How to Organize Shoes and Boots for Fall
As we transition into fall, it’s the perfect time to get our wardrobes—and footwear—in order. Fall shoes and boots tend to be bulkier and more challenging to organize, but with a little time and the right tools, you can make your closet not only functional but also a joy to look at. I typically store my boots and shoes in their original boxes, but I know that’s not practical or convenient for most women, so here are some of my favorite tips for keeping your shoes neat and accessible as we move into fall.
Interested in more organization tips? Check out this post: How to Prepare Your Closet for Fall and How to Declutter Your Wardrobe
Ways to Organize Boots and Shoes for Fall
1. Start by Decluttering Your Collection
The first step is always to assess what you have. I like to go through my shoes at the start of every season, deciding what to keep and what to let go of. If a pair no longer fits, is worn out beyond the ability to repair, or hasn’t been worn in several years, it’s probably time to remove them from your wardrobe.
Pro Tip: Keep a small cleaning kit nearby so you can refresh your shoes before putting them back into storage. This shoe cleaning kit is a great choice for making your shoes look like new.
2. Group Shoes by Type
I’ve found that organizing shoes by type (like boots, sneakers, flats, and heels) makes them easier to locate and keeps your storage efficient.
For boots, I recommend using boot shapers to help them keep their form. Boots can flop over easily and create a cluttered look, plus this damages the shaft over time. Boot shapers help them stand tall and prevent creasing. You can also use rolled newspapers or old towels to save money.
These Adjustable Boot Stands are another option for keeping your boots upright and ready to wear when they aren’t in use.
3. Maximize Vertical Space
If you’re working with limited closet space, think vertically! Adding shelves or a shoe rack is a simple way to increase storage without taking up more floor space. Multi-tiered racks can hold multiple pairs of shoes while keeping them visible and easily accessible.
Shoe Racks like this are perfect for maximizing vertical space in a cramped closet or boot room.
4. Store Your Boots Properly
Fall boots can be one of the trickiest items to store due to their size. If you have the space, storing them in clear boxes or bins is a great way to keep them protected from dust while still making it easy to see what you have.
These Clear Boot Storage Boxes stack neatly and keep your boots dust-free.
5. Consider Drawers or Cubbies for a Larger Collection
If you have a more extensive shoe collection, cubbies or individual shoe drawers are an excellent solution. I love cubby systems because each pair has its own space, which prevents scuffs and keeps everything looking neat. You can even stack cubbies for added storage throughout the season.
These Stackable Shoe Cubbies are customizable and keep your collection organized while looking stylish.
6. Use Over-the-Door Organizers for Flats and Sneakers
Over-the-door organizers are an easy and affordable way to store smaller shoes like flats, sneakers, or ankle boots. I like to use these for shoes kept by the back door, which I wear frequently since they keep everything easily accessible and off the floor.
This Over-the-Door Shoe Organizer holds up to 24 pairs of shoes and is ideal for small spaces.
7. Rotate Shoes by Season
One trick I’ve found incredibly helpful is rotating shoes by season. For fall, I move my boots, closed-toe shoes, and sneakers to the lower shelves where I can easily reach them, and move my summer sandals to the highest shelves of my closet. You can also store them in bins or under the bed. This method helps streamline your shoe selection so you can easily find what you need for the current season.
These Under-Bed Shoe Storage Bags are perfect for stashing away off-season shoes and saving closet space.
8. Keep Shoes Off the Floor
One rule I always follow: never leave shoes piled on the floor! It not only looks cluttered but can also lead to scuffs or damage. Using shelves, racks, or cubbies keeps shoes off the floor and easier to clean around.
This Freestanding Shoe Tower holds up to 50 pairs of shoes, making it ideal for larger collections and keeping shoes off the floor.
9. Label Your Shoe Storage
If you store your shoes in bins or boxes, labeling is a game-changer. Label each box so you can find exactly what you’re looking for without opening each one. This simple step saves time and frustration when you’re in a hurry.
This Label Maker creates clear and professional-looking labels for your shoe bins or other storage containers
10. Maintain Your Shoes Regularly
Finally, maintaining your shoes and boots throughout the season is essential to keeping them in good condition. Regular cleaning, polishing, and rotating will extend their life and ensure they stay looking their best. I like to give my leather boots a quick polish at least once a season, and I clean up my shoes regularly to keep them looking fresh. Taking them to the cobbler for a refresh also helps restore them to like-new condition.
This Shoe Polish and Conditioner Kit is perfect for keeping your shoes and boots in top condition, especially through the fall and winter months.
Do you have any shoe organization tips you love?
