16 Clever Boot Storage Ideas to Streamline Your Clutter

Stack Them

If you already have dedicated shelving for shoes in your closet, factor in your boots by adjusting the height of a few shelves. Virtually, all closet systems have adjustable shelves, making it easy to boost one shelf's height to accommodate the shafts of your tallest pair of boots.

Store Them on a Rack

Simple shoe shelves designed to sit at the bottom of a closet are relatively inexpensive and easy to find. Metal shelves can often accommodate a few pairs of shoes per shelf thanks to their durability. Pop your boots on the top shelf and you're good to go.

Get Them Up High

Placing boots above your clothes will give you a better sightline between your clothes and boots, making it simple to see what colors and styles complement each other. Too often, boots are hidden on the floor of a closet, which makes selecting a pair more of an afterthought.

Mix and Match

Don't just store boots next to your clothes, but work accessories like hats and jewelry into your display to take your outfit-building capabilities to the next level. When creating a mix-and-match display, invest some time in color coding your clothes, boots, and accessories to help you find items faster.

Tuck Them Under

If you're not big on wearing shoes in the house, tucking your boots under a console in an entryway can be a beneficial move. Grab a pair as you're headed out the door and drop them off when you get back in. To pull it off, select a console with a bottom shelf that's relatively low to the ground.

Consider the Bathroom

Many bathrooms, especially those in older homes, feature built-in shelving, which can be used to store boots. Similarly, look around your house for linen closets that might be under-utilized.

Create a Vignette

Whether you're displaying boots in a walk-in closet or a glass-front armoire, creating a curated vignette with your boots can make getting dressed faster. One thing to keep in mind: save this method for your most show-stopping boots. The key to making this look intentional is displaying boots that can double as decorative objects.

Line Them Up

If you live in an especially cold or wet climate, chances are your boots are more utilitarian in nature. With that in mind, lining them up close to the door in an entry can make perfect sense. Keep your boots looking tidy by lining them up under a linear piece of furniture, such as a wall cabinet or credenza.

Make a Seasonal Capsule

Let's face it, boots aren't our best buds in the spring and summer. If you have an especially small closet, pack your boots away during the balmier months of the year. For the months your boots are in hibernation, consider long clear storage boxes that can easily slide under the bed.

Make Room

Clear out a space in the mudroom for any dirty boots. If you're building a mudroom from scratch, consider installing benches or shelving with high-clearance storage underneath for boots. If your boots are real workhorses, you may want to consider closed storage designed to look like cabinetry or lockers. Install some air vents into your closed-door storage to ensure wet boots don't get musty.

Procure a Peg Board

A pegboard with pegs hung far enough apart to accommodate boot soles is an ideal way to add function to a mudroom or garage. Find customizable designs or make one on your own. The same idea can also be pulled off with an old-school pegboard outfitted with some strategically placed pegs.

Corral Them on a Tray

There's an old designer adage about making clutter look put together: put it on a tray, the same goes for boots. Corral boots near the front or back door on a boot tray to make them look tidy and chic. Best of all, boot trays come in a wide range of styles, making it simple to find one that complements your home.

Stick to rubber designs if your aim is purely utilitarian, or invest in wood and copper versions for something more elevated.

Hang Them

If you'd rather spend your time doing activities other than brushing up your boot displays on the regular, consider investing in boot hangers. Keep in mind that many boot hangers clip to the exterior of your boots. If you're concerned about creasing or imprinting, you'll want to invest in alternatives like hanging boot shapers that affix to the inside of your boots.

Invert Them on Dowels

Another option for closet storage is boot racks or "welly racks" outfitted with long pegs or dowels. These genius racks consist of a wood or metal base outfitted with several long rods that can be used to stake inverted boots.

Designs can come outfitted with a single row of pegs, or feature rows of stakes, often with slightly shorter stakes in the front row and slightly higher ones in the back.

Go With the Garage

For boots that rarely log time not covered in snow and grime, carve out a space for them in the garage. Create a shoe station with multiple cubbies for different types of boots like garden boots or riding boots. Keep in mind that a few decorative basics like wicker baskets or buckets can go a long way toward making the space feel designed rather than purely utilitarian.

Store Them Outdoors

When it comes to garden boots or rain boots, there's really no need for them to come inside. That said, you don't necessarily want them exposed to the elements. To remedy this, consider a small boot shed that can be used to stow everything from boots to garden hoses to pet leashes.

A roof keeps boots from filling with rain or fallen leaves, while a slatted base makes it easy for them to drip dry after a hose-off.