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If you know the struggle of having a massive pile of mismatched shoes at the bottom of your closet, beside your front door, or anywhere else in your home, then it's probably time to invest in a shoe storage system. Especially if you're working with a small space and/or trying to wrangle the shoes of multiple family members, proper organization has never been more important! To get the top tips on the best solutions for any and every closet out there, we talked to Kenzie Harkey of Simply Dare home organization and Ashley Byrom, a realtor and professional organizer.
First things first when it comes to shoe storage solutions, you need to evaluate what you're working with and what your needs are. "You want to really understand your inventory so you are customizing the solution to fit your needs," Kenzie says. "It's so easy to overlook this and it's really important to know shoe count before sourcing a storage solution." This means taking inventory of all your shoes and dividing them into categories, like heels, flats, boots, etc. Ashley also recommends taking this time to edit down your shoe collection. "We completely empty the closet—clean, dust, and wipe the walls down—and then I have client touch and look at every piece of clothing and shoes and decide what to donate/edit." After taking inventory, you'll want to measure your closet space so you know exactly how much room you're working with. From there, you should be ready to go.
But we all know that half the battle is continuing to keep your closet clean after organizing. Part of this comes down to what storage solution you choose, which is why it's important to take the process one step at a time and invest in a high-quality system if need be. "I love closets because keeping them organized is so easy once you have a system," Ashley says. The other part, according to both Kenzie and Ashley, is a donation bin. "Keep a donation bin or bag in your closet so you can immediately toss clothes you don't prefer to wear anymore in there," Kenzie says. Ashley also recommends a once-a-year clean out when you can re-evaluate all your clothing and shoes and decide which ones you want to keep or donate.
"The best thing to do in a small closet is taking advantage of the back of the door and using a shoe rack there," Kenzie says. This over-the-door organizer holds 36 pairs of shoes and is a better option than the pocket-style over-the-door storage solutions if you have a lot of heels.
Besides shoe shelves, a drop-front shoe box set like this is Kenzie's default option when it comes to storage solutions for her clients. They don't require the extra space a drawer-front stackable storage set can and can be arranged in tons of different ways to fit her client's needs.
"If someone has a lot of heels and they're lacking space, I love to use these tall shoe stackers to go vertical," Kenzie says. "It's ideal to have the heels accessible in the winter but maybe stored on a top shelf in the closet in bins for warmer months."
Ashley's recommendation for shoe storage, these clear stackable drawers fit most flats and shorter heels with ease. They come in a set of four, so homeowners shouldn't have to splurge too much to create a full case that suits their needs.
When her clients are on a tight budget, Ashley prefers this inexpensive option to store shoes. With two shelves, it allows her clients to store shoes on three different levels, and can fit boots and heels at the top.
Pro tip: If you're worried about your shoes slipping off, grab a shoe fence that goes along the front edge to help keep shoes in place.
They're not the most glamorous option, but it's hard to beat the storage efficiency of an over-the-door system. It's Ashley's go-to pick when her clients are dealing with extremely limited storage space.
If a client's closet space just isn't cutting it, then Ashley opts for under-bed storage containers like this to stow away off-season shoes. We love the clear top panel on this one so it's easy to see what's inside without unzipping.
If you're really trying to maximize the space under your bed, then you might want to consider getting a couple of these organizers. They fit shoes vertically rather than horizontally and should fit under most standard beds, but you may have to utilize risers.
No, these tension rods aren't for hanging your clothes. Put two of them nearly parallel to each other near the bottom of your closet with the back rod arranged about an inch higher than the front and you'll have a spot to lay your shoes that provides plenty of slippage security for heels.
"If you have any shoes/clothes that are 'special' like your wedding shoes, make a memory clothing box and store in the attic," Ashley suggests. We love this large bin because it's easily stackable and allows you to see exactly what's inside from any angle.
"I love baskets for all children’s shoes," Ashley says. "If you have a spot by your door, teach them to take shoes off when they come home and put in the basket. Then there are never missing shoes." She also recommends using baskets like this at the top of the closet for shoes that aren't used regularly, like flip-flops or garden shoes.
Perfect for families, especially those with little kids, this storage bench gives everyone a spot to put their most-worn shoes right by the door, plus a spot to sit and put them on before heading out.
If you have absolutely no room to spare in your closet, you may need to find an easily accessible storage solution in your bedroom, in which case you might not want to be able to see your shoes all the time. This cabinet is the perfect option because it looks sleek and only requires a simple lift of the hinged door to see what's inside.
We love a piece that plays double duty, like this shoe storage cabinet that has a mirrored front. The three mirror sections open via a hinge to reveal slots for 18 pairs of shoes. We love these mirrored storage cabinets in dorms, apartments, and mudrooms.
The serious shoe lover needs a serious storage solution, and this one fits the bill. It's nine tiers fit a whopping 50 pairs of shoes, including spots for tall and medium height boots.
If you want an extra-large shoe rack that's a bit more discreet, we recommend this 10-tier bamboo option. It has spots for medium-height boots and heels and even a drawer, though it does fit slightly fewer shoes, coming in at 43 pairs.
Need an all-in-one shoe storage solution that's just as diverse as your collection? Then you'll love this wall-mounted option that includes a hanging rack for tall boots, shelves for storage boxes, shoe racks for heels, and slide in storage for flats. It's pricey, but worth the investment for a piece you'll use for decades.
Great for kids' and teens' rooms, a cube organizer like this is ideal for flats and sneakers. It's so easy for even the littlest ones to put away their shoes when all they have to do is slide them in to the cubby. We also love this less-expensive fabric option.
There's no way around it: the most efficient way to use a small space is to create a storage solution that's moveable. This spinning rack makes the most of vertical space and can hold up to 24 pairs of shoes. It also comes in three-tier, boot tree, and floor-to-ceiling (great for walk-in closets!) options.
If you're low on vertical free space, then you might want to go with this 31-inch high revolving rack instead. You could put two beside each other to maximize use.
Hannah Jones is the Commerce Editor for Country Living. Her eye is always on the next up-and-coming products to include in gift guides and she's ready to test everything from dog beds to garden tools for product reviews. When she’s not scoping out the latest and greatest items on the market, you can find her hanging with her two rescue dogs.
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