I would say that for the most part, I have very few complaints about my house. (Especially after my recent bathroom renovations, which you can read all about at this link!) But if a magic home renovation genie were willing to grant me one wish, I wouldn’t hesitate to wish for a bigger closet in my bedroom!
Having a small closet can be mildly inconvenient or a logistical nightmare, depending on the day. So I always have an eye out for clever ideas and closet hacks that I can use to make the most of my limited closet space. I recently came across a few brilliant ideas that I’ve put to good use in my own bedroom closet, and I’m excited that now I get to share them with all of you!
The 7 clever closet hacks in today’s post will help you maximize the storage space in any sort of closet, while still keeping things organized. Navigating a cluttered closet can eat up a lot of your time in the morning, so these hacks are sure to save you valuable time and effort every time you get ready! :-)
Related: Want A More Functional Closet? Try These 6 Simple Solutions
7 Clever Closet Hacks That Will Keep You Organized
1. Hang Luggage
Luggage can take up a LOT of valuable real estate in your closet. But you can reclaim that space by finding an unused area on the wall or ceiling to hang your luggage instead! (The area above your closet door is perfect for this!)
Related: 21 Ways To Organize Your Life With Removable Hooks
2. Utilize Wire Racks
If your closet has wire racks or shelves, be sure to take advantage of them! Hang a few S-hooks and use them to hang up tank tops, belts, scarves, ties, and more. And you can tuck them right at the back of your closet so they stay out of the way.
3. Hang Accessories
Keep your accessories and smaller items organized in a tiered produce rack like this one. You can hang it from the rod in your closet, or hang it from the ceiling in an unused corner of your closet. A hanging rack is the perfect place to store jewelry, wallets, keys, and other small items.
4. Hide Your Shoes
If your shoes are taking up a lot of your closet space, store them on a shoe tray that you can slide underneath your bed or another piece of furniture. And you don’t even have to go out and buy a shoe tray either—just use the lid from a large plastic storage bin!
More Ideas You'll Love
Just turn