Star of Vaudeville, Will Rogers, famously said, “You never get a second chance to make a first impression”. Our entryways and hallways are often the first things guests are exposed to when coming to our home.
In the grand scheme of things, hallways are often the least considered rooms as they are merely the interludes to other, more important rooms. For guests, however, when these areas are in disarray, it does not bode well!
This guide on essential shoe storage ideas will help you make that much-needed good first impression on guests and family. It also will provide you with practical hallway shoe storage ideas that won’t require the need for a building contractor to implement. Plus, a few of our ideas just may inspire you to tackle the rest of your home!
The Importance of Organised Hallways
First Impressions Matter
Walking into someone’s home and seeing a pile of shoes is not a great look, especially if that pile of shoes has any hint of odour. Your entrance hallway is a guest's first impression of your personal space, make it a good one!
Maximising Space in Small Entryways
When you have limited space to work within your entry hallway, you need to make the most of it. You still create practical storage space, but you need to be a bit more clever. Proper, organised shoe storage is key in making the best use of a cramped hallway.
Better Flow for Guests
When your entry hallway is unobstructed by clutter, it makes your home more welcoming. There is also a safety element involved, as guests can easily trip on a loose shoe or other obstruction when they come into your home. Our shoe storage ideas just may save you a trip to the ER!
Stylish Shoe Storage Ideas for Your Hallway
Multifunctional Furniture
1. Shoe Storage Benches
A shoe storage bench serves as a seat so you can comfortably take off and put on shoes. It also offers a concealed place for you to discreetly store your shoes. This is a great option for when you don’t want guests to see your favourite wellies on display.
2. Shoe Cabinet With Shelves
Shoe cabinets with shelves offer convenient shoe storage, it is easier to identify your shoes on a shelf. Shoe storage cabinets with shelves can also be mounted to your wall, keeping your floor space clear of any clutter.
Vertical Solutions
3. Hanging Shoe Storage
Hanging shoe storage options include:
- Over-door shoe organiser with pockets or hooks offer a no-fuss way to organise your entry hallway. They can be hung behind your front door to be out of the way, or on an inner hallway door for more privacy.
- A shoe sling is a simple solution that can hold multiple shoes, great for your casual, day-to-day footwear. It is a much more casual solution than bulky shoe storage boxes.
Hidden Storage
4. Under Stairs Shoe Storage
Under stairs storage cupboards are often overlooked as a shoe storage space. This is mostly due to the fact that you usually need to install additional fixtures to make it work.
Pull-out drawers and open shelving are ideal to fix inside your under stairs cupboard. This provides ample storage room for the whole families’ shoes. Much more budget-friendly options are placing a series of shoe cubbies in the cupboard, negating the need for any drilling or hammering.
5. Shoe Drawers
If you already have items in your cupboards, making understairs shoe storage an impossibility, free-standing shoe drawers are a great alternative. Although they don’t have the same multi-functionality as a bench with shoe storage, they are a stylish and convenient way to maximise the storage space in your entrance hallway.
- Sliding drawers are a great way to conceal your stored shoes, keeping your entryway clean and classy. You may need to fit dividers in the drawers to help keep your shoes separate, if not already in place in the drawers when you purchase them.
- Vertical or stackable storage drawers allow you to limit the floor space needed for storage. They fit great in any corner and help you utilise vertical space that often gets wasted.
Open Storage Solutions
6. Decorative Shoe Storage Boxes
- Fabric shoe storage boxes are a popular and attractive way to store shoes in your entryway. The range of designs available makes fabric shoe storage boxes one of the most fun and varied solutions for entrance hall storage.
- Wooden crate shoe storage is a very aesthetically pleasing shoe storage solution. While you can purchase rustic wooden crates online, it is also a great opportunity to put your DIY skills to the test. By collecting wooden crates and painting them or treating the wood, you can make a beautiful centrepiece for your entry hallway.
7. Repurposed Furniture for Shoe Storage
Repurposing old furniture can be a fun DIY project and a super effective shoe storage solution. Let's look at a few old furniture items that can be given new life with a little bit of inspiration.
- Old TV stands can be given new life as shoe storage space.
- Wine racks make a quirky space for casual shoes.
- An old trunk or wooden chest makes a discrete storage space, but you will need dividers to prevent shoes from getting disorganised.
- Old bookcases make fantastic shoe storage shelves, and you can use any open spots for decorations, like flower pots.
Tips for Maintaining Your Shoe Storage System
- Declutter your shoe storage area every few months to prevent unnecessary items from taking up valuable space.
- Seasonal shoes like thick boots or flip-flops should be rotated and placed in separate storage areas to avoid unnecessary clutter in your entrance hallway.
- Clean and deodorise shoes regularly to prevent a potentially odorous environment from taking hold in your front entrance.
- Shoe inserts will help your shoes maintain their shape longer and help you prevent creases in the shoe fabric while in storage.
Use Storage King To Store Your Shoes
An organised hallway translates to an organised home. The shoe storage ideas we presented in this article should inspire you to revitalise your hallways. If, however, you need to make more room to implement some of our great ideas, why not visit Storage King and check out our affordable and flexible personal storage options? You can get a free quote from us.
Take advantage of our great service and let us help you make that perfect lasting first impression!