The One Room You Should Never Use For Shoe Storage (& Better Spots To Try)

When shopping or trying on outfits for a specific event, it is easy to feel as though you can never have enough shoes. When the time comes to put a new pair of shoes away, though, it becomes clear that you absolutely can. Trying to find enough space is one problem, and finding the right space is another. For example, you might have some unused space at the bottom of your bedroom closet that seems like a perfect location, but your bedroom is actually the one room you should try to avoid for storing shoes.

Proximity to your clothing and the privacy of the space often make a bedroom closet or space under the bed seem like a good option. In a bedroom closet, you can see all of your shoes next to your clothing items and easily determine what will pair well together. Keeping pairs you wear less frequently under the bed makes them hidden but accessible. Plus, both options keep your shoes out of the way of guests or roommates. 

Unfortunately, bedroom shoe storage has some notable flaws that make it more trouble than it is worth, such as bacteria buildup, bad odors, and poor feng shui. It may not seem like a big deal, but these issues can affect your health, so it is important to understand the risk. Once you do, you can learn about better potential spots for storage in your home, primarily any breathable spot near an entryway, and how to properly store your shoes to keep them, your home, and yourself in the best possible condition.

The most significant issue with storing shoes in the bedroom is the health risk. Shoes that are worn outdoors carry all kinds of bacteria and contaminants that you don't want in a clean room. Whether you wear them into the bedroom or carry them, you could scatter unwanted organisms and debris throughout the room. Pollen and mold spores can aggravate allergies, lead paint particles can contaminate your surfaces, and germs brought inside can even make you ill.

One common place people store shoes in a bedroom is in the closet. Whether they are on a door-mounted shoe organizer or on the floor, you might be unintentionally making your clean clothes smell funky. Every time you wear your shoes, they get damp with sweat and warmth that create an environment for bacteria and fungi to thrive. When you drop your shoes in a sealed closet at the end of the day, they may remain damp due to poor ventilation in the closet. The smell from the bacteria and fungi can then transfer into the air and be absorbed by the materials of your clothing, giving them an unfortunate odor. This is part of the reason you should keep gym equipment out of the bedroom as well.

Finally, if you care about harmony in your bedroom, storing shoes may not be the best move. There's little consensus, but the idea is interesting. The thought process is that shoes, especially active ones, should be kept away from the bed to reduce racing thoughts that could disrupt sleep.

Instead of tracking contaminants through your living spaces by wearing or carrying your shoes around the house, you should find or create storage near the doors. This could be near your home's main entryway, a side or back door, a mudroom, or even a hallway closet. You just want a place where you can change your shoes while keeping them away from the rest of the clean house.

Some home layouts have closets near the entry and exit doors that are perfect for the task. If not, there are plenty of alternative ways to store shoes in these areas that look neat and are hygienic. Baskets made from breathable materials, low shelves, benches, shoe trees, and cabinets are all viable options that will make your shoes accessible without spreading germs. Just make sure you know how to pick the right shoe cabinet for your footwear to get the best possible benefits. All of these are effective for shoes that you wear frequently, but you might also need some simple tips for successful long-term shoe storage.

To store the shoes you rarely wear but want to keep, there are even more spots. After cleaning the shoes to remove dirt and contaminants and allowing them to dry thoroughly, you can put your infrequently worn shoes into a breathable plastic container and store it in a hallway closet, basement, or any other spot that is climate-controlled, well-ventilated, not too humid, and away from UV light. Even clean and dry, your shoes could smell or mess up your feng shui, so it's best to keep them out of the bedroom.