Are you planning to declutter your shoe collection anytime soon? If you love buying shoes and notice that you already have a lot in your storage, this may be the right time. Since you’re still at the start of the year, you can also start fresh by removing some pairs that you no longer need. In addition, it’s a good thing since you can add more to your collection for the rest of the year.
When decluttering your things, you get to decide on the pair of shoes you can still wear, and those that you no longer need.
In this article, we’ll give you some tips on how to successfully declutter your shoe collection.
1. Assess Your Collection
The first thing you should do is to assess your shoe collection. Gather them all together, so that you can have a clear look at how many pairs you currently have. You can line them up on the floor, and reflect on each of them.
For instance, you can ask yourself, “When was the last time I wore these?”, “Am I still planning to wear them in the future?”, and “Are they still in mint good condition?”. You might get shocked once you find out the number of pairs you haven’t worn for a long time.
2. Sort into Categories
The next step is to sort your shoe collection into various categories. For instance, some of these categories may include seasonal (like boots, and sandals), everyday shoes, and special occasions.
Once you’ve finalised the categories, next is to identify in what category each pair belongs. This allows you to identify if you already have a lot of shoes for a specific category. On the other hand, if you think there’s a category when there are no longer enough shoes, this may be the right time to buy new ones.
3. Throw Away the Unnecessary
When decluttering your shoe collection, you need to make tough decisions. In most cases, you have to let go of some of your favourite pairs since you can no longer use them. On the other hand, if you see some pairs that are slightly damaged, but you’re no longer interested in wearing, you may opt to donate them.
When deciding, some guidelines you should look into include whether they’re comfortable, they still fit, and if they can still be repaired. Besides, the main goal of decluttering is to remove the unnecessary pairs to give way to the new ones and lessen the chaos in your closet.
4. Organise What’s Left
Once your collection has been narrowed down, it’s time to organise. When organising your shoe collection, you need to invest in the right storage. You may opt for individual clear shoe boxes or a huge organiser where you can put everything. However, you should ensure to separate those with materials that shouldn’t be stored with the others.
For instance, if you love buying Mou boots, you should invest in a different storage solely for shoes that are made of fabric or fur. In addition, don’t forget to rotate your collection per season, so that you can easily access them whenever needed.
5. Establish a Maintenance Routine
Having a freshly organised shoe collection is something you can look forward to. However, the best way to prevent a chaotic collection is by maintaining a well-organised storage system. In doing so, you should always schedule a decluttering session at least once a year.
In addition, clean your shoes regularly, especially those that you often use. Keeping them clean can also help improve the quality of the shoes, and lessen the possibility of being damaged.
6. Adopt a “One In, One Out” Rule
Another tip you should consider when maintaining your shoe collection is to adopt the one-in, one-out rule. So, for every pair of shoes you buy, you should let go of the same number of pairs. Keeping this in mind can become a great habit that can prevent you from having an excessive pair of shoes in the closet. In addition, this can also help you save more money, and get used to letting go of some shoes that you no longer need.
7. Mindful Shopping Habits
As mentioned, maintaining a collection of shoes can be a great habit that can also help you improve your shopping habits. Aside from controlling the number of shoes you buy, you can also prioritise quality over quantity.
Besides, if you’re going to prioritise the quality of the shoes you buy, you can prevent the possibility of having an overflowing collection.
Final Thoughts
Decluttering your shoe collection is a great habit. However, it can be overwhelming sometimes, so you need enough time and patience to do so. But once you’re done decluttering, you can feel a sense of accomplishment, and you might want to maintain its current state. At the same time, if there are some pairs you can donate, it’s also a great way to help others.
