I threw away my shoe boxes! - YouLookFab Forum

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I threw away my shoe boxes!

Adelfa

Veteran

Do you keep shoe boxes?

For some time I have kept all of my original shoe boxes. I would display in season shoes and store the out of season shoes in their boxes. This helped me know what I had when it came time to switch things out. When I moved into my apartment, my shoe boxes took up every inch of room between the upper shelf and the ceiling. I realized soon that the look of this was making me very unhappy. I especially hated using prime storage space for empty shoe boxes, since only about 5 boxes had shoes in them (sandals).

At first I thought I had no choice--there was certainly no other place in the apartment for the boxes. But the unhappiness didn't go away, so I called in DD2, an organizing guru here from NC for the holidays, for a consult.

She said:

1. She believes in having all items of clothing out all the time.
2. In Los Angeles, there's going to be less of a need for switching things out seasonally.

I realized that I've already gone to #1 for my clothes, simply because there's no place to put my summer dresses or tees, other than my closet or bureau. And that she's probably right about #2.

So I threw away all the boxes that belonged to the shoes I had out. I kept the boot boxes--not ready to ditch those. I also kept the boxes that had sandals in them (baby steps). If I decide I need to put shoes away, I will get those plastic boxes, which perhaps will line up nicely and make me happier!

Does anybody have a plastic box system?

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27 replies

Latest reply was from Adelfa

Suz

(website)

Veteran

If I lived in a temperate climate with little seasonal variation, I'd for sure keep everything in one closet, although I might reorganize it according to season.

Even though I live in a four season (or six season) climate, I don't keep my shoe boxes. I do store out of season footwear in another closet but I keep all my seasonal shoes on view in my main closet. Except for gear boots which I keep in the basement.

I know that Mo has a plastic box system for some things. I have used it also to store things in our linen closet -- not linens but bathroom supplies -- one box for skin creams, sunscreens, bug ope, extras of makeup, etc.; one box for over the counter medications; one box for bandaids and similar. And so on. It's helped us stay organized.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

How timely. After our closet redo, I have a stack of about a dozen shoeboxes in the recycling pile! I still have my boot boxes stored in our little mini attic -- I'm keeping them until I see how much of a season switch I have to do with our new closet in the spring.

I would love to have everything in one place year-round, but I have too much, our seasons are much more pronounced than yours, and I really don't like having to root through wool jackets in the heat of summer, or look at flimsy sundresses in the cold of winter.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I do keep my shoeboxes, mostly because I use them to store other things! Not shoes though!

It would be nice to have one season and everything visible. *jealous*

Karie

(website)

Veteran

I keep my shoes stored in their boxes on multiple shoe racks Sometimes I write what's in the box on the outside of the box. My shoe racks are metal/wire so this protects my heels better and keeps the dust off the shoes.

Tina

Veteran

I use a Rubbermaid container system for my dress shoes and summer sandals (when I have them, I don't own any right now). I just arrange the boxes according to season. The summer shoes are at the bottom right now:-/

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deb

Veteran

I keep my boot boxes only, for other things. Otherwise, I ditch the shoe boxes and all footwear is on shelves for me to view.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I keep one slim box to prop my flip flops up in, heels down, toe up, like books in a row. I also keep my MoHop sandals box, as it keeps the ties and rings together neatly in one place. The rest go on a shoe rack under my hanging clothes. I subscribe to the having all seasons out at once so I can see what I have.

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Susie

Veteran

I keep all in season shoes on a rack and shelves. I have plastic boxes to store the out of season shoes.

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Janet

(website)

Veteran

I like the plastic boxes for out of season shoes. I might have to make that switch eventually. I guess they have larger ones for fitting tall boots in as well?

rae

(website)

Veteran

I only keep the boxes for delicate shoes, and I use the filled boxes to stuff my tote bags to help keep their shape. I think your DD is absolutely right about not needing to switch out in CA. My coworker was wearing sandals just yesterday!

Diana

Veteran

I keep boxes only for my dress shoes, the ones I wear once or twice a year. Actually I have even doubled up on a couple of pairs (two pairs in one box) to save room. Everything else is out. The in season shoes (right now, boots, and some of my closed toe shoes) are on the shoe racks in my front hall, and the out of season ones are stored on a shoe rack inside the coat closet. I live in a small apartment, there is no room for extraneous boxes.

AJ

Veteran

I do keep the boot boxes but the others are in clear shoe boxes.

Jjsloane

Veteran

I do what Susie does mostly. They look like the container store ones I love. I have ones I wear less often up top in closet (helps to see them) and out of season unprecious ones get put in a large clear bin and stored away in my spare closet. I also have the clear boot boxes and store them under the bed when there isn't room in the closet. I donate tons of shoe boxes to our daycare for art projects. They think I'm rather crazy for shoes (but the kids grow out of theirs in 6 months so a whole new round shows up)

Susie

Veteran

I do have the ones from container store. They actually have 3 sizes- regular shoe box, boot box, and one meant for men's shoes that works well for booties or two pairs of sandals.

