A common problem people have is finding a place to store all their shoes. Seasonal shoes in particular can be a pain to keep track of. But, with a little creativity and some smart storage solutions, you can make sure your shoes are always organized and easy to find.
Whether it’s an extensive collection of Air Jordan’s or you’re saving your kids’ outgrown shoes to use as hand-me-downs, shoes can quickly cause clutter in your closet or basement.
Ideas for Organizing Shoes
A shoe rack is a great place to start and can be placed next to your front door to provide a place to put them when you walk in the door. Depending on how many shoes you need to fit on it, you can find cheap shoe racks at most home goods stores or online.
Another great shoe organizer option is to purchase some clear plastic bins. You can find these at most home goods stores or places like The Container Store. Simply sort your shoes into boxes by season and stack them in your closet or other storage area. This will keep them dust-free and easy to grab when you need them.
If you’re really short on space, you can try hanging a shoe organizer on the back or front of your door. These are great for storing smaller shoes, like sandals or flats. Plus, they’re out of the way so they won’t be taking up valuable space in your closet or bedroom.
For the creatives out there, if you want to start a DIY project, you can try making your own shoe rack out of recycled materials. Things like old metal ladders, PVC pipe, and old wood can combine to create a unique and stylish shoe rack.
If you are running out of room to store bins full of shoes, consider renting a self storage unit where you could store extra shoes along with seasonal clothing like winter coats or ski/snowboarding gear.
Shoe Collections
For the sneakerheads out there – you know that most shoes need to be kept in prime condition if you intend on selling them in the future. While storing them in their original box certainly helps, there are more things you can do to ensure they are in mint condition.
First off, it is a good idea to put the shoes in a Ziploc bag, along with a silica gel pack inside to ensure no moisture can reach the shoes which causes mold. In addition, you can use sneaker balls (found at sporting goods stores and online) to make sure they keep a nice smell, especially if they are pre-worn.
If you are storing your collection in their original boxes, make sure not to stack them on top of each other. The boxes count as part of them being in mint condition if you plan to sell them and stacking them can damage the delicate packaging.
Thin the Herd for More Shoe Storage
Try not to be too hasty when getting rid of old or worn-down shoes. Of course, if they are worn to the point of having holes or the glue is coming off, they should be tossed. Clear out the old shoes to make room for those that are still in good condition that can be donated or saved.
Saving shoes is especially useful for families that plan to use them as hand-me-downs. As parents know, kids grow out of shoes seemingly every month, you’ll get a lot more bang for your buck by saving them for hand-me-downs.
Storing Seasonal Shoes
If your shoe rack or shoe storage space is becoming overwhelmed, we can help at StorageMart and Manhattan Mini Storage. You can rent self storage on a monthly basis with no long-term contract. We guarantee every store is clean and well-lit, with friendly self storage experts to help at every turn. Check out our Self Storage Calculator and rent online today for our best rates.