Are you constantly tripping over the pile of shoes by your door? Are you tired of being greeted by an unsightly mess? Have you tried implementing a storage solution, only to be battling the shoes a week later?
You’re not alone. This is one of the most asked about dilemmas of home organizing. Shoes pile up quickly, creating an eye sore as well as confusion…”Where’s my other shoe?” “I can’t find the pair I like.” The shoe mountain grows with each entry into the house, exasperating the problem. You don’t want to just ‘put away’ the shoes, the mess will certainly creep back into the space. You need to keep the shoes accessible with a simple solution the whole family can maintain. You need a solution that is highly functional, fits the style of your home, and makes a great first impression as you enter the door.
The system that will work best for you will depend on your specific space and style. I’ll walk you through the steps of getting the shoe clutter under control and finding the best method of organization for your home.
STEP 1: GATHER
The shoes piled up in the entry are likely being worn frequently… after all, that’s how they ended up by the door. But, take time to sort through ALL the shoes—even the ones tucked away where they supposedly belong. Don’t get scared, I’m going to break this down into manageable steps.
Gather each pair of shoes and separate by owner. (If you’re short on time or feel the task is too overwhelming, break it down to one family member a day.)
STEP 2: SORT
Sort shoes into these categories:
1. Donate
Any shoes that are too worn, no longer fit, are uncomfortable, or otherwise no longer have use to you fall into this category.
(If you’re saving shoes that one child has outgrown for a younger sibling, store them in a container. This container can go in a storage area or in the younger child’s closet until the shoes are ready for use.)
2. Out of Season
If you’re in northern WI, it’s probably safe to put the flip flops away for the season. Shoes that fit this category should be stored in a labeled bin within the owner’s closet.
3. Special Occasion
Shoes that only get worn every once in a while or that go with a specific outfit will also remain stored within the owner’s closet. Go ahead and throw out any shoe boxes that came with the purchase of your shoes. They don’t make for attractive or accessible storage, instead, store the shoes in your closet on a shoe rack or shelf. If you want a little extra protection from dust and scuffs, I recommend clear shoe bins.
4. Everyday
Everyday shoes are the frequently-worn shoes that were probably piled up by the door. Return these to the entryway and…
STEP 3: ORGANIZE
You’re back in the entryway, you still have a pile of shoes to deal with, and you’re losing faith in your trusted home organizer… stay with me, this is when the magic happens.
Each family member needs their own space for their everyday shoes that is tidy and conveniently located near the door—this might be a cabinet, a shelf, a bin, maybe even a drawer. This is the space you’re going to create. Scroll below for five great—and affordable!—storage solutions. (You may already own the components for a good shoe storage system, but if not, the photos are all shoppable links, because I’m all about making your life easier.) I’m certain one of these solutions is going to be a great fit for your family and home.
Shoe cabinets are great, because they have a low profile and can fit in even the narrowest of entryways. If you have a little more space, a dresser or chest of drawers will work in the same manner. Each family member can have their own bin or drawer.
Benches can perform double duty, offering both storage and seating. These offer ample storage for the whole family. Add in a couple throw pillows, and this is a great way to bring a little style and a whole lot of function into your entryway.
If you have a coat closet nearby, shoe shelves are a great way to conceal shoes behind a closed door. Just be sure opening said door isn’t too much of an ask to get your family to put away their shoes.
Foyer tables offer a lot of style, but can lack function for a busy family. I love pairing storage baskets or bins with foyer tables to make them more functional, offering ample storage for each member of the family while remaining stylish.
Boot trays can hold 3 or 4 pairs of shoes, which may not seem like enough storage, but there are circumstances where they are an effective option… if you have a small family or when placed in a less frequently used entryway. Boot trays can also be used in addition to one of the storage methods above—you may not want to put wet shoes inside a closed drawer or basket, boot trays are a great place to store shoes until they dry out and can be properly contained.
I hope you’ve found inspiration to get that pile of shoes off the floor and organized. Keep in mind a new storage system may take some time to get used to—stick with it. Give gentle reminders to the family as needed, and in no time you’ll turn your storage method into a daily habit.
If you’d like more tips for getting your entryway organized, be sure to check out my post on coat closet organization.
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