I grew up in pre 21st Century South Korea. In the old Korean homes the heat came from the undul (layers of rice paper and shellac) floors. The kitchen was lower than the rest of the house. The heat from the kitchen fire was pulled through vents built under the floor and expelled out the opposite side of the house. All this is to explain that shoes were not worn in the house. Even though we lived in a western style house, we had a separate entry way where we kept our shoes. I have never lost that practice in may home. This 6 CUBBY STORAGE BENCH fits perfectly across from the hall closet in our patio home. I can sit on the bench to put on or take off my shoes when I leave or enter our home!