Susie

Veteran

I just realized those are old photos- I've since purged some of those shoes and boots!

rachylou

Veteran

I don't do shoeboxes, not even the plastic kind you get yourself. Because of the space they take and the fact that my nature is such, I really like to be able to see everything and just reach out and grab when I want. Not for everyone because, although still organised, it's visually cluttered.

As a matter of fact, I don't even do CD or DVD cases. I throw them all out immediately. Frees a tremendous amount of space, have to say.

April

Veteran

I like my shoes where I can get to them with no intermediate steps, so I have vetoed any storage system with a lid that has to be removed. I admire those of you who are disciplined enough to use the clear plastic boxes -- it's a tidy look that I would adopt if I could be counted on to put the shoes back neatly and replace the lid each time.

I have a friend whose eight-year-old DD is extremely fond of all sorts of boxes, so I avoid my hoarder tendencies by passing along my shoeboxes to her.

Susie

Veteran

April, I am the same way; that's why I like mine out. I use an open fabric box for flip flops and sometimes those just get tossed in instead of neatly lined up! I use the plastic boxes just for out of season and special occasion shoes.

DonnaF

Veteran

I use those over door racks for shoes. Each one holds 18 pairs, and I use two doors. I have room to add more shoes/booties, but not all of what I have is in active rotation. I tend not to use other shoe storage systems because inevitably my shoes fall out/down, I can't reach them, they take more than one step (like opening a box!), etc. (I don't wear tall boots so don't have to worry about that aspect of storage!) As for old shoe boxes? I think DH uses them to store old bills, financial statements, etc.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

Oh, this is a big step! Congratulations. I only keep boxes if I think I might purge the shoes or sell them on eBay. I know, it's kind of weird. I need to re-think that.

And I agree that in LA, you can keep your clothes out year-round. With winter temps in the 70s, why not? Up here in the foothills, I have 2 plastic totes where my summer things go. It's taken me years to adjust out of Southern California mode but I think I finally get the varied seasons up here.

Amy in NC

When I was younger and more "team quantity" than "team quality", I bought almost all my shoes from bargain places, so there were no boxes to begin with! As a nurse, I shopped for comfort, so my dressy shoes (hardly ever wear them) are in plastic boxes and my every day shoes (Danskos! Don't shun me!) are out on low shelves. Now that I'm (fingers crossed) moving into hospital administration, I'll be investing in more feminine shoes again, so I may have to review my storage methods.

Greyscale

Veteran

Congrats on getting rid of them!

I have almost all of mine, mostly saved for moving (which I've done a lot recently). They fill a giant moving box in the basement. I thought about getting rid of them after this most recent move, but sometimes I sell old shoes and it's nice to have the boxes still.

Joy

Veteran

I toss shoe boxes and use Rubbermaid long shallow boxes that slide under the bed. I use 5, each with a different type of shoe...one for lace up sneakers, oxfords, loafers; one for ballet flats, one for booties and short boots, one for sandals and the one for boots. I usually do not use the lids, so put them beneath the box. I can get many pairs of shoes in each box on their side , toes overlapping in the middle, and can see all at a glance. It's easy to keep them neat but near at hand. My closet is very small and not a walk-in so this is my solution. I'll try to add a photo later. I do keep dressy heels in boxes in the bottom of the closet or in a separate closet with my dressy capsule. I hope to cull my ballet flats enough to add the low heels that get worn most often to that box.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

I was just thinking about this the other day. I keep all my shoes in shoe boxes, and have been for years. I find if I don't, they get piled on, dusty, crushed, etc. I've never had a closet with proper shoe storage for the volume of shoes I have, so they used to end up in quite a mess. This way, it's easy to swap out the off season shoes, I can stack them several shoes high, I know what they are because most boxes have the picture of the shoe on the outside, plus I know what kind most of them are. I fear plastic boxes would be more confusing (although prettier) because I'd have to look at everything to find what I'm looking for.

Funny how ones person organization is another persons chaos.

Beth Ann

Veteran

No shoe boxes here! I keep all but by casual sandals out on racks. The sandals get unceremoniously tossed into a basket during the season.

Glad your closet is a happy place in your new apartment. New life. New organization!

Shirley

I put away out of season shoes in plastic shoes storage totes. Six pairs can fit in space smaller than two boxes. (Tried to find links but can't, not popular anymore?) I keep boots in plastic under bed storage boxes. I throw away shoes when I start wearing the shoes. Places like Nordstrom rack sometimes won't give you the boxes because they know just get thrown away. They can recycle better.

Adelfa

Veteran

Oh, this is fun! I posted and ran--didn't mean to, but I've been running all day with literally not a minute sitting down with the computer till now. It's so interesting to hear all of your systems! Shirley, I'd be fascinated to know what your storage totes look like.

As for those of you with tiny spaces and severe climates: Respect!