Shoes are a wonderful invention. We all need them, and most women own way too many pairs of them. If you are the type of person who has an excessive fondness for sneakers, or you just can’t part with the high heels you wore to your senior prom, shoe storage might be a problem for you. Don’t worry. There are many options for storing your beloved foot wear, some obvious, and some a little off the wall. So before you get frustrated and grab a thrift store donation box, try some of these ideas first.

For shoes that aren’t worn on a daily basis, try storing them completely out of sight. You can either use old shoe boxes, or you can head out and purchase a few clear, plastic shoe storage boxes. If you have already filled up every closet in the house, now it’s time to start getting a little more creative. There are cloth shoe storage containers that can be placed underneath the bed. If your bed is too lower to the ground to accommodate this, buy some risers. These are also available at just about any of the larger, big box store.

There are also several styles, and sizes, of shoe racks available. They can be made from plastic, wood, metal, or melamine. The racks are generally easy to construct, and are a great choice for shoes that are worn often. If you want to keep your shoes near a door, or in a mud room, there are decorative wooden storage units that can be purchased. Be aware, this can be an expensive choice, especially if the chest is made of cedar, or any other expensive wood.  These are usually referred to as a shoe storage cabinet.

If you are looking for shoe storage ideas that are a little less evident, then keep in mind a few of these suggestions. You can use practically anything to house your foot wear. A large umbrella stand or decorative pot is a quick and easy idea. For your kid’s room, why not use a bookshelf, or a toy box. A coffee table placed at the end of the bed will house several pairs of shoes.  Another commonly used alternative is to use underbed shoe storage which is a neat way of getting less used shoes out of the way.

If you are in search of a more elegant solution to this shoes storage problem, then head out to a thrift sale, antique store, or your local resale shop. Search for a gently used wooden trunk, or a wicker chest. Decorate the chest in a style that compliments your bedroom furniture. If the unit is in poor shape, this could be quite an undertaking. Your hard work will be well worth it when your shoes are hidden from sight in your fabulous new piece of bedroom décor.

One final tip. Before you run out and spend money on shoe storage options, look around your home or garage first. You’ll be amazed at what you already had. The key is to look at these objects in a more unconventional light. Anything from an unused entertainment stand, to the metal shelving in your garage can be great overflow housing for your shoes.  Whatever you choose whether it be an expensive shoe storage cabinet, or an under bed shoe storage option, getting those shoes organized and out of the way will be worth the effort.