A Ranking of the Best and Worst Ways to Store All Your Shoes

We are. We are to judge. The simple gesture of putting your shoes away can do wonders for making you “seem like a grown-up.” Better yet, proper storage can enable you to actually find your shoes with ease and admire all the pairs you’ve acquired over the years. But how should it be done? Depending on your space and budget, options abound! Now it’s time to assess what makes the most sense for you. Here we’ve ranked six options based on convenience, space, aesthetics, flexibility, and cost.

Convenience: 2/10

No purchase is required, but it will be hard to remember what box contains which shoes unless you invest in a Polaroid camera and affix an image of the shoes to every box.

Space: 4/10

This can work if your closet has shelving with extra space; otherwise, you’re clogging up floor space with mismatched boxes.

Aesthetics: 2/10

Boxes come in different sizes, shapes, and colors, meaning they can’t really be stacked neatly. A collection of mismatched boxes doesn’t translate well.

Flexibility: 8/10

If the shoes came in the box, they’ll fit in the same box again.

Cost: 10/10

Free with shoe purchase.

Final Verdict: 5.2/10

Well, you get what you pay for, and unless you want your closet to resemble the storage room of the shoe store, this method is only worth it for saving cash (or potentially reselling your shoes and sneaks). There are some more consistent shoebox alternatives if you’ve accidentally thrown out the originals.

Convenience: 2/10

Once you toss them in, they may never come back.

Space: 7/10

Sure, the space a bin takes up is minimal and contained…until you’re dumping out the contents to find your missing right shoe.

Aesthetics: 2/10

Keeps your shoes contained but doesn’t provide an easy, streamlined view of your shoes to select from.

Flexibility: 9/10

You can stuff pretty much anything in there.

Cost: 9/10

One major upside is that you can easily find bins for under $10. Even at around $20 they’ll still a steal. And if you’re not down with one large bin, you can easily score a smaller pack of three.

Final Verdict: 5.8/10

You really want a shoe basket? What is wrong with you? Are you some kind of monster?

Convenience: 6/10

Easy to grab and see exactly what you’re looking for. But if you make a spontaneous purchase and don’t have a spare box, your new shoes will be without a home.

Space: 5/10

You’re gonna need extra space for your extra-as-hell display, but at least the sizes are consistent.

Aesthetics: 9/10

It is a cool way to show off your shoe collection while keeping pairs safe and orderly.

Flexibility: 7/10

Works great for expensive footwear like the heels or sneakers you never intend to wear.

Cost: 5/10

Prices fluctuate from $16 for a single box to $30 for a 4-pack to $44 for a 12-pack and beyond.  Plus you’ll be continually buying more boxes as your collection grows — unless you subscribe to the “one in, one out” rule (but who does?).

Final Verdict: 6.4/10

If you love your shoes and showing them off, this is a prime choice. If you’re looking for something that will take up minimal space, however, hard pass.

Convenience: 7/10

Shoes are super easy to grab and put back, though some assembly is required.

Space: 4/10

It will certainly cost you some floor space, becoming a piece of furniture depending on the size. If you want to get really crazy, you can invest in some Shoe Slotz so that each pair of shoes only takes up the space of one single shoe.

Aesthetics: 8/10

A shoe rack gives way to a nice display of your foot candy where nothing is hidden.

Flexibility: 8/10.

Heels work fine, and tall boots work if you fold them over or put them on the top.

Cost: 6/10

It really depends, especially if you want one that fits in your room like a piece of furniture, but you’ve got cheaper options for three- and four-tiered racks. You can go for height if space demands it. Or, you could go all-in with a full-fledged shoe shelf that can house your collection. Heck, this one even gives you the option to use it as a regular set of shelves.

Final Verdict: 6.6/10

Now we’re getting somewhere. These work great in closets with floor space but can feel like a bit too much as a stand-alone piece of furniture. Plenty of options to fit your space requirements.

Convenience: 6/10

It takes no assembly, but you run the risk of your shoes falling every time you slam the door. If they stay put, though, they’re easy to grab.

Space: 7/10

If you have a closet door (and not a sliding one), this is for you. But be wary of the shelves that keep kicking your poor clothes.

Aesthetics: 6/10.

They are nice and hidden in the closet, but not always the prettiest picture once you open up because, again, the risk of falling shoes is always there.

Flexibility: 8/10

Fit for most shoes, including heels, but not great for tall boots.

Cost: 7/10

This is a more cost-effective option, but it’s worth springing for something slightly more expensive with a non-slip shelf. There are even options at the lower end. You can go metal or you can go mesh.

Final Verdict: 6.8/10

This makes use of every inch of your closet. If you go this route, it’s best to invest in a pair that still puts your shoes on full display, though a lot of the cheaper choices (and more diminutive ones) make that difficult.

Convenience: 8/10

It takes virtually no assembly and your shoes are a grab away.

Space: 9/10

Certainly a space-saving staple for anyone moving into a dorm or apartment for the first time.

Flexibility: 5/10

What about boots? High heels? And what about when the shelf is so narrow that the shoes squish together?

Aesthetics: 6/10.

Your shoes will be tidy, though not easy to gaze at in bemusement.

Cost: 8/10

The classic size is cheaper but you run the risk of stacked shoes or having to put them on top of each other even when you’ve got the room for 30 pairs. Or spend a little more money (and closet space) to give your shoes enough breathing room to sit side by side.

Final Verdict: 7.2/10

Until you get that custom California closet, the hanging shelf organizer is going to be your best bet. While it will eat up some hanger space, at least your floors will remain free (for boots perhaps). Best of all, you’ll have a solid display of most of your footwear without having to spend a ton of money. And with all that cash you’ve saved, you can always treat yourself to a new pair of shoes, especially since they now have a nice new place to call home.