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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To criticise DHs homemade shoe rack?

64 replies

Shoedisaster · 10/03/2017 19:59

I feel awful, he's just huffed off.
He's just made this shoe storage thing for our v small hallway. I wasn't keen on the colour or style really but didn't want to criticise him when he was actually doing something helpful for once. My only criteria was it must not be too big.

Now he's finished and put it in...and it's too big.
It's very helpful to have but leaves very little space coming up and and down the stairs imo. Or am I nit picking?

OP posts:
littlefrog3 · 10/03/2017 20:14

Oh it's really cute. Grin

But yeah, it doesn't work where it is. Is there nowhere else it could go?

YAB a bit U

Original poster
Shoedisaster · 10/03/2017 20:14

crumbs I wanted to buy one but he was being really fussy about finding one that fits perfectly so he made it himself.
I've actually praised him a lot as it's nice to see him working hard. He's just fucked up a bit on the measurements.

OP posts:
Lilypurple · 10/03/2017 20:17

Can u turn it on its side and put shelves in? Then place it othe wall in corner sort of thing. Oh and paint it same colour as wall.

EnormousTiger · 10/03/2017 20:17

I think it's lovely - clever him. We got our first shoe rack 2 years ago and I assembled it but thankfully it fits in the cupboard I keep the hoover in and it's bigger than yours.

wobblywonderwoman · 10/03/2017 20:18

I think it is a nice piece of work buy it restricts a lot of space

Can you use it elsewhere ?

Buy the ikea storage for shoes that is super slim?

GrumpyOldBag · 10/03/2017 20:19

You need to give it 2 weeks to get used to it.

if it's still an issue, move it or get him to cut it down a bit.

Screwinthetuna · 10/03/2017 20:21

Is there nowhere else for it to go? I agree, it's too big to go there.

semideponent · 10/03/2017 20:23

Would it work better if you rotated it 90 degrees so it sits against the wall on the left of the staircase? It looks like he is more than able to adapt what he's made so that it fits flush to the first stair. You'd lose space for a pair of shoes, but it might not be so awkward to get round.

Liara · 10/03/2017 20:25

He needs to put the shelves in slanted so that he can make the whole thing a bit narrower but still have the shelves be the right size for adult shoes.

It's a pretty nice looking cabinet, and I don't think it needs to be junked, just adjusted.

Fwiw I often make bits of furniture and adjusting the size is one of the most common redos that I have to do. It's really difficult to get a sense of exactly how much space something is going to take when you are planning it on paper.

lljkk · 10/03/2017 20:26

It looks great, just needs a different location. Could his shoes even fit on a rack that had less depth? Most men have big shoes (I'm thinking).

Doyouthinktheysaurus · 10/03/2017 20:27

It's much more impressive than my cheap and nasty Argos one but it doesn't fit.

It looks like it'd fit in my hallway op, wanna swapWink

Lowdoorinthewal1 · 10/03/2017 20:28

I think you will get used to it. Agree with PP, live with it for 2 weeks and see if it is still bothering you.

After that, if it is, tell him you love it so much you want it in the bedroom and could he make you another smaller one for the hall.

Original poster
Shoedisaster · 10/03/2017 20:28

I've sat him down and told him how much I appreciate all the effort he's put in to it. Had a little chat and he said he's going to try and adjust it tomorrow.
If not there is a corner it will kind of go in but it's in the dining room so not ideal.

Thanks everyone.

OP posts:
LapdanceShoeshine · 10/03/2017 20:30

what's underneath your stairs? could it go in there?

SparklyUnicornPoo · 10/03/2017 20:30

I really like it. it is a bit big for your hallway though.

Lazyafternoon · 10/03/2017 20:30

Oh I think it's really nice. What's it like with a pair of his shoes on? It looks quite big with kids shoes, but any smaller and would it be too small for man shoes?

I can see that it's going to be kicked a lot and perhaps some bruised knees, but it does fit nicely and look lovely. Give it a couple of weeks and see if you get used to it x

diddl · 10/03/2017 20:32

Bless him??

Good grief!

I really like it, but with just a little more thought/planning, he could have made it perfectly in the first place.

He's an adult FFS!

Crumbs1 · 10/03/2017 20:36

Ok in which case just await stubbed toes and scuffed shins with a smug look.

microferret · 10/03/2017 20:37

oh bless him. I do feel for you OP but I don't think it's worth it to complain. he's obviously made a big effort and it does look quite nice, even if it is a bit big.

I'd give him a hug and see if you can patch up his ego - compromise is sometimes a bit more important than anything else.

DJBaggySmalls · 10/03/2017 20:38

Its nicely made, but too big and a hazard for anyone falling down the stairs. A shoe bag hung on the wall would take up less space.

ItShouldHaveBeenJingleJess · 10/03/2017 20:39

I'd post a picture of my 'shoe rack' to compare but I'm too ashamed. It's basically a bin. One neighbour who popped in said "Oh, well done, you're having a clear out". Er, no, that's my storage system...

Semaphorically · 10/03/2017 20:40

I think it looks quite nice. My DH could never make something like that! From your title I was expecting tape and cardboard or similar.

Can he make the shelves at an angle so it's narrower?

AnnieAnoniMouse · 10/03/2017 20:41

How close do you like to IKEA? They make shoe racks for human adults, not Bigfoot.

Honestly, I'm still laughing.

...and yes 'Bless him' he tried. Being 'an adult' doesn't actually make us all SKILLED at DIY tasks.

LazyAfternoon on which planet does it fit nicely 😂

notangelinajolie · 10/03/2017 20:41

Aw bless! Be nice to him, he's done his best.

ClaryIsTheBest · 10/03/2017 20:41

Oh, the poor dear!!

I don't know. DH is always so proud when he does stuff like that (he's a historian, so he usually doesn't get to work with his hands).

So, I don't know if I could have criticised him! But yes, whilst I thought it would look wayyy worse. It does take away space. Not sure what to say. Could you use it for something else?