Mar 25

reg-1300136434-171691This new line of cubbies is great for shoes, toys and more!  Kids are notorious for leaving their shoes all over the house , believe me, I know this!  One way to get kids to organize, tidy up and generally keep better care of things is to use very colorful and easy to use storage containers!  This new line of storage bins and cubbies, like the 6 Bin Storage Cabinet by Sourcing Solutions are just the thing you need to get started.  These cubbies fit into both categories.  First, they are colorful - this means that they will attract the eyes of even the tiniest tots.  Another great thing about this is that if you have more than one child in the home, you can assign colors to each of them, so that everyone knows where his or her shoes go when he or she gets home!  Another way to use this particular bin system is to have kids put things like backpacks and jackets in the top bin, shoes in the bottom bin.  This will solve many problems with getting ready in the morning on time.  The second most important thing about these storage bins is that they are very easy to use.  Even little kids can pull the colorful bins in and out without much help.

Feb 03

Do you love shoes AND gardening? I do!! Did you know that a certain kind of shoe rack makes a great hanging herb garden? Read on to find out how you can do this, how I did it, and some great tips to get the best results!

Believe it or not, an over the door shoe rack, such as this Over the Door Shoe Organizer by Richards, can help to make you a great hanging herb garden! I first saw this in sunset magazine in an article about a restaurant. Theirs wasn’t exactly a shoe rack, but it was the same concept with pockets just like these and herbs growing out of each pocket. The benefit of this in a restaurant is, of course, fresh and free herbs right at your fingertips anytime you need them. I wanted to do these benefits at home as well, plus some more (see below), so I decided to give this upright herb garden a shot.

First I found an older shoe rack that I wasn’t using anymore. It has to be the type with pockets, not wire racks, and you have to be able to attach it to the wall somehow. This means you should take off the over the door hooks (if you want) and then use nails, screws or staples to adhere it to the wall. If it is going inside your kitchen, like mine did, you might need to cut it down to size. For example, I don’t have room for all of the pockets, I made mine by cutting the shoe organizer down to just six pockets, which fits perfectly right next to my sink. Which brings me to my next point, drainage. You want good drainage with these, so drill holes if you have to or use a mesh organizer to begin with. The water also needs somewhere to drain - I was lucky enough to have a window over my sink with plenty of natural light, so this is really the perfect place for my herb garden - the water simply drains into the sink after watering!

Hope you like this idea! Bon Apetit!

Jan 10

shoe-benchAn organizer and a beautiful piece of furniture all in one!  The Chelmsford Shoe Bench is a wonderful addition to your home, giving everything you want in the way of storage and style.  A shoe bench has many benefits to it, and there are just so many to choose from.  One of the things I love about a shoe bench, as opposed to just a shoe rack, is that it provides shoe storage, but in a very stylish way that makes it okay to have out in the open.  For example, this shoe rack bench has 12 cubbies underneath and is in a beautiful dark wood.  So even though you are storing shoes in it, it is appropriate for use in the entryway or hall or other places that a visitor might see.  Another great thing about the shoe bench is that it is, a bench, in addition to a shoe rack – this is wonderful because it gives you a perfectly comfortable place to sit while you put your shoes on, or take them off!  Here are some things to keep in mind when you are looking for the right shoe bench or rack for your home.

  1. Number one is capacity.  You need to know first, are you going to put every shoe that you own on this rack or just seasonal items, or if you have a large family, how many pairs of shoes is each person allowed to keep by the door on this rack?  If you live alone, you can easily get away with just a few cubbies.  If you have the whole family using the rack, then you should pick the largest amount of cubbies and then divide that number by the amount of people in the home and that’s how many pairs each person can store in that particular place.
  2. Other things to think about are style, price, materials etc.  There are shoe benches in every imaginable finish to match your existing furniture and home decor.
Oct 17

reg-1286484119-158847Shoe racks come in all shapes and sizes!  What we typically think of as a shoe rack is a set of open shelves or bars, shoes lined up side by side where you can see each and every pair.  This is a great way to organize and store shoes, as it allows you to see very clearly what pairs you have available, every size, making it easy to choose the right accessories for your outfit that day.  Another option for storing shoes, however, is very simple - something you probably already have around the house, or, at the very least, can pick up very inexpensively at a store, and that item is a drawer!  Drawers come in all shapes, sizes and styles, so it’s easy to find one to fit in with your decor and budget. 

