Are you struggling with limited closet space? You’re not alone. While some of us are blessed with spacious walk-in wardrobes, others have to make the most of compact cabinets. Worse still, the smaller the closet, the harder it is to keep contents under control.
Needless to say, smart organization is the key to a tidier, more manageable closet. With the right storage solutions, styling hacks, and a little patience, you’ll be able to utilize every inch of your cabinets and space with ease.
In case you’re running low on closet organization ideas, here are a few tips and tricks that’ll help you squeeze out some additional storage space.
1. Reduce Your Clothing Inventory
Throwing out whole outfits can be heartbreaking, but unless you do a thorough cleaning, you’re never likely to have enough space for new additions. One place to start your closet reorganization journey is to purge your closet of unnecessary clothes and accessories.
- Begin by sorting out items that are stained, ripped, faded, or no longer in wearable condition.
- Store seasonal items, such as warm cardigans and puffy jackets, in a separate space.
- For those pieces that don’t fit you anymore, consider giving them away or donating them once and for all.
2. Invest in A Clothing Rack
There are only so many clothes you can discard, so your closet may still be packed to the brim after an intense decluttering session. Get a freestanding clothing rack so you can begin to shift your regular wear to an easily accessible place, freeing up closet space in the process. As a bonus, the exposed rack may motivate you to keep your clothes neatly organized.
3. Convert Old Shoe Boxes into Drawer Organizers
Messy drawers are a pain to sort through. Untangling a web of socks and handkerchiefs is bound to cost you significant time and energy. However, you can take inspiration from DIY closet organizers and create drawer dividers out of shoeboxes.
Simply insert shoebox cutouts in your drawers to compartmentalize your items (for example, your socks and unmentionables) and keep them in their own space.
4. Make Full Use of Hooks
A smart way to reclaim wasted space in a small wardrobe is by installing hooks in unused spaces. Hooks can hang almost everything, from jewelry, hats, and other accessories to clothes that are midway between soiled and clean.
Try and put a hook (or better still, a row of hooks) anywhere you can in your closet, including the back of the door. This efficient trick can make a world of difference for anyone wondering how to maximize closet space.
5. Don’t Ignore the Floor of Your Closet
Do you have an excess of long, hanging clothes? If yes, then chances are the entire floor of your closet is a no-man’s-land.
Closet floors are ideal places for small dressers and stacking racks. What’s more, the dresser’s top flat surface can hold items you use on a regular basis, such as shades, hats, watches, and jewelry pieces, among other things.
For starters, you can group your clothes according to their length (shirts on one side, floor-length dresses on the other). Then, insert the rack or dresser under your clothes and use it to keep your accessories and dress shoes in order.
6. Utilize Modular Shelves
An etagere or modular shelving system is a great option for additional knick-knacks that don’t fit inside your cabinets. Start by choosing pretty items that can double as décor and display them on each shelf. You can also use brackets to hang up accessories. That said, be sure to tuck away expensive essentials to keep them safe and out of view.
7. Use Shelf Dividers
As far as closet shelf organizer ideas go, this one may be the easiest to achieve. The idea behind shelf dividers is simple: they break your shelves into smaller compartments, enabling you to store miscellaneous items without compromising storage space. Shelf dividers also let you stack higher piles, preventing them from falling over.
You can use shelf dividers to separate and categorize:
- Folded clothing
- Large accessories, including purses and shoes
- Toys
- Linens, towels, sheets, and blankets
- Towels and washcloths.
8. Implement the Dramatic Double Hang
As you would expect, hanging your clothes takes up lesser space than shelving. A double hang, where you hang two items on one hanger, can work wonders for maximizing cramped spaces. Apart from optimizing space, the double hang also saves the trouble of folding and stacking clothes daily.
Given the choice between hanging and shelving in a closet, opting for extra hanging space is recommended. Alternatively, you can mount a second clothing rod under your hanging clothes for the similar results.
9. Let There Be Light
Locating things in a dark, cramped closet is tough. Fortunately, you can remedy the problem by installing lights. Furthermore, increased illumination can make your closet space look and feel bigger than it is.
LED lights are one of the most useful lighting options for any small closet. They don’t heat up as much as incandescent bulbs, making them perfect for illuminating your purse or perfume collections, and thanks to their energy efficiency, they won’t send electricity bills through the roof.
Here are a few tips for setting up your first-time closet lighting system:
- To illuminate your hanging clothes, fix one LED light strip directly above each rod.
- Install LED lights on the underside of lower drawers to light up your closet floor.
- Add puck lights over mirrors and display shelves for a classy touch.
Interested in More than DIY Closet Re-Organization?
Small closets aren’t ideal, especially if you have an excess of stuff to stow away. With a little planning and a dash of DIY creativity, though, you can turn your tiny wardrobe into something more.
To turn it into the closet of your dreams, you may need or want to reach out to a professional. At Holland Custom Cabinets, we offer handcrafted cabinet systems tailored to your unique needs. Our eye-catching designs, precision engineering, and high-quality materials combine to create stylish, reliable closets that speak volumes in style.
For more information about customized closet services, contact us today or call us at (619) 443-6081 for a consultation.
