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Closet help needed (w/ updated photo)

Emily K

(website)

Veteran

Hi all. Here's a photo of my closet. I share with my husband, so "my part" is half of a small to regular sized reach-in closet. I have all my clothes in there EXCEPT socks, underwear, gym clothes, belts/jewelry/scarves, and bulky, gear-ish coats. The closet rod is 42" and there is a top shelf where my purses live. On the bottom are clear plastic shoe boxes, each with a pair of shoes wrapped in a flannel receiving blanket. I like storing my shoes this way and I feel I am doing a good job of taking care of them. I have resisted the idea of taking the shoes out of the closet and putting them in the pouches of a behind-the-door hanger. I worry that they might be marked by the edge of the pouch or be dirtied by dust or cat hair. (I try to keep the house clean, but these are the realities of living with kid and pets :-/ I know the items will remain clean if they live in a box ). If I removed the shoes, I'd be able to add a second, lower closet rod (maybe just two feet long?). It would improve organization, I think. I do not have room at home to implement any other shoe storage solution other than an over the door-back rack. What think you? Would that be as hard on the shoes as I fear? Does this method of storage work well, or not so well?

Also--clothes for the 30X30 challenge have been grouped to the right of the empty scarf hanger-that may be why the org. looks a bit unplanned ;-).

I removed the shoes-they still need a better home--and added the half rod. I like it! I like how the clothes look, now.

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General

34 replies

Latest reply was from Laura G

Lyn D.

Veteran

I see that your shoes are taking up a lot of space in your closet!
There are hanging organisers around that hang on the rod with soft dividers.
Also a simple single or double racks on the floor could be used for shoe storage. Is there anywhere else you could store off season shoes?
A set of drawers might fit under your hanging clothes also.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Hmmm. That seems like a lot of space for shoes...

I have a rack with two "shelves" on the closet floor for in-season shoes. I put out of season shoes in a box under the guest bed. I clearly do not care for mine as assiduously as you do yours because yes, there are dust bunnies sometimes (often?) in my closet and they do get a bit squished in the off-season box (though I stuff them with paper if that is a worry). I tend to replace my footwear every 3 years or so (if not before) unless it is an almost never worn dressy shoe.

JAileen

Veteran

I like how you treat your shoes, like new born babies. My shoes are a big fat mess. I'll be checking back to see what suggestions are made. Already, I never thought of putting out of season shoes away. Hmmm.

Anonymous

GOOD for you for grouping your 30 x 30 together. I have not yet pulled them (plonked them) just yet because I am unsure how to go about it. Right now, my 30 are listed on a spreadsheet. If it does not appear on the spreadsheet, it does not exist in my mind.

WRT shoes. That is a hard one. I have very nice stacks (four high) that are located in my hall closet. I don't wear shoes in the house. In-season shoes are stacked neatly in the hall closet. Out-season shoes are put in plastic boxes (like yours) and stacked shelves high above my clothing rack.

Emily K

(website)

Veteran

I realize that I could save a lot of space just by getting the shoes out of the boxes. But, I think I have to get them out of the closet, too, or the additional space still won't be sufficient to implement the second (lower) closet rod.

Anonymous

I like the idea of boxes. Like you, I feel boxes protect my very expensive investments. Can you possibly store the boxes elsewhere? Out of season shoes stored on high shelves? Maybe I just have high ceilings? I can always tuck things one foot higher than others.

Carole

Veteran

Seems like you're sacrificing valuable space for shoes that could easily be stored over the door...I have the ones in current rotation in a canvas type holder that hangs over the rod...but if I didn't have room for this I wouldn't hesitate to use the one over the door. Special or out of season shoes are stored in boxes on a high note it of reach shelf or under my bed. I've never noticed any damage from storing shoes outside of boxes.

LaPed

Veteran

Is your underbed space spoken for? Could you slide some of the boxes under there? Even just reducing the number of shoes in the closet might help. One of those rod-mounted pocket hangers could be good for less-special shoes, shoes you wear frequently, or ones you know are on their way out...Or maybe there's a corner of your bedroom or a hallway that could fit a small shoe bench, and you could leave a few pairs out? It is good to let them breathe once in a while, after they've been worn.

