Shoes and boots are your hardest working accessories, and they aren’t cheap to replace either. But even despite their value, it can be easy to let long-term shoe care fall to the wayside. Are you one of those people who shoves all of your shoes inside a wardrobe in a big pile? If you answered yes, don’t worry. You’re not alone. Knowing how to store shoes properly will help you keep your shoes pristine and wearable for years to come. So not only will your shoes look great for longer, but you’ll also save money in the long run with less trips to the store to replace them.
Whether you need shoe storage for the short term or long term, these shoe storage tips will get you started…
What is the Best Way to Store Shoes?
The truth is: There isn’t one “best” way to store shoes. Whether you store your shoes in their original boxes, in a shoe organiser in your entryway, or even under your bed, how you decide to store your shoes depends entirely on your personal living situation. But regardless of what shoe storage method you choose, it’s most important to keep shoes shapely, clean, and dry.
Not sure how to store your shoes at home? First and foremost, it may be helpful to nail down how many pairs of shoes you have and how much space you have available in your home to store them. (If you’re feeling overwhelmed during this process, it may be time to donate the footwear you don’t use!)
Where Should Shoes Be Stored at Home?
Once you have a better feel for how many shoes you need to store, the next step is deciding where exactly to store them. Wardrobes, mudrooms, and garages are often the most popular places people store shoes in homes. These areas tend to keep shoes out of the way, but still organised for quick and easy access. Once you determine where you’ll be storing your footwear at home, you can move on to choosing a shoe organiser that works best with your space.
Types of Shoe Organisers & Storage Solutions
Specialised shoe storage options range from wire racks to boxes to custom cabinets, but the optimal storage solution depends on how long the shoes will go without being worn.
As a general rule of thumb: For shoes you wear often, open storage that lets damp leather or fabric breathe will keep shoes fresh. For long-term storage, these solutions don’t provide enough support for shoes.
Keeping this in mind, here are just a few different types of shoe storage methods you may want to consider:
Shoe Storage Boxes
Shoe boxes give your shoes the highest level of protection from dust, sunlight and temperature extremes that can sap leather shoes of their flexibility. Boxing vintage shoes and boots after stuffing and wrapping them will help preserve fine leather, cork and other organic materials.
Plastic boxes are another shoe storage alternative, but be sure your shoes are spotless and dry before storing to prevent mildew growth. Another option is to replace the original shoeboxes you brought home from the store with photograph storage boxes. But whatever you choose, make sure the shoe storage box is acid-free.
Shoe Racks and Cabinets
For shoes you wear regularly, a rack or cabinet with an open front allows air to circulate around your footwear while keeping dust from collecting on delicate materials. Shoe shelving with open fronts also helps you keep sneakers, sandals, boots, and other types of footwear organised.
If you can, consider placing a shoe rack in a convenient place such as the garage, entryway or mudroom. That way, family members can quickly put their shoes away where they belong on their way inside the house. By placing the cabinet or rack in as convenient a place as possible, family members have no excuse not to put their shoes away where they belong and out of harm’s way.
Take a look at our top 3 products for shoe storage:
Chester Shelf Tower
Mode Shelf Tower
Aspire 1500 Tower
Blog credit @lifestorage