Few design challenges are more challenging than coming up with storage solutions for a small closet. After all, limited space puts you at a disadvantage. So we asked the pros to give you some easy-to-use storage ideas for one of the smallest rooms in your home: your closet. Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin, co-founders of The Home Edit, have plenty of tips on what to focus on, how to stay organized, and, of course, what products to buy. Once you organize your space without spending too much money, there’s no going back to your old cluttered lifestyle. We guarantee it!
Below, you’ll find about 20 items that will easily fit into any closet, no matter how small. From adjustable bag organizers to collapsible hangers that can hold eight shirts, sweaters, or dresses, there are plenty of options to help you stay organized in a small space. Plus, the start of a new year is the perfect time to organize your closet. Get ready to put a big checkmark next to perhaps the most important New Year’s resolution.
Unlike wooden shelves, acrylic shelves don’t take up much visual space thanks to the clear material. If conditions allow, you can also install an acrylic shelf on the longest wall of a small closet to provide plenty of storage for items you don’t want hanging. Acrylic is clear, so it won’t be the first thing you see when you walk into the closet. “Vertical storage is key, whether that’s adding a second shelf to hold shorter items like tops or skirts or installing a shelf above the door,” explains Teplin. We like both types of shelves, but since we love this acrylic shelf rod so much, we’re leaning toward her first suggestion.
Considering that the cabinet doors are only three inches thick, this piece of wood may not seem like the most suitable option for storage, but most cabinet doors are 96 inches tall, which provides plenty of room for organizers. For those with too many shoes, especially flat shoes, we recommend using door organizers that fit into these small pockets.
Having a small closet with narrow rods for skirts, pants, and shirts doesn’t mean you have to struggle with choosing what to hang. Instead of worrying about your favorite clothes getting dirty or even wrinkled, invest in a more convenient hanger, like this folding hanger. It doesn’t take up space on your clothes rail, but it has enough hooks to hang four times as many clothes as a regular hanger. Choose the right hangers to keep your closet from looking out of place. “The easiest way to make your closet look like it came straight out of a magazine is to invest in the right hangers, as this will also save space on your clothes rail,” advises Shearer.
This is similar to the idea above, but smarter, not more complicated. If you have a lot of pants, you can hang them on a device like this, and while it may take up more space than a single hanger on a rod, it’s much more versatile. First, when you pull it out, you can see all your pants at once without having to rummage through them. Second, because the edges are open, you don’t even have to exert effort to get them off the rack.
This model may be a bit unusual, but anyone who collects hats, especially baseball caps, can benefit from these stylish hooks. To use, slide the loop on the back of the hat onto the hook and add as many loops as you need. This way, you can save valuable shelf space and make the most of your wall space.
Anyone who has a few favorite sweaters knows that nothing will ruin a cashmere sweater faster than a hanger. Not only does the shape of the hanger leave hard-to-remove marks on the fabric, but if you leave a fragile turtleneck, crewneck, or other similar item on the hanger for too long, the fabric will eventually stretch beyond repair. So why not choose a set of clothes hangers that are just the right size to hang a couple of folding chairs.
As much as we love the classic over-the-door shoe rack, it has one major drawback: It only fits flat shoes like flats or sneakers. If you have a lot of high heels, an over-the-door shoe rack isn’t the best idea. This rack costs $34, which is a bit more expensive than the fabric racks that cost under $10, but it will fit any shoe, no matter the heel height.
Even if you only have a few purses, a purse organizer is a must. Without a storage bag, you’ll either have to lay your purses on their sides, which can cause them to lose their shape over time, or hang them on a hook, which can leave an unsightly sharp corner on the strap. These purse organizers are adjustable, so if your purses are different widths, this is the perfect solution.
We love stackable baskets because they are so versatile. Whether you want to store your gym clothes, socks, sweaters, or other everyday items, you’ll be glad you had one. No assembly required, just snap the pieces into place and stack them to your desired scale.
While some people prefer to roll their belts into a perfect circle and tuck them away in a drawer, we prefer a belt hanger with hooks to avoid the creases and hard-to-untie circles that are left by rolled belts. Hang your belt so you don’t have to worry about it getting rolled up.
A small closet may not be able to accommodate both summer and winter clothes. So if you are looking for a place to store warm clothes during cold weather, consider purchasing a set of these fabric storage containers that can be placed on top of a small closet.
Who has room for a jewelry box these days? But that doesn’t mean you have to give up on a container for your jewelry entirely. Just install this box under an easily accessible shelf. It has enough compartments to hold all your essentials, including a long necklace.
If you have enough space to install a drawer system under the rails, do it. They are very convenient and are the perfect size to store any clothes you need on a daily basis, such as pajamas, underwear, socks, etc.
Hangers may not seem like a practical option for a small wardrobe, but trust us: if you like to plan your outfit the night before, they’re a must. They also make packing for a trip a lot easier, since you can see all the clothes you’re packing before you put them in your suitcase.
We have solutions for storing flats, heels, and now boots. You can store ankle-height shoes on the shoe racks we recommended earlier, but if you need knee-height shoes, you can neatly arrange them on these slats. Not only will this keep your shoes organized, but they will also stay upright instead of leaning to one side.
These boxes may seem a little tricky to install, as they definitely require some DIY skills, but once installed, you’ll be glad you got out your power drill. Start with the vertical pieces first and drill holes into the wall (make sure to use anchors to avoid damaging the drywall). Then, place the box where you want it; the choice is yours.
If you don’t have a separate closet, fold them neatly and place them in these storage containers with lids so you can use your closet space for more seasonal clothes.
Anyone with a lot of stuff (shoes, bags, accessories, and, of course, clothes) can find it difficult to have a small closet. Not only will you have to figure out how to fit everything into a limited space, but you’ll also have to find storage that’s suitable for everyday wear. Teplin recommends a few great ways to get started, including helpful products and easy-to-use techniques. “Stackable shoe cabinets are a great way to optimize closet shelf space. You can double or triple the number of shoes you can store while protecting them from dust and damage,” she notes. “Plus, you’re wasting a lot of space if you’re only using the floor and a hanging rod. You can also use stackable organizers to store everything from accessories to folded clothes instead of hanging them.”
Here’s the deal (and you’re not going to like it): You need to declutter. If your closet is already full and there’s no room left, there’s no way to organize. “You need to start by organizing. That means putting everything away, grouping it into categories, and taking inventory of what you own. Do you like it? Do you wear it? Do you remember owning it? If not, it needs to go,” Shearer said. “Your space is too valuable to be cluttered with ‘what if’ outfits. Once you get rid of the stuff you don’t need, you’ll feel so much lighter, your closet will feel more alive, and it’ll be easier to create an organized system that works for you.” A basic rule to help you begin the decluttering process is to get rid of anything you haven’t worn in a year. Of course, that doesn’t include dresses you don’t wear often or certain memorabilia.
When it comes to aesthetics, bigger isn’t always better, so don’t despair if you have a small closet. There are plenty of ways to make it look more luxurious. “It can be helpful to organize your clothes by type and then color-code them into categories. Organizing shirts, pants, dresses, etc. by color is an easy way to make your closet look more elegant and make it easier to find items,” advises Teplin.