Some of the benefits of shoe drawers are the following: 
1.  First of all, shoes can’t fall out of drawers when they are closed.  If you (or others in your family) have trouble keeping your shoes on the rack and off the floor, drawers may just be the right answer for you.  They will keep shoes stored in the drawer, offering a more neat and tidy look to your closet or hallway, wherever you keep your shoes handy.
2. Second of all, drawers keep shoes out of sight.  Some people might find that they don’t want their shoes in their face all the time, they would rather have them hidden away.  And a drawer can easily solve this issue.
3. Thirdly, drawers offer relief from any shoe odor that is bothering you.  A plastic drawer will keep odors totally contained, but it you want a little airflow, try a woven or fabric drawer system, like this versatile 3 Drawer Chest.   Set it up in a closet or even out in the open and keep your shoes out of sight (and smell)!

Sep 15

Just kidding, anyone with a love of shoes can benefit from a sturdy shoe box, even a minor upgrade from the cardboard shoe boxes handed out at stores is a great idea! There are many options out there, from plastic to fabric, wicker and more. But what should you do with your “splurge” shoes? You know, the ones that cost one quarter of your mortage payment last month? You can’t simply place your designer shoes on a shelf, or on the floor, or even in the cardboard box they came in. If your shoes cost more than 100 dollars, you can expect to get good resale value for them down the road someday, but only if you take very good care of them in the meantime. One way to do that is to invest in some nice shoe boxes, and I think canvas is a great choice. For a more multi purpose product that you can use for years for shoes or other types of storage, a simple Cotton Canvas Storage Box is the way to go. Since you will literally have this storage container forever, you will want it to be sturdy, and also to protect what is inside. And this box truly does that. The material used is heavy duty breathable cotton canvas – heavy duty means you can use it for many years, and breathable is so important, especially for natural material shoes like leather, suede and other shoes that are sensitive to moisture – you don’t want moisture to ruin your expensive footwear, but you also don’t want to let moths or other insects to get in there and ruin things. For this reason, a fully closed shoe box is important and luckily this one is – a zipper runs around the perimeter of the box to keep items safe and sound!

Aug 08

reg-1281146168-18234A feminine, elegant shoe rack makes its debut! The Vinea Stuff shoe racks are beautiful, functional, space efficient and much more! We are so used to having sturdy, functional shoe racks to help us keep our closets clean and shoes off of the floor, but are sometimes seeking more choices in terms of style to match our favorite footwear. The Vinea Stuff Shoe Shelf is just the product to kick the style in your closet up a notch! In fact, these shoe racks are so cute, they are a welcome addition to the living room, hallway, and are a favorite in the dorm rooms and studio apartments. Space efficient features include a slim profile, great for tight spaces and hallways, at just twelve inches deep, and the fact that they are stackable. Each set comes with two shelves, creating three levels of storage for shoes. The shelves have a unique design that really allows them to lock into place when they are stacked on one another. Purchase more sets and stack them on top of one another for a high capacity shoe storage rack and use it in the back of the closet, or against a brightly colored wall for a girly style statement. These shoe organizers are made of steel, but are painted a beautiful white with a Victorian style stamped and cut pattern on each shelf – a pretty, feminine addition to the home. Young girls, teens, and ladies of all ages will be inspired to keep their shoes off the floor and on the rack where they belong when they see this fun shoe rack. Makes a great gift and excellent for Back To School season! These shelves are easy to clean and also fold easily for portability and storage.

Jul 07

reg-1277765427-155564This new line of over the door shoe organizers packs a punch both in capacity and style! Why settle for the same old boring shoe organizer when you can have one that adds style and a punch of color to your home décor! These shoe racks come in a variety of patterns, colors and sizes, something for everyone. The brightest colored ones come in pinks, lime greens and yellows, with really fun patterns to match. These are suitable for kids and teens, giving them inspiration in the form of fashion to organize their closets (and keep them that way once and for all!) College age kids and adults may choose one of the more subdued models, such as the Red and white swirls or the ultra modern dots fabric. Each of these over the door shoe racks has an eco friendly cotton backing, and pvc pockets. The pockets are clear which has many benefits. First, it allows you to see what’s inside the pockets, making these shoe racks useful for more things than just footwear - keep jewelry, scarves, accessories and toys organized in the Original Stash 20 Pocket Organizer. Second, it allows you to see through to the vibrant colors and patterns that are just what you need to add a little pizzazz to your closet or bedroom. The benefits of Over the Door storage racks can not be overstated. Utilizing the back of any door to add storage and organization to your home is one of the easiest things you can do. The hooks simply hang over the top of the door, no screws, nails, glue or drilling to mount - great for renters, dorm and studio dwellers. These colorful closet organizers will make a great back to school gift for those going off to college at the end of this summer! And best of all, they are very affordable for even those on a tight budget.