Emily K

(website)

Veteran

La Pedestrienne--I have serious issues! Although there is nothing under our bed, this is largely because there is not room to squat down and peek under--seriously small space with a king bed crammed in! Also, I like being able to vacuum underneath (this is difficult, too, because of the space issues!) It would just be a dust trap under there if I had to navigate around underbed boxes and such. And every wall is already supporting its maximum amount of macro storage stuff.

When we moved into town from the suburbs, we settled for less than half the space and went from having a three car garage to only a carport--AND my husband is a spendthrift maximalist! It continues to be a challenge to fit into the smaller space. I keep trying to store, more elegantly, the stuff we have and then more stuff shows up!

I'm currently researching to see whether our Elfa storage wall system can be reconfigured to accept more shelves. I could combine and purge my underthings/workout wear/swim-stuff and maybe replace the space of one deep drawer with two pull-out shelves. It would be a start, anyway

The Cat

Veteran

A second, lower closet rod (at least for part of the closet) is a great idea, which I fully support. My own extra rod has proven to be extremely useful.

Your shoes are taking up far too much space. I would advice you to put most of them into one or two hanging organizers. I have two, they are hanging from a rod, and each of them has a width of only 15 cm and has rooms for 10 pairs of shoes (or other items - I also keep my umbrellas there). It is very easy to find and reach the shoes I want to wear. I don't have to bow down and start opening boxes or to go down on my knees searching for the right shoes. They are hanging right in front of me - a great advantage when I am in a hurry and/or already nicely dressed.

I suggest that shoes for other seasons and shoes you will use for special events only are stored away. Do you have access to an attic? Or have you thought about the space under your bed? Keeping these shoes in boxes can be practical.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Personally, shoes wrapped up and tucked in boxes would drive me insane in a matter of days. I like being able to see all my options as I get dressed. It's not unusual for me to try a couple (maybe even three) pairs of shoes with an outfit before leaving the house, and storing them on shelves means that I can quickly change and reshelve as necessary. Maybe you're more decisive than I am. But the boxes do seem bulky and inefficient. Hanging pouches never appealed to me -- they don't work well for taller shoes like booties. I like the idea of streamlining your shoe storage somehow and adding another rod. What about a simple system of shoe shelves that would sit under the hanging clothes? They have sets at Bed Bath & Beyond, Container Store, etc.

Emily K

(website)

Veteran

Ha, Janet! They've been like this for, probably, 10 years. I would prefer to keep them in their original boxes, which would conjure a better recollection of the contents, but the lack of uniformity of the boxes was a pain. I still read the label and see the shoes in my mind's eye, so it's almost as if I have all the shoes laid out in front of me.

Oh, yeah...LaPed...I do keep the boxes open for 12 hours to a full day after wearing so the shoes can air out. I was worried about that!

The Cat-- maybe I can utilize one of the closet-rod shoe hangers. I am worried that it would take to much of my precious full-height hanging space, though.

rachylou

Veteran

I would go for the over door rack, if that will work (so often I've found I can't close my closet doors because of the bulk of the hooks). Does no damage to the shoes and they're all easily accessible - maybe less likely to collect dust that way.

But it occurs to me that a low shelf and shoe bags might eat less space than boxes and also address breathability issues...

Also, if you could find a way to fit them - there are wall mounted shoe 'drawers'. Narrow profile. Ikea also has modular ones for much less $$$, and you could get as many as you like.

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Emily K

(website)

Veteran

The Container Store cabinet might work, Rachylou. It is very slim profile, which is nice. And I like the fact that it is enclosed. Even if I do not use it for my shoes, I am thinking about using it to improve my husband's shoe situation. Thanks for the reccy. The Container Store rocks!

Style Fan

Veteran

I like the cabinet that Rachy posted. My stepson has one of those. It has a very slim profile. Personally I like my shoes out in the open.

