Shoe Organizing Tips

Shoe organizing is a common concern for my residential organizing clients. Shoes usually end up in all areas of a home. Creating a designated home for all footwear is important to keep a space organized. When organizing shoes, consider who is wearing the shoe, what activities they are using the shoes for, and when and where will they will be putting on and taking off the shoes.

Here are some other footwear organizing tips to consider:

• Store everyday shoes near your most frequently used entry and exit door.
• Keep dress and seasonal shoes stored in a bedroom or coat closet.
• Shoes used for sports and exercise can be stored near where they will be used, such as by the treadmill, in the garage, or on a covered deck or porch. Since these types of shoes may pick up dirt, you may want to store them outside the main living area.
• Over the door shoe organizers are great space saving options.
• Shoe racks or shelves work well for many types of shoes, but consider the height of these when high heel and boot storage is needed.
• A simple shoe or boot tray can help to keep floors and rugs clean and contain the shoes.
• Keeping the shoe box is usually not the best option, unless you plan to sell or consign later. Shoe boxes come in different sizes, and are often hard to stack. If you prefer boxes, try stackable clear shoe boxes, so you can see what is inside.
• If you prefer to use solid color boxes, take a photo of each shoe and place it on the outside of the box.
• Some closets have built in shoe cabinets, shoe shelves, or pull out drawers. Decide what works best for you in your available space.
• It is a good habit to sort through all shoes every 6 months and discard, donate, or sell those you no longer wear.