Shoe Organizers - Useful for Everything but Shoes

Admit it. We've all done it. You were anxious to get organized and you purchased those plastic or canvas shoe files, didn't you? At first, they worked great. You had all of your shoes neatly sorted into the little pockets. You put the spring sandals first, followed by pumps, loafers and sneakers. Your shoe collection never looked better.

Within a week (or a few hours...in my case) your shoes were back on the floor, weren't they? They were tucked underneath the recliner, sitting by the door or thrown haphazardly underneath the plastic organizer.

It's alright. Your intentions were good. Now we just need to do something with those great shoe organizers that are being wasted.

Here are a few of the ways I use vinyl shoe bags in every room in my home.

Sorting Crafts - I placed paintbrushes, sponges, chenille sticks, pop-sicle sticks, scissors, left-over paints, ribbons, raffia and more into the small pockets. The pockets are also the perfect size for storing craft magazines and pattern packets.

Childrens' Accessories - my little girl has a plethora of barrettes, purses, scarves, tights, socks and shoes. Shoe hangers are perfect for ensuring that you keep the matching tights, barrettes and socks organized together

Bathrooms - shoe bags are a great way to store all of those extra brushes, shampoos, hair-sprays and travel containers that many of us have piled in baskets & drawers in our bathrooms

Toy Room - this is a wonderful way to hold some of your child's smaller items. You can store puzzle pieces, games, matchbox cars, dinosaurs, small dolls & doll clothes, small blocks, and more..

Road Trips - cut a shoe bag to fit the back of your car seat, and let your children make their own choices for back seat entertainment by stuffing toys, coloring books, and travel games into the pockets.

Bedrooms - shoe organizers are great for off-season purses, scarves, belts, wallets, and more.

Garage - my husband uses a vinyl shoe bag in the garage to store paint brushes, spray paints, cleaning products, rags and painting tools.

Utility Closet - use shoe organizers to store sponges, scrub brushes, cleaning supplies (sprays, bottles, polishes, etc) in the pockets. They make a tremendous space saver.

Offices - use a shoe bag to hold pens, pencils, staplers, extra envelops, shipping supplies, packing tape, markers and other office tools. (I like to buy my office supplies in bulk at Costco so this is a great way to store the "extras").

Do you have a unique use for a shoe bag? Share it in the comments section!