Closets are an essential storage space in small apartments and houses, but how do you keep them organized? If your closet is starting to feel cluttered and chaotic, read on to learn some of our favorite space-saving hacks that won’t put a strain on your wallet.
1. Declutter Your Closet
Before you organize your closet, you’ll need to do a purge — pulling everything out and separating your clothes from any miscellaneous items you may have stashed in the back of your closet over the years. Then start loosely arranging things into categories: clothes that are out-of-season can go into under-bed storage bins or packed in boxes for storage, while the items you wear on a day-to-day basis should be organized into piles based on whether you can hang or fold them. As a general rule of thumb, items you should always hang include silk, chiffon and other “flowy” fabrics, linen, blouses, jackets, coats, dresses and pants, while thick sweaters, activewear, shorts, jeans and tees can be folded and stacked.
2. Use Vertical Space
If you have high ceilings in your closet, make use of the space — shelves are a fantastic way to keep your clothing organized. Use them to store extra purses or shoes, and adorn any tall doors and walls with removable hooks for towels, hampers, coats and more.
3. Try Shelf Risers
Much like the freestanding pantry or cabinet shelf risers that allow you to creatively stack snacks or kitchenware, closet shelf risers can keep your clothing orderly by building extra stacking layers for you to store clothes, bins and other items. Keep an eye out for expandable risers that you can adjust to the specific dimensions you need.
4. Invest in Stackable Bins
Stackable bins are the perfect solution to keeping smaller items — such as scarves, ties and other accessories — contained and clutter-free. Bins are best for things you don’t need to grab on a daily basis, though you can keep items you occasionally need in bins at the front of your closet for easy access. Feel free to experiment with different materials (including clear plastic, rattan and cotton) to see what matches the look and feel of your space.
5. Get a Freestanding Clothes Rack
Some studios or small one-bedroom apartments only have one closet — forcing you to decide whether you want to use it for clothes or other household items, such as cleaning equipment, supplies and luggage. Getting a freestanding clothes rack that you push against the wall can open up your closet for all kinds of other storage needs. Best of all, a clothing rack can double as a makeshift room divider or partition, giving structure to open spaces.
6. Make Over-the-Door Organizers Your Best Friend
Your closet door is a vastly underutilized space and one of the best ways to increase your available storage without having to drill or mount new shelves. Whether you opt for an organizer with flexible shoe pockets or adjustable wire racks, taking advantage of your door storage can clear up plenty of room on your existing closet shelves and rod.
7. Move Items Into Storage
If your closet is overflowing with items you don’t need to have on hand, consider investing in a small storage unit to store your seasonal sweaters, bulky winter coats, camping clothes/equipment, empty luggage and other items that may be taking up too much space. SmartStop offers convenient month-to-month contracts that allow you to make use of self storage only when you need it most, as well as climate-controlled, secure facilities that keep your belongings safe all year long. Find storage near you today.
