Making a DIY Shoe Rack (An Easy Woodworking Project)

I have a shoe mountain problem, and today I'm making the solution: a shoe rack. Which is quite exciting. Really I should have made some sort of shoe organizer a long time ago. I've also been looking forward to tackling a woodworking project for a while now. Between the two of us, Michael is the faster woodworker so whenever we have woodworking tasks on a time crunch, typically he handles them. But I wanted to take out some time just for myself to practice.
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Tools

Makita 18-Volt LXT Lithium-Ion Sub-Compact Brushless Cordless 1/2 in. Driver Drill (Tool Only)

Makita Rear Handled Circular Saw

Makita 18v Blower (tool only)

Makita 18v Blower, with batteries

Makita Power Sander

Dewalt Jigsaw

Materials

Titebond Quick and Thick Glue

Titebond 3 Wood Glue

1×1 Poplar

1×2 Poplar

1×12 Poplar

This post was sponsored by The Home Depot and contains affiliate links.

Step 1

The first section I tackled was putting together what would become the shelves. These were primarily made up of sections of 1x2s, so I measured out my lengths, marked my wood, and started cutting down sections using a jigsaw.

Step 2

I grabbed some corner clamps to dry-fit each set of pieces into a framed shape, to make sure that everything looked and felt dimension-wise how I wanted it and give me the opportunity to make changes if I wanted to. Then I added some Titebond Quick and Thick to each joint and clamped it together tightly. I repeated this with each shelf. The main point of this first step was tacking the basic frame into place for a base to get the slats in. The slats will build up the sturdiness.

Step 3

Next, I needed to add a ledge for my slats to sit on top of. I cut 1x1s down on the bandsaw to fit within each frame. Once I knew I had the length right, I cut a bunch of them and started gluing with Titebond III wood glue.

Step 4

I got all four shelves glued up and let them dry overnight before getting started on the first horizontal slats using some more 1×2 poplar. I repeated all of this four times over and once again, let it all dry. Each shelf got three 1×1 horizontal slats.

Step 5

Then I grabbed some sawdust and mixed it with wood glue to make wood putty. There were a few gaps that needed to be filled before I sanded everything down. I sanded first with an 80 grit and then a second time with the 150 grit.

Step 6

To attach the shelves to the outside piece, I went into the lip on the bottom of each shelf piece with a two-inch drywall screw, leaving the screw head in a hidden spot and the outside of the shelf looking completely unmarked.

I got pilot holes into the undersides of each shelf using a countersink bit on my Makita power drill. I put four holes in each shelf. From there, it was a matter of lining everything up and screwing it into place using the impact driver. We also added a line or two of wood glue to each seam for some added rigidity.

Step 7

To visually balance the top out, I wanted to trim the sides’ overhang down to be two inches. I was able to do this really easily with my Makita circular saw. Then the sides got a good sanding as well. Finally, I went in and blew off all the sawdust to get the wood nice and clean before paint.

Step 8

In a last-second change of heart, I decided I did want to add some quick and simple feet to this to help it sit better on an uneven floor. I just sketched out what I wanted and then cut it away with a jigsaw.

Step 9

Then it was painting time! I started with a sand-able filler primer. I had found some extra trim paint from the front hallway of my house, so it seemed like a natural choice to paint the shoe rack that color. I started by cutting in the edges, and then I used my paint roller everywhere it was feasible to do so because rolling the paint on, in my opinion, gives a much more desirable texture to the paint. This took about two to three coats in some areas to be as even as I wanted it to be.

The Final Result

This build was a sure success, and it eliminated the mountain of shoes in my entryway! Much needed.

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