You know how it's easy to forget about keeping things organized behind closed doors (even though the time and space you save outweighs any work on your part)? Well that was the case at our apartment for the last five months. Shoes were left jumbled in piles on the closet floor and our large, plastic hampers did nothing to maximize space.
But as the countdown is officially on and the parents arrive on Friday, we're finally crossing everything off the to-do list--everything. One of the few remaining items was to maximize closet space by purchasing vertical clothes hampers and picking up some affordable shoe racks.
IKEA's ANTONIUS laundry bag with stand only set us back $12.99 (also comes in white). We also threw in the casters for the stands which keeps us mobile and gets our laundry to and from the washing machine with ease. We also knew we wanted an expandable shoe rack (so the container can change if we ever move) and settled on Target's very inexpensive 2-Tier model for $12.99. Going vertical and expandable in the closet saves space and will translate into almost any space.
(Images: Beth Zeigler)
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i never store shoes with clothes.
does anybody do the same?
I wish I had enough room to not store them in the same place, but alas, I do not.
I keep most of my shoes in a rack similar to the one shown in the article, but the rack is hidden inside of a beautiful cabinet in my entryway. I also keep some of my nicer shoes in my closet, but they are in their boxes and aren't worn as often. I like to have my shoes nearby when I am getting dressed, but haven't figured out the best way to do this yet :(
As for laundry hampers... I just got rid of my basket because I couldn't carry it through some of the more narrow parts of my house. I just purchased a four-section sorter on casters. LOVE IT. I have a need to sort as things become dirty, not when I feel up to doing laundry. The sections just slip out individual when you are ready for a load. How easy is that?!
http://www.target.com/s?keywords=laundry sorter four&searchNodeID=1038576|1287991011&ref=sr_bx_1_1&x=0&y=0
An actual link to the sorter: http://bit.ly/di4m0P
Reviews on that shoe rack are terrible! I have no issues with separate clothing/shoe storage, and I like them out of sight (in the closet). Does anyone know of a good DIY for a simple shoe rack? I'd like a simple, sturdy, free standing rack. And did I mention CHEAP?
I have this one and can vouch for it:
http://www.amazon.com/Storage-Solutions-15-Pair-Cubby-White/dp/B000MPPU7G
Our stairwell is very wide (ADA 4 feet wide), so along one side we've piled our books and my "pretty" shoes on top of those (we're in a loft and had to create storage)...works out.
Also, very cool of you to open the closet to us. Thank you.
That's hilarious. The first two pictures are almost the exact configuration of my tiny closet. I agonized over how to maximize my space. One thing that really helped was adding a small wooden 3-shelf tower (actually made for bathrooms) next to the hamper. It's about the same height and dimensions of the hamper and the perfect size to store my jeans, folded and stacked.
"put a shoe rack in your closet" counts as an idea? I thought it's just what everyone did...
@lazy_lurker
Cheap and easy shoe storage:
A horizontal pine board (length and width, your choice) with vertical risers formed by short pieces of the same board, 6 inches works for my shoes and I keep boots on top. I get these cut to size where I buy lumber.
Glue and nail or screw the verticals to the horizontals. If the board is longer than 3 feet, add supporting verticals in the middle.
Congratulations, you have doubled your shoe storage.
Make more than one and stack them if desired. Paint them, or do whatever you like to make them more attractive.
I have used this same idea all over my house, only varying the size of the boards. I have cups stacked like this in my cupboards and cleaning products stacked like this in utility closet and cans stacked like this in my pantry etc.
@mysoultokeep I had that shoe rack and I absolutely HATED IT. It was always coming apart and putting it back together was not a trip. I signed up at the Container Store website, just so I could write a review about it. I'm SO surprised you like it.
rosaleen - I should have added the disclaimer that though I love it, I dreaded taking it apart and putting it back together. I finally figured out the trick though - a mallet and a glass of wine - now it's perfectly sturdy and never comes apart.
We like that it can be re-configured, that heels and men's shoes fit, and the overall tidiness of the thing. Also, that it fits in with our Antonius "system" deal that we have going. I'll send a photo in for the next closet discussion.
i have a mini two-drawer dresser where i keep all my shoes, hidden in the closet. all the shoes are just jumbled about, but i like the fact that they are in an enclosed space and not emitting shoe-ness onto my clothes.