A small and chaotic closet can make life difficult. While it’s not always possible to have the walk-in wardrobe of your dreams, you can double the space you have with a few clever storage hacks. Halve the time it takes you to find things and turn your cramped closet into an organized one with these 8 tips.
Struggling to locate your favourite shirt or a particular pair of socks every morning can waste precious minutes. Also, if you’re unable to access your clothing easily, you won’t wear it and you’re more likely to replace garments you’ve long since forgotten. The good news is there are several ways to maximize the space you have. With these simple tweaks, your poky closet will soon be structured and streamlined—and perhaps even feel a little bigger!
1. Take an honest look at your needs
Is your closet really too small, or are you not utilizing it properly? Unless you plan to renovate the area in future, you will have to work with what you have. This means understanding and evaluating what you need to store. For example, are shoes the main issue, or is it a lack of hanging space? Unpack your wardrobe, group similar items together, and remove anything obvious that you no longer want.
2. Declutter
Is there an outfit you haven’t worn for more than a year, or something that is now tight and uncomfortable? Place the items that no longer support your lifestyle in a pile for donation and dedicate one small box to the clothes or shoes you can’t say goodbye to yet. You can reassess them at a later stage. If you're struggling, check out our declutter tips here.
3. Sort by season
A bulky winter coat can take up a lot of space, especially when it’s not in use. So, instead of keeping all the clothes you own in your closet, move anything that’s out of season to a separate spot. A great place is in a storage bag under the bed, or even inside an empty suitcase! This way, your wardrobe is dedicated to the items you access most frequently. You can also stow special occasion pieces and accessories like this.
4. Streamline your system
Are your hangers thick and bulky? Consider swapping them for a thinner version as it can reward you with extra space. If you’ve managed to clear out some of your clothing, you might even have a few empty ones. Leave a handful in one spot and relegate the rest to the laundry area or another closet. If you do invest in a new set, opt for a uniform look that will also improve the appearance of your wardrobe.
5. Double your hanging space
If you only have one clothing rod, consider adding a second one below it for shorter garments or pieces that can be folded. It doesn’t have to be a permanent fixture (try a tension bar!), but you’ll multiply the number of items you can hang by making this small adjustment.
EspaceProprio Tip Don’t limit yourself! Hangers can be used for shirts, pants, scarves, bags, and belts. It all depends on your unique situation and what you need to store.
6. Make the most of the floor
A clever space saver is to group long garments on one end of the clothing rod and keep shorter articles at the other. Place a small dresser or multi-level shoe rack on the floor below the short items to maximize the room available. We recommend finding one that fits snugly so no inch is wasted!
Put the shoes you use most frequently in the entryway and organize the rest in the closet. You can store off-season footwear high up in your cupboard, under the bed in boxes, or in a hanging shoe bag on the wardrobe door.
7. Don’t forget the closet door
If there’s one area you should be utilizing, it’s the back of your wardrobe door. Unless your closet is exposed or slides open, you can install an over-the-door rack, hook, or towel bar to hold bags, jackets, robes, or scarves. A hanging shoe organizer with pockets is ideal for jewellery, clutches, undergarments, rolled up tops, or accessories.
8. Install shelving
Another great option (if you have the room) is to add shelves above your clothing rods. There is often a lot of wasted vertical space that you can use for stashing bins, bags, hats, or off-season items. Keep a small foldable stepladder or stool nearby so you can still access your things effortlessly, and either label your boxes or stick to clear storage so you don’t forget what’s up there. If your closet is open (and you’re worried about aesthetics), opt for woven baskets instead.
If the lighting in your wardrobe is poor (or non-existent), consider mounting battery-operated tap or motion sensor lights. It will make it much easier to find items when you need them!
EspaceProprio Tip Do you have a patch of wall that isn’t covered by shelves or clothes? Add a hook or two, and voilà! You have a handy spot to hang your sun hat or backpack!
Join our Instagram community @espaceproprio for more informative and entertaining content.
