For starters, you won't be able to simply rearrange what you already own, but conducting a closet purge will likely be an important first step. I’m not big on all these extras like hanging shoes on the back of the door and fancy boxes for this and that or hangers that hang on each other (watch, I’m about to eat my words). Take everything out of your closet. I have to say this upfront – if you want to organize your small closet, you are going to need to... 2. When you're first figuring out how to organize a small closet, one way to start is to group like items together. Painting your clothing rod or a closet shelf a bright color would also be pretty dang fun. Sep 29, 2020 - small closets, organization, organizing the closet, closet, bedroom, clothing organization. A large shoe rack or storage boxes can quickly fill up all of the available space. The bane of any woman’s and sometimes man’s existence. In all our time spent with annoyingly tiny closets, we’ve picked up a few tips, tricks and storage solutions to make the most of even the smallest space. Oh, and it just so happens to be mine. Want to feel accomplished in the next 20 minutes? They’re a must have for a small closet. While organizers that maximize vertical space and the back of the closet door are smart additions to a small closet, avoid the temptation to over-shop. Plus, rolling casters make it easy to move around the room. Tackle that issue in your small bedroom closet with a two-part strategy: some smart weeding-out, then reorganizing via efficient, accessible storage. Getty Images, The Dos and Don'ts of Organizing a Small Closet. When we were finished going through everything, I bet we had gotten rid of over half of the clothes I owned. First, make sure you have matching hangers. To give an idea of how small the closet is that we are organizing, it measures appx 52″ wide by 23″ deep.This small closet is the original to the house with metal sliding doors that are supposed to look like wood.Um, they don’t look at all like wood! Start Fresh Deborah Broockerd, the organization expert at the Closet Factory out of Vienna, Virginia, has a few smart tips for storing jewelry in a small walk-in. Answer: The top shelf of a cabinet is usually 84 inches off the floor. From there, invest in the right organizers (and don't try to cram in too many) to maximize the available space. The power of these is that they can actually create more space. Small spaces can be challenging, but you can get your wardrobe organized easily with these 10 tips. “The negative space is where the opportunities are,” Shearer says. I had a small wardrobe at that time, because I had just decluttered, but I had plenty of space for more. I think they look messy and create clutter. FAQ's About How to Organize a Small Closet How wide should a closet shelf be? Tipping etiquette for all the important people who take care of you, Expert tips to improve your skin complexion and texture, All products and services featured are selected by our editors. If you haven't used it or worn it in a year, it's safe to say it's time to get rid of it, or store it elsewhere. A shelf is going to give you more space than any predetermined shoe solution, honestly. RELATED: This $14 Closet Organizer Rescued My Morning Routine. I feel ya. Offers may be subject to change without notice. In my experience, though, overstuffing a space is just asking for disaster. Real Simple may receive compensation when you click through and purchase from links contained on While ClosetMaid doesn’t do it for you, they have a virtual service where you can set your closet dimensions and play around with different setups until you find one is perfect. Doing so will also make it easier to sort through the items in your closet. And there’s a ton of ‘em. Start here. This virtual space is great too, because you don’t have to deal with the mess and time of trying a new layout in person and not liking it. So remember to separate out off-season clothing, store them in protective organizers, and hide them under the bed or in the attic. And even when they are a decent size, they can be hard to organize. It makes it look like there’s more space! If we're being honest, organizing a closet of any size (yes, even a spacious walk-in) can be difficult, but figuring out how to organize a small closet presents an even greater challenge. Determine the Function. Follow the dos and don'ts of small closet organizing below, and your cramped closet will suddenly feel a little bit bigger. Even once you KonMari your clothing stash, you likely won't be able to fit every single clothing item you own into one closet. Sort things into piles to donate, toss and keep before you begin organizing. Perfect. Adding some personality can make it feel like a truly luxe closet, no matter the size. DIY your closet makeover with these ideas to organize your clothes, use shelves, shoe racks, and more. Here are 11 things you can do to maximize your small closet. They take up less space, they’re durable enough to hold ten items in the space of 1, yet they don’t crush everything that’s hanging in that space. Snap a pic, send it to someone and make plans for your dream closet layout with fresh eyes. Don’t let the walls go to waste, use your walls or even doors to hang stuff like scarves, hats, or jewelry. It’s about the layout of the system. Having an organized closet is the gateway to having an organized room and an organized life. Yes, they hang on each other, but they’re so much better than other stacking hangers. Install. For such a small space, it can be pretty overwhelming, huh? As the days get chillier and snow starts falling, curl up with one of these good books to read in winter. You talk on the phone to a lovely representative who asks what kind of storage you need, is it a shared closet, etc., and you’ll come away with a design you never would have thought of yourself. From small and simple to large and luxurious, these walk-in closet ideas will keep you organized. It was surely mine for the first 20ish years of my life (as a result I feel a bit overwhelmed by too large closets now). But don’t you worry. Clutter makes small spaces seem even smaller. Storage solutions. Follow the one-year rule to purge