Shoe Organizer Ideas

Pocket Over the Door Organizers

The pockets on pocket organizers are made from either clear plastic or canvas. The advantage to clear plastic is that you can find your shoes very easily with a glance. However, you may not that hodgepodge appearance and may prefer opaque pockets that disguise the contents a bit more.

The pockets also provide somewhat of a dust barrier, keeping your shoes cleaner.

The non-woven cloth type of pockets seem a bit more sturdy than the plastic. But either type can tear if your shoes have sharp heel tips or are extra bulky. Boots are absolutely not going to fit in a pocket organizer. So if you have a lot of boots, you probably want another form of organization. Likewise, if you are looking for storage for large sized men's shoes, the pockets may be too small to accomodate. 

Over the Door Racks

Metal over the door racks are another option. The open part of the shoe rests on a metal loop that holds the shoe in place on the rack. 

Metal over the door racks are good for men's shoes because they generally have a large toe area which works well with the rack design. On the other hand, if your shoes have a small toe area (think dainty ballet flats), they may fall off the rack when the door is slammed or moved abruptly.

This type of shoe rack offers little protection for the shoes, and they will become dusty over time. There is also potential for the metal rack to disfigure the shoe if not aligned properly and left to sit for a long time.

If the shoes you want to store are large or wide, the metal racks may be too close together. A different shoe organizer will suit you better.

This zippered canvas bag is light yet provides protected storage for 12 pairs of shoes. The clear top allows you to easily see what is inside.

For larger shoes or short boots, you may need a full compartment for each shoe instead of each pair. Plan accordingly.

This kind of storage is perfect for out of season shoes that can be shoved far under the bed, out of the way of the vacuum cleaner. That is probably why this product comes with cedar inserts to ward off mildew and insects.