Living with a small closet can be frustrating when clothes spill out, and accessories are lost in the clutter.
Overwhelmed by the mess? Fear not!
In this post, you’ll find 27 small closet organization ideas designed to transform your cramped space into a tidy haven.
Let’s dive in!
1. Capitalize on Vertical Space
Install hooks, pegs, and additional rods to hang accessories like scarves, belts, and even shoes.
This utilizes the height of your closet and frees up valuable floor and shelf space. Hooks and pegs can hold a surprising number of items, keeping them easily accessible.
By incorporating additional rods, you can create double the hanging space for clothes, allowing you to separate shirts from pants or everyday wear.
2. Multiple Storage Solutions
Using a combination of storage solutions can maximize a small closet. Dedicated bins are perfect for storing items like purses or boots, which might not fit neatly on a shelf.
Hanging racks can keep your blouses and dress shirts wrinkle-free, while enclosed shelves are ideal for folded items.
3. Use Matching Hangers
Swapping out your mismatched hangers for matching ones can have a huge impact on the overall look and functionality of your closet.
Matching hangers create a more uniform and visually appealing space, and can also save space.
Slim, uniform hangers reduce the bulk and allow you to fit more clothes in the same amount of space.
4. Swap Out Closet Doors
You should consider replacing traditional doors with sliding doors, which slide along a track and don’t require any additional space to open.
Sliding doors can make your closet more accessible and can even add a touch of style, with options ranging from sleek modern designs to rustic barn doors.
5. Remove Closet Doors
Without doors, you can see everything at a glance, which makes it easier to keep things organized and find what you need quickly.
This can be especially helpful in small spaces where every inch counts.
Adding a stylish curtain or a well-organized system of shelves and drawers can keep the closet looking neat and integrated into the room’s decor.
6. Store Seasonal Items Separately
To make the most of your closet space, rotate your clothing seasonally. Keep only the current season’s clothes in your closet and store off-season items in bins under the bed, in another closet, or in a storage room.
This practice not only frees up space but also keeps your closet from becoming overcrowded, making it easier to find and access the clothes you need.
It also helps you reassess your wardrobe regularly, encouraging you to donate or sell items you no longer wear.
7. Hang Drawer
If floor space is at a premium, hanging drawers can be a great alternative to traditional dressers.
These can be attached to closet rods or shelves and provide storage for smaller items like socks, underwear, and accessories.
Hanging drawers are easy to install and can be moved around as needed, offering flexibility and convenience.
8. Modular Shelves
Modular shelves allow for a customizable storage solution that can be adjusted to fit your specific needs.
These shelves can be moved up or down, added, or removed entirely, providing flexibility as your storage needs change.
This is particularly useful in a small closet where maximizing every inch of space is crucial.
Modular shelves can accommodate everything from clothing and shoes to accessories and bags, helping you keep your closet organized.
9. See-Through Drawers
Transparent bins and drawers are incredibly practical for small closets. They allow you to see what’s inside without having to dig through piles of clothing.
This saves time and helps maintain organization by making it easier to find and return items to their proper place.
Clear storage solutions are especially useful for frequently used items, as they provide visibility and quick access.
10. Add Over-the-Door Storage
The back of your closet door is often an overlooked storage opportunity. Over-the-door organizers can hold shoes, accessories, cleaning supplies, or even extra linens.
These organizers come in various forms, including pockets, hooks, and racks, and can significantly increase your storage capacity without taking up additional floor space.
11. Invest in a Closet System
Simple solutions like adjustable shelves, hanging rods, and drawer units can dramatically improve the functionality of your closet.
These systems provide designated spaces for different types of items, making it easier to keep everything organized.
By investing in a good closet system, you can maximize the available space and ensure that your closet works for you rather than against you.
12. Group Belongings
Organizing your items by category can make a huge difference in how functional your closet feels.
Grouping similar items together, such as jeans, jackets, or accessories, ensures that everything has a designated spot.
This not only makes it easier to find what you need but also helps keep the closet organized over time.
13. Move Shoes Elsewhere
Shoes can take up a lot of space in a small closet.
Consider moving them to a separate location, such as a shoe rack in the entryway, a mudroom, or even a dedicated shoe cabinet.
This frees up valuable closet space for clothes and other items.
Also, having a separate space for shoes can help keep them organized and in better condition.
14. Install Shelves on the Door
Adding shelves to the inside of your closet door can create extra storage for small items.
This is an excellent solution for items that might otherwise clutter your shelves or floor, such as shoes, accessories, or even small baskets for daily essentials.
Door shelves are easy to install and can significantly increase your closet’s storage capacity without taking up additional space.
15. Use Flat Storage Boxes
Flat storage boxes are perfect for stacking on shelves or under the bed.
They are great for storing shoes, seasonal items, or accessories that you don’t need to access daily.
These boxes help you utilize every inch of your closet space efficiently.
They also keep your items protected from dust and make it easier to keep your closet organized and clutter-free.
16. Store Small Items Together
Use specific organizers for small items like socks, underwear, and accessories to prevent them from getting lost or creating clutter.
Organizers with compartments keep these items neatly separated and easy to find.
This method ensures that your small essentials are always in place and easily accessible, reducing the time spent searching for them.
17. Rotating Shoe Rack
A rotating shoe rack can maximize your closet space by providing storage for multiple pairs of shoes in a compact area. This type of rack makes it easy to access all your shoes without taking up much room.
It’s especially useful for those with a large shoe collection but limited closet space, as it keeps shoes visible and organized.
18. Utilize Floor Space
Don’t overlook the floor of your closet as a potential storage area.
Use bins or baskets to store items that don’t need to be hung or shelved. This can include shoes, bags, or bulky items like blankets.
Keeping the floor space organized helps ensure that you’re using every part of your closet efficiently and prevents items from getting piled up and messy.
19. Double Shelf Space with Hanging Baskets
Hanging baskets can be attached to existing shelves to create more storage space.
These baskets are great for storing items like clothes, accessories, or shoes that don’t need to be folded or hung.
By adding an extra layer of storage, you can keep your closet more organized and make better use of the vertical space.
20. Purge Regularly
Regularly go through your closet and remove items you no longer need or wear. This practice helps keep your closet from becoming overcrowded and makes it easier to find the items you use regularly.
Donate or sell clothes that are in good condition but no longer fit your style or needs. This habit ensures that your closet stays functional and organized over time.
21. Designate a Coat Closet
If you have a small closet, dedicating it specifically to coats and related accessories can help keep things organized.
Use small decorative baskets on the floor for winter accessories like mittens and hats, and a coat rack for hanging coats.
Vertical storage containers can provide additional space for items like scarves and gloves.
22. Color-Code Items
Color-coding your items with bins or labels can make it easier to identify where everything belongs.
This method is especially helpful for shared closets or for organizing clothes and accessories by season or type.
Color coding helps maintain order and makes it simple to return items to their correct place.
23. Store Accessories in Small Dishes
Use small dishes or compartmentalized drawers for storing jewelry and other small accessories.
This keeps these items neatly organized and easy to find.
Small dishes can fit into drawers or be placed on shelves, providing a designated space for each accessory and preventing them from getting lost or tangled.
24. Hang Leggings and Pants
Specialized hangers for leggings and pants can keep these items visible and organized without taking up too much space.
These hangers often have multiple clips or tiers, allowing you to store several pairs in the same amount of space as one regular hanger.
25. Keep Like Items Together
Grouping similar items together, such as jeans, jackets, or accessories, ensures that everything has a designated spot.
This method makes it easier to find what you need and also helps keep the closet organized over time.
Keeping these items together simplifies the process of maintaining an organized and functional closet.