outdated or ill-fitting garments from your closet. Tackle that issue in your small bedroom closet with a two-part strategy: some smart weeding-out, then reorganizing via efficient, accessible storage. Here are my tips for a luxe small closet: Add a mirror on the back of your door, if possible. In my closet now, I have some small framed art pieces. Before we start, let’s go over the top 3 mistakes you can make in organizing a small closet. Start your journey to the best style of your life in just a few minutes... Sign up with your email address to receive news and updates. A large shoe rack or storage boxes can quickly fill up all of the available space. This post contains affiliate links. I prefer the clear plastic hangers (make sure you get shirt/dress hangers and pant/skirt hangers) because you can waterfall with … So, make it easier to get what you need. Empty the closet of all contents-clothing, shoes, closet organizers, etc. In a cramped closet, vertical space is your friend. © Copyright 2020, 10 Virtual Games to Play When You Can't Be Together, 21 Easy Christmas Breakfast Casseroles to Make Ahead (or the Morning Of), Easy Homemade Carpet Cleaners to Tackle Every Stain, The Ultimate Holiday Tipping Checklist (and How Much to Give), 14 Great Christmas Movies You Can Watch Right Now on Netflix, This $14 Closet Organizer Rescued My Morning Routine. For anyone whose tiny closet is already packed to the brim or who doesn't even have a closet to... 2 Add Storage Under Clothes. The Container Store will design your closet for free and tell you all the pieces you need. Here are the most important rules I tried to abide by as I worked to organize a small linen closet: Rule 1- Do not overstuff. By Alexa Erickson With a Walk-In Closet, the Possibilities Are Plentiful Real Simple is part of the Meredith Home Group. While organizers that maximize vertical space and the back of the closet door are smart additions to a small closet, avoid the temptation to over-shop. For example, when I was very young I had a closet that was about 2.5 feet wide, but it was about 4 feet deep. I’m not big on all these extras like hanging shoes on the back of the door and fancy boxes for this... Luxe Space. If your tiny closet is busting at the seams, then a garment rack may be exactly what you need. As a general rule, only keep clothing you're likely to wear within the next three months in the closet. they have a virtual service where you can set your closet dimensions and play around with different setups until you find one is perfect. P.S., this is the one I got, in white of course. this website. If you want to know how to organize your closet, just follow these steps. Container Store will design your closet for free. These hangers ($30 for 50, bedbathandbeyond.com) are not only slim, but also non-slip. All at up to 40% less than local closet companies. In order to get a good idea of just how much space your tiny closet has to offer, you need to remove anything and everything already stuffed inside. If you use a 16-inch shelf depth, you only have 8 inches of clearance between the front of the top shelf and the cabinet head, according to JohnLouisHome.com. Small closets can get crammed, and cleaning out isn’t always an option. Take these steps to avoid the small closet cardinal sins and you’ll be the well-organized envy of your big-closeted friends in no time. Declutter First. Apparently the clothes I wore 10-15 years ago in high school and college are not “in” anymore. 2. Jan 15, 2020 - Have a small closet? Closets deserve art too, they aren’t just a hole for clothes! And there’s a ton of ‘em. I spent $10 extra dollars on a hanging mirror that had a pretty frame. Closet systems are great. I would be lying if I told you I designed the layout for my closet by myself, truthfully, a lot of came from a conversation with my Mom about what I could do with it. Consider putting a small picture, wallpapering one wall, or maybe painting an accent wall. After a transition such as moving or welcoming a new baby, there's a good chance your closets have become stuffed and overflowing, and similar items are now stashed throughout the house. Growing up and into college and even after graduation, I had a closet that had between 2.5-5 feet of hanging space. You can buy a closet organizer to hang or mount on the inside of your closet door, like the Elfa Mesh Closet Door Rack from The Container Store (above left), or Simple Housewares Over The Door Closet Rod Hanger from Amazon (above right). Had I thought about it, it would have made so much more sense to put a rod for clothing down the 4 foot side and create more space! That’s a lot of empty hangers! To take advantage of it, invest in clever organizers that hang down from the closet bar, such as this six-compartment sweater organizer ($20, containerstore.com) that I swear by for transforming my own closet. If you have wall space, hang up the pretty stuff. Pretty good, right? No stock photo here, friend. 16 Tricks That Squeeze Every Inch Out of a Small Closet 1 Get a Clothing Rack. Credit: This expandable garment rack fits perfectly in any space and can be adjusted from 32 to 48 inches in width. But, it’s not all about the system. I just don’t. The key: measure your closet carefully before you shop, so you don't end up buying organizers that won't fit. Made with products you probably have on hand. Don't worry, you won't have to KonMari your entire home, just focus on one closet to start. To organize your closet, you'll have to sort through all of your clothes to determine what you really need and find the best way to reorganize your clothes and other belongings. Please see my full disclosure here. Okay, so you’ve got a teeny tiny closet. Organize a small linen closet using these foolproof organization ideas to maximize storage! But let me tell you a trick I learned after that picture was taken: get white hangers. If that’s not in your price range, check out ClosetMaid, which is a great affordable option. Just this first step was so gratifying, and do you know w… High-quality closet solutions you can design, order, and install in the comfort of your own home. If you don’t have the time for either of those options to get a new layout (even if you end up building it yourself and not going with their system), ask someone else to look at your closet and see what they say. It’s functional and looks nice. Like scarves, and even shoes. If your closet is currently too small to fit everything, simply re-organizing it all isn't going to solve the problem. Who knew?! Dream. How to Organize a Small Closet Small Closet Layout. It’s a heck of a lot better than dirty shoe soles and it’s good storage. 