Ditch The Overflowing Shoe Rack: The Overlooked Place You Can Store Shoes

Organizing shoes can prove difficult, especially if you're dealing with a sizeable collection. While shoe storage benches are a good option to keep everyday footwear within easy reach, they can quickly fill up due to their compact size. That means all of the other pairs are too often relegated to the closet floor or hidden under the bed, practically guaranteeing a mess. This can also make finding what you need difficult, and improper storage can result in shoes being scuffed or bent out of shape.

Maximizing storage space, especially in a small home, means getting creative and making the most of unused areas. If you're desperate to clear out your overflowing shoe rack and have numerous heels to organize, TikToker @balemadee found an innovative, simple solution that only requires a curtain rod. By hanging it up right under her ceiling, the DIYer was able to turn overlooked space into stylish storage for her prettiest footwear.

Start by measuring the width of the wall on which you wish to hang up your shoes and select a curtain rod with the corresponding length. Use a pencil and leveler (or a simple ruler) to mark the placement of the brackets, then mount them using a drill or screwdriver. Don't forget to also measure from the ceiling down, leaving enough clearance so that once you hang the rod, you're able to hook the shoes on it using their heels.

Of all the creative DIYs to keep shoe clutter organized at home, this is certainly one of the most innovative and customizable. When shopping for the curtain rods, choose a metallic hue that best matches your aesthetic or upgrade an inexpensive white version to match your decor with some spray paint. Simply run some 220-grit sandpaper over the metal, prime it, then apply your chosen color. Keep in mind that doing a couple of thin coats to achieve full coverage is better than one thick coat — this can cause drips and take longer to dry.

Depending on how many shoes you wish to hang, you may prefer to opt for two shorter rods rather than one long one. This will allow for better weight distribution and a more custom layout, such as installing two rods at a right angle to make the most of corner space. Finally, the addition of wall anchors can also help give extra support for larger collections.

If you'd rather not make holes in the wall, another basic Amazon find that's great for shoe storage is a tension rod, which can be used in a similar way to the curtain rod. Place it under the ceiling inside a closet or cabinet and hang your heels by hooking them onto the rod. Alternatively, store sneakers and flat shoes by installing the rod closer to the ground and propping them on top of it, leaning them against the wall for support.