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Women are said to have an average of 20 pairs of shoes. On average, men own 12 pairs of shoes.
This means that the average adult couple keeps a total of 32 pairs of shoes in their home. If there are kids, add 10 to 20 pairs more. That means more than 50 pairs of shoes in the house. That’s a mountain of shoes, to be sure.
It’s no surprise that shoe storage is a hot topic. Today I am going to help you take a closer look at the issue of efficient shoe organization and shoe storage so that you can find (and protect) your shoes without allowing them to clutter up and overwhelm your home.
Start by Categorizing Your Shoes
You must be strategic when it comes to shoe organization and shoe storage. Shoes, in general, can be divided into three categories (i.e. strategies for better organization). They are as follows:
Shoes you’re now wearing:
These are the shoes and boots you’ll be wearing in the coming month or even week. They should be placed in a convenient location near the exits of your home or at the front of your closet. Cabinets, benches, and trees are all good storage options.
Shoes that aren’t in season:
These are the shoes that, due to the weather, you won’t be wearing for the next few months. These are the types of shoes that can be safely stored under the bed or in boxes when not in use.
Special event shoes:
These are shoes that you wear only on certain occasions, such as very formal dress shoes or a sport shoe for a certain activity. These shoes should be kept in a location that is both easy to find (i.e. not hidden beneath your bed) and does not take up valuable entryway space. A footlocker, shoe rack, or shoe cabinet in your closet are all viable shoe organization solutions.
The you are dividing your shoes into these categories you should also declutter your collection. If you haven’t worn a pair of shoes in a year, they should be resold, donated or, if they are not in great shape, thrown out. The same is true of too small/too large/damaged shoes.
The Best Shoe Storage Options For Shoe Organization
Now let’s dive into the specifics of shoe organization options. There are many. Our list below includes product examples that can be purchased on Amazon, for which I may receive a small commission if you do.
Shoe Racks
Shoe racks come in all sizes, materials, capacity and styles. They’re usually not the prettiest given they’re geared toward storing many pairs vs. looking good. I tend to prefer the wood varieties. As for size, a lower rack is better for a foyer or mudroom, but a tall rack could be good in a bedroom or storage room.
Open
The open shoe rack is a very simple structure – a frame with shelves or bars. It’s not enclosed. These can look great and are fairly inexpensive. Racks are also helpful because you can store a lot of shoes in very little space. They’re one of the most efficient options you can choose for shoe organization.
Closed
A closed shoe rack is more like a shoe shelf. It offers cubbies or contained sections for each pair.
Revolving Shoe Rack
For the ultimate in shoe storage efficiency, check out this revolving shoe rack. These are great for bedrooms and showcasing shoes you have spent considerable money on and don’t want to keep shoved in a box or closet.
Shoe Cabinets
A shoe cabinet can store a good amount of shoes and look good. But they generally cost more than a rack. In addition to choosing by storage capacity, there are several types of shoe cabinets including open, closed or even wall mounted, and which you choose will depend on the amount of space you have to work with, your personal home decor aesthetic and, of course, your budget.
Benches – Ideal for Entryway Shoe Storage
The bench solution is ideal for mudrooms and main entryways. They serve as a seat and storage. I’m a HUGE fan of storage benches because they look good, I’m always game for having a seat in the entryway and they store lots of stuff. They’re what I call a triple threat in the world of storage.
The key to making use of these however is ensuring that you keep them organized. Once a week or so go through and make sure that only the shoes that need to be there are in place, and that the bench is not being stuffed with random clutter.
Hanging Shoe Organizers
Hanging shoe organizers are efficient because they are placed in locations that are otherwise wasted space and can store many pairs. They are great for use in closets, so that you can organize (and see) your shoes properly while leaving the closet floor free (to be seen, rather than for more clutter.)
Boxes for Shoe Storage
For shoes you don’t need currently, boxes are a viable and inexpensive way to store your shoes so they’re out of the way. You can stack boxes so it’s also efficient. Just be sure to label them otherwise you’ll never find them when you do need them.
A box is a box is a box… not really. You can opt for fabric, plastic or wood shoe boxes. Also, some store one pair while others multiple pairs. You can mix and match according to your needs.
Need help with shoe organization, closet organization or any other home organization, office organization or life organization project? We can help. No project is too large or too small, so why not get finally get organized by booking an appointment here.
Working with Taya and her team is easy. You can book an appointment easily on her website, or contact her directly at 832-271-7608
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