How to Organize a Small Closet Efficiently
Discover the best way to organize a small closet.
Organizing a small closet is no small feat, especially because of how easily it can get cluttered. Even though your closet space isn't something that you have control over, it is possible to create a system to help make use of the space you do have and efficiently manage your wardrobe. Take control and get your clothing in order with these small closet hacks.
Start With What You Have
Step 1: Do laundry and assess. Before you begin to organize your small closet, start off by doing your laundry. Then, remove all of your clothing, accessories, and shoes from your closet and begin the process of clearing out. It may seem simple, but this will ensure that you have every item you own ready to work with.
Step 2: Pare down your wardrobe. Pare down your wardrobe by giving away, selling, or donating any duplicates, out-of-date pieces, or items that are too small. If you haven't worn it in over a year, you can safely say goodbye to it. Cull your collection and get rid of any damaged or worn items. It might be difficult to retire your most-loved sweater, but if it has holes in it, you can discard it.
Step 3: Sort. Lay out everything you own before you start sorting. This way you will get a better idea of what you own. Once you start sorting, it is helpful to sort your items by types so that you have some sort of system. As long as you are able to maintain the system you create, your closet should remain organized.
Step 4: Store. There are many storage options and additions that can help you organize a closet; read on for a list of closet organization ideas.
Keep hanging items such as dress shirts, formal attire, dresses, and jackets together.
Pants are versatile, as they can be hung or folded.
Try to store small items such as undergarments and socks in a dresser drawer.
It's preferable to fold sweaters (especially bulky ones) so a hanger can leave indentations in the shoulders.
Store accessories together, whether in baskets, on hooks, or on hangers.
Tip!
To find out more about organizing a dresser, read our guide Tips & Ideas for Organizing a Dresser With Ease.
Ideas for Organizing a Small Closet
1. Hang as Much as You Can
Dealing with all of your clothing at once can be a little daunting, but after you've sorted it into logical categories, the process of organizing a closet should be a little easier. Many people don't realize it, but closets often have a lot of valuable space that goes to waste. Adding clever storage devices can help you take advantage of this hanging space.
Hooks: Whether you choose regular hooks or over-the-door wall hooks for a great DIY closet organization idea, you will be able to hang items such as coats, bags, and even accessories with ease. You can choose exactly where and how you would like to arrange the individual hooks in a system that works best for you and your wardrobe. Doing this will help make it easy to see more of what you own at the same time.
Hangers: Wooden hangers are ideal for dress shirts, while velvet is good for vintage and other items you wish to preserve. Skirts are less likely to stay on regular hangers, which is why those with clips work far better. If you are really looking to maximize the space in a small closet, mutlilayer hangers are ideal as they store more clothing in the same amount of space that one hanger would.
Over-the-Door Organizers: It may seem so simple when you consider it, but the closet door is an underutilized area. Make use of over-the-door organizers to store multiple items in space that would otherwise go unused. Hanging organizers that fit inside the closet can also help you take advantage of the vertical space by storing multiple items in an area that would normally only house one or two pieces.
Keep your shoes off the floor by adding storage to the bottom of your small closet. Shoes are notorious for being tough to store, especially considering they come in varying shapes and sizes. The addition of a cubby or shoe storage unit can keep your closet floor clear, your shoes readily accessible, and give you a little more room to work with in a small closet.
Hanging your clothing can help to keep it wrinkle-free. There are many convenient ways to do so. When it comes to organizing a closet, you should try to work in conjunction with other spaces in your home.
Under-Bed Storage: This works especially well if you are able to divide your clothing by season. Doing so will not only free up closet space, but also make it easier to get to what you need without rifling through items you won't be wearing for another season yet. Store your off-season clothing and shoes in under-bed storage containers where they are easy to reach but still neatly packed away.
Attic & Basement Storage: If you don't have a place for storing clothes under your bed but do have storage space elsewhere, consider totes and bins. These larger storage options can hold large amounts of clothing and be stored in locations such as the attic or basement.
Racks: Sometimes organizing a small closet means using additional hanging space. Consider using a coat rack to hang bulky coats to free up more space in your small closet. A garment rack is an additional external storage option which is versatile and modern looking.
Storage containers are an organization must-have. Organizing a closet with containers will help you maintain order with minimal effort. Storage baskets have a more rustic look and come in a wide range of sizes, allowing you to store anything from jewelry to sweaters, making them ideal for cramped spaces. Storage bins and boxes are the more common way of keeping clothing well organized. They are available in an array of colors and designs. Some even come with lids, allowing you to maintain a neat aesthetic.
Organizing a closet works best when you make the most of every inch available to you. If your closet doesn't already have them, consider installing shelves to hold your boxes and containers. With our impressive range of wall and display shelves, even the inside of your closet can look stylish. If your closet already has shelves installed, consider using shelf dividers as a small closet hack. These dividers will help you to keep your folded items separated and neatly stacked.
Though you may not have control over your closet size, it is possible to reconfigure and even redesign yours to create more space.
Closet System: A closet system is an ideal way to work with your small closet design. These structures are installed within your closet in order to add more shelf and hanging space, allowing you to designate spots to your different clothing categories. If you are handy with tools, you can easily install a closet system yourself. Whether it is the simple addition of a few rods or a full walk-in closet system, you can choose the setup that best suits your budget and closet space.
Rods: If you aren't able to install an entire closet system, the simple addition of closet rods is also a great solution. Use this budget-friendly modification to clear your clutter and make your organizational system more efficient with additional hanging space.
Organizing a closet is not as difficult as it may seem when you have the right tools. Shop our store so that you too can get your closet perfectly organized.
