Struggling to keep your small closet organized and functional? You’re not alone. Many of us grapple with finding enough space to store our clothing, shoes, and accessories without creating a chaotic mess. But fear not! With a little creativity and smart planning, you can transform even the tiniest closet into a well-organized haven.
In this article, we’ll share 20 ingenious small closet organization ideas that will help you maximize every inch of your wardrobe space, ensuring everything has its place and is easy to find. Get ready to say goodbye to clutter and hello to a more efficient, stylish closet!
Mount a Pegboard on the Inside of Your Closet Door
There’s so much wasted space on the inside of the average closet door. Why not make use of it? Mount a pegboard onto the inside and use it for all those small essentials like jewelry, scarves, belts, fashion accessories, and even shoes!
Everything can have its place, and you never have to worry about digging through the dark depths of your closet to find what you need. You’ll also be pleased to know that most pegboards are affordable to buy and easy to install – even if you don’t have a single DIY bone in your body. Pictured: Skådis Pegboard
Create More Storage in Your Closet With Cascading Hangers
Not every clothes rack will have enough space to accommodate your expansive wardrobe. If you lack hanging space due to too many coat hangers, consider purchasing cascading hangers. These hangers allow you to hang multiple garments from a single hook, which immediately saves up to 80% of your available space. Cascading hangers are also affordable, require no installation, unlike the average clothes rack, and can give you easier access to your everyday clothing. They are an excellent solution for small closets. Pictured: Yamazaki Smart Storage Space Up Hanger
Save Space in Your Closet by Storing Your Shoes Under the Bed
Rather than storing piles of winter bedding, clothing, and shoes in your closet, taking up valuable space, why not keep them under your bed? You can purchase beds with in-built storage or buy storage bins to organize items into and slide underneath your bedframe. Alternatively, you can even use a flat board, attach wheels to it, and put your seasonal attire and footwear on top. As a nice bonus, you can get rid of that ‘shoe smell’ from your closet. Pictured: Veddinge Door With Castors
If Your Closet Lacks Shelving, Opt for a Hanging Organizer
When your closet is short on shelves, a hanging organizer is your best friend. These versatile storage solutions hang from your closet rod, offering multiple compartments to neatly store clothes, shoes, and accessories.
Easy to install and move, hanging organizers make the most of vertical space, turning an otherwise underutilized area into a functional storage powerhouse. Whether you need extra room for sweaters, handbags, or folded pants, a hanging organizer can help keep everything tidy and within reach, making your closet more efficient and clutter-free. Youdenova Hanging organizer
Showcase Your Accessories on the Wall and Save Closet Space
Whether you have a closet or dressing room, you can’t look past hooks and rails to provide you with that extra storage space you need. Enjoy having an easy-to-access storage solution for necklaces, handbags, hats, scarves, and even shoes. All you need is some wall space or a free closet wall, and you can immediately enjoy a clutter-free closet.
However, unlike other storage solution options like hanging cubbies, some handy skills might be required. Most rails and hooks need to be drilled into walls to ensure they’re as strong as possible. Photo: IKEA
Place a dresser under your hanging clothes
Placing a dresser under your hanging clothes is an excellent space-saving idea for a small closet because it utilizes the often-wasted vertical space, combining both hanging and folded storage in one compact area. This arrangement reduces clutter, enhances organization, and creates a tidy, streamlined appearance. Using see-through drawers adds practicality by allowing you to see contents at a glance, improving accessibility and inventory management. This setup ensures your closet remains efficient and easy to navigate. Photo: Elfa Wide Drawer Solution
Use Over-the-Door Hooks
Over-the-door hooks are a fantastic solution that make use of otherwise wasted space, providing additional storage without taking up any floor or closet area. These hooks are perfect for hanging jackets, bags, hats, or even tomorrow’s outfit, keeping your room tidy and organized. Easy to install and affordable, over-the-door hooks offer a versatile and convenient way to maximize your storage options, helping you maintain a clutter-free environment in a limited space. Photo: Billy Over-The-Door Multi-Hook
Maximize your closet space and keep your pants wrinkle-free by using S-hangers. These specially designed hangers allow you to hang multiple pairs of pants vertically, saving valuable closet real estate. Their unique shape ensures each pair is easily accessible and neatly stored, preventing the clutter and creases that come with traditional hangers. Ideal for small closets, S-hangers offer a practical solution to streamline your wardrobe and keep your pants organized and ready to wear. Pictured: GoodtoU Pant Hangers
Add an Extra Garment Rod to Your Closet
We acquire a lot of clothing over time, like dressers, trousers, sweaters, and shirts. Invest in an extra garment rod if you can’t bear to part with anything to free up closet space. These attach to your existing rod and provide an additional rack for your favorite pieces. Such a storage solution can be ideal for closets with a lot of wasted vertical space.
While you can add extra garment rods to your closet, you can also install them on free-standing clothes racks if you don’t have a wardrobe or storage cabinet. Enjoy twice as much storage space without needing to actually use any more of your valuable space. Pictured: STORAGE MANIAC Hanging Closet Rod
Don’t Forget the Top of Your Closets
Want to know one of the best tips and tricks for storing those bulky boxes, baskets, and seasonal items? Pop on the top of your closet. If you have a free-standing cabinet, take a look at how much space you have between the ceiling and the top of it.
