I often wonder why builder-grade entryways and closets are built the way they are built. To me, there is no sort of entry separation from the living room to the door and the closets are always too small and not very functional. How are shoes, bags, and all the other items supposed to be organized?
But maybe that’s just me. Maybe I prefer to see a neater entry way rather than one where shoes, bags, jackets are scattered all over. Maybe I prefer a closet that will actually hold jackets while still providing enough room for shoes and everything else. But since we don’t have such a closet nor an entryway, we have to make the best with what we have.
Also, this little area by the closet is not very well lit. I’ve taken several photos at different times of day with the lights both off and on to get the best lighting but my photos still don’t look the best. But I figured I’d share anyway.
I thought long and hard about what to use for organizing the shoes in the closet. I did many much research online. I tried two tall organizing stands we had around the house, I tried cubicals, and I ordered a new smaller shelf from Amazon but none of them worked. The cubicals and tall stands were either too big or two small and the stand was just too short. Lengthwise, it fit the space perfectly, but it only held a few pairs of my husband’s shoes. That I returned and ended up going with some stack-able stands shelves from target.
I had a small white one (as seen here) so I thought I could get a few more of the same and stack them. As much as I would have loved to have just one whole piece of furniture that worked, this option seemed to be the better of all I tried.
The new stackable stands were a bit longer than the one I owned previously. Looked like the smaller size were not available. I didn’t notice until I took them home so I ended up making two trips to the store to get more of the longer ones. Altogether, I used five shelves to organize the closet.
Note: According to packaging directs, when stacking the shelves they’re supposed to be attached to the wall to keep firm but I did not attach them. They’re placed against the wall but they don’t move. I use them for organizing more than just one person’s shoes.
For sandals, I used the over-the-door organizer. It was my husband’s suggestion and although I thought it would look tacky, it ended up working out really well. The kid love it and they are pretty great at keeping their shoes organized.
Those sandals and smaller shoes are always kept in tact. The kids love those! They put their shoes back in their little spots once they are done wearing them. My shoes are at the two top rows, the eldest kid next down, 2nd eldest (they had to share at least one row so all the shoes would fit) and then third using the last two rows at the bottom. This way, everyone could reach their shoes. My husband’s don’t have that much sandals type shoes (a few flip-flops) so his are not in over the door. Maybe a little too big for this too.
When I started organizing the closet it was during the summer time, hence all the sunny weather shoes. You can also see sneakers on the shoe stand.
Once it started getting cooler, we added a few boots. Not the big taller kinds but the kids shorter style of boots. They won’t fit on the over-the-door hanger so there are a few on the stands. The sneakers are there too – there was enough space initially.
We’ve added more boots (taller ones too) but they are not shown here. I am also working on the “entryway” and they keep some shoes out there too. The ones they plan to wear. If they want to change they put it in the closet and bring out the other set in the entryway. It’s not complicated – just a matter of putting away the shoes they are not wearing immediately in the closet and bringing the ones they are wearing closer to the door.
Note: I do think that when it gets way too cold for sneakers and such we could store them away in bins like we are used to doing. They usually outgrow a few of them by the end of the cold season but that’s expected with the way small kids feet grow fast. I will probably just leave the sandals over the door since the hanger can’t fit bigger shoes – no point in changing them out.
And in our previous closet organization, I used 3 baskets for hats, scarves, and gloves. That’s for my husband and I since the kids can’t reach that high. Theirs are usually kept in smaller baskets in the entryway.
The only way I could get a full shot with almost everything seen in the closet is by standing on the basement steps. It still is not as clear but it was the best of several photos.
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How do you organize your shoe closets? Do you find it difficult to keep shoes and entry way areas organized or do you have a working system down?
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