Ledonna N.

Veteran

A cabinet is a great idea. I have my boots and shoes stored in a hutch with shelving. I need to ser all of my things.

Sal

Veteran

I actually went from a two rail system to a one rail system late last year. I also had an additional side rail which I also removed. Mine was collapsing so I had no choice but I prefer my current solution as I can easily hang coats, dresses, long skirts etc. I also added a very small drawer set for a few things that were lying about (toilet bags/fascinator hat). My shoes are on wooden shelves inside the closet and on a low shelf at the bottom of the closet. I created more shoe room and effectively less hanging space.

I do remove out of season shoes (probably about 4 pairs each season) to my son's closet but most of my footwear stays out all year as our climate is quite temperate.

Do you need more hanging space or do you want a spruce up?

Anonymous

Elfa is expensive, but when it is done right, it is amazing!!!

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Question: do you forget about the shoes because they are in boxes? Do you stick to wearing one or two pairs a season because it's a hassle to take shoes out if the box - or remember what you have?

Anonymous

I keep my shoes in their original boxes, on a shelf above the rack for clothing that is 6 feet high. I stack them two high across the length of my closet. I do not forget shoes this way, although I realize many might.
To each their own, but I like how neatly they stay in the box, and I don't consider it much hassle to keep them this way. Otherwise, I would not have space for them in my closet.

Emily K

(website)

Veteran

Thank you, to all who have commented! I do like the cabinet--mostly because it is slim enough to fit behind the door in the space I've allocated (in my mind, anyway) to the hanging organizer. Our home is so small that there truly is no square-footage on floor or wall to put boxes or cabinets.

Angie--I do not forget about the shoes--maybe because I have a relatively small collection? There are only 20 pair plus flip-flops, running shoes, and winter boots etc. Like everyone, I guess I do have favorites that I rely on more than others, but I look forward to dressing with some of the lesser-used pairs and have no problem sorting out the appropriate box. The boxes are labeled and I find that running my eyes over the whole collection is enough to remind me of my options.

Sal--I have two motivations to make a change: Firstly, the stacks of shoes are crowding the items that require full-length hanging space. I want to be able to see these items accommodated generously instead of crunching-up on top of the shoe boxes. I have added a couple pair more shoes this year, so that is a new issue. And, secondly, I'm getting a little tired of jiggling out the boxes from the middle or bottom of the stacks. Again, a new problem, I think, due to having increased the shoe collection.

delurked--I think I have a strong motivation to sort/group/categorize items and when I've done this--especially using attractive, matching, or intentional storage boxes--I feel tidy and put-together.

Sterling--we built a freestanding wall organizer using Elfa and it looks good and works really well.

Emily K

(website)

Veteran

I want to share with you how my closet mini-makeover turned out. I'm liking it! The shoes still need help, though. I moved them out of the closet but not into the "right" place yet.

This is the "after":

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Suz

(website)

Veteran

WOWOW!! That deserves its own post, Emily. SOOOO much better!

Emily K

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, Suz! Poor shoes, though...still no good home. I've put them someplace but it is an aesthetic compromise and also a slight functional compromise.

rachylou

Veteran

Nice and tidy! Is the hanging space raised? I.e., I think I see drawers beneath...

Emily K

(website)

Veteran

The current home of the shoes. It can't stay this way for mostly aesthetic reasons. Three raffia trunks full of long term storage used to live on the top shelf. If the shoes stay here, I'll have to choose new boxes, I think. I'm just sitting with it for the time being.

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Emily K

(website)

Veteran

Rachylou--the drawers are packed full of quilts that overflow from the (tiny) linen closet. But, yes--the closet floor is mid-shin height. There is an enclosed shelf, above, that has hats and totes.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Is that inside a closet that you close, Emily?

Emily K

(website)

Veteran

Angie--No, the home-stagers took the doors off of the closet and replaced them with a curtain. We didn't like the curtain and have always meant to buy new doors. Hasn't happened yet, so it's still open-face. Why?

And the Elfa unit is on a bedroom wall.

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