SHAPiNG UP the SHOE STASH

It's another morning of digging through the jumbled mess of stilettos, slippers, cleats, running shoes and flip-flops piled high against the closet wall. Can you relate?  Even 5 pair of shoes looks like a mountainous mess with no order to them.  It is time to be well 'heeled' and ready to meet the new day with shoes that are ready to grab-n-go.

LET'S GET TO iT, SHALL WE?

Hunt and Gather. 
Grab a box or basket and collect your shoes from all corners of the house, front stoop, garage and stairwell. Bring them out of hiding and to one place.

Sort. 

1. Find each shoe's mate and line them up in pairs on a flat surface.
2. Gather up footwear past its prime or those pairs that no longer fit well.  Donate the good pairs and trash the rest. 
3. Collect those pairs that are deemed repairable.  Set them aside for a trip to the cobbler.
4. Eliminate duplicates and shoes you don't really l-o-v-e.  Donate them.  Let someone else enjoy them!

Keep only the shoes you truly enjoy, the ones that fit well and you will actually wear!

5. Count how many pairs remain and scope out the space you have designated for their storage.  You always have options when it comes to organizing a space.  The key is keeping your shoes organized and within the confines of their designated space.  If you have too many shoes for the space available, you may have to find some courage and keep editing!

Vertical space?  Heads up!  Don't forget to look up when hunting for storage space.  Hanging canvas cubbies from a closet rod or over-the-door shoe racks are lightweight options.  Check out the two and three-shelf shoe racks that come in a variety of widths.  Look for the shelves that can be stacked as high as you can reach.  Nationwide home improvement stores offer affordable shelving options that require basic assembly.  Open shelving is preferrable to drawers and enclosed spaces.  Shoes that are visible at a glance are more easily maintained. 

Horizontal space?  Shoe racks and shelves built with wire, wood or plastic are abundant.  Built in shelving by a professional closet organization company is a more tailored expensive option.  Shop around to find stackable units that support shoes and boots in a variety of widths and heights.  Low profile, minimalist options pack a high visibility punch! (Ikea version is shown) and may built on one level or stacked to the ceiling.
 

Keep larger, heavier shoes and boots closer to the floor.  Daily-wear shoes should be front and center, with 'special occasion' shoes on the higher shelves.  To minimize clutter: Each pair of shoes has a place and is in it's place.  When shoes come off the feet they are returned to their rightful storage place rather than strewn on the floor.  Learn a new habit and it soon becomes a routine!

Shoe clutter at the home's entry can become a very common.  It can be organized with a basket to hold shoes until they can be returned to each owner's closet.  A stackable shoe shelf outside the entry is another option.  It can be filled with the dirtier varieties of 'outdoor use' shoes.  Our family has a stackable unit inside the garage.  Ten shelves of shoe storage right beside the back door.  It is our main friends 'n family entrance so 'you can't miss it!'  Each family member has their name on two shelves and the space is theirs to fill as they please.  It works well as a stash for lawn mowing shoes, garden clogs, sandy flip-flops, rain boots and athletic shoes.

"OUT WITH THE OLD and IN WITH THE NEW"

  It is the trick of a clutter survivor!  

If you bring home something new, take out something old & used.