The Shoe Storage Hack That Saves Closet Space

Every once in a while you stumble across a storage solution that revolutionizes the way that you approach life. Such is the case with IKEA's TRONES, a nifty cabinet that was created to store shoes in a compact space all while keeping them accessible. The TRONES has been the subject of all sorts of storage hack and DIY tutorials across the internet with individuals using them to add outdoor storage space, make the most out of limited entryway space, and even add storage where you didn't know you need it. Given the versatility of this solution, it might not come as a surprise to learn that the TRONES has yet another usage that can help you save closet space: storing out-of-season clothing.

Out-of-season clothing can be a bear to organize; even though you don't need it now, it will be only a matter of time before you're reaching for your puffer jacket on a frigid morning or that perfect sunhat that you only use in the summer. Instead of cluttering up your closet with items that you don't use regularly, let the TRONES do the heavy lifting of seasonal storage. In a YouTube video by When Mom is Happy, the creator shows how easily the TRONES cabinets can be pulled out to be filled with clothing, then returned to its housing for compact storage. This hack makes it easy to stow away items that you'll need in the future without sacrificing the precious space in your closet now.

The TRONES is one of the best-selling products from IKEA, with a 4.7-star average out of more than 3,500 reviews. It is sold in a two-pack ($39.99) and can be easily installed wherever you need more room to stash items. In the aforementioned video showcasing how the TRONES is the perfect piece for extra storage, the creator displays how multiple sets of the cabinet can be installed on a wall behind a door for vertical storage that is secure and concealed. If your goal is to clear out the closet, you'll want to find a convenient location for your cabinets, like in a discreet corner of the house, a utility closet, or a basement if you have it.

One potential area of frustration with this trick is that the doors of the TRONES are opaque, making it difficult to see the contents. If you intend to employ a couple TRONES to store out-of-season clothing, the last thing you want is to rifle through multiple bins looking for a particular item. It could, therefore, be in your best interest to label the outside of each cabinet. You can get creative by using color-coded stickers or labels — one color for each family member's contents — or simply use a label maker to generate a list of each cabinet's contents. Of course, the TRONES has a specific weight capacity that should not be exceeded, and it's always best to use drywall anchors or secure the storage solution into a stud if storing heavier items in it.