How to Declutter Shoes Without Regret (Even If You Love Them All)

Did you know most people only wear a handful of their shoes, and the rest occupy space? I didn’t think that applied to me… until I pulled out every pair I owned and realized how many were collecting dust.

I used to tell myself I might wear those heels again or could need those boots for some imaginary occasion. But the truth was, I had way too many shoes and only rotated through a few favorites. I wasn’t choosing my shoes based on comfort or joy—I was holding onto them because of guilt, habit, or wishful thinking.

What finally pushed me to declutter was a bigger shift I was making in my life. I wanted less clutter and fewer decisions every morning. Starting with my shoes made sense—they took up space but gave me nothing in return.

Now I only have one shoe rack in my closet and one in the entryway I share with my husband, and I don’t miss a single pair.

Step 1: Get All Your Shoes in One Place

The first thing I did was gather every pair of shoes from around the house. Closet, entryway, garage, under the bed—you name it. It’s easy to underestimate how many shoes you have when they’re scattered in different places.

Laying them all out in one spot was eye-opening. I found shoes I forgot I owned, duplicates I didn’t realize I had (why did I own three pairs of nearly identical black flats?), and even a few that still had tags. Seeing them all together made it impossible to ignore how much space they took up—and how few I wore. This step helped me get honest with myself right from the start.

Step 2: Try Them On and Be Honest

Once I had all my shoes in one place, I committed to trying on each pair. It felt a little silly initially, especially with the ones I thought I loved, but it made such a difference. Some that looked great in the closet felt awkward or uncomfortable the second I put them on. Others didn’t match anything I currently wear, or didn’t feel like me anymore.

With every pair, I asked myself two simple questions:

“Do I actually wear these?”

“Do I love how they feel?”

If the answer to either question was no, they went into the donate pile.

The hardest ones to let go of were the expensive shoes I’d barely worn and the sentimental pairs tied to special memories. For those, I reminded myself that holding onto something I don’t use isn’t honoring the money I spent or the moment it represents. I took a photo of one or two to remember them, then let them go with gratitude.

Being honest with myself during this step was key; once I got going, it became much easier.

Step 3: Set Clear Limits (This Was a Game-Changer)

The real turning point for me was setting a physical limit. I decided that whatever shoes I kept had to fit on two racks—one in my closet and one in the entryway I share with my husband. That was it. There were no overflow bins, no “maybe” pairs under the bed, and no backup pile in the garage.

Giving myself that boundary made the whole process easier. Instead of obsessing over what to eliminate, I focused on what was worth keeping. Which shoes did I love enough to give them a spot on the rack? Which ones did I reach for regularly?

That mindset shift changed everything from “What should I toss?” to “What deserves space?”. It helped me be intentional instead of emotional. I knew I’d made the right choice once I saw how clean and simple my racks looked.

Step 4: Donate or Sell Right Away

I didn’t let them sit around once I knew which shoes I was letting go of. That same day, I boxed them up, donated them, or listed some nicer pairs for sale. The key was moving fast because the longer they stayed in my house, the more likely I was to second-guess myself.

For donating, I dropped most of them off at a local thrift store that supports a community program I love. It felt good knowing someone else would use them. I took quick photos of the few almost new pairs and listed them on Facebook Marketplace. I kept the prices low because I just wanted them gone, and they were picked up within a couple of days.

If you’re not sure where to start, pick the easiest route. Don’t overthink it. Bag the shoes and drop them off, or offer them to a friend who might love them. The important thing is to remove them from your space quickly, so you can fully enjoy the freedom of a clutter-free shoe collection.

Step 5: Create a Simple Storage System

Once I narrowed down my shoe collection, I wanted to ensure it stayed that way. So, I created a super simple storage system: one rack in my closet and one in the entryway. That’s it.

The closet rack holds the shoes I often wear—like my everyday sneakers, workout shoes, and seasonal options. The entryway rack is where we keep our quick-grab pairs: the boots I wear to walk the dog, my gardening shoes, and a pair of casual shoes. My husband and I share that one, which helps keep us in check. There isn’t room for extras.

Having a clear system makes getting dressed so much easier. I don’t waste time digging through clutter; everything has a place. If something new comes in, I know something else has to go. It’s a small change, but it’s greatly impacted how tidy our home feels—and how calm my mornings start.

Need a Little More Help Letting Go?

Decluttering shoes might sound simple, but it can bring up a lot of emotions—guilt, attachment, or plain overwhelm. If you’re feeling stuck or want to stay motivated, here are a few posts that can help:

👉 The Truth About Why Decluttering Is Hard: What No One Tells You – Get to the heart of what’s making it difficult to let go—and how to move past it.

👉 13 Questions to Ask Before Any Purchase – Stop the cycle of clutter at the source by shopping more intentionally.

👉 How to Host a Successful Clothing Swap (And Finally Clear Your Closet) – A fun, low-pressure way to give your shoes (and clothes!) a second life—plus spend time with friends.

You don’t have to declutter everything at once. But every step you take gets you closer to a simpler, more peaceful space.