“In a large family, do not scatter your shoes!” Otherwise, there will be nowhere to go. But even for those who live alone, shoes often clutter up the hallway. We figured out together with an expert how to avoid it.
How to prepare shoes for storage
No matter how many pairs of shoes the owner has, they need to be sorted out periodically. By following the basic storage rules, you can not only extend the life of shoes but also simplify the choice of the right pair before leaving the house.
Parsing
It makes sense to get in the habit of sorting your shoes regardless of the season. For three summer months, shoes and sneakers that are no longer worn often accumulate in the hallway. Some were worn or tired, others, especially for children, became small, and others did not live up to expectations in the sock, so they lie idle. It is important to sort the shoes of each family member separately. So it is most obvious what has become superfluous, and what is missing. Then you can already plan what to buy next time you go to the store. Shoes that are not worn can be tidied up, sold, or given away.
Sorting
Winter boots are clearly not needed on the rug by the door in the hot season, and sandals in the snow. With the change of season, it makes sense, without delay, to wash and remove excess vapors. In order not to litter the shoe rack and closet in a small hallway, seasonal shoes are put away for storage in the dressing room or on the mezzanine. You can store it in the garage or warehouse.
Care
In order for shoes to last longer, it is necessary to take into account seasonality during operation. New couples should be protected before going out and groomed regularly. It is worth choosing the appropriate materials and conditions for the means: sponges, creams, and protective sprays. It is recommended to dry shoes not on a battery, but at room temperature and with the help of special devices. It is important to regularly wipe the surface with a sponge or damp cloth; some types of shoes, such as sneakers, can be washed in the machine on the appropriate cycle.
How to choose a place to store shoes
Most of the shoes are stored in the corridor, unclaimed seasonal shoes are in the closets of other rooms. Here are the working options:
In the dressing room
When creating a closet, it is necessary to take into account the filling: shelves and baskets for storing shoes can be placed in the main compartments or allocated space for them in the upper tier.
- Drawers. Narrow shoe compartments of low height allow you to store a large number of shoes in several rows on top of each other. You can choose drawers with a transparent front insert; so you can see what’s inside. A great idea for storing dry summer shoes that are changed several times a day is to put them in baskets not in pairs, but all together. This option is suitable for a large number of children’s shoes, a variety of sandals, and sneakers, which are often found in the hallway. Each box or basket can be signed with the name of the owner, and then put away under the bench and taken out as needed. This will save a lot of space in the corridor, while all the necessary shoes will be at hand.
- Shelves. Some shelves fold like an accordion to accommodate the maximum number of pairs of shoes. It can also be stored on open shelves, but then frequent maintenance will be required due to the constant accumulation of dust.
- Module. Inserts allow you to pair boots and shoes so you can quickly find the right ones. Manufacturers also offer hanging modules with pockets for storing shoes. They can be hung on the door or the inner back wall of the cabinet. Competently organizing the space will help attention to the habits of residents. The rules for storing shoes are very individual: some people need only shoes to go to work, others need sneakers for morning runs, several pairs of shoes for going out, and boots for walking the dog. It is necessary to provide places for storing spare shoes or roller skates with protective accessories. The ideal solution would be to distribute sections in the closet and shoe rack for each family member so that couples do not get lost, or, for example, hide shelves under a banquette if one of the residents prefers to change shoes while sitting.
In the hallway
A place to store shoes should be considered even when repairing and creating a design project. In addition to family members, count on possible guests so that everyone who comes does not have to jump over shoe barricades. Take a look at the following options:
- Shoe rack. This furniture comes in different sizes: from very miniature for four or six pairs to entire compartments or one large closet for several dozen. Its convenience lies in the ability to hide the place where shoes are stored from sight behind doors or flaps with a guide mechanism. If you can’t pick up cabinets from those offered in stores, and it’s expensive to make them to order, you can make a rack with your own hands. This will require a minimum of tools and materials. The easiest option is pallet furniture , which will fit perfectly into a modern interior. The shoe rack can be painted any color or left unfinished. In addition to design, you can vary the number of shelves for storing shoes – from two or three to the ceiling.