Great ideas! I recently downsized from a room sized closet (literally) to a long, narrow walk in. I like that I can see everything but have had to get creative for the shoes. The over the door shoe storage is perfect and keeps dust out. The rest are stacked on the shelf in clear boxes. My tall boots are lined up on the top shelf and I found that those dreaded wire hangers from the dry cleaners are perfect to bend into tall boot shapers! I also keep shoe care kit and magic erasers for sneakers and scuffs.
I’d also love to see how you organize all your clothes and shoes, Jennifer.
Great ideas. My mother saved her shoes in the original box. I need to start doing that
Love the Picolinos at the beginning of your blog. I have worn them for years when they fit right. Have a summer pair that I love!
Very comfy brand
Great ideas. I have a smallish area and am going to invest in boot “thingies”! And shoe cubes. The hanging storage is great for summer shoes and sandals . Plus label my shoe boxes. Thank you.
Jennifer – I’ve always kept my shoes in the original boxes…I use a marker to mark the type of shoe, purchase month/year (sometimes I even keep the original sales receipt; I know, weird). It’s been my opinion that buying plastic shoe boxes is an unnecessary expense. I keep the toes stuffed with the paper/cardboard that was originally in the shoe; and, when that becomes useless, I use my old “large” shoulder pads as stuffing. I also move the seasonal shoes to the bottom shelves and the non-seasonal to the top shelves. I’m fortunate that I have a number of shelves at the back wall of the closet and that’s my “shoe collection.”
Smart ideas! And BTW, I keep some of my original receipts too!
I use an empty pet bottle for the shape of the boots
I have to 2nd your thoughts on the Cobbler! My husband’s dress shoes got ruined by the rain at a wedding. I could not believe how good they looked after a cobbler refurbishing. I took several pairs of leather boots, and they look fantastic.
People forget how valuable cobblers are. I’m on the hunt for a good one where we moved.
Great information! I use empty wine bottles to keep my tall boots upright – works like a charm!
Smart! We have plenty of those around the holidays.
Help! I need/want a loafer style shoe for Fall. I have a medium width foot with bunions that make loafers too tight! So a wide width is good except it slips on my heel… which is not a good fit.
Suggestions???
Check Munro. They’re carry wide and are super comfy.
I have a small closet for shoes and use this product:
https://food52.com/shop/products/8103-space-saving-shoe-holders
This product stacks the two shoes on each other and this is very helpful!
Great post!
I change my shoes out by season too. I put them in boxes and because of lack of room I store them in the garage. We have shelves in our closet that we keep the shoes we are currently wearing. Since having foot problems I really need to break down and give away several pairs I just can’t wear anymore. These are wonderful ideas. Thanks
I’ll be culling my boot collection as soon as we get back to California.
P.S. No need to label because they’re transparent.
Love that idea
Hi Jennifer, I love these ideas. I keep my shoes in the shoe boxes from Container Store. I use the women’s for my regular shoes & the men’s for my sneakers because of the thicker sole. It’s basically like Tupperware for your shoes.
Great ideas, especially the label maker. I’ve asked this one thing of you in the past
…….. would you please show us pictures of YOUR closet. Would love to see the finished look. Thank you.
I’ll try and get a photo when we get home. It’s a small closet I share with my husband so not fancy or impressive.
This is such a timely post and good advice. I changed up my shoes just yesterday and pretty much used the tips you suggest in this post. Luckily I have a walk-in closet with shoe cubbies so I store them there and put the past season in plastic containers and store on the top shelf. I used to label the containers, but shoes come and go so I gave up on that. Although it’s a good idea if you can keep up with it. You may have inspired me to relabel those containers!
You’re so lucky to have the cubbies!!
And I thought I was the only one who still stored my shoes in the original box! LOL
Great minds think alike! Xo
Thank you for a great post. I am currently working on a shoe/boot storage over hall. I just purchased pool noodles to keep my boots upright. I like your boot shapers. Thank you and thank you for your page. Jennifer in Port Angeles, WA
Pool noodles are a great idea
Enjoyed your post today. I store my shoes and boots on a high shelf in their own box with the label out.
That’s basically what I do too. Great minds think alike.
My best tip is EDITING ! If I haven’t worn a pair all season I think about donating them . I don’t do that so much anymore because I have very useful ankle boots + some semi-enclosed sandals which more or less covers me for all year since I only wear trousers (US pants) and live in a non-extreme climate – England .
That’s a great tip. I’m guilty of keeping footwear past its prime if it’s really comfy.
I use pool noodles, cut to size, to keep boots standing upright. Works for all heights of boots and booties, from over-the-knee boots to sock booties.
Great idea!
I do as well since more than reasonably priced and can be quickly customized for sizing using an utility/box knife. -Brenda-