You know those odd household jobs that somehow never get done? The ones that sit untouched on your to-do list, quietly growing in size and dread with every passing week? Well, I have one of those and it’s my shoe cupboard.
Despite living in a compact flat with limited storage, I somehow lucked out with a spacious shoe cupboard at the bottom of my wardrobe. A rare luxury (especially in London). Sadly, I’d been neglecting it for far too long. Once a place where I carefully arranged my favourite flats and heels, it has become a dumping ground for tired trainers and mismatched sandals. Call it laziness, call it denial – either way, it had to stop.
So, here’s exactly how I tackled the chaos and turned my shoe cupboard into a space even Carrie Bradshaw would envy (sans the Manolos, sadly).
Set the mood
Let’s be honest, the hardest part of decluttering isn’t the task itself – it’s starting. I always find I’m far more motivated to clean if I pair it with great entertainment. Whether it’s a gripping new documentary, the latest episode of your favourite podcast, or a soundtrack that makes you feel like you’re starring in a makeover montage, it works wonders for getting in the zone.
My personal choices for this decluttering session? RAYE’s Live at the Montreux Jazz Festival – dramatic, jazzy, and full of energy – and Pulp Kitchen, my go-to film review podcast. Both come highly recommended for turning tidying into a surprisingly enjoyable time – highly recommended by me, of course. You’ll be amazed at how tidy spaces can be when you’re having fun.
Clear it out
Like any good artist – yes, decluttering is an art – you’ll want to start with a bank canvas.
First, I pulled every single pair of shoes and whatever else was lurking beneath out of the cupboard. No sorting, no second-guessing — just everything out in the open. This step alone made me realise just how many pairs I’d stuffed in there over the years. Once the cupboard was empty, I gave it a proper clean: a thorough vacuum followed by a wipe-down with a natural surface spray (which also helped with the vague foot smell – delightful). You can’t organise effectively without a fresh, clean space to work with.
Be brutal – boot the boots
Start the sorting by culling the weak. Be ruthless. Toss out anything that’s beyond repair, and donate the pairs you no longer wear – whether they’re out of style, uncomfortable or simply forgotten. If you’re finding this particularly hard, think of it this way: you’re making space for future purchases.
I had to give myself a decent dose of tough love at this stage. I had to face facts: my beloved, battle-worn biker boots – with soles literally hanging on by threads – weren’t salvageable. I’d clung on to them out of loyalty – they were the comfiest boots I’d ever worn but it was time to let go.
Just remember – we’re not here to shift our clutter from our homes to the landfill. Broken shoes can often be recycled and those still in good condition can be donated to charity shops or resold on apps such as Vinted, Depop, or eBay.
Sort and categorise
Once I’d pared down the collection to my true keepers, it was time to categorise.
This is crucial for visualising how to arrange everything neatly back in the cupboard later – and it also helps you spot gaps in your wardrobe (or sneaky duplicates you don’t need). I divided mine into five groups: trainers, pumps/flats, heels, boots and sandals. I did find one rogue pair of hiking boots that had never seen a hiking trail. Sufficiently shamed and noted.
Sorting shoes like this also led to some lovely surprises – forgotten gems buried at the bottom of the pile sparked new outfit ideas.
Clean them up
Before any shoe goes back into storage, it needs a proper spruce-up. Trust me, it’s worth the effort.
Here are my go-to cleaning tricks:
- Trainers: Remove the laces and gently treat any grime or stains with a baking soda paste (mix 1 tbsp of baking soda with a little warm water to form a paste) before popping them in the washing machine (always follow care labels).
- Everyday shoes: Use a soft brush to wipe off any loose dirt into a bin or outdoors. Then gently wipe down with a cloth dipped in warm water with a couple drops of washing-up liquid for a non-invasive and easy smarten up. You can also use shoe specific wipes and cleaners such as Sneaky wipes, which I used for an ultra easy clean.
- Suede: Brush gently with a suede-specific brush, then go in with a suede cleaner, such as The Leather Clinic Suede & Nubuck Cleaner Foam, and finish with a suede protector.
- Leather: Use a proper leather cleaner, such as HG Deep Cleaner for Leather — just follow the instructions carefully.
- Rubber soles or trims: A magic eraser (such as Mr. Clean Magic Eraser) works wonders to restore their shine.
Once clean, buff dry with a soft microfibre cloth. Avoid air-drying shoes in direct sunlight, as it can cause fading and warping.
Address the smell
Not the most glamorous topic but let’s face it, feet smell. And therefore sometimes our shoes smell, too. It happens to the best of us.
Once I clean my shoes, I like to give them a spritz of a deodorising spray. The one I used on this occasion was Sneaky’s Fresh Shoe and Trainer Deodorant, which was great at battling any and all shoe funk. These sprays neutralise odours by tackling the bacteria behind that unpleasant, sometimes vaguely cheesy, scent.
But why stop there? I also made sure the cupboard itself smelled lovely. My secret? A Rituals wardrobe fragrance. It’s like a strongly scented bar of soap crossed with a Christmas bauble. Simply hang it somewhere in your cupboard or wardrobe and let it do its thing. Now, every time I open my shoe cupboard, I get an elegant whiff of lavender and a wave of smugness.
Another way to achieve the same effect would be to use essential oils. Simply pick your oil/ scent of choice and saturate a cotton wool pad. Hide it in a corner of the cupboard and breathe easy.
Arrange, strategically
I opted for a classic shoe rack to restore some order to my chaotic shoe cupboard, but depending on your space, there are plenty of creative ways to store shoes (see ideas below!). I added a box for my flip slops and sandals to help save on space – their flat shape makes them ideal for slotting into tight spaces. You can also get inventive with how you arrange the shoes. By style, occasion, colour or whatever system suits you best.
Personally, I went for shoe type – trainers with trainers, heels with heels and so on. I put boots on top as they needed the extra head room. Then placed my most-worn shoes (such as trainers) on the middle rack for easy access, while flats live on the lower shelves, staying protected but still neatly stored.
I’m lucky enough to have a few gorgeous vintage designer pairs (thanks, Mum!), so keeping them pristine is a priority. Original shoe boxes, dust bags and shape-keepers work wonders for that, and stack up neatly just behind the rack. My shoe care items live on the side –polishes, sprays, brushes – you name it. Having all my footwear necessities all close together was so satisfying.
As a final touch, I hung my little fragrance bar off the shoe rack – and stood back, proud. The before-and-after photos say it all.
Surprising shoe storage hacks to try
Wine boxes
If you’re moving or looking to store shoes long-term, you might already have the perfect solution sitting in your garage. Wine boxes, with their built-in cardboard dividers, make surprisingly effective shoe organisers. Just slide a shoe into each section and admire your handiwork. It’s a clever way to keep shoes visible and easily accessible. Just note – this hack works best for slim shoes, such as ballet flats or sandals, not bulky styles such as boots.
Bookcases
More of a shopper than a scholar? Bookcases, especially cube-style units, are fantastic for storing shoes. They typically offer more space and have more shelves than traditional shoe racks, making them ideal for larger collections. Plus, they double as a display case for your favourite pairs.
Wine racks or PVC pipes
Repurpose wine racks or wide PVC pipe sections into a unique DIY shoe storage system. Each compartment can hold a rolled-up boot or a pair of flats, making them perfect for sandals, flip-flops, or smaller shoes. It’s a fun, functional way to keep your footwear tidy, that takes up minimal floor space.
Our favourite shoe racks
Dunelm 3 Tier Extendable Metal Shoe Rack