Jun 11

This Under the Bed Shoe Storage Box is updated with stylish and functional options, a great twist on under bed shoe storage options! 
Under the bed storage is so important for homes with limited closet space, and it can be used for almost anything!  Find boxes and bags of all types that simply slip under the bed for storage of clothes, decorations, linens, shoes and much more!  If your bed lies flat against the floor, or you simply don’t think you have the clearance for an underbed storage box, a great option for you are bed risers. These are available in several sizes, styles and colors, and simply lift your bed off the ground, giving you the clearance you need to make use of that hidden storage area under the bed.  This shoe rack slides right under the bed, providing shoe storage for up to 10 pairs, depending on the size.  Dividers keep everything in its place, and prevent shoes from scratching and damaging each other.  The large lower compartment holds high boots nicely, with cubbies above it for heels, gym shoes, flip flops and more! Additional storage is available in the side compartments for hosiery, scarves, belts, socks and other accessories.  Best of all, this shoe storage box has a tip lid that lifts up for easy access to safely stored items.  The lid is split, as well, so it can be opened from two different sides, and two nylon handles make operation easy as pie!  Simply slide this box in and out from underneath the bed for shoe storage that will last for years to come – great for keeping out of season shoes and other items stored safely, free from damage!   The cardboard construction includes a UV coating and a beautiful floral pattern, a truly stylish storage option.

May 21

shoe-boxesShoe boxes get a much needed makeover with these elegant Canvas Shoe Boxes

If you are a shoe collector (and aren’t we all, really?  at least anyone who is reading this must be), then you know that you can’t just keep your best shoes in cardboard shoe boxes.  You’ve invested in a great pair of shoes, one that you swear you will wear for years to come, and this pair of shoes needs somewhere very safe to be stored.  There are many options out there for permanent style shoe boxes (for long term or seasonal storage).  They range from clear plastic, which are great for seeing what’s in them and certainly keep the dust off, but they are not much sturdier than their cardboard friends.  Wood shoe boxes are wonderful but more on the pricey side.  Well this week’s featured product lands right in between these other options.  Safe, sturdy, affordable and stylish.  These canvas shoe boxes are soft yet sturdy, with sides that won’t collapse on you when you stack them sky high.  The canvas is contrasted nicely by a stylish brown border for looks.  They close up completely, with a cute little door on the front to keep dust and insects out, and, believe it or not, you can still see what’s inside, even though the box is opaque.  A transparent vinyl window on the front allows you to get a good glimpse of what shoes are hiding in there so that you don’t have to open dozens of boxes to get to the right pair!  And, best of all, when not in use (??), these boxes collapse completely for storage and are great for travel!  Use them for shoe storage, or for crafts, scarves, accessories and other items around the home.  Enjoy this new and improved shoe storage box!

Apr 25

modular-shoe-rackImagine, an all in one closet organizer that includes a shoe rack – well that’s just what I’ve found!  The complete closet hanging organizer system is a modular system that allows you to pick and choose the pieces that you want to get your closet organized once and for all.  Each piece hangs over the closet rod which is one of the best ways to make space-conscious use of your closet.  Often times, a closet will have short skirts and shirts hanging from the top bar, with one hundred percent wasted space underneath it.  The best way to make the most of your closet space is by taking advantage of every inch of vertical space, and hanging shoe organizers help you to do this.  This closet organizer is the typical canvas style with shelves and cubbies of varying sizes, with one twist.  You get to choose the pieces to organize your shoes and clothes, and then snap them together for a sturdy closet organizer!  The shoe hanging shelf has five shelves, just enough space for five or more pairs of shoes.  Athletic shoes require more space, but this organizer is great for sandals and dress shoes, each shelf holding a pair.  Two other components to this system, one with five shelves and one with four, can be used for sweaters, clothes and purses, but also for large men’s shoes and women’s running and athletic shoes.  If you have a few feet of hanging space in your closet, line up a few of these organizers to create an entire custom shoe rack for a fraction of the cost! In addition to the shelves, an expanding rod can be hung from your existing closet rod to maximize storage.   They are affordable, stylish, and when you are finished with them, they can be repurposed for something else around the house. Enjoy!