- Storage systems. It is not necessary to clutter up the space with closed cabinets, sometimes it is better to choose a rack. On open shelves, it is convenient to store home and casual shoes. It is better to put guest slippers in a separate section of the closet or hanging trunk – they are not needed so often. Much depends on the number of people living in the apartment. Standard racks and shoe racks for 8-12 pairs are rarely suitable for storing shoes for large families, so you should take a closer look at the original options. For example, modern furniture manufacturers offer open shoe cabinets with sections up to the ceiling. Both children’s and adult shoes will fit in the depth of each cell. But at the same time, high over the knee boots will have to be folded, so decide in advance how you will store such shoes. Shoes, sneakers and sandals can be hung directly on the wall if you pick up the original hooks.
- Accessories. A rubber mat by the door (there are models with sides) is suitable for storing outdoor shoes, especially on rainy days. It would not be superfluous to provide a box for shoe care products: brushes, sponges, fabrics, sprays and creams. In most cases, it is customary to remove clean pairs, leaving the ones you walk in on the rug by the front door. But with a large number of people in the apartment, a mess forms in the hallway, especially during the demi-season periods, when rubber boots are needed in the morning, sneakers in the afternoon, and ankle boots in the evening. A good option for storing shoes is a pull-out shelf with a pallet. The bottom can be lined with a soft cloth that absorbs moisture. It is important not to forget to dry the shoes before storage and wipe the shelf every few days.
Where to store shoes
In order not to clutter up the space with the same type of boxes and packages that are difficult to navigate, you can purchase several storage accessories:
- Cases and eco bags. Fabric accessories allow you to neatly store the right pair of shoes. You can classify them by colors for different family members or by seasonal criteria.
- Containers. Transparent storage boxes are especially popular. They protect shoes, help you stack pairs compactly on top of each other and at the same time easily find the right boots.
- Organizers. Can be made as multi-compartment boxes or tote boxes. It is important not only to carefully remove shoes that are out of season, but also to navigate among the boxes. Alternatively, you can buy completely transparent trunks or boxes with windows in which you can see the contents. If the replacement of boxes is not included in the plans, stickers with a description will help (for example, “autumn, black low shoes, N”). So the owners do not have to remember what is stored where, after six months. Boots need special holders; leather shoes are best cleaned with pads or stuffed with paper. Before storage, shoes made of any material must be ventilated and protected from moisture.
Expert comment
Nadia, interior designer:
– From the point of view of functionality, shoes can be divided into several types:
- Beautiful or branded. Usually these are women’s stilettos, like the heroines of “Sex and the City”;
- Seasonal , which is worn here and now. It is not always clean, it does not always stand neatly, there are many of them at the entrance;
- Off-season , which is worn at other times of the year;
- For specific tasks: for sports, dancing, and giving.
With beautiful shoes, everything is simple: a narrow and tall cabinet with a glass door is suitable for storage. It’s good when beautiful shoes are hidden from dust and do not interfere with getting something else.
For storing everyday shoes, it is good to have a small bench with a shelf or a shoe rack – this is a simple and beautiful solution. I do not recommend furniture with metal bars, heels and laces get stuck in them all the time. Chipboard shelves look aesthetically pleasing, but many are afraid to put something on them because of dirt and moisture. In this case, I suggest using special rubber trays and mats. Near or inside the shelf, sockets can be provided for connecting a shoe dryer.
Shoe cabinets are shallow, but high and, for example, with mirrors. The internal system can be uncomfortable, it does not always fit men’s shoes in large sizes. If you make dressers to order, instead of boxes, it is better to use metal baskets. Life hack: these dressers can be ordered from companies that produce kitchens.
To store seasonal shoes, use plastic baskets with lids of the same size and color that can be signed. If the wardrobe system is open, they will fit nicely into it. The main thing is to provide shelves.
Shoes for sports and hobbies are best stored in the same place as the rest of the equipment. This will help not to lose or spoil it if stored improperly. So, pointe shoes should not be stored together with dirty children’s rubber boots. It is better to put shoes for hobbies in cases, so it will be more convenient to take them out and immediately take them with you. It is advisable not to store the shoes of all family members in one place. Let everyone have their own shelf or part of a shelf and a rubber mat. It looks aesthetically pleasing and is also very comfortable – the shoes are immediately distributed in size.
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