Why keep shoes at the entrance?
Keeping shoes at the entrance of your home provides many benefits that can improve your home’s cleanliness and organization. Here are some of the top reasons to implement a shoe storage system near your entryway:
Prevent dirt and debris from being tracked inside
One of the main reasons to keep shoes contained at the entrance is to prevent dirt, grime, and debris from being tracked throughout your home. Shoes pick up all kinds of undesirable elements when worn outside, from mud and dirt to germs and bacteria. By taking off your shoes as soon as you enter and storing them at the door, you stop those contaminants from getting ground into your carpets and floors. This helps keep the interior of your home much cleaner.
Reduce wear and tear on floors
Constantly walking around on hard floors or carpets with outdoor shoes can lead to premature wear and tear. The small rocks, grit, and other abrasive materials that shoes track in have a sandpaper effect over time. Having a shoe storage solution means you and your family go shoeless inside. This prevents unnecessary scuffing and scratching that reduce the lifespan of your flooring. Going barefoot or wearing only socks or house slippers will keep floors in better condition.
Minimize odors
Shoes can develop quite an odor after being worn for long periods of time. The sweat, bacteria, and environmental exposures all combine to make shoes rather stinky. Keeping shoes contained right at the entrance prevents those unpleasant odors from wafting through the rest of your home. Stinky shoe smells will be localized at the door instead of permeating your living spaces.
Improves organization and minimizes clutter
Rather than having shoes strewn about haphazardly, a designated shoe storage solution keeps things neat and organized. No more tripping over shoes that have been kicked off and left in the middle of the floor. An organized system also makes it quick and easy to find the shoes you need when heading out the door. Reducing clutter in your entryway also makes your home feel cleaner and more put together.
Allows shoes to dry out properly
Wet or damp shoes need sufficient airflow to enable drying. Having designated storage at the entrance provides the right conditions to let shoes dry fully after wearing them in rain, snow, or other wet conditions. Proper drying helps preserve the quality and lifespan of shoes. Storing shoes further inside can trap moisture or slow the drying process.
Best practices for maintaining a shoe storage area
To get the most benefit from keeping shoes contained at the entrance, follow these tips for setting up and maintaining your storage solution:
Choose the right storage furniture or accessories
The ideal shoe storage for your entryway will accommodate the number of shoes you need to store while suiting your space and style. Consider a bench with cubbies, a coordinating shoe rack, a hall tree, or decorative bins. Look for storage options with ventilation to allow shoes to air and dry out. Pick storage furniture in a material like wood, metal, or plastic that’s easy to clean.
Use removable rugs or mats
Place doormats outside and inside your exterior doors to help remove dirt, grime, and moisture from shoes before storage. Opt for rugs or mats that can be taken outside and hosed off periodically to keep them clean. Avoid carpeted mats, which can harbor dirt and odors. Removable rugs are also great for catching shoe dirt right as you kick them off.
Get a boot tray
A waterproof rubber or plastic boot tray is ideal for containing muddy shoes, snowy boots, or shoes worn in rain and snow. The tray catches dripping water and loose dirt to keep them contained, rather than dirtying the floors surrounding the storage area. They’re inexpensive, easy to clean out with a hose, and contain spills and messes.
Include seating
Having a bench or chair makes it easy to sit down to put shoes on or take them off. This is especially helpful for those with mobility limitations. Even just a small seat, stool, or ottoman provides a place to sit while changing footwear.
Incorporate cubbies, shelves, or racks
To keep shoes organized and separated, storage furniture and accessories with divided sections helps. Cubbies, shelves, divided racks, and multi-compartment bins all enable assigning a space for each shoe type and family member. This prevents pairs from being separated.
Allow space to walk
Make sure to leave enough space around and in front of your shoe storage area to walk comfortably. You don’t want the storage pieces to end up blocking open floor area and traffic flow. Measure the space and size furniture appropriately so the area doesn’t get too cramped.
Add hooks for coats and bags
Since you’ll be removing outerwear when you take off shoes, add hooks or coat racks nearby to hang up jackets, coats, hats, purses, and bags. Consolidating all entranceway items in one spot keeps everything neater.
Incorporate a seat or shelf for keys, sunglasses, etc.