17 Small Closet Hacks: How to Organize a Small Bedroom Closet 1. If done right, it can effectively double your limited closet space and help you find what you need, when you need it. A closet doesn’t just need to be functional. If you have every square inch crammed full, you might want to start by paring down. You're going to have to conduct a closet purge, following these seven steps. Gather your closet organization supplies, including a “toss” basket and a tape measure. Often, the floor, door and top of the closet are under (or poorly) utilized. Let me just go ahead and show you my favorite small closet of all time. Learn to organize clothes, shoes, hats and more, even in your limited space!. Close the distance with fun games you can play from the comfort of separate homes. Bundle up and head outside (or stay toasty inside)—either way, everyone in the family will love these snow day ideas. Most of the time it was a 2 foot wide closet with two bars. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission. Bonus: it even functions as art, if you want to hang it elsewhere. Let’s talk layout first and how important it is to look at your space with fresh eyes. The key: measure your closet carefully before you shop, so you don't end up buying organizers that won't fit. If you don’t have any real closets in your home, integrate storage into another room (as Darla did above). I like the look of those nice boxes for shoes, but they take up more space. Even though my closet looks nice, those black hangers are a lot. Design. When we have a lot of stuff to fit into a not-so-huge space, it is tempting to fill up every nook and cranny that we have available. Yep, these have a hole on one side. Click that link! Oh how I love to purge! That was hands down the best layout I ever had. These makeover ideas work especially well for narrow linen closets with deep shelves that are often found in apartments! Clutter makes small spaces seem even smaller. A few weeks ago when my sister Brittany (aka my fashion consultant) was here, she helped me go through all of my clothes and get rid of everything that didn’t fit or was out of style. Don’t make those mistakes. © Laurie Loo, LLC 2020 | Brand + Site Design, Personal Style Education for Fashion-Challenged Women, rellery, ethical jewelry, huggie earrings, brand review. The Original Small Closet. Real Simple may receive compensation for some links to products and services in this email on this website. I prefer to keep my shoes neatly lined up in a row or two on the floor or on a shelf. A Shelf for Shoes (or the floor) - I don’t believe in shoe hanging solutions. However, my favorite feature is the services that both of these systems offer. Wall racks and hangers are easy to install, and there are plenty of closet systems to choose from—including The Container Store’s Elfa System, seen above. P.S., this is the one I got, in white of course, The Last Autumn Color Palette You’ll Need, Save the Outfit Repeaters : 5 Tricks So Nobody Notices, Get Your Summer On With This Seasonal Color Palette, The #1 Trick to Keeping Your Shirt Tucked In All Day, How to Build a Capsule Wardrobe You Don’t Hate. If you're cramped on space, place a small … Skirt Hangers - I love these from The Container Store. But a nice one! The first step in organizing any space is to take everything out. I feel like these often clutter up a space more, truthfully. Add a little of your own personality. Hang things on the inside of the closet door. Just like with closet editing, you need the right supplies for closet organizing. See more ideas about small closet organization, organization, organization bedroom. ClosetMaid, which is a great affordable option. Trying storage solutions over decluttering, Not reorganizing/redesigning your closet layout. How to organize a small closet PLUS quick tips on how to declutter your clothes (very important when space is limited!) On the left, she put empty vertical space in a closet to good use by creating a stunning necklace wall. Learn how to organize your small closet with these 10 simple and easy tips! Thin Hangers - Yep, those velvet hangers that are uber thin. In all these years, I learned some tips and tricks on how to organize a small closet and still feel like you have a luxe closet. If you’ve got the money to spare, I would invest in a closet system like the Elfa System from The Container Store. Pant Hangers - These are no ordinary pant hangers. 1. In a too-tiny closet, every inch of space matters, so make sure bulky hangers aren't taking up more space than they should. If done right, it can effectively double your limited closet space and help you find what you need, when you need it. When you're dealing with a too-tiny closet, there is a special set of guidelines you'll want to follow. Forget long dresses and skirts. Okay, so the function of a bedroom closet seems obvious – to store clothing. Inspired? Closet systems are great. Begin by getting rid of these 11 things right now, which you definitely won't miss. this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines. Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. Closets are a great concept, but never seem to be big enough. Put Like with Like. I love being able to just reach and pull my pants straight off the hanger, instead of fumbling to reach in the sea of clothes and try to shimmy the pants out from between everything else. White hangers would look brighter and lighter. But, there are some good options you should consider if you are still struggling with space after decluttering and changing your closet design (if possible). 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In shoe hanging solutions: this $ 14 closet Organizer Rescued my Morning Routine maximize the available space following seven.