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How to declutter and organize your home with over-the-door hanging shoe organizers

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Decluttering is easy with over-the-door shoe organizers

A trick to make decluttering easy is to use over-the-door hanging organizers. Hanging shoe racks are versatile hanging organizer with rows of large pockets for your shoes but you don't need to just put shoes there.

Over-the-door hanging shoe organizers can be used in any room of your house to help you declutter and organize all sorts of small items.

Shoe organizers can even be used outside your house, in the car, on a vacation or camping trip.

There are also specialized hanging organizers on the market designed for specific applications.

This lens shows what's available and gives you some ideas on how hanging organizers can be used to help you declutter and get organized.

Clear over-the-door hanging shoe organizers

Declutter with a clear pocket shoe organizer

One sort of hanging shoe organizers are made of PVC and have clear pockets as you can see on the right. Clear pockets allow you to see what is inside making it quick and easy to find something and also to see what is missing. Some have a colored or patterned backing to help dress them up.

Look for ones with built in label sleeves so you can label and personalize the contents of each pocket and if you plan to store larger items, look for ones with expandable pockets like the HomeCovers Over the Door Expandable Pocket Hanging Shoe Organizer.

Click an image below to see a bigger, detailed image. description and great price from Amazon.

Colored over-the-door hanging shoe organizers

Another type of hanging shoe rack have colored pockets. Usually made from nylon or a thick fabric like calico. You can choose a color that blends in with your decor making them look less messy than ones with clear pockets.

A drawback is it is harder to see what is in each pocket but that can be solved by affixing a label to the front of each pocket describing its contents.

Click an image below to see a bigger, detailed image. description and great price from Amazon.

Patterned over-the-door hanging shoe organizers

Another type of hanging shoe racks have colored patterned pockets or backing. Usually made from nylon or a thick fabric like calico. You can choose a color and pattern that dresses up your room.

Before you buy though, if you want patterned pockets, look closely and check that it isn't just the backing that's patterned and has clear pockets.

Click an image below to see a bigger, detailed image. description
and great price from Amazon.

Tips when using hanging shoe organizers

Use a label maker to create labels for each pocket so you can quickly find things.

Some hanging shoe organizers have spots at the front of each pocket to slip in labels.

Another labeling idea is to print the label on card that is longer than the pocket so it fits inside each pocket with the label above the top.

Yet another labeling idea is to use wooden clothes pegs on the top of each pocket and write or stamp the label on the peg.

Keep like items on the same row for easy organizing. For example, if you are using one as a medicine cabinet, all 'his' medicines go on one row and all 'her' medicines go on another row.

Take items out of cardboard packing (to save space) and flatten the box or cut out the part the lists the ingredients, expiration date, etc and store in the back of the pocket.

Check how the organizer hangs. Some have square topped hangers for over the door while others have rounded hangers for inside a closet over a rod.

If you like the design of an in-closet hanging organizer, you can convert the 'coat hanger' style to easily hang behind a door with special door hooks as shown below.

Use Command hooks on the door if you want the organizer to hang lower on the door or the hooks over the top of the door don't look or fit well. Best not to store anything too heavy in the pockets though.

Use stick-on velcro squares to fix the bottom of the organizer against the door to stop it swinging around.

Over-the-door hooks

Quickly convert in-closet hangers to hang on doors for easy access

TIP: Ensure the gap above your door is big enough to allow room for the hooks and still lets the door close.

OK, so let's go through your house and get some inspiration

How to use a hanging shoe organizer in your entrance hall

In winter, keep gloves, hats, scarves, mittens, tissues and umbrellas ready to be grabbed on the way out.
In summer, use a shoe organizer to hold caps, hats, sunscreen, insect repellent, sun glasses in easy reach.
Be ready for an emergency by storing flash lights, batteries, radio, candles, contact information, etc.
Organize your junk drawer so everything is easy to find.

The image above is the 14 Pocket Hanging Gear Organizer (Duck Khaki)

How to use a hanging shoe organizer in your kitchen

Hang and over-the-door hanging shoe organizer on the inside of your pantry door and use one or a combination of these ideas:

Stop rummaging through the bottom drawer for kitchen utensils and sort them in their own clear pouches.
Make it easy for the kids to help themselves to healthy snacks in clear pockets on the bottom row.
Use a shoe organizer as a spice rack.
Store cake decorating items, things that come in small packets or small boxes.
Use a shoe organizer to hold all those miscellaneous items like sandwich bags, straws, foil, cling wrap, napkins, tooth picks, corks, bottle openers, cork screws, pen & pad, candles, matches, those things you stick on the ends of corn cobs.
Organizers are great to sort your coupons too.

