DIY Shoe Storage: How I Upgraded a $60 Cabinet into Custom Entryway Storage

If you’re anything like me, shoes somehow end up everywhere — piled in the entryway, kicked off by the door, or just left wherever someone felt like taking them off. I was tired of the mess and even more tired of every shoe cabinet I found looking cheap and out of place with my style. So when I spotted a $60 Target cabinet, I saw potential for a DIY shoe storage solution. With a little molding, new pulls, and modern legs, I turned that plain box into a high-end looking piece for under $100. Here’s exactly how I did it — and how you can too.

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Jump To: Step-by-step-Guide

Time needed: 2 days

DIY Shoe Storage

1. Fixing the Cheap-Looking Cut-Out Handles

2. Upgrading the Hardware

3. Adding Brass Furniture Legs

4. Prepping & Painting

Materials & Cost Breakdown -DIY SHOE STORAGE

Before diving into the step-by-step process, here’s a quick rundown of what I used and the cost:

• Target shoe cabinet – $60
• Drawer Pulls (6.1″ length, 5″ hole distance) – $13
• Gold Metal Furniture Legs (Set of 8) – $17
• Metallic spray paint (to match hardware) – $7
• Trim Molding (left over from previous project)
• Liquid Nails, liquid sandpaper, primer, spray paint (already owned)

Total Cost: ~$100

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Step 1: Fixing the Cheap-Looking Cut-Out Handles

One of my biggest issues with the cabinet was the cut-out handle design on the doors—it made the whole thing look cheap. Instead of leaving it as is, I used this trim molding to frame out the drawer fronts and cover the openings. I had this left over from a previous project, the pro pack comes with 24- 96″ pieces. But you could use any molding (dimensions: 7/8 in. x 3/8 in). To frame out the cabinet pulls I used this: Ornamental Mouldings Colonial Trim Moulding (13/32 in. x 1/4 in.)

1. Measure & Cut the Molding – I mitered the corners at 45° angles
2. Attach with Liquid Nails – I applied adhesive to the back of the molding and pressed it onto the door edges, making sure to align everything evenly.
3. Secure the Corners – To prevent shifting, I taped the corners together and placed the doors face down overnight, allowing the adhesive to fully set.
4. Trim Excess Glue – The next day, I used a utility knife to carefully cut away any dried adhesive that had squeezed out.

Step 2: Upgrading the Hardware

Then, I added these brass bamboo-style drawer pulls, and now the cabinet was functional and pretty.

Step 3: Adding Brass Furniture Legs

To make the cabinet look more like a piece of furniture, I added 4-inch Brass Furniture Legs. Adding this hardware made the cabinet feel more like an expensive console or sideboard rather than a plain storage unit.

Step 4: Prepping & Painting

I didn’t want to have to paint the sides and the top, so I decided to match the cabinet front to the same shade of white. I used Painter’s Touch 2X Ultra Cover Spray Paint in Satin Blossom White. This is a pretty good match to melamine. I also like to buy the 6 pack from Amazon so I have it on hand.

• Liquid Sandpaper & Light Sanding – To help the primer stick, I used liquid sandpaper followed by a light sanding.
• Primer & Paint – I applied a bonding primer and then two coats of the spray paint in a satin finish for durability.

To tie everything together, I also spray-painted the furniture legs and hardware with a metallic gold finish to ensure they matched perfectly. This gold spray paint is the absolute best dupe for actual brass.

DIY Shoe Storage Cabinet: A Custom Look for Less

This DIY upgrade took a basic Target shoe cabinet and turned it into a custom storage piece that looks way more expensive than its actual cost.

Would I do anything differently? I’d probably paint it a different color, but overall, I love how this transformation turned out!

What do you think? Have you done a similar furniture upgrade? Let me know in the comments!

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