Thanks Jenny! I'm a huge fan of storage bins everywhere in my house – my kitchen and fridge are full of them too, they make so much sense in a small space!

We have a little shoe rack in the hall closet where we put shoes we wear often. This system houses heels and out of season stuff. I think that's a sign of too many shoes, right?

I do love shoes! But I'm also on a quest for the perfect shoe. Have not found it yet, so I've kissed a lot of frogs, so to speak. Hubby's life is much easier: walk into store, try on two pair, buy one, wear them forever.

It is the best thing I've seen all day too, lol. Hubby caught me standing in front of it, snacking on a yoghurt, admiring my shoe-view over the lakeview!! It's inspiring me to unpack more.

We definitely doff our shoes the minute we get in. When it's really cold, I have indoor uggs to keep me warm. It's tricky to have a door lead right into the living room. My parents' house is like that, so they enter through the back of the house instead. I think there are some great options out there, though. I think an ikea shoe cabinet might be an idea. They make quite a few that don't look like they store shoes, in many different styles:http://www.ikea.com/ca/en/catalog/categories/departments/hallway/10456/Alternatively, you could work in shoe/coat storage into whatever storage you're using for your television or other living room furniture. Again, Ikea makes great solutions. The Besta system is really versatile and can house television and closed storage in one tidy unit. It's what we have in the living room, but it's only one combination of many:http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.ca/2012/09/reader-q-our-television-solution.htmlIf Ikea isn't an option, a cute vintage sideboard or dresser could also be used for shoe storage and no one would be the wiser. Something with doors instead of drawers would lend itself to use with bins like mine. Add some lamps, a mirror and a place to stash keys (like a pretty bowl) and I'd trade my closet! Also, a bench with storage inside could conceal shoes and look attractive by an entry way. It could even double as an ottoman, depending on your living room layout. Hope this helps! Good luck with the move and settling into your new place.