No Baskets, No Shelves: A Much More Creative Way To Store Extra Shoes

Shoes. We all need them but there's no getting away from the fact that they take up space. But with the U.S. footwear industry taking $89.2 billion in sales last year, it's fair to say that Americans love their shoes. However, if you live in a smaller home or are lacking in closet space, you may find yourself struggling to avoid improper shoe storage mistakes. Shoes can't just be left lying around in a pile by the door though. Not only is this a recipe for disaster when it comes to creating a trip hazard, but you won't do anything for the condition of your footwear either. Leaving them piled up could lead to damage to materials and dirt building up. Instead, shoes need to have a home. 

There are plenty of smart ways to store shoes without baskets or shelves, but you might be looking for something more creative to add a touch of uniqueness to the way you store your favorite clothing item. This could be particularly true if you own shoes that you'd like to show off, or want those you wear regularly to be easily accessible. One of the easiest ways to display your shoes in a creative fashion is by using a simple hanging pole. 

One of our favorite creative shoe storage ideas is this hanging pole idea from IKEA designer Anna Cardell. Utilizing a curtain wire and stringing it with wooden beads create this funky, wavy hanging pole that's perfect for displaying trainers or other shoes with laces in a simple but stylish fashion. Of course, this is just a suggestion and there are plenty of other creative DIYs to keep shoe clutter organized at home. 

If you're taken with the idea of a hanging pole but want something a little more substantial that will allow you to store a wider array of shoes, as well as being budget friendly, an inexpensive curtain rod could be the answer. You'll need a curtain rod with attachments that allow the rod to be fixed slightly out from the wall, which will then give you room to push shoes down in between the rod and the wall. Alternatively, a curtain rod can be used to store heeled footwear, with the heels resting over the rod. Curtain rods are a great way to create extra storage for shoes, as you'll fit a surprising number of pairs onto them and you can choose how long you want the rod, depending on how extensive your shoe collection is.