Shoe racks and shelves are fine for storing sneakers, flip-flops, and heels, but boots usually don’t fit onto these one-size-fits-all solutions. Instead, they flop over and pile up on the floor. It creates a frustrating organizational eyesore and causes unnecessary wear and tear on your valued boots. Get them up off the floor and standing tall with these great ways to store boots.

Sort and Declutter First

Before looking for storage solutions, you should sort and declutter your boot collection. Let go of boots that no longer fit well or coordinate with your outfits. If the boots are still in good condition, arrange to donate them. Put them in the appropriate waste stream if they are damaged beyond repair.

Next, separate boots you love but need repairs. Place them into a box or bag and block some time on your calendar to take them to the cobbler. Then, sort the remaining boots by season or style.

Before you put your boots into storage, clean them well using cleaning methods appropriate to the materials. Ensure your boots are thoroughly dry, and add a protectant if needed.

Designate Storage Areas

Most people store footwear in their entryways. Unfortunately, most homes have small entry closets. For this reason, you might have to designate another area to store your boot collection. Many people keep frequently used boots in the entryway and the rest in their bedroom closet. Whatever area you choose, here are some of the best ways to store boots.

Boot Storage Ideas

1. Boot Shapers

Boot shapers are firm plastic or wood inserts that contour to the inside of your boots and keep them from flopping over. What’s so bad about a flopping boot? Over time, boots can become fragile and cracked where they bend. By minimizing bending and creasing with a boot shaper, you are prolonging the life of your boot. The DIYer in you can use wine bottles, pool noodles, or even rolled-up magazines to help boots maintain their original shape. Tip from Linda: Put a Command Hook on the wall near your boot storage area to hang the boot shapers when not in the boots.

2. Hanging Boot Storage

Hanging boot storage is a great way to save space while keeping boots organized inside your closet. These systems hang vertically on a standard closet rod or a hook holding multiple pairs in a tight space.

3. Peg Racks

Peg racks fit inside your boot tray and allow boots to rest upside down on long dowels. You can also install peg racks vertically on a wall for a space-saving and original display. People in winter climates often place peg racks over air ducts to help dry the boots’ insides. Make sure the outsides are dry first, or the muck will drain into the air duct.

4. Boot Shapers with Hanging Hooks

To get your boots off the floor, look for boot shapers with built-in hangers – and then hang your boots from an existing closet rod. Or suspend a rod across the bottom of your closet just higher than your tallest boots. It’s a great storage solution for dress boots. However, heavy snow and work boots may slide off the shapers onto the floor.

5. Boot Shelves

Shelves or cubbies don’t always fit full-height boots, but you can use individual wall-mounted shelves and customize your space to fit your boots. Floating shelves will make the most out of unused wall space in your mudroom, entry hall or bedroom, and can also serve as a display for some of your prettiest boots.

6. Cabinets

Hiding boots in a cabinet can keep your entryway looking tidy. Choose a cabinet with adjustable shelves to accommodate the height of your boots. This collapsible shoe/boot shelving system would be great in a mudroom, garage, or anywhere you wish to store extra footwear. Alternatively, you can repurpose other furniture, such as a microwave stand, which allows for storage of keys, mail, purses, and more.

7. Benches

Benches are an excellent choice for storing boots. You could place a bench in your entryway to store boots you wear frequently. Alternatively, a storage bench in a bedroom or living area would be ideal for off-season boots. Look for benches large enough to store boots lying down without rubbing on each other.

8. Hangers

Clothes hangers with clips are great for keeping your pants and skirts wrinkle-free, but you can also hang boots from those clips. One pair of boots per hanger will keep things neat and organized. Hangers are best for light-weight boots (don’t use them for sturdy leather boots, as the clips will drag the material down, and cause creases).

9. Boot Boxes

Dozens of boot boxes are available to store and protect the boots you don’t wear often. Put shapers in your boots and lay them flat inside clear plastic boxes. You can tuck them away under your bed or couch and know they will be safe until next fall. Ideally, wrap them in acid-free paper and use silica gel packs to keep boot materials fresh and protected.

10. Custom Built Shoe Storage

Often, builders don’t maximize the storage potential of hidden and unused spaces. However, this British carpentry company creates glide-out shelving solutions to store your boots and shoes under a stairwell.