Do you still have shoes in your closet that you haven’t worn in years?
Some might have been for a wedding or a party. Others were bought on sale and seemed like a good idea at the time. Maybe you thought you’d wear them again, but you haven’t.
Over time, things change. What used to fit well might now be too tight or too loose. What you wore to work or church back then might not match how you dress now.
You’re not alone in this. Most closets have a few pairs that just sit there, taking up space.
Getting rid of shoes that no longer work for you isn’t wasteful. It’s practical. It makes it easier to see the shoes you wear and makes it quicker to get dressed and move on with your day.
In this guide, you’ll learn how to go through those shoes in a simple, doable and low-stress way.
Why We Keep Shoes We Don’t Wear
Well, we buy those shoes because they’re comfortable, because they look nice, or because we need something for a special day. But over time, most of us end up wearing the same few pairs.
So why do we keep the rest?
One of the most common reasons is that they were expensive. Maybe they were a well-known brand or still look new. And even if they pinch or don’t fit anymore, it feels wasteful to let them go.
While other times, we save them “just in case.” Like the heels from a family wedding or the sandals that always leave blisters, but looked great in the store.
Lastly, some shoes remind us of something.
Maybe they are the ones you are wearing on one of your favorite trips. Or, the pair you wore to a new job. That’s why, even though you haven’t worn them in years, it can be hard to let them go.
But here’s the thing, though, when these shoes are only crowding the floor, stacked in closets, or stuffed under the bed, don’t you think it’s time to take a closer look?
Because if they don’t fit, or hurt, or if you just never reach for them, they’re not helping you anymore.
But, Where Are Those Extra Shoes Usually End Up?
Shoes don’t always stay where we expect them to. Over time, they end up in different places around the house.
You might have a pair near the front door for errands. Maybe there are some by the back door for yard work or walking the dog.
Most shoes start in the closet. But after a while, they fall into a pile on the floor or get pushed behind hanging clothes. Some stay in their boxes and get forgotten. Others end up on high shelves or in bins you haven’t opened in a long time.
Check under the bed. That’s a common spot when the closet gets full. Look in the coat closet, too—especially if you’ve tossed in boots or shoes you only wear when the weather changes.
If you store things in the garage or basement, there may be shoes out there, too. These are often old sneakers for yard work or flats set aside for painting or cleaning.
What Shoes Are Worth Keeping and Which Ones Can Go
Now, to make it easier to sort through everything, the first thing you need to do is to take a few minutes to write down the spots where your shoes tend to land. Use a notepad or your phone. Then check each place, one at a time.
Common places to check are:
- Bedroom closet
- Entryway or mudroom
- Under the bed
- Coat closet
- Garage shelves
- Basement bins
Then, once you’ve found all your shoes, it’s time to go through them. You don’t need to decide everything at once. Start with the easy ones.
Look for shoes that are worn-out ones with holes, broken straps, or soles that are falling apart. If they hurt your feet, slip when you walk, or always give you blisters, those should go. If you haven’t worn them in a year, that’s a sign, too.
Next, ask yourself:
- Do these still fit me well?
- Are they comfortable enough to wear for a full day?
- Did I wear them even once in the last year?
- Do I feel good when I put them on?
If the answer is no, you probably don’t need them.
Maybe you’re keeping some shoes just because they were expensive. That’s understandable, but the money was already spent. Keeping them doesn’t bring that money back. It just takes up space and reminds you of the cost.
What you do need are shoes that fit your life now. That might be a pair of everyday sneakers, a couple of comfy slip-ons, your favorite boots, and something nice for church or dinner out.
If you have six pairs of dressy shoes but only go to events a few times a year, you likely only need one or two. The rest could be donated to someone who actually needs them for work or a special occasion.
If you’re unsure about certain pairs, don’t force a decision. Put them in a box, write today’s date on it, and tuck it away in a closet or under the bed. Then, set a reminder to check it in six months. If you haven’t missed those shoes by then, you probably won’t.
This makes the process easier and gives you time to be sure.
How to Keep Shoe Clutter From Coming Back
Now that you’ve sorted your shoes, it’s time to set up a simple way to keep things under control.
Start by giving every pair a place to go. You don’t need anything fancy. A basic shoe rack in the closet, a bin for casual shoes, or a low shelf you can reach easily works just fine.
Keep the shoes you wear the most, like your daily sneakers, walking shoes, or house slippers, in one easy-to-grab spot. If you usually kick them off near the front or back door, put a mat, tray, or basket there. That way, they don’t end up all over the floor.
Put the shoes you wear less often, like dress shoes or winter boots, on a closet shelf or in a bin. Just make sure you can reach them without digging through a pile.
Also, before you buy new shoes, take a moment to think:
- Do I already have something like this?
- Where will I keep them?
- What will I wear them with?
This will help you avoid buying shoes you don’t really need or don’t have space for.
And finally, check your shoes every few months. Maybe at the start of a new season. Your needs change, maybe you walk more in summer, or stay home more in winter. A quick look now and then keeps things from piling up again.
Making Space for the Shoes You Actually Wear
Letting go of shoes you don’t wear isn’t about giving up. It’s about making space for the ones that feel good on your feet and actually get used to.
When your shoes are easy to grab and easy to put away, getting dressed will become easier.
And if you want help sorting through what to keep and what to let go, the Printable Keep or Toss Guide can make it easier. It walks you through each pair, one step at a time.
If you’re ready to clean out the shoes you never wear and make more space for the ones you do, this printable guide is a great place to start.
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