Having to choose from all the different shoe organizers can be a rather overwhelming task and it is not surprising either as there are many different brands and models you can choose from. Once you know exactly what to look for and what you want, then the process is actually not that difficult. However, you may need to spend a little time first to consider what your needs are and what kind of closet organization system you want to implement. Every individual is different but if you follow the guidelines below, then you will be able to find something for a great price.
Determine the size of the shoe organizer
This will ultimately depend on how many pairs of shoes as you definitely want to choose an organizer that is tailored for your needs. It makes absolutely no sense to purchase a shoe cubby that is able to hold 20 pairs of shoes when you only have a few pairs. Likewise, if you have more pairs than you care to admit then you may need multiple solutions which you can readily buy at online stores or at local department stores.
Ensure that there is adequate space
The worse thing that you can do is spend money on a closet shoe organizer that does not even fit in your room so do not make this mistake. If you are not sure, then simply take a measuring tape so you know exactly what the dimensions are. This might seem rather tedious at first but it is absolutely necessary and it only takes a few minutes to do. And if you do end up purchasing a shoe rack or a cabinet from a local department store, you can give a sales person the exact dimensions that you have available. If you need to, be sure to take measurements of length, depth and width of your closet to determine how much space you have.
Determine what type of shoe organizer you will buy
So once you have determined how many pairs of footwear that you have and that you have plenty of space for an organization unit, the next thing to determine is what type you will get. This might sound a bit confusing at first so here is a breakdown of the different types you can choose:
1. Shoe cubby – This one is similar to the popular ClosetMaid shoe closet in which it consists of about 15 slots for your shoes or other accessories. These kinds generally require the most amount of space but they are perfect for placing either inside your bedroom or in a walk in closet. As you might expect, these ones also cost the most amount of money as they are typically made with quality wood construction.
2. Hanging shoe organizer – This one is basically like a giant pouch with individual slots for all your shoes. These ones are very inexpensive and some brands you can purchase from include ClosetMaid, Kennedy Home Collection, Whitmor, Honey Can Do and many others. This one simply gets put on the hanging rack of a closet (like the names suggests) or over the door depending on which one you get.
3. Closet shoe shelf – You have probably seen one of these yourself at either a friend’s house or another social gathering. Basically, these are like shelves which expand accordingly to hold your shoes. These typically consist of different tiers with 2 and 3 tier shelves being the most popular. These are almost always found near the front door so that you can easily and quickly organize all your footwear in one place.
4. Underbed shoe storage – As the name suggests, this one gets placed under your bed which is rather convenient if space inside your closet is limited. The only downside with these ones is that they are not able to hold a lot of pairs but they are still useful regardless for your favorite shoes.
These are perhaps the most popular types that you will encounter and which one you get is ultimately dependent on what your needs are so be sure to choose accordingly.
Determine how much you are willing to spend
The price you are willing to pay ultimately determines the type of product you will get. If you are on a budget, then consider getting a hanging shoe organizer as these are very much affordable and very much beneficial. If you have a little more money to spare and would like a shoe organizer that complements your home, then get something more extravagant like a shoe cubby made with oak wood. Keep in mind also that you do not necessarily have to pay full retail for these items as you can find them for low prices by shopping online.
Choose from a trusted brand
You always get what you pay for. In general, you should stick with those brands who have lasted for a while and which come highly recommended by others. Some brands you might want to start with include Closet Maid, Whitmor, Whitney Design and Kennedy Home Collection. Of course, there are a lot more out there to choose from but be sure to read reviews ahead of time before spending money on shoe organizers that are not built very well.
Many different materials to choose from
Finally, many of these shoe organizers and furniture will come in different materials ranging from cloth, metal, plastic and wood. Before you settle down on the first one you see, first consider the décor of your home and choose a unit that looks good with the rest of your house. If you are not sure which one to get, then you can always compare different models together until you find one that you like best.
Do not stress about it!
One more important thing is not to stress about which closet shoe organizer you end up purchasing as it really should not take that long to decide on one and just buy. While there are so many different options available, you are only going to beat yourself up if you are constantly looking at different brands and models and comparing them. If you end up purchasing an organizing system that you do not like, then you can always return it for something else so have fun with the shopping process. If you are a do it yourself type of individual, then you can always learn how to make a shoe organizer yourself although this process will take much longer depending on your skill set.
