Best Tips for Shoe Storage: 15 Space Saving Ideas

If you’re a proud owner of a large shoe collection, then you know the value of a good storage strategy. Because, let’s face it, if left unattended, it doesn’t take long for boots, trainers, and sandals to clutter up the entryway.

That’s why we’ve rounded up some of the best shoe storage solutions and tips to keep your precious collection safe and streamlined.

15 Creative Shoe Organizing Ideas

We’ve all had days when we’ve stumbled on a rogue shoe or spent hours digging out the matching pair. If this happens often in your household, you need dedicated shoe spaces that keep your shoes concealed or displayed, protected, and out of the way.

We’ve got 15 great ideas right here for you.

1. Stackable Storage Bins

Clear, lidded plastic bins like the ones by Spring are quite popular when it comes to storing shoes. For starters, their see-through construction makes it easy for you to zero in on the pair you want to wear without going through the whole stack.

You can either line up these bins on the vacant shelves or unused corners of your closet or stack them up to create a shoe display. If a plastic-based storage solution is a no-go, we’ve got plenty of eco-conscious options for you on this list.

2. Cotton Dust Bags

You may have noticed that high-end designer shoes often come packaged in drawstring bags. Also known as dustbags, these cloth sacks create a protective layer to shield your treasured possessions from dust, excess moisture, mold, and color transfer.

As stylish as functional, Organic Cotton Mart’s dust bags feature a robust construction with a super convenient drawstring closure. They’re crafted with 100% GOTS-certified cotton, making them long-lasting, earth-friendly, and easy to wash and dry.

Not just shoes, you can use these sacks as a reliable storage solution for handbags, delicate china, clothes, and wallets - pretty much anything you treasure or have spent good money on.

3. Baskets for Entryway Storage

Shoes piled up near the entryway aren’t just an eyesore. They’re also a stumbling hazard. That’s why we recommend getting hold of a couple of jumbo-sized wicker baskets as a practical and charming way to store your shoes in plain sight.

Besides providing good airflow for the shoes, a handwoven basket’s open weave coupled with an earthy tone can be quite effective at adding texture and warmth to any space.

4. Over-the-Door Hanging Organizer

Over-the-door hanging solutions are great at maximizing space and providing storage relief to overloaded closets. For the versatility and convenience they bring, these organizers don’t cost much. You can use them to store pretty much anything from jewelry to sandals.

To use them as a shoe storage solution, go for organizers with at least a couple dozen clear, spacious pockets. This will make it easy to find the right pair to go with your outfit for the day.

5. Metal Shoe Rack for Garage

If you own a shoe collection that’s too vast to park in the existing closet space, installing a metal rack in your garage might be a solution worth giving some thought to.

With a shelf height of 6.5 inches, these strong industrial shelves are roomy enough to accommodate boots and taller shoes.

This is also a great storage hack for outdoorsy souls to park their hiking, mountaineering, or sports gear, along with footwear, all in one tidy place.

6. Freestanding Bamboo Shoe Rack

This six-tiered bamboo shoe rack is designed to protect your shoes from dust, dirt, and other environmental damage while keeping your home clutter-free. It also makes it easy to visualize all the options you have, identify, and grab the pair you want to wear for the day.

Plus, the roomy tabletop is perfect for dropping your keys or decking up with accent pieces and houseplants. But what we love most about this rack is the assortment of shelf heights for storing shoes of various heights and sizes.

7. Pull-Out Shoe Cabinet

If open shoe racks don’t cut it, consider opting for shoe cabinets. We particularly like the ones with a pull-out design. These cabinets are a nod to modern minimalism - sleek, taking up very little floor space while keeping the shoes accessible and out of sight. Place this at any spot with easy access to the door - entryway, mudroom, or hallway.

8. Vertical Storage

A tall, multi-tier wooden shoe rack works brilliantly in narrow, tighter spaces where typical freestanding racks won’t fit. It frees up floor space by using up vertical space to display and store your shoes.

We love this tall and skinny wooden shoe shelving system by Home BI. Made from engineered wood, it can house up to 10 pairs of adult shoes and can be set in small spaces by the foyer or inside a walk-in closet.

9. Floating Shelves

Installing floating shelves is another tried and tested hack for decluttering the floor by making use of empty wall space. It will, however, require you to bust out your tool kit for a quick home improvement project.

Once installed, these nifty shelves aren’t just great for storing shoes but also for lining up handbags or showcasing collectibles.

Related Article: 20 Unique and Creative Ways to Store Shoes, Purses and Handbags

10. Under the Bed Organizers

Speaking of tapping into under-utilized room spaces, check out under-bed shoe organizers by StorageWorks. These fabric boxes come with zip closure and adjustable dividers, making them ideal for keeping your out-of-season footwear safe from dust, moisture, and mold.

A pack of 2 under-bed shoe organizers is spacious enough to accommodate up to 24 pairs of shoes.

11. Coat Rack

Combining a coat rack with shoe storage is a space-saving master stroke. Say hello to Vasagle’s coat rack with a shoe bench. This easy-to-assemble freestanding storage comes with a hanging rod, hooks, and a multi-tier shoe rack. The coats, hats, jackets, and bags can go in any of the nine hooks.

Meanwhile, the bottom bench works beautifully as a storage compartment for trainers, boots, and other everyday shoes.

12. Mudroom Storage Bench

With a clue in the name, a mudroom’s main job is to stop the dirt from making its way into the house. How? By providing ample space to store your outdoor shoes and bulky outerwear.

A combination of organizers like cubbies, cabinets, and baskets in the mudroom will keep the muck and clutter out of the rest of your home. Our recommendation? This quaint wooden cushioned bench has cubby-style storage and adjustable dividers to make room for tall boots and bulky shoes.

13. Hanging Closet Organizer

If you own a coat closet, make way for one of these hanging shelf organizers. It’s made from strong fabric with well-stitched seams and comes with two metal hooks to position it on a closet rod. The one we like can hold up to 8 pairs, though the brand offers larger organizers with the capacity to store up to 30 pairs of shoes - without taking up an extra inch of floor space.

14. Shoe Ottoman

This one is for shoes you want to keep out of sight and within easy reach. Convenience Concepts’ tufted ottoman comes with a removal lid to reveal multiple compartments that can hold up to 12 pairs of shoes. It doubles up as an extra seating space wherever you choose to place it.

15. Shoe Slots

Neoprock shoe slot’s unique two-story design lets you place one shoe at the top and the other one at the bottom. With a pair now occupying only half of its usual space, you end up doubling the available space in your shoe organizer. These slots also come with an adjustable height feature, making them ideal for most types of shoes, no matter how big or small.

Clever Ways to Organize Your Shoes

Combine the storage options above with expert organization tips to Marie Kondo your shoe collection.

• Round up Your Collection: Begin organizing by gathering all pairs of shoes you currently own in one place. It’s only then you’ll know which ones you’d like to keep and the ones you want to discard. 

• Keep, Donate, or Discard: Avoid giving in to hoarding instincts. If you haven’t worn a pair for a year or two or find it uncomfortable, it’s best to give it away. Keep the pairs you’re actually going to wear or with some sentimental value. Donate or sell the pairs that are in good condition to give them a new lease of life. Recycle the pairs that can’t be repaired or are too worn out to give away.

• Sort by Color and Type: By the end of the above process, you’ll know exactly how many pairs of shoes you’re looking to organize and store. Experts recommend grouping shoes by category - boots, heels, trainers, flats. You can sort them further by color to create an aesthetically pleasing display.

• Store Expensive and Designer Shoes in Dust Bags: Delicate or high-end shoes require going the extra mile to preserve them. Slipping them into dust-proof bags before putting them away will keep the shoes safe from bruises, color transfer, and other physical damage.

Final Thoughts

A well-organized shoe collection helps you get dressed faster and put all your shoes to good use by simply making them more accessible.

We hope the list of storage options here will not only help you organize but also extend the life of the shoes you’ve lovingly collected over the years.