If there’s a large enough gap, you can use the free space for bulky items you don’t want to have taking up valuable space within the closet itself. You might even like to measure the distance between the top of the closet and the ceiling, as well as the width, to purchase storage boxes to fit neatly along the top. Pictured: FLÅDIS Baskets
Store Shoes on Top of Each Other
Many of us love purchasing shoes to match each outfit we own, but we can end up with far more shoes than space. Solve that issue with shoe organizers. There are many different options on the market, but many people prefer the brilliance of shoe organizers that let you stack pairs on top of each other. Whether you have shoes or sandals, you can use up to half as much space with one simple purchase. Pictured: SKOSTALL Shoe Organizer
Get Your Clutter Under Control With Compartment Drawer Organizers
Little things get lost. Everyone has at least one necklace or scarf they can’t find in their drawers or wardrobe, and it’s probably the very one you want to wear when you’re in a hurry to get dressed. Compartment drawer organizers might be able to help.
These organizers can take pride of place in the average chest of drawers or wardrobes and have space for all those little easy-to-lose items. Whether you need easier access to your socks or a better storage solution for underwear, jewelry, scarves, or ties, you’re bound to find that drawer organizers tick all the right boxes. Pictured: SKUBB Boxes
Light Up Your Closet
You can’t use what you can’t see, which is why so many people love the idea of tap lights in closet nooks and crannies. Whether you have goods stored in stacks on shelves or utilized every inch of wall space with containers, you’ll be able to see what you have.
This excellent closet idea doesn’t even require an electrician’s assistance. Some of the best in-closet lights come with 3M tape, magnets, and rechargeable batteries. Once you’ve chosen the lights you need, you can install them at regular intervals throughout your closet until there are no dark or poorly lit spots. Now, you’ll have no qualms about using those hard-to-see top shelves hidden in the dark depths of your wardrobe. Pictured: Joyzy Closet Lights
Use a Hanging Organizer With Cubbies and a Garment Rod
A hanging organizer with cubbies and a garment rod is one of the most practical small closet organization ideas we can offer. If you don’t have extra space on either side of your closet rod but plenty of vertical space due to a tall ceiling, you can install this organizer and enjoy more storage space in the same narrow closet.
Store hats, toys, accessories, and footwear, in the top component, and hang your clothes as usual underneath. With this tiny spaces solution, you can have your wardrobe mess cleared in no time. Pictured: TOPIA HOME Hanging Organizer
Store Shoes on the Inside or Outside of the Closet Door
If you don’t have space for a shoe rack in your overcrowded closet, purchase a shoe organizer for your door. These innovative storage solutions hang over the top of bedroom and closet doors and require no installation tools or DIY skills.
Take note of your current shoe collection and browse the available shoe organizer options. You’re bound to find one that has enough space for your shoes, sandals, ballet flats, and other footwear. All that’s left to do is organize your favorite shoes, and you can enjoy easy access whenever you need it. Pictured: Whitmor Shoe Organizer
Store Seasonal Clothes Under the Bed
Winter clothing can be bulky. While you need that bulk to stay warm, stuffing them into your dresser drawers or finding space on your hanging rods can be frustrating. It’s likely just a small walk from your wardrobe to the bed, so purchase shallow boxes or drawers with wheels and store them under your bed.
Underbed storage can be suitable for everything from shoes, blankets, and towels to seasonal garments, jackets, and books. Just don’t forget to rotate your clothing with the changing of the seasons and wash anything that has spent a little too much time under there. Pictured: LYCKSELE Storage Box
Line Up Your Boots
Boots can sometimes be frustrating to store in a wardrobe. Not only do they look untidy, but they take up a significant amount of space. Solve that problem with a vertical hanging boot rack. Boot hangers hang off the average closet rod and have room for all manner of boots, like ankle boots, midi boots, tall and knee-high boots, and even the more extravagant over-the-knee boots.
Simply clip your footwear in place and hang them with your clothing. If you have an expansive collection of boots, you might even like to purchase multiple hanging boot racks and organize your boots by style to make them easier to find. When the job is done, you’ll be amazed by how much floor space you can free up in your closet or dressing room. Pictured: Boottique Boot Hangers
Save Closet Space by Storing Your Footwear in a Storage Ottoman
Storing your footwear in a storage ottoman is a smart idea for small closets. It maximizes space, serves multiple functions, provides easy access, and protects your shoes while adding a stylish element to your room. Plus, it helps keep your living area clutter-free and organized. Photo: Convenience Concepts Shoe Ottoman
A Garment Rod and Inexpensive Shoe Cabinets Make for a Low-Cost Wardrobe Solution
A simple garment rod can double your hanging space, allowing you to neatly store more clothes without overcrowding your closet. Pair it with inexpensive shoe cabinets to keep your footwear orderly and off the floor. These cabinets can be tucked under hanging clothes or placed side-by-side for easy access. Together, a garment rod and shoe cabinets offer a cost-effective way to maximize your closet’s functionality, helping you maintain a tidy and efficient wardrobe without breaking the bank. Pictured: TRONES Shoe Cabinet
Store Out-of-Season Clothing with Vacuum Storage Bags
Storing out-of-season clothing in vacuum storage bags is a great solution for maximizing space in a small closet. These bags can reduce the volume of your clothes by up to 80%, significantly freeing up valuable space. By using vacuum storage bags, you can keep your closet organized and clutter-free, making it easier to find and access your in-season wardrobe. Additionally, the airtight seal protects your clothes from dust, moisture, and pests, ensuring they stay fresh and clean until you need them again. Photo: Spacemore Premium Reusable Vacuum Storage Bags
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