From cowboy boots to heavy-duty work boots, stiletto-heeled knee-highs to all-weather hiking boots, the boot is probably the quintessential American footwear. Stylish, functional, and timeless, they'll get the job done, whatever type of boot you love. Quality boots can last a lifetime when cared for properly. The best boot storage ideas keep your boots safe, maximize convenience, and don't cost an arm and a leg. We'll dig into both boot storage products as well as DIY boot storage ideas. Let's get started!
1. Get organized with the KOUSI portable shoe cabinet
This popular KOUSI brand shoe shelf is expandable to make extra room for particularly tall pairs of shoes if you have pairs of boots that don't fold over. The modular design is customizable and allows you to organize the shelves however you like, so you can use these to transform any spare space into a stylish shoe cubby. The whole cabinet system also rolls, so you can move and rearrange it easily. It's a good fit for closets, garages, storage units, or other storage spaces in your home, but it's also attractive enough to fit anywhere in the home.
2. Craft some hideaway boot storage shelves beneath the stairs
There are a lot of designs out there for building hidden shelving systems beneath staircases. It's a popular home enhancement project. These range from simple afternoon projects to more intense hyper-stylish options for the expert craftsman. We love this idea from Family Handyman because it's incredibly convenient, looks fantastic, and doubles as an option for storing coats and other items you need go-to access.
3. Store off-season boots in a self-storage unit
If you have a collection of boots you're not actively wearing, or you have a lot of boots you won't wear this season (like heavy winter boots during warmer months), stash them in your self-storage unit. If you don't have one, you're missing out! They're usually inexpensive, secure, and climate-controlled, helping keep your home tidy and your possessions safe. Good self-storage units—like BuxBear's!—will offer gated security, drive-up access, and all the customization you could want. You can also implement any other boot storage ideas on this list inside a self-storage unit.
4. Build an easy rack for keeping your go-to boots at the ready
This easy and ingenious boot storage idea relies on storing your boots toe-first into slotted shelves that fit in the tightest spaces. This sort of design is easy to customize for your space and easy to implement. It's perfect for keeping pairs of boots by the door that you want easy daily access to. It's also great for storing dirty shoes near the door, like work boots or muddy hiking boots.
5. Make a crown molding shelf to maximize closet space
We're all about maximizing every bit of closet storage space; high spaces along the walls are often overlooked. This boot storage idea is straightforward to set up and just requires crown molding in a shape that boot heels can hook into. It makes sense as soon as you look at it, and you can hang these high up on the wall to secure boots overhead in a spot that usually goes unused.
6. Hang boots in the closet with a Boot Butler
The Boot Butler is a boot rack system that you can hang in the closet with the rest of your clothes, and it's great for saving space. This boot storage idea gets boots off the floor, and it's a perfect option for people with taller boots in their collection. There are two sizes available: one that holds three pairs and one that holds five. Both take up the same tiny amount of horizontal space.
7. Install a super-easy Rack 'Em hanging rack
Rack 'Em hanging racks are advertised specifically towards folks who need to get outdoors-style boots (as well as stuff like fishing waders) up off of the floor in a way where they can dry out. This is because the racks are heavy-duty and hold up to 100lbs. But you can install one of these boot racks anywhere in your home and use them to store any boot. They're inexpensive, easy to install, and they do the job.
8. Bag 'em up with hanging boot storage bags
Hanging boot storage bags are an increasingly popular boot storage idea for folks with closet space who want to keep their boots protected. These are especially useful if you're storing boots in a closet or garage since they provide full-boot coverage to protect against dust, moisture, etc.
9. Go minimalist with a natural boot rack
Minimalist wooden boot racks are the perfect choice for people who don't have too many pairs and want an aesthetically-pleasing option. This particular wooden boot rack from The Container Store is another excellent boot storage idea for people with long boots, like knee and thigh-high fashion boots.
10. Keep your boots totally hidden with wall-mounted Ikea storage cabinets
For those who want to stash a few pairs entirely out of sight in a modern, sleek fashion, look into the popular Trones shoe storage cabinet from Ikea. It's narrow and adaptable, and virtually invisible when installed since the cabinet covers the boots and closes completely. There are few tidier-looking boot storage ideas out there today.
11. Craft a custom wooden boot rack from scratch
This simple wooden boot rack design works similarly to the metal Rack 'Em racks we shared earlier. You'll attach wooden dowels to a backing board, add a top shelf, and attach it with shelving brackets. It's easy, looks great, and is customizable—you can add as many dowel pegs as needed to make the rack as long as you need, and you can paint it accordingly to fit your home's decor.
Give disorganization the boot!
These boot storage ideas not only maximize storage space but also keep that storage space cleaner and more organized. Proper boot storage protects your investment and ensures you'll get a long life out of those boots. That's good for the pocketbook, the environment (less waste), and your style—because nothing looks better or works better in the field than a pair of well-worn boots.
Visit us at your local BuxBear Storage location to secure a climate-controlled storage unit for all your storage needs! And give us a call with any storage-related questions. We’re happy to help!