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How Do I... Store My Shoes?
Storage nirvana is closer than you might think – an expert reveals some simple tips for keeping your shoes organised
In this practical series, we ask experts to answer your burning home and design questions. Here, stylist and author Wendy Mak, who is known for her ‘wear more, spend less’ philosophy, provides some practical tips for storing and caring for footwear.
Where should I start?
First, have a thorough declutter of your shoe collection. Most of us are guilty of hanging on to footwear that we no longer want or need, or that needs replacing.
Cull your collection until it only contains those shoes you actually wear or plan on wearing soon.
First, have a thorough declutter of your shoe collection. Most of us are guilty of hanging on to footwear that we no longer want or need, or that needs replacing.
Cull your collection until it only contains those shoes you actually wear or plan on wearing soon.
What’s the best way to sort them?
By type. For example – flats, sneakers, mid-height heels, high heels, wedges and boots.
Each type of shoe has different storage needs. For example, long boots will take up considerably more room than flats. Knowing how many pairs you have of each shoe type will help establish how much and what type of storage is required.
By type. For example – flats, sneakers, mid-height heels, high heels, wedges and boots.
Each type of shoe has different storage needs. For example, long boots will take up considerably more room than flats. Knowing how many pairs you have of each shoe type will help establish how much and what type of storage is required.
How should I store shoes if space is no issue?
If you have the luxury of space, some quality shoe boxes stacked on top of each other is a practical and attractive storage solution. Just be sure to choose the same type of boxes, as this will allow you to store the maximum number and create a uniform look. Tape a photo at the end of each box to remind you which pair is inside.
If you have a generous walk-in wardrobe, open shelves are a great way to decoratively store your shoes. Just make sure shelves and shoes aren’t exposed to direct sunlight as this can cause fade and crack the leather of your shoes.
If you have the luxury of space, some quality shoe boxes stacked on top of each other is a practical and attractive storage solution. Just be sure to choose the same type of boxes, as this will allow you to store the maximum number and create a uniform look. Tape a photo at the end of each box to remind you which pair is inside.
If you have a generous walk-in wardrobe, open shelves are a great way to decoratively store your shoes. Just make sure shelves and shoes aren’t exposed to direct sunlight as this can cause fade and crack the leather of your shoes.
Image: Wendy Mak
Another way to keep shoes out of damaging sunlight is to store them in a buffet with drawers. Choose a piece with shallow drawers rather than deep ones so that you can store multiple pairs of shoes in a single layer rather than having to store pairs on top of each other. Toss in some lovely scented drawer liners to keep drawers smelling fresh.
Use smaller drawers to store socks and accessories such as in-soles or heel grips.
Another way to keep shoes out of damaging sunlight is to store them in a buffet with drawers. Choose a piece with shallow drawers rather than deep ones so that you can store multiple pairs of shoes in a single layer rather than having to store pairs on top of each other. Toss in some lovely scented drawer liners to keep drawers smelling fresh.
Use smaller drawers to store socks and accessories such as in-soles or heel grips.
What if space in my wardrobe is tight?
in this case, consider adding double- or even triple-level shoe storage racks to the bottom of your wardrobe, so you can store several pairs of shoes on different levels.
If you’ve got no room at the bottom of your wardrobe, consider storing shoes on wire racks or inside fabric shoes bags that hang over the back of the wardrobe or bedroom door.
For larger footwear, such as knee-high boots, under-bed storage containers and laundry hampers make for smart storage.
in this case, consider adding double- or even triple-level shoe storage racks to the bottom of your wardrobe, so you can store several pairs of shoes on different levels.
If you’ve got no room at the bottom of your wardrobe, consider storing shoes on wire racks or inside fabric shoes bags that hang over the back of the wardrobe or bedroom door.
For larger footwear, such as knee-high boots, under-bed storage containers and laundry hampers make for smart storage.
How can I ensure my boots keep their shape?
Long boots have a tendency to fold over at the ankle, leaving unsightly creases in the leather. A boot shaper or insert can help boots keep their shape. Or, a budget-friendly hack is to stuff boots with clean, rolled-up socks or a couple of tea towels. You could also use scrunched-up paper, just make sure it’s not newspaper as the ink can rub off onto the insides of your boots.
Long boots have a tendency to fold over at the ankle, leaving unsightly creases in the leather. A boot shaper or insert can help boots keep their shape. Or, a budget-friendly hack is to stuff boots with clean, rolled-up socks or a couple of tea towels. You could also use scrunched-up paper, just make sure it’s not newspaper as the ink can rub off onto the insides of your boots.
What about keeping my good evening shoes in top nick?
Delicate shoes are best kept in shoe boxes – either the ones they originally came in or ones that you purchase as part of a co-ordinated shoe storage set-up.
Storing them this way will keep light and dust at bay.
Delicate shoes are best kept in shoe boxes – either the ones they originally came in or ones that you purchase as part of a co-ordinated shoe storage set-up.
Storing them this way will keep light and dust at bay.
How should I organise sneakers?
These can be quite bulky and often come in larger-than-normal shoe boxes, which can take up valuable space. Recycle the boxes and store sneakers on shelves or racks. If you haven’t got the space, store them in a laundry hamper. Sneakers aren’t as delicate as heels or leather footwear, so placing them in a laundry basket is unlikely to cause any damage.
Tip: Adding an air freshener or an unused tea bag inside each sneaker will help absorb any foot odour.
These can be quite bulky and often come in larger-than-normal shoe boxes, which can take up valuable space. Recycle the boxes and store sneakers on shelves or racks. If you haven’t got the space, store them in a laundry hamper. Sneakers aren’t as delicate as heels or leather footwear, so placing them in a laundry basket is unlikely to cause any damage.
Tip: Adding an air freshener or an unused tea bag inside each sneaker will help absorb any foot odour.
Help! My shoes got wet. Can I store them straight away?
No. If you put wet shoes straight inside the wardrobe your whole wardrobe can become damp. This can lead to mould growth, which can spread throughout your shoe collection and even onto any clothes hanging nearby in the wardrobe.
To prevent this happening, dry out wet shoes fully and then brush off any dirt or caked mud with a small, soft-bristled shoe brush (it should come off quite easily when it’s dry). Once clean and dry, your shoes can go back in the closet. You could also hanging moisture absorbers in your wardrobe to prevent any accidental mishaps.
No. If you put wet shoes straight inside the wardrobe your whole wardrobe can become damp. This can lead to mould growth, which can spread throughout your shoe collection and even onto any clothes hanging nearby in the wardrobe.
To prevent this happening, dry out wet shoes fully and then brush off any dirt or caked mud with a small, soft-bristled shoe brush (it should come off quite easily when it’s dry). Once clean and dry, your shoes can go back in the closet. You could also hanging moisture absorbers in your wardrobe to prevent any accidental mishaps.
Wendy Mak is the author of The Capsule Wardrobe – 1000 Outfits from 30 Pieces.
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Did you find this story useful? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to like or share this story and save the photos. Join the conversation.
More
Find a home organiser near you
The most common mistake people make is to squash all these different types of shoes together at the bottom of the wardrobe or jumbled inside a large box. Not only does this create an unwelcoming pile of clutter, but it can scuff footwear and make it lose its shape. Plus it can make finding a matching pair tricky.
Store shoes well and they’ll last longer (and be much easier to find). If you’re short on wardrobe space, it’s better to cull your collection and store only your most valued shoes properly here. You can then leave less expensive, everyday pairs in a box near the hallway or somewhere that’s easily accessible.