How to use a hanging shoe organizer in your bathroom

Using a hanging shoe organizer in the bathroom

Organize your medicine cabinet by putting medicines, pain relievers, vitamins, cough drops and first aid items.
Keep cosmetics, hair products, brushes, combs, hair spray and even the hair dryer (once it has cooled down) in easy reach.
Keep toothbrushes, toothpaste, mouth rinse, shavers, shaving cream, shampoo & conditioners in PVC pockets so you can wipe them clean too.
Use a shoe organizer to store spare bath towels, hand towels, face washers.

This Over-the-Door Organizer in natural canvas (See all Shoe Racks) gets great reviews.

Over-The-Door Organizer

Amazon Price: $29.99 (as of 06/03/2012)

Specially designed for the bathroom with hair accessory and makeup pockets in zippered nylon mesh. Top "smile" pocket holds makeup brushes and pencils to keep organized and neat. Extra large pockets hold your hair dryer and curling iron. It can also conveniently snap off to pop in your purse or luggage.

How to use an over the door hanging shoe organizer in your bedroom closet

Use a shoe organizer to sort your costume jewelry and prevent tangles.
Organize and store your shoes. Who would've thought!
Sort your socks, scarves, caps, underwear, bathers, pantyhose, tights, belts, etc.
Clean out your junk drawer into a pockets of a shoe organizer.
Organize your cameras, mp3 players, cell phones, batteries and cables.

Click an image below to see a bigger, detailed image. description
and great price from Amazon.

Let's see one in action...

How to use a hanging shoe organizer in your child's bedroom, play room or nursery

Over-the-door shoe organizers are great for storing small toys like stuffed animals, action figures, Barbies and all those accessories.
Store electronic games controllers, cords, games and manuals.
Use a hanging shoe organizer in the nursery to sort diapers, creams, lotions, diapers, rattles, spare under wear, tissues, wipes, etc in easy reach.
Use a hanging shoe organizer to store their underwear, socks, tights, etc so they can choose and dress themselves. Use a row for each day of the week.
Display photos in clear pockets or specially designed hangers.
Store small games and game pieces together.
Make a home for their Beanie Babies collection.

Hello Kitty Canvas Wall Organizer

Dora the Explorer 7 Pocket Wall Storage

Amazon Review: "The disney version of this organizer is around 70 bucks, So write off the bat, I was like..... Lemme get this one! My kids room is totally disney, but this doesn't interrupt the theme at all. It really goes. I am not a Dora/Diego lover. But for this price-point, I could not resist. It is perfect for wee-ones, that are getting interested in picking out their own coloring books or bed-time read. I know, as a Disney-fanatic, we may feel guilty at first. But mickey will forgive us. Since buying this organizer, gives us more MONEY to spend on Disney stuff. "

Homz 36130410.06 Kidz Over-the-Door Activity Center, Pink

Amazon Description: Perfect for hanging over the door of a kid's room, this activity center makes use of normally wasted space. Its durable fabric frame hangs from four sturdy hooks, providing a bulletin board for attaching photos, award certificates, reminders, or artwork, as well as a chalkboard for drawing pictures, playing tic-tac-toe, or crossing items off the to-do list. Both the bulletin board and chalkboard measure 16-1/2 by 14-1/2 inches. Three durable pockets at the bottom of the fabric frame are also included, offering space for storing art supplies, playing cards, and more. The over-the-door activity center measures approximately 19 by 1 by 44 inches, and its fabric frame can be machine-washed as needed.

Girl's Door Dresser & Stuff Away Combo Set

Stuff away round measures 18" x 20". Door dresser measures 30" x 60" It makes cleaning up twice the fun!

Kangaroom Storage Kids Photo Growth Chart

Watch your child grow by feet and inches and have the photos to prove it! If you have kids, you have photos (from school, sports teams, birthdays, holidays, etc.) , and until now, you probably haven't had a good way to display those yearly photos!! One side for photos of your child and the other side for photos of favorite friends or family. Customizable labels and personality cards (to record favorite things and thoughts for each age) are made to slip in front or behind photos to create a lasting keepsake of childhood! Don't let your child's photo history sit in a messy drawer any longer!

More over the door hanging organizers for the bedroom

Too many stuffed animals?

How to use a hanging shoe organizer in your dorm room

Make dorm life easier with a over the door shoe organizer to store cameras, mp3 players, cosmetics, toiletries, sunglasses, caps, passes, notes, reminders, schedules, etc.
Dress up a shoe organizer to make dorm life a bit more fun.
Display photos in clear pockets or specially designed hangers.
Stock one up as a great 'start of college' gift.

Large Hanging Foto Pocket by Live, Love, Dream Inc.

Hang this collage style photo pocket for protecting those special memories. Grab a few of these delightful pockets and arrange them along a wall for each person in the family, each vacation, or for every year your child grows. Great for dorms, homes, refrigerators, offices and classrooms.

