_edited.jpg)
After all the pandemic clean out and purging of unnecessary items from the house, I tackled my shoes. I do this every this every couple years anyway, because they pile up. I stop wearing certain pairs for no real good reason but that maybe I moved on, the style really didn't work for me - or - like many women - it was an impulse buy. I really liked them at the time, but every time I put them on I'd take them right back off. Cleaning out your shoe closet can be a process, but I wrote about my Spring Cleaning & purging process that really helped me here.
Now I have a lot of Birkenstocks. I also only have A LOT of one style. I have a favorite style and I have ... (wait for it)...28 different colors. I have a few more than the picture shows - but they are so old I couldn't find a picture of them anywhere. Yes, I know that's quite a few pairs of one style - but as I explain to my customers - I went to high school in the late 80's and everything always had to match. You went to Gap, bought a shirt and made sure you had the socks in the matching color. So needless to say I'm a little matchy-matchy with my outfits. I will say in my defense that I have found most people stick with the same styles more often than not. I think you get used to the look and how the straps grab you. I have very few customers that wear more than 1 - 2 styles regularly.
I decided my shoe storage was ...well, awful. It wasn't bad but all my shoes were in their boxes stacked at the top of my closet. Between pulling them down and back, age of the box etc. they were starting to deteriorate and I didn't want to do the same thing anymore. After much looking and research, I found the perfect style for me.
TO START:
Measure the shoe box your shoes are in. If it seems a good size, (there's not a lot of extra room in the box, but not so tight that your shoes are squished) that's going to be your template.
2. Measure the space you have to put your system. I know that sounds dumb - but makes a huge difference. The systems I am going to show you come in different sizes for your different
kinds of shoes. SO when you order - please make sure you
really look at the dimensions of your space and the box to get the most
bang for your buck.
This is the system I decided I really liked - SESENO 12 pack Shoe Storage
Now there were a couple reasons I picked this particular model. There were so many that look the same, but you have to read the fine print.
Clear - could see my shoes easily
Could stack in any configuration
Needed the vent in back
Front opened out like a door
Were affordable
The dimensions of the box is a huge factor. Everyone's shoes are different. I wear a ladies 10 and I was able to get 2 pair of my sandals into every box. Shoes were only 1 pair per box. The most important factor for me was that the face opened out like a door. All my boxes are at the top of the closet. If they had opened down, I would never be able to get to the ones at the top. As it is I still need a step stool to reach, but it works and I maximize my space. In order to be able to locate my shoes easily, I did labels on the outside, so I know where everything is. I group colors together - because like I said 28 different colors in the same sandal. My shoes I can see so I didn't feel they needed labels.
Now you could probably stack this set of 12 shoe storage boxes by Pinkpum where the front opens up or down. If you have them low that will work but up above it prevents you from getting into them.
If you want to stack them so they open down - that might work- but it depends how the grooves are to interlock them.
Now this model is pretty cool if you want a stand alone shoe storage unit. But you can see how the open up could be a little weird. These are cute though if your closet is really too small.
When it comes to shoe storage with lids the stacking, they never really work as well for me. Unsteady if stacked too tall
and again would need to pull out a whole
stack to get one pair. Again it depends on
where you are putting them.
The hanging shoe storage you have to make sure the shoes are not so heavy and that the bar will take the weight. The other problem can also be the shoe hanger itself ripping from the weight of the shoes.
The stackable SESENO shoe organizers I ordered were so awesome after I did my side of the closet that I ordered another set for my husbands side of the closet. He wears a men's 10 - 11 and all this shoes fit inside these same boxes. (Boots - we didn't try) So for 6 sets of 12 boxes each (for under $250) I was able to redo all of mine and my husband's shoes.
The best part was, free delivery! If you've been thinking about trying Amazon Prime, I highly recommend it - I sort most of my purchases by high rating with Prime Delivery. Sign up for a free trial to see if it's something you might use.
Like I said I am in the shoe business - have been for 28 years. So as you can image I have a lot of of shoes. That's not to say that plenty of my customers have more shoes than I do - WAY MORE... but this was my share for all you folks who have a pile at the bottom of your closet, a bucket by the door, or like I did organized - but not really cutting it.
I wrote about spring cleaning your shoe closet earlier this year. There can be a process. Click here to read more...
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.