With every New Year comes a New Resolution! If yours is to get that closet into tip-shape here are some shoe organization products in action you can't miss.
1. Ikea Bookcase, prices vary
For extreme shoe lovers! Blogger Shoe Daydreams shared this creative storage solution: Ikea bookcases. The one pictured is the Bergsborg with glass doors, but this Hemnes version for $325 would work just as well.
2. Wire Shoe Rack, $29.99
As the saying "if it ain't broke, why fix it?" goes, this classic wire storage rack is an old faithful, although I find you may need a little patience to go along with it.
3. Cubby Shoe Organizer, $37
Try this 12 Pair Shoe Organizer from the Container Store. Combine two or three in a row for additional storage.
4. Clear Plastic Boxes, $25-33 for 5-10 boxes
AT interviewed Peter Walsh who had this product recommendation for shoe organization:
"As far as storage solutions for the shoes, I really like this online company out of Canada called ShoeStor.com. The boxes ship flat and are great for stacking shoes vertically. The clear acrylic boxes allow you to see what's stored at a glance. But I always try and push people to think vertically and hang high shelving. And you don't have to go out and buy clear boxes to get organized (which can be expensive). You can use the shoe boxes you already have and put a picture of the shoes on the outside of the shoe box. A small step ladder goes a long way in helping to reach items stored high up and lighting will help illuminate a small, dark closet."
5. Shoe Shelf Stacker, $17.99
Stack them up as high (or low) as you need.
Images:
1. Shoe Daydreams
2. Weekend Inspiration: Real-Life Organized Closets
3. Top Ten Organizing Tips from Chez Larsson
4. Key Closet Organization Essentials
5. Weekend Inspiration: Real-Life Organized Closets
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does anyone have any suggestions for rolling (ideally) drawers that are no more than 5 inches in height to put under my couch? i have an ikea karlstad and am looking to stash my 'all the time' shoes under there as opposed to along the wall where they are now. i've seen solutions but most of them are under bed (so over 5") or nylon bags that are bound to rip. DIY suggestions welcome as i'm on a budget... thank you!!!
That first picture made me have an orgasm right here at my desk at work. I love that storage/display unit for shoes.
Does anyone REALLY have a wardrobe a la picture number 4? No sweatpants? And it appears that every top could potentially match with every bottom and all the dresses are pretty! I need to get my shit together.
The first photo is a dream. I gasped when I saw it.
The first photo is definitely pretty. But virtually none of these have room for knee high boots. I can't be the only one living in the Northeast. I wear knee high boots almost daily in the winter so have quite a few pairs.
I put all my shoes under the bed. I don't have a closet in my bedroom. Does anyone have good suggestions for under bed storage?
p.s. I find the first solution asinine. Guess I'm not a shoe girl.
The shoes in that first photo are like little confections for the feet, and definitely worthy of display. My shoes are not nearly so exciting. I keep most of mine in one of those hang-on-back-of-door canvas thingees. And boots are lined up on the floor.
I keep my shoes, toes facing in, on open shelves in my bedroom, which has tons of windows and a huge skylight. As a consequence, the backs of some shoes become faded. I love all the light in my bedroom, and I love the open shelves with my colorful shoes lined up, so I haven't ever changed things; I just touch up the faded parts with watercolor dyes (success rate varies!)
I need to get my shoe organization under control, so thank you for this post. None of the ideas really appeal to me, but I'm hoping someone will share something brilliant in the comments section :) Here are some of the ideas that have worked for me when I had less shoes, or have been considering trying:
Ikea Complement: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20107972
Boot boxes: http://www.containerstore.com/shop?productId=10009590&N=&Ns=p_sales_quantity|1&Ntt=shoe
Cotton overdoor shoe bag: I put a pair in each pocket, not one shoe per pocket: http://www.containerstore.com/shop?productId=10012681&N=&Nao=64&Ns
Underbed shoe chest: the one I have is mesh, and I use it for shoes that are not in season: http://www.containerstore.com/shop?productId=10005402&N=&Nao=64&Ns
toastercat- take out the bottom shelf or two of one of the bookcase units and you have room for boots
This post was right on time. Just last night I was working on organizing and decided today to browse to see if I could get any ideas from AT. And wah-lah!
I have not "finished" the "dressing room" of my bedroom because I'm still struggling with shoe--specifically boot--storage (toastercat I feel your pain).