More hanging organizers for the dorm

How to use a hanging shoe organizer in your office

Use an over the door shoe organizer to store your office stationery supplies in clear pockets for ease of locating and checking quantities.
In your home office, store your camera cords, cables, mp3 players, batteries, headphones, chargers, adapters, etc.
Sort your bills in labelled pockets.
Use a hanging shoe organizer as "pigeon holes" to sort employees' mail.
Sort your office magazines.

Black OTD 3 Eyelet w/ Coat Hooks

Three large compartments can hold items ranging from magazines to towels, plus 3 hooks at the bottom for jackets and hats makes this a perfect organizer for tiny spaces! Hook a second unit to the bottom and double your storage space!

How to use a hanging shoe organizer in your laundry

A hanging organizer to declutter your laundry

Use a hanging shoe organizer to store your vacuum attachments, cleaning products, dusting rags, wipes and extension cords.
Sort your dryer sheets, fabric softeners, clothes pegs, air fresheners, etc.
In winter, keep gloves, hats, scarves, mittens, tissues and umbrellas ready to be grabbed on the way out.
In summer, use a shoe organizer to hold caps, hats, sunscreen, insect repellent, sun glasses in easy reach.
Be ready for an emergency by storing flash lights, batteries, radio, candles, contact information, etc.
Use a hanging shoe organizer to sort your pet supplies, toys and accessories.

This Galaxy 10 Pocket Organizer is great in the laundry by helping your store dusters, rags, etc in zipped pockets.

Overdoor Pet Organizer

Keep pet supplies where you need them, at the door. Organize your dog's leashes, collars, treats, toys and clothing all in one easy-to-see place. Hang it on a door or wall at the back door on in closet for instant, easy access. Includes one 4x6 photo holder. Polyester, 16 x 34".

Over the Door Hanging Cleaning Storage Organizer

You'll love the space you save when you store your cleaning supplies in this over-the-door organizer. 21" W. x 55" H

How to use a hanging shoe organizer in your garage

http://www.flickr.com/photos/daquellamanera/2382207320/sizes/s/in/photostream/

Hanging shoe organizers can store small tools, spray cans, poisons, the never ending hoard of odds and ends.
Store small jars of screws, bolts, nuts, washers, etc.
Organize your car cleaning supplies, wax, polishing cloths, etc.
Store your sports equipment and accessories.

How to use a hanging shoe organizer in your garden shed

Organize your seeds packets, gardening tools, gloves, hat, sunscreen, plant food, sprayers, weed poisons.
Sort your hose and sprinkler attachments.
Start up a vertical seedling or herb garden in the pockets of a sturdy shoe organizer.

Using a hanging shoe organizer to grow vegetables

How to use a hanging shoe organizer for your crafts & hobbies

Using a hanging shoe organizer for crafts

Use a hanging shoe organizer to store you art brushes, paint tubes, rags, and other arty stuff.
Create a kid's craft center with brushes, paints, scissors, glue, pencils, pencil sharpeners, crayons, paper, glitter, stickers, string, pipe cleaners, etc.
Use a shoe organizer to sort your sewing/knitting items like threads, yarn (in big pockets), ribbons, scissors, glue, patterns, etc.
Set up a gift wrapping station in a show organizer holding your sticky tape, scissors, ribbons, bows, gift tags, etc.
Sort your plastic model making items like glue, clamps, rags, paints, brushes, etc.
Most hobbies could benefit from being organized with an over-the-door shoe organizer. OK, except scuba diving.
Use this Gear Pockets 9-Pocket (shown below) to store sports gear and clothing, helmets, ski boots, first aid supplies, camping equipment... you decide.

How to use a hanging shoe organizer on your next holiday or camping trip

http://www.gadling.com/2010/08/13/bring-an-over-the-door-shoe-organizer-hotel-tip/

Pack and empty shoe organizer in your suitcase so when you arrive you can use it to sort your room keys, toiletries, camera, sunglasses, caps and hats, maps, guides, sunscreen, insect repellant, torch, phrase book.
Hang a short shoe organizer over the back of the front car seats to hold the kids toys, books, snacks, games, spare batteries wipes and tissues in easy reach.
In the tent or RV use a shoe organizer to store your plates, cutlery place mats, napkins, etc. Store your sunscreen, insect repellant, caps, matches, maps & guides for easy access.

Gear Pockets - The Organizer Vertical 14

This hanging organizer is perfect for storing fishing gear, hunting gear, hiking gear and all kinds of gear!

Backseat Entertainment Car Organizer

It holds a ton of travel toys, books, electronics, and more. It's stronger and better anchored, so contents stay put, even on turns and hills. It hugs the seat back tighter, giving kids more leg room. Has a pair of elasticized holding straps to the bottom pocket, to keep wet wipes or tissues accessible. The end result: your little passenger will stay even happier.

