It's Fashion's Night Out tonight, and my mind is on shoes. Though my pesky subconscious is mentally trying on a pair of Christian Louboutin boots I'll never own, my practical, conscious self is looking for innovative ways to organize the shoes that I do have…
My current shoe storage situation is anything but spectacular. Picture a variety of shoes, ranging from size six toddler to size eleven adult, neatly put away underneath the entry hall bench. (Keep in mind, however, that the pint-sized members of my family interpret "put away" as something more like "fling very hard in direction of bench while sprinting to backyard.") I'm on the hunt for a better way.
I want something functional, but special. Something innovative. Something unique. (Something spectacular, even.) Something that will say to my offspring, "Treat your footwear and that which holds it like a delicate work of fine art. Absolutely! No! Throwing!"
So I took a look around to find some inspiration from designers who have mastered the art of carefully displaying the shoe. From shoe picnic on a wall, to shoe-as-art display on bright yellow molding, here are some pretty cool ideas for creatively displaying for your prized kick collection.
1. Charlotte Tangye’s Footprint
2. Contemporary Shoe cabinet concept via Archiexpo
3. Painted chair molding via Deliciously Organized
4. SKORDER by Johanna Eliason
5. Shoe picnic by Hyun Jung Lee via Yanko Design
Images: As linked above
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I love the first one as wall sculpture but putting the soles of shoes against the wall? Not so much. I'd hang towels on it, though. Cute. I'm still fond of my cheapie wooden IKEA shoe racks, the ones they don't make anymore. They stack well, too, with the addition of home made supports. I had three for ages then found one at the SalArm for 2 bucks. Complete now.
#2 and #4 are pretty great. My boyfriend is building shelf-type drawers in my closet under the built-in t-shirt cubbies (excited !!! about) but I need something by the door for shoes I wear daily. I wonder if one could make something similar. Right now I have a vintage metal milk crate that they all just get dumped into.
@veslabeachgirl
I am sure you can hang the shoes so the soles are away from the wall. Won't look as cool when loaded up, sadly, but I guess you're just supposed to weigh that against how much you like how it looks when not full....
i saw this super simple, clever shoe storage option on pinterest the other day. could easily added on to for however many shoes you need to store:
http://pinterest.com/pin/171554782/
I have a white heartbeat towel holder in the bathroom which is wall art. These feet would be a hoot if I could figure out where in a tribal art heavy apartment.
Re No1 there is another picture on the website and it looks like the rack is far enough away from the wall that the soles won't touch it. I am so pleased this is a uk supplier, she does lovely lampshades too. Thanks AT.
@Rainarana #2 and #4 are my favorites too. I've been brainstorming how I could make something similar to #4, but horizontally...drew some sketches, now I just need to make it happen!
@HarrietS So glad you like Charlotte Tangye! Her lampshades are super cute. And I agree, it does look like the shoe rack is enough away from the wall to keep the soles from touching.