I'm thinking the bookshelf idea might be a good solution. Since my collection isn't as exciting as the one in the photo, I might do what I did with my "accessories" book shelf--put a tension rod in the lip and hang a pretty curtain.
Picture #4 is the elfa system from The Container Store (now on sale 30% off!). Those plastic shoe boxes achually cost about $1-$2. You can get a case of 20 for $25
I finally organized all my shoes last year after trying various systems. I bought Container Store's clear plastic shoe and boot boxes (see @Alexandra0223). I used my label maker to put a brief description on the outside since they have to be stored high up and are hard to see. I've also seen people attached Polarod pictures of the shoes to the outside. All in all, the shoes are staying in good condition, they are easy to find and clean up.
To add to the drool-worthy shoe organizers - this one is my favorite. Someday I shall own one. Or two. And the shoes to fill it....
http://www.ballarddesigns.com/sarah-storage-tower/163126
bessantdesigns.com
LOL @ beansprout
I think this person needs to do the 20/20 Home Cure and re-assess what she really needs ;)
If you stand your shoes up, they will take up much more room than storing them heel-to-toe in a cubby such as this:
http://www.lowes.com/pd_246413-315-FG3E2901MAPLE_0__?productId=3054711&Ntt=shoe&pl=1¤tURL=%2Fpl__0__s%3FNtt%3Dshoe%26page%3D2
I bought one similar from Lowes that has 25 cubbies (5x5 squares) and I find it holds the shoes I wear most often. I store seasonal shoes and switch out with the changing weather. However, for heavier shoes, or mens shoes, I find I can only fit one half-pair per cubby hole.
My concern is boots - I have an awful lot of them and I have a hard time devoting shelf space to them!
Toastercat and onomatopoeias:
I use 3 Billys for my shoes, and like onomatopoeias suggested i use the bottom shelf for tall boots. I used rolled up newspapers to make them stand up and not fall all over eacho ther, that also helps to absorb stinky feet odor.
the shelves I have left over, I position for flats and flipflops.
It's THE best organizational thing I ever did, I can see everything at a glance and never ever have to rummage through shoes boxes and be late for work again.
I actually have a deep but very narrow closet right outside my bedroom that I'm about to devote to my shoes. I'm planning to put in 5-6 shelves at varying heights. I just need to find the time to get it done already!
BetterOffNow - I use Billy bookcases too!
Picture of my shoe display!
Thanks for featuring me!
As onomatopoeias says, you can adjust the height of the shelves for boots. I just decided to only show some of my shoes. I have two of the Bergsborg cases just for shoes and it's for display more than storage. I have the rest of the shoes in their original shoe boxes which helps to stack them.
: )
Poochie
Shoe Daydreams
my shoes are shoved into every corner of my closet. i have a shoe (and clothes) addiction and a tiny apartment with only one closet! i have them on the bottom on racks and on the top in their boxes.
I realize that limited storage space demands creativity, but nothing beats storing your shoes in the original box they came in. Clear plastic boxes may provide a handsome uniformity in the closet, but shoes (and all textiles) NEED to breathe. Cardboard shoe boxes allow the moisture in your shoes to evaporate while protecting the shoes.
As for identifying what's in the box---try a fat Sharpie pen. I also write the date I bought the shoes, and how much I paid for them right on the box.
An example: black peau de soie peep toe/heels, 10-25-09, $89.99.
My M-I-L always gives me money on my birthday, which I usually spend on shoes, so I will also write on the box that I used birthday money from "Mom C." Or I might write that I bought a particular pair of shoes to wear to a wedding. I find these little history notes to be very valuable.
I have shoe shelf stackers like the one in picture #5. They work fine if you are storing flats or athletic shoes, but they don't accomodate high heels well at all.
I would love to be able to store my shoes in bookshelves like picture #1!
I keep my boots in the hall closet with my coats.
Remember the movie Overboard with Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell? I would love the shoe rack he built in her yacht closet!! You turn the lever, shelves open, slide back, and new ones come out. AMAZING!!! lol! I would love any of these of course, my shoes are in plastic rubbermaid shoe boxes stacked on my closet shelfs and anywhere else i can stash them :(
Great post—I opted for white floating shelves (12 x 24") which i got at smartfurniture.com—I wanted most my shoes in view and they work perfectly on a small (but tall) wall in my closet. http://www.smartfurniture.com/products/So-Simple-White-Floating-Wall-Shelf.html?att=186&cid=179&gcid=1142