Could not locate item B004ZSVBHY. Please try again.Sorry, there are no results available from Amazon.

Make your own hanging shoe rack

If you are handy with the sewing machine and want to make one with custom sized pockets or with a material that suits your decor then why not make your own. Below are some links to free instructions and patterns.

   Downloadable pattern to make an Easy Pocket Organizer

   A detailed set of instructions to make your own shoe organizer

   This shoe organizer would be better if made with thicker material tough

   Bratz dolls lend a hand making their hanging shoe organizer

   9-Pocket Door Caddy for Jewels and Lingerie

   A bit different from the pouch type show organizers but great for storing bath or beach towels or long objects

   How to make a shoe organizer to hang over the door

   eHow: How to Sew a Shoe Organizer

   eHow: How to Make a Shoe Pocket

   eHow: How to Make a Fabric Shoe Holder

   Stars and Stripes Locker Pocket Organizer (shown on the right)

   Wall Organizer

   3-pocket wall hanging for baby

   This fun Denim Organizer, made from the legs of cut-off jeans, is a great recycling project.

   Martha Stewart: Terry-Cloth Caddy. Clear off bathroom countertops by storing toiletries in a hanging organizer. To make one, just stitch a few seams in a hand towel.

   This Shirt-Pocket Quilt, made from recycled shirts, will look sweet hanging on the wall of any child's room.

   Hanging Jewelry Holder

   Cool Car Caddy Straps On To Headrest (shown below)

Why not make you own from old jeans

This is the first video showing you what you need

This video shows how you can use the finished product

Lots of people are using them. Other examples of how people are using hanging shoe organizers

http://sarahblankstudios.com/blog/2007/02/

A hanging pet organizer

Organizing the kids' crafts

A hanging Toddler Trinket Holder

Organizing personal, pantry and craft items

An over the door organizer in the school classroom

A hanging shoe organizer as a gift wrapping center

A clear hanging shoe organizer in the bathroom

Organizing your nail polish in a show organizer

A shoe organizer herb garden

A school supplies organizer

A over the door shoe organized pantry

A school/craft supplies organizer

An Advent Calendar

Shoe Caddy Kitchen Tool Organizer

My Favorite Over the Door Organizers by Simply Stashed

Popular Hanging Organizers

When it comes to purchasing an over the door organizer, there a lot of products to choose from. If it helps, these are the most popular products bought by readers of this page.

Homz Kidz 12-Pocket Girls Over-the-Door Hanging Organizer

Over the Door Hanging Organizer with Pockets (36"H x 19"W x 1"D)

Over the Door Magazine Storage Pockets

Bedside Caddy - Sand

Honey-Can-Do Over The Door Clear Shoe Organizer/Storage Rack, Black

15 Pocket over the door room / closet organizer

KIDS DAILY ACTIVITY ORGANIZER - 6 SHELF HANGING CLOSET

Thanks for stopping by.

I hope you picked up some ideas on how hanging organizers can be used to help you declutter and get organized.

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Love to hear your thoughts on using an over-the-door hanging shoe organizer

Reply

Lauriej1 Feb 22, 2012 @ 4:24 pm | delete

Great ideas for over- the - door - shoe - racks! I love the idea for a spice rack! I didn't know they came in so many colors lol! :)

Reply

jadehorseshoe Dec 27, 2011 @ 1:57 am | delete

VERY Useful Lens!

Reply

howtoorganizeacloset Nov 12, 2011 @ 4:28 am | delete

Nice tips, in addition, put away those you choose to give away in a box. Give them to charity. Or if the clothes are totally worn out, you can sell them to rag makers.

Reply

gleken Sep 24, 2011 @ 6:54 am | delete

THanks for the great information

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TravelingRae Aug 26, 2011 @ 5:48 pm | delete

I have one hanging from the back of the door in the bathroom (http://travelswithmiranda.uskeba.ca/?p=5224). It's invaluable storage space! I wish I could find the cute ones you linked to up here in Canada. :( The one in your intro would fit my space perfectly.

Reply

TravelingRae Aug 26, 2011 @ 5:48 pm | delete

I have one hanging from the back of the door in the bathroom (http://travelswithmiranda.uskeba.ca/?p=5224). It's invaluable storage space! I wish I could find the cute ones you linked to up here in Canada. :( The one in your intro would fit my space perfectly.

Reply

number1 Aug 27, 2011 @ 12:24 am | delete

Thank you very much for your blessing TravellingRae. While I bought the one in the intro here in Australia you might find a distributor in Canada from the manufacturer http://www.organize-them.com/docc/pro_detail.asp?P_ID=941.