You’ll also want to stow other items you carry when coming and going from your home. Have a small shelf, table, or seat/bench with storage to keep keys, sunglasses, wallets, phones and other personal items. Hooks work great for leashes, dog collars, or lanyards too.
Use baskets or bins for loose items
For maximum organization, incorporate decorative baskets or bins to corral additional loose items. Place them on shelves or in open cubbies in your storage furniture. Use them for items like shoe polish, shoehorns, insoles or other accessories. Bins keep them visible but neatly contained.
Add lighting
Sufficient lighting makes the area fully functional when getting ready in the morning or arriving home at night. Overhead lighting, accent lighting, or even battery-operated motion-sensor lights can illuminate the space nicely.
Keep cleaning supplies handy
Have a small broom, duster, and vacuum readily available to maintain the space. Also keep cleaning wipes or spray cleaner to periodically sanitize storage furniture and wipe up dirt. Promptly cleaning when you notice dirt prevents it from building up.
Set house rules
To get the most use out of your organized entry storage, establish guidelines for the whole family to follow. Rules might include taking shoes off as soon as you enter, placing shoes in assigned spots, wiping muddy shoes before storing, etc. Consistency helps maintain order.
Rotate shoes seasonally
Make the most of your storage space by packing away shoes that aren’t currently in season. For example, stow sandals during winter months and boots during summer. Swap them back when the weather changes. Removing off-season footwear declutters the area.
Contain odors
Use deodorizers specifically formulated for shoes and insoles to keep smells at bay. Baking soda, charcoal bags, or odor-eating inserts can be placed right inside shoes. Maintaining cleanliness of the storage furniture also helps prevent odors.
Shoe storage ideas
There are lots of creative options for incorporating shoe storage at your home’s entrance. Here are some recommended storage ideas:
Entryway bench
An entryway bench provides both seating and storage. Many feature lift-up lids to access built-in storage compartments. Options with cubbies, shelves, or racks keep pairs separated and organized. It consolidates storage neatly.
Coat rack with shoe storage
For small spaces, choose a double-duty piece like a coat rack with built-in shoe storage below the hanging rod. Some designs have shelving or multiple-tier racks. This combines two needs in a narrow footprint.
Over-the-door shoe organizers
These space-saving designs hang right over your door to instantly create multiple compartments for shoes. The see-through vinyl or mesh pockets let you easily identify pairs. Over-the-door options work well for closet doors or pantry entrances too.
Stackable shoe racks
Stackable plastic or metal mesh racks come in modular tiers, typically with 2 to 4 shelves each. You can combine as many units as needed to build customized storage. Their boxy shape neatly fits in corners or other out-of-the-way spots.
Freestanding shoe racks
Freestanding shoe racks come in myriad sizes and styles, from basic shelving units to taller cabinets or wardrobes. Rotating options allow you to spin the rack to access all sides. Rustic wood wine racks also double as great shoe storage.
Repurposed furniture
Give older furniture new purpose by repurposing it for shoe storage. An old bookcase, cabinet, or dresser positioned horizontally makes a stylish shoe organizer. Simply add hooks, cubbies, or shelves specifically for footwear.
Shoe cabinet
Shoe cabinets provide covered storage to conceal messy shoes. Full-sized wardrobes give ample storage for large collections. Narrow vertical cabinets fit in tight areas. Options with drawers or doors keep dust out.
Basket or bin storage
For a budget-friendly option, collect baskets, crates, or bins to corral shoes. They stack or cluster neatly. Just be sure to choose breathable styles that allow shoes to air out, not air-tight plastic. Wire storage cubes work great too.
DIY storage solutions
If you’re handy and creative, consider building your own custom shoe storage. Some ideas are:
– Picture ledges installed in entryway to hold shoes
– Plywood cubbies constructed and mounted on wall
– Wooden crate shelves for boots and shoes
– Repurposed drawer organizers mounted on wall as shelves
– Benches built from wood, stocked with storage compartments
The possibilities are endless to create functional storage that fits your space perfectly using simple materials.
Conclusion
Implementing an organized storage solution for shoes at your home’s entrance provides huge benefits when it comes to cleanliness, maintenance, organization and more. Take time to set up a system that works for your needs. Teach family members to use it properly. With some periodic cleaning and decluttering, you can enjoy tidy, odor-free storage that enhances your entryway. Getting in the habit of taking off shoes and using the storage is worth the effort for a cleaner home interior.
