1. Artistic Sole

Turn your prettiest pairs into an elegant art installation by mounting lengths of crown molding horizontally along an open wall of your closet or bedroom using a small bead of Liquid Nails and a few finishing nails. (Be sure the upper edge of the molding is wide enough to support a high heel.) For extra panache, paint the trim in a fabulous color, and then hook your pumps over the lip for a unique and edgy storage solution. A small piece of molding installed above the closet door also makes an ideal perch for pairs that aren't often worn.

2. Showcasing Them in Style

Think outside the closeted box and opt for a glass-fronted bedroom furniture piece such as a china or curio cabinet. Arrange swoon-worthy slides and sandals on the shelves for a functional yet fanciful display case that adds pizzazz to any bedroom.

3. Like Magic

Install a set of floating or bracketed wire shelves along a blank wall in your closet or bedroom, then line your footwear up side by side. Alternatively, you can also use tension rods to hang up your shoes. Or, if you're feeling a little more creative, check out this tutorial for crafting shoe hooks from wire hangers for your simple flip flops, flats and more flimsy footwear. Not only is it functional, it looks pretty cool too!

4. Crafty Ties

For a playful place to stow your stompers, create a stack of storage cubbies using foot-long lengths of 150mm PVC pipe. Be sure to sand the edges smooth and paint the pieces before cementing them together. The unit makes a modern addition to a front hallway, mudroom, kid's bedroom, or closet.

5. Gettin' Boxy

Rather than try to balance mountains of manufacturer shoe boxes -- which can end up feeling like a game of Tetris, given the wide variety of widths, heights, and depths in which these packages come -- utilize several uniform plastic storage boxes or canvas bins sized to hold a single pair each. Stack your boxes neatly on an open shelf, and then attach labels to the front end of each box with a photograph or description of the shoes inside for easy access to the set you seek.

6. Making It Clear

If you're looking for more visual storage, consider purchasing boxes with clear plastic windows or ones made of clear material for a quick peek. Alternately, you can also find similar storage constructs on the cheap from places such as Ikea, which offers a Hemnes four-compartment shoe cabinet with slim tilt-out units for maximum storage in minimum space.

7. Marketplace Footprints

Seek out multifunctional furnishings such as the Lilly Pulitzer "Rousseau" ottoman or the Safavieh shoe ottoman, which both contain concealed compartments for several pairs of shoes, as well as bonus storage space in the center.

Do you have a well-heeled closet? Share your smart ideas for stowing shoes.