SHOE ORGANIZING DIY
Do shoes seem to pile up in several different areas of your home? Sometimes people tend to leave their shoes wherever they want to around the house. This not only makes things look cluttered, but it makes it hard to keep pairs of shoes together. Shoes can be damaged, scratched, scuffed and misshapen when they are kept in a big pile. Use these tips to get your family to put their shoes where they belong and protect them from damage and loss.
1) The most common problem area for shoes is in the entryway for your home. Shoes seem to accumulate here and then get scattered all over the house. There are many solutions for shoes, purses, backpacks, and other things that people tend to "get rid of" as soon as they walk in the door. You may want to shop around for shoe organizers or locker style organizers that fit in with your home decor. Giving your family a place to stash things in an organized manner as soon as they come into the house will help you keep things under control.
2) Shoes in the closet are another story. Here is where we tend to keep shoes for years and years without ever wearing them. If you have too many shoes to deal with, then it may be time to get rid of a few. Go through and get rid of shoes that are uncomfortable, don't fit, have scuffs, look worn out, or that don't match anything that you own. When you get the pile thinned out, it will be a lot easier to organize them.
3) There are several kinds of shoe organizers for closets that may suit your needs. If you still have too many, consider separating winter and summer shoes, keeping the ones that are out of season in a container underneath your bed or in some other storage area. Flip-flops and sandals are small and easy to store in a container. Boots can be hung from strong metal clip hangers that will keep them off the floor and help them hold their shape. You can stuff them with newspaper to help them keep their shape through the periods of time when you don't use them much. Flip-flops and sandals can also be hung on sandal hangers designed for shoes with straps. Installing a low bar on either side of your closet or across the back can give you a convenient place to hang some of your shoes.
About the Author: Jo Granville is on the staff of Only Hangers, a leading retailer of quality, well made clothing hangers at wholesale prices.