Shoe Storage Woes

Shoes, boots, trainers, slippers, heels, and sandals… gone are the days when most of us made do with two pairs. One for the week and one for Sunday best. Now, we seem to have special shoes for every activity and they seem to have learned to multiply while we’re not looking. Adequate shoe storage is a problem that many of our customers face, and we’re always on the lookout to find the best shoe storage ideas for you.

What makes shoe storage so tricky? Shapes, mostly. Plus the fact that some shoes – like a pair of posh, satin heels – need more care than your slippers or a pair of football boots. And that shoes can be in a state that makes storing them right away downright undesirable. At which point many of us encounter that old chestnut…. I’ll do it tomorrow.

And a few tomorrows later, our hallways are in a sorry state, overrun with discarded footwear, since – of course – the next day, we most likely wear something else.

But it isn’t all that difficult to keep on top of the footwear flood once you’ve considered a few of these points:

Special Occasion vs. Everyday

Some shoes get used a lot.

Others get taken out once a year. Maybe.

One way to keep shoe clutter down, is to separate your special occasion shoes from your everyday wear, and store them separately.

Special occasion shoes are often a bit more delicate than those we schlep from work to gym to the supermarket. And since they’re only on display at special occasions, there’s nothing wrong with storing them in a box on the top of the wardrobe or in the drawers under the bed. That way, they won’t get mauled and scuffed by grimy rugby boots and your everyday shoe storage just gained space for one more pair.

Hidden or in Plain Sight?

This is another question you should ask yourself before you embark on the quest for the perfect shoe storage solution. Do you like to have your shoes on display, or would you rather hide them out of sight?

Shelves, old ladders, crates and pallets, hangers, or cubbyhole units like this one from our Mobel Oak collection let you put your shoes on display and easy to reach. Shoe cabinets, storage ottomans, blanket boxes, lidded baskets or storage benches on the other hand, keep everything neatly out of the way.

Neat or Casual?

The final decision when it comes to shoe storage solutions, and this one has as much to do with your interior decor style as the space you have available for storage. Baskets and storage benches are a great choice if you don’t mind so much that your shoes aren’t all lined up in a row. If you prefer things orderly, then both cubbyhole shelving and shoe cupboards provide neatly sectioned space.

And if space is at a premium? Look up and make use of your wallspace. Shoe cupboards are available in tall and short, as well as slimline designs, so storing your shoes neatly doesn’t mean you have to compromise on too much hallway space. Shelving – whether traditional or something more creative like crates or ladders – also make use of free wallspace. And don’t forget your corners. Tall corner storage cabinets make excellent shoe storage!

And if you’re still not sure what’s the best shoe storage solution for you, then why not check out the shoe storage section on our website or visit our Banbury or Bicester stores for a chat. We’ll be delighted to show you around!

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