Looking for the best way to store shoes and declutter at the same time?
No matter how jam-packed your shoe space in your closet is, you can declutter with the help of our shoe sorting experts – all it takes is one hour!
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There’s nothing like spotting that perfect pair of shoes to add to your collection, only to realise that you have no space to store them at home.
While we can’t all have walk-in shoe closets you see in the movies (Hello Carrie Bradshaw’s shoe closest in Sex In the City), the good news is, we’ve found the best way to store shoes that doesn’t cost a fortune.
The first step is to find ways to declutter and store your shoes so that they’re visible and kept in good condition, not thrown in a pile at the bottom of your closet.
In just an hour, you can streamline your footwear so that you’ll know exactly where to look for that perfect pair.
So, where to start?
Begin by having a look at all the shoes you own and really thinking about every pair. If you drill down to the basics, you probably only need five pairs:
• A smart pair of heels
• A stylish pair of pumps that you can dress up or down
• Some casual lace-up shoes
• A good pair of boots to last through the seasons
• A pair of trainers for gym, running, tennis etc.
Then get into the mindset that all the other shoes you own, are just extras or nice-to-haves. Of course, you’ll have more than five pairs of shoes, but make sure they earn their rightful place in your closest, and they’re not just there sitting pretty. Then get sorting! Place your shoes into three categories: keep, fix and go.
Be ruthless
Don’t think twice about getting rid of the shoes you don’t like, even if you’ve never worn them. Also let go of shoes that hurt (no matter how expensive or beautiful they are). Because the truth is, you won’t wear them and you need the space to store the shoes you will wear.
Sell or donate your shoes
With great sites like Bid or Buy, selling your old stuff online couldn’t be easier. Simply register as a basic or advanced seller where you’ll have the chance to list your items on the site, auction them or pay to list a classified advert.
Once you’ve created a listing and selected your categories, you’ll need to enter captions, select pricing, add images of your shoes and enter shipping details.
If you’re auctioning your shoes, the person who has won the bid or bought your item will need to fill out an order form, pay online and sign out- then you’ll be notified via email.
Visit Bid or Buy for more information
If you don’t want the hassle of selling your shoes, you could always donate extra pairs to charities such as non-profit organisations, The Charity Stores or the Salvation Army .
Stick to a time frame
If you haven’t worn a particular pair of shoes for a whole season, or a year, then why keep them? Make sure you only keep the shoes you truly love and see yourself wearing right now, regardless of the season or occasion.
It’s also important to consider the comfort level of your shoes. Don’t keep any heels that cause back, leg or ankle pain, it’s just not worth the trip to the GP or physiotherapist.
Avoid duplicating shoes
Got five pairs of black kitten heels or three pairs of leather boots? Only keep the pairs you wear the most and donate the rest.
Even the shoes that you’re saving for a wedding or special occasion should be able to double up with a smart pair of jeans or chinos. Also, don’t keep too many pairs of tattered slippers to wear around the house, one or two pairs should be sufficient.
Opt for neutral colours
As much as you might love those bright yellow stilettos, it’s wiser to opt for versatile shoes that’ll work with lots of different outfits, colours and styles so that they don’t limit your options. Stylists suggest choosing neutral tones such as beige, tan, black, white and cream so that you get more wear out of them and save on space in your closet too.
Get shoes fixed
Rather than letting broken shoes sit at the back of your closet, invest in getting them fixed if it’s something small like a broken buckle, slit or worn-down heels. We like Levingers Dry Clean & Shoe Clinic
ALSO SEE: Tips to keep shoes clean
Use clear, visible storage for your shoes
When it comes to storing your shoes, the more visible they are, the better because there’s less chance you’ll forget about them. You also want to ensure that they’re not stored at the very bottom or back of your closet, where they’re hard to reach and can easily gather dust!
Many retail stores have clever shoe storage systems or units which help to keep your shoes tidy and in good condition. Some also fold flat which is ideal for travelling.
If you’re considering some sort of storage option, consider minimal shoe racks that are simple to hang or assemble or clear shoe boxes that keep your shoes in good condition.
Shoes rack, from R30, Westpack
Clear shoe box, R43, Neat Freak
- This article originated on womanandhome.com
