PVC cubby holes that are mounted on the wall of your closet. It’s a great way to utilize a wall that otherwise goes unused and to keep your closet floor free of scattered shoes.
Image sourced from Instructables.com (see below)
For this project you will need:
- • 2 10-foot long 6” diameter PVC pipe
- • PVC Glue
- • 6 metal L brackets with 2 pre-drilled holes on each side
- • 12 nuts and bolts for attaching the shoe rack to the L brackets
- • 12 wall mounting hardware (varies depending on type of wall)
- • Primer and spray paint as desired
You will also need a miter/hand saw and clamps.
This project is a lot like the previous one. Assemble the shoe rack and paint or decorate it just like the first rack. To attach your shoe rack to the wall of your closet:
- 1. Attach the L brackets to the inside of 6 cubby holes on the shoe rack (the two top corners, two bottom corners, and two on the sides).
- 2. Attach to the wall by holding it up and marking where the holes are on the wall, and then using the wall mounting hardware you purchased.
That’s it! What an easy project that will help your closet stay organized and uncluttered. And you can customize how many pairs of shoes your rack will hold and how it’s decorated. To see more detailed photos of this project’s steps, you can visit Instructables.com.
#3 - Two Tier PVC Shoe Rack
This PVC pipe shoe rack is a little bit different than the previous two. This one has two tiers, or shelves, where you can line up your shoes. Of course, it’s a handy design that could really be used for other things as well.
Image sourced from Instructables.com (see below)
For this project you will need:
- 60 feet of 1 ¼” PVC pipe cut into the following lengths:
- -- 6 3-foot pipes
- -- 4 1½-foot pipes
- -- 4 10 7/8” pipes
- -- 12 1 ½” pipes
- -- 8 2” pipes
- You will also need 20 1 ¼” Tee PVC pipe fittings.
You will need a miter/hand saw to cut the PVC pipe, and a measuring tape and sharpie.
The assembly of this shoe rack is more complicated than the first two, but it’s still a great project, even for beginner DIYers. To see the full instructions and pictures of the steps, you can visit Instructables.com.
Get Started on Your PVC Shoe Rack Today
Shoes all over the place create clutter and disorganization. With the three shoe rack ideas above, you can eliminate that problem and keep your home in order. Whether you need a place for shoes to go by the front door, a moveable rack for your bedroom, or a storage rack that is mounted to the wall of your closet, you can use the great examples we found. A shoe rack made from PVC is a simple project that will fit your specific needs in a fun and creative way.
