DIY Vertical Drying Rack Using a $49 Shoe Stand

In this post, I’m showing you how I built a vertical drying rack using a metal shoe stand and a few basic tools—no fancy cuts, no crazy budget, just a smart little upgrade for your laundry room.

I’ve seen those built-in pull-out drying racks retail for over $300, and I just couldn’t justify that. So when I spotted a $49 Style Selections shoe stand at Lowe’s, I had a moment. I didn’t need the whole stand—I just wanted those metal rods.

What You’ll Need:

• (2) 1x2 boards at 8 ft

• (1) 1x2 board at 6 ft

• 30" drawer slides (I used one pair per rack)

• Tape measure

• Miter saw or jigsaw (I used my miter, but use whatever works)

• Pencil

• Style Selections shoe stand (around $49 at Lowe’s)

• Forstner bits: ½” and ¼”

• Drill

• Screws (I actually reused the ones that came with the shoe stand)

How I Built It:

Step 1: Cut Your Wood I made my rack 48” tall because I wanted two drying racks total. I used one of the 8' 1x2s to cut two vertical pieces. Then I took the 6' board and cut it in half to make the top and bottom horizontal pieces for the frame.

Step 2: Mark the Center & Rod Spacing The 1x2s are actually 1½” wide, so I measured ¾” in and drew a straight line down the middle of both vertical pieces. Then I used my tape measure to mark rod placements every 6 inches.

Step 3: Drill Your HolesUsing the ½” Forstner bit, I drilled shallow holes just deep enough for the screw to stop. Then I went back with the ¼” bit and drilled all the way through so the screw could anchor into the rod.

Step 4: Install the RodsI used the screws that came with the shoe stand to attach the metal rods directly into the side supports. They fit snug and held strong.

Step 5: Attach the Drawer SlidesThis part is what gives it that custom, built-in feel. I mounted 30” drawer slides to the top of the cabinet cavity and to the top of the rack frame. This lets the whole rack pull in and out with ease, like a hidden drying station.

Why I Love This Project:

• It gave me a built-in look without the built-in price

• The install was quick once everything was prepped

• I was able to customize the height and spacing to fit my needs

• It works better than I expected—and looks clean too

Ready to Try It?

I’ve linked the tools, bits, drawer slides, and the exact shoe stand I used on my LTK and below in this post. Whether you need extra drying space or just want something that tucks away neatly, this rack is a solid weekend project.

Let me know if you give it a try—I’d love to see how you make it your own!