A custom entry way shoe storage

The couple I was working with on this project had a great idea to have a wraparound shoe rack that goes from the entry way around a half wall that leads into the dining room.

Since this bench will be used to put feet up and sit down while taking on/off shoes, functionality and stability was a main concern, along with the design. To achieve a wraparound look, this shoe storage unit is built in three parts that are all attached to the wall. Using poplar wood in a custom stain, each piece is stable and holds weight in itself.

An all wood-piece, we took our time ahead of the build to get the stain right, a custom mix of a red-toned cabernet and a more orange toned black cherry, both water based stains from General Finishes. We went through a few design iterations and ended up with a design that is open to the front entrance and more closed to the dining room. Nobody wants to look at shoes while sitting at the dining table!

The cabinet doors all operate on a push mechanism to keep the surface as clean and minimalistic as possible, and a gold trim has been added to the low footer. It adds a little bit of shine but mostly offers a floating look it being a little less than one inch high.