In my last post, The Basics of Closet Organization, I listed the 3 steps to getting your closet organized.
1. Prepare
2. Purge and Sort
3. Put Back

I don’t just write this stuff, I actually do it! In February, I challenged myself to minimize the amount of clothing I keep. I had read a great article on the Small Notebook blog that motivated me to go into minimalist mode in my clothes closet. Let me first say that I come from a long line of clothes hoarders. My grandma has 3 closets full of clothes; my mother and my sister are running neck and neck for 2nd place! (Yes, Mom and Sis, if you are reading this- you have tons of clothes!) At any rate, I started out to see how much I could pare down my wardrobe.

Here’s my closet before I started:

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So you are determined to be more organized than ever but you don’t live by yourself… There’s your other half, the kids and maybe even a mother in law in the mix! You may be wondering how to get them organized. The answer … you can’t.  It’s like making someone love brussel sprouts (sorry mom). You cannot make someone be organized, and if you could, they certainly would not be organized the way YOU expect them to be.

I recently discovered Pinterest. It’s a place where you can save visual ideas online. It really helps to spark creativity, let me tell ya! I love looking at other pinboards for ideas and things that make me laugh. In fact, that’s why I am posting today. Below, for your visual enjoyment, are some not-so-ordinary ideas for organizing things. May it help you to think outside your box! READ MORE

Since I just finished helping you decide how you would organize your shoes, I cannot leave the subject without mentioning the need for shoe maintenance.  I have some shoes that I really love.  I really love them because they are really comfortable.  I’m sure you have a few pair like that… I find that having a small shoe maintenance kit is a must since we want to keep our comfortable shoes for as long as we can.

Here’s a content list for creating a shoe maintenance kit:

• Buffing Brush
• Suede Brush (only if you own suede footwear)
• Sneaker cleaner
• Black and/or your color choice of shoe polish
• Scuff  polish
• Buffing cloth
• Shoe laces (if you wear sneakers or other laced shoes)

I put it all together in a clear zippered pouch (like those packages used for window valances you purchase).  You can store the shoe maintenance kit in your closet or the coat closet if you want your family to have easy access to it.

Here’s a photo of my shoe maintenance kit.

There are many types of products available to store shoes.  I am featuring three products that I have used personally.

The first one, a shoe cubbie system, is my favorite.  It holds your shoes in a relatively small space, they are easily visible and you can grab them out with one hand!  I love easy access.  That also means easy to put away!  This shoe organizer will accommodate 20 pairs of women’s or children’s shoes. Each individual space measures 4″w x 6″h, and allows you to use toe-to-heel storage placement for scuff-free storage.  You can also order this system with doors, in case this is not being put in your closet.

The next storage idea is the shoe container.  It is usually made of plastic and the see-thru or clear    types are best.  These can be stacked on top of one another or placed on shelves.  The downside is that you have to remove and replace the lid each time.  I have used these shoe containers on a shoe rack and put the lids beneath the shoes that I wear the most so that I do not hassle with the lids.  The upside of using lids is that it keeps your shoes dust free.  I also label each shoe container and organize the boxes so that all brown shoes, for example, are in the same row.                                            (But if you know me, you know that I label EVERYTHING!)

Lastly, if you like to put away the off season shoes, then I recommend using the underbed shoe storage bags. I take my off season shoes and put them away because it makes my closet area looks neater and there is not so many choices staring at me when it is time to get dressed (i.e. I don’t have to look past the sandals to find my rain boots!).  Another use for the underbed shoe storage bag is for the shoes that are rarely worn, like the formal shoes, or special activity shoes (such as my flamenco shoes… did I mention I dance??!)

In the end, these storage options are all very viable but you have to do what works for you; for your unique personality and your closet space.  Who knows, if you live on Hawaii you may just need a few baskets to throw your flip flops into and you’re all set!

I have been offering tips on clothes organization so far.  Dare I attempt the shoes next?

Okay ladies, I understand the love of shoes. I really do!  I remember when I was 16, I discovered Marshall’s and their shoe department.  The prices were so great and I had birthday money to burn, so I happily purchased 8 pair of shoes that day. Yes, 8 pairs in one day!  Thankfully I haven’t gone that hog wild since.  I usually purchase one pair of shoes at a time (unless my dear daughter is with me!).

In order to organize shoes we have to first talk about purging a few pairs. If you are anything like me and my girlfriends more shoes come into the house than leave it….

Set aside some time and have a good CD or your iPod ready.  Next, gather all your shoes from around the house and pull all shoes out from your closet.  Put on the music, and sort your shoes into 4 categories.

1. Needs repair
2. Fall/Winter
3. Spring/Summer
4. All Year (these include those oh-so-comfy favorites)
5. and I forgot to mention this last one – Donate (don’t hate me!)

Now take the ones that need repair and place them in a bag by the door to take to the shoe repair shop the next time you do errands. Then, in another bag, put the shoes you have decided to donate.  My advice: have your spouse or friend drop them off at a donation center for you.  Saying good-bye won’t be so hard that way.

Now you are left to organize Fall/Winter, Spring/Summer, and All Year’s shoes.  Stay tuned for shoe organization products in my next post!