Entryway Renovation Vol.4: Shoe Storage Removal

Hi, it’s DIY Dad! Continuing the 1F entryway renovation series.

Next up: removing the upper section of the shoe cabinet. Tools needed: impact driver.

Since I planned to reuse it, I worked carefully to avoid any damage.

Once I pulled the screws, the shoe cabinet dropped u2014 that was a heart-in-mouth moment. After getting it down safely, I moved it to the living room and repurposed it as a tool stand. The worksite was getting pretty chaotic at that point, and having a surface to organize tools on made a real difference.

A tidy worksite really does improve your efficiency. That’s all for today!

u270fufe0f Originally published: November 3, 2016 (old Seesaa blog) / ud83dudd04 Updated: May 7, 2026

2026 Update u2014 Looking Back on the Entryway Renovation

About ten years have passed since this work. Looking back, removing the shoe cabinet was one of the most clear-cut, doubt-free tasks in the entire renovation.

Why I Removed the Shoe Cabinet

The shoe cabinet the previous tenant had used for years looked old and scratched up. Structurally it was fine, so my first thought was “maybe I can get away with just cleaning it.” But when I actually looked inside, the mold and dust were something else. I decided a clean reset was the right call u2014 tenants would appreciate it far more.

A Job That Only Needs an Impact Driver

Just the impact driver. Remove the screws, take off the panels, patch the remaining screw holes with compound, and done. Any leftover nails or screws in the wall get pulled with a pry bar, though in this case the wall was in relatively clean shape.

The Landlord’s Perspective on Entryway Renovation

After 15-plus years managing rental properties, I can say the entryway is the first impression u2014 full stop. If it looks old and grubby during a property viewing, that alone can make a prospective tenant hesitate to apply.

Flip that around: an entryway that’s been properly reset gives the viewer an instant sense of “this property is looked after.” My key checklist for entryway renovations:

• Shoe storage: new or visibly clean unit
• Floor (entry slab): gray-toned tile or cushioned flooring that hides dirt
• Lighting: bright enough, motion-sensor preferred u2014 tenants love it
• Door lock: always replace u2014 for security and tenant peace of mind

See the previous post in this series (“Entryway Vol.3: Lock Replacement”) for details on the lock swap.

The “Reuse It Carefully” Judgment Call

I removed the upper section carefully with the intention of reusing it u2014 but once I cleaned it up, the condition was worse than expected and it ended up in the bin. That happens a lot.

Landlord DIY rule of thumb: roughly 70u201380% of things you think you can reuse turn out to be in bad enough shape to discard once you actually get them off the wall. Items near wet areas are especially suspect u2014 corrosion and mold tend to have spread further than you can see. Mentally planning for disposal from the start is easier on the mind.

ud83dudd27 Tools & Materials I Used

The impact driver and laser level were both MVPs for this job. The laser level in particular had me wondering why I hadn’t bought one sooner.

• VOICE Green Laser Level u2014 #1 in 4 Rakuten rankings u00bb
• Find DIY materials at Supakuri Shop u00bb

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