How Do You Store Shoes? - YouLookFab Forum

Category

Inspiration

Welcome! Read about what to wear and how to wear it on the YLF Blog. Join the YLF Forum to ask specific questions or just chat about fashion and personal style. Or check out the curated list of things we love in YLF Finds.

Outfits Ensembles Trends Advice

How Do You Store Shoes?

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

I've searched the forum and the last time this was talked about was a while ago.

I'm partly curious, partly in need of inspiration for creative solution for the new space. The solution we're getting is quite generic and has no fancy add-ons I can buy to maximise the use of space, it's just shelves or racks that I need to work with to get the result I want. So, any input from you is much appreciated.

Some questions, if you're in the mood for deeper analysis:

What is the best aspect of your solution?
What is its worst aspect?
Did you make any tweaks with your current system in the way you store shoes than what you used to begin with?

Share away. And thanks in advance for the ideas

36 replies

Latest reply was from jackiec

Zibbets

Veteran

Mine are mostly in their original boxes, stacked in the closet.
My tall boots stand up most of the winter and go back in their boxes in the basement for the summer.
Flipflops and casual sandals are in a hanging organizer on the closet rod.

Best: They're together and protected from getting crushed, dust, etc.

Worst: I'm running out of space.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I use a shoe rack on the floor of the closet. It works because it fits all my shoes and I can see them all in one place. some sandals are stored end up like books in a narrow shoe box on the right, and tall boots on the left.

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Louise

Veteran

I have some of these http://www.lakeland.co.uk/22357/Ladies-Shoe-Boxes which sit in the bottom of my wardrobe x

retailgirl

Veteran

I keep my shoes in their original boxes on my closet shelf. ( with shoe trees). The pros are that they stay dust free and are easy to identify. I mark a description on the box with a sharpie...I know some people use photos of the shoes. The cons are that it does take up some room and once you take them out to wear, you have the (temporarily) empty box to deal with and then you have to put them back. I know, such problems!

Joy

Veteran

I use large flat under-the-bed heavy plastic boxes and store shoes in them on their sides. The whole thing slides under my side of the bed. I can easily see every pair of shoes when I pull it out. The bad thing is that the shoes are not in the closet. I do have a few dressy shoes in their boxes stacked at one end of the closet on a low shelf under my hanging clothes, but could find do good way to store all of them.
I used to keep all my shoes in the closet pre YLF when I had very few shoes. As the collection grew, I needed to find and easy way to see them and get to them. The underbed box thing works well for me.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

We had adjustable shelves installed on the back wall of our walk-in closet to hold my shoes. These pics were taken in the winter, so the tall boots have been switched out and shelves added to hold sandals instead, but I don't have to do much switching.

I love shelves! I can see everything at a glance. It's easy to put shoes away when I'm done with them.

I have some special-occasion-only shoes in boxes, and out-of-season boots or shoes go in boxes and are stored in the top of the closet. I can't think of any drawbacks to this setup -- just that it requires more space than many people have, and it's not cheap. But I bet there are low budget ways to get the same effect!

This post has 2 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

suenvk6

Member

I have several of those white melamine shelf units that are made for shoe storage (from home improvement warehouse). I put 2 next to each other then stack two more on top. Repeat on other side of closet. I can put flats and flip-flops on their sides and fit a lot of shoes on these. Tall boots go on top or in corners of the closet.

milehighstyle (Linda)

Veteran

This rack (last year's Mother's Day gift), plus two smaller ones, plus over the door racks, plus some on the floor of my closet. Off season boots and shoes stored in plastic bins in the basement. Yes, I know I have a problem. I like being able to see (mostly) all of my shoes and not take them out of boxes. Downside would be they sometimes need a quick dusting before wearing, but that's not a big deal for me.

This post has 1 photo. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Diana

Veteran

I have two shoe racks, one in the front hallway and one in the coat closet. The in-season shoes live on the big rack in the hallway, while the out of season shoes live on the smaller rack in the closet. Some multi-season shoes stay on the hallway rack all year as that one is bigger.

My dress shoes are kept in boxes in the bedroom closet as they don't get used very often. These are the only pairs I keep in boxes.

I like the rack system for me because I don't wear my shoes if I can't see them. I also can't be bothered to get out a box, unpack it, etc, every time I want to wear a pair of shoes. This way all of the in-season shoes are out and visible, plus they're right by the front door.

My hallway shoe rack is something like this, except instead of the pre-packaged fixed length shelves we had the guy at Home Depot cut a really long shelf into multiple pieces of exactly 42" (the width of the hallway) so we wouldn''t waste any space. I really like it.
http://www.rubbermaid.com/Cate.....d=Configur

rachylou

Veteran

My solution is not ideal because it's not the best way to protect your shoes. I have a lot of shoes and not a lot of space for storage - so I store them in baskets. Nicest shoes have shoebags.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I switch out my shoes just like my clothing. Two main seasons with minor smaller adjustments.

In the closet I have a small rack from Ikea (holds about 9 or ten pair, including in the underneath space -- I installed it a bit up off the floor). Next to it, I add any extra shoes per season. Since I actually have about 10-15 pairs per season, this is pretty easy to do.

The ones that are for the off season go in my off-season closet. I actually have a small dresser in there with drawers, and the off season shoes go in the bottom few drawers.

True winter gear boots, etc. go in basement.

K. Period.

Veteran

Ohhh shoes. I have a lot of shoes. I live in an old house. Normally a recipe for disaster. Luckily for me, some brilliant earlier owner of my home helped partially solve my shoe storage issues with their own solution. My small closet has a built in shoe rack along the bottom. It is just tall enough that I can store pairs of flat shoes underneath and still see them clearly. However, since I'm a shoe hoarder, that wasn't enough. So I converted an adjoining space in the eves into a closet extension and ran a long shoe rack along it. That one is probably 10 feet long. I modeled if off of the one in the adjoining small closet. But, hoarder. So, I also bought this cheapie shoe rack, which is actually three pieces. Rather than install it as one piece, over the door, I just put screws through it and screwed it to the wall. So now I have even more storage. Honestly, though, this summer I plan to confront my shoe issues and start culling. Oh...and I also store off season shoes.

What I like about it? I like the accessibility of my shoes versus keeping them in shoe boxes.

What I don't like? My solution has allowed me to continue to indulge in my shoe hoarding behaviors, rather than culling.

Tweaks? Some of my shoes (wedges & flats) tend to slide off the racks. My tweak was to put traction tape from Ikea along the rack rails. Now they stay put quite well.

Jjsloane

Veteran

I put less used ones in clear boxes (from the Container Store).
http://www.containerstore.com/.....#038;N=154
I have shelf racks on both sides of closet (one for work shoes and one for casual) I pack away off season shoes in a large clear bin or their individual clear bins in my off season closet.

My weakness? Having too many shoes!!

jennifer

Veteran

What seems to work the best for me is to put most of my shoes and sandals in long under the bed tubs ( I keep them under a wide shelved bookshelf ) and a few ( mostly boots) in their boxes.

Gaylene

Veteran

I like an organized closet so I can vacuum it regularly to discourage wildlife, and I like to use shoe trees in my shoes to preserve their shape. My solution to both of these requirements was to buy a bunch of storage boxes from Ikea that I could stack on the shelves, or floor, of my closet. The boxes are all the same size so they look good stacked one on top of another, they have a window which lets me see what is inside, they keep my shoes clean and protected, and they are easy to move when I'm cleaning. My better shoes get a box to themselves, but casual sandals and sneakers are stored 2-3 in a box depending on their shape. If I purge my shoes, any extra boxes can be unzipped and stored flat until they are needed.

My tall boots fit into a long, flat Rubbermaid container when they are not in use. One of the best tips I read somewhere was to use pool noodles to keep the shaft from crumpling. I cut the noodle so it is twice the size of the shaft, bend it into a U shape and push the ends into the boot so the U is just above the top of the boot. Works like a charm and is cheap as chips. Any extra lengths get used for hanging jackets--cut the noodle the length of a hanger, slice it longways, and cut a slit in the top to pull over the hanging part of the hanger.

This post has 2 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Windchime

Veteran

We don't have very large closets in our house, so the first thing I do is keep only the shoes for the current season in the bedroom closet. So far, it's working for me to keep a couple pairs of dressier shoes in their boxes on the closet shelf; keep most of my shoes in one of those canvas shoe storage thingies with pockets for each pair, which hangs from the rod across the closet, and keep a few pairs which don't fit in those pockets--such as ankle boots--on the closet floor. If and when my shoe collection grows, I'm going to have to rethink my storage. (Not that reading YLF would ever result in buying more shoes!)

Gigi

Veteran

I use a storage rack very similar to Mo's. I got mine at Bed Bath and Beyond, and it wasn't too pricey (under $50?). What I like about it is that I can see everything at once. Like Diana, I'm not likely to wear a shoe unless I can see it. I also like that my rack is adjustable (you can pull the two end pieces out further, to lengthen the rods), so I can accommodate more shoes if I like.

What I don't like about the rack is that some shoes, like flats or wedges, don't stay on the rack very well (the shoes really need to have some kind of heel to hook onto the rod). I used to put my boots on top, like Mo, but my closet is so small that I have to hang clothes above the rack, and the clothes would bump into the boots and make them fall off. So I moved the boots to be behind the shelf, where I can still get to them easily. I don't have too many pairs of boots, so I am able to remember I have them and search them out when needed.

Susie

Veteran

For the current season, I use stacked shoe racks plus 2 shelves. Out of season shoes and boots plus dressy, occasion shoes are stored in boxes from Container Store on the top shelf of my closet. I switch them around in the fall and spring. I have a few pairs of boots that could be put away; I need some more boxes.

I need to have my shoes out and visible. I often try on a couple pairs with an outfit to choose which I want to wear. This system works well for me.

I did give the bottom row of the rack to hubby because I was tired of his shoes taking more floor space!

This post has 4 photos. Photos uploaded by this member are only visible to other logged in members.

If you aren't a member, but would like to participate, please consider signing up. It only takes a minute and we'd love to have you.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Ladies with shoe racks, how I envy you! I have an Ikea wall closet and the bottom of all the hanging parts are for shoes, with shelves. I also use some Ikea shoe boxes to double layer. I like to see my shoes as best as possible.

ManidipaM

Veteran

I use the boxes in cabinet method except very strappy little flats just get shoved atop a box to fit it all in as the rack holds 3 to 4 pairs per shelf and has 4 shelves. so max 16 pairs and half the real estate goes to SO. Hence the piggybacking. I do love shoes sadly for my space and budget.

The other place has a small shoe cubby under a clothes airing rack. holds about 8 pairs. rest sit in boxes on top of the shelf. we want to.put in the Ikea shoe tree slideout racks in the bedroom closet.

fuzzylogic

Veteran

Until recently I kept all of my shoes stuffed and stacked in their original boxes to keep them in the best possible condition. But I found that I wasn't using a wide selection and accessing them was difficult.

Now I have my shoes on shelves, much like Janet's! (Still stuff the toes to keep the shape.)

I love being able to view the selection, the way the shoes are a feature in themselves, and the ease of the system (off the shelf, back on the shelf). But, they are liable to become dusty and are at risk of damage from sunlight. I prefer this system because my shoes are used and enjoyed completely!

Deborah

Veteran

I have a double layer of shoe racks similar to Mo all around the bottom of my walk in robe. My clothes hang high enough that my footwear is all visible. My walk in robe is a U shape so my shoe storage runs along the u of the floor. I also store my shoes by colour rather than by season. So all my white and light footwear is together and so on. It works well for me and is easy to maintain and keep tidy. If I get a chance tonight I will take a quick pick for you. I think the shoe racks were from Ikea.

Neel

Veteran

Earlier I shoved them in my closet in the bottom shelf. Then it was getting too much and most of the time I even forgot what shoes I had! Finally the last week I got a chest of drawers and now it is so much more easier! It looks tidier. But I do not own tall boots (our winters are pretty warm). It might be harder to store them in a chest of drawers!

Ornella

(website)

Veteran

One thing I'm getting, maybe because that's my main concern, is that not seeing shoes means they can be forgotten.

I like the idea of door racks.

Gaylene :: what a clever idea about using pool noodles. I use boot shapers and have enough for the boots I currently have, but this would be my way to go otherwise. Wise use for the hangers too. I also like the idea of using the Ikea boxes that can be flattened until they are needed again. I think I know which boxes you talk about but I must pay more attention next time I go. My next research trip to Ikea can’t come soon enough

Lyn D.

Veteran

I have Janet and Susie closet envy!
Current season are at the bottom of my wardrobe on racks.
Off season are in a spare closet in a 10 pocket hanger, and on the floor.
Walking shoes are on a rack at the front door.

dustt

Veteran

ok confession time - I try to keep them in the racks - but they end up in big piles all over the floor of the closet......

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I also use cut up pool noodles in my tall boots -- it works great! I didn't like rolled-up magazines or even empty bottles because they made the tops too heavy and the boots leaned and fell over.

I had shoe racks in the bottom of our closet for years, and I was so glad to get rid of them. I don't love the kind that require you to position the heel of the shoe behind a bar or slat because not all shoes have heels that cooperate. Plus, a higher heeled shoe with a higher ankle strap or something like that can be tricky to fit in the rack unless it's on the top shelf. And in my experience, any little thing that makes it harder to put shoes away means that they are more likely to end up in heaps on the floor. To dustt's point.

So I am a big fan of the simplicity of shelves.

Elizabeth P

Veteran

I'm so glad to hear that I'm not the only one that keeps them in original boxes! Seriously, people look at me like I have two heads when I tell them. I never used to, and my shoes would end up crushed, seperated etc. I didn't have racks, nor the space for racks. What I like about boxes is that you can pile them quite high, so they are space efficient, and work in any closet shape. I put my off season boxes in a closet in the office, and have shelves in my current closet that I can stack the current season on.

And I have a LOT of shoes. I think I'd find a more visible solution if I didn't have so many.

some beautiful closets here ladies!

sparks

I have shoe racks in the walk in wardrobe for flats, converse, etc. and shelving for not-so-fancy heels and wedges. Very nice heels are kept in their boxes on a shelf in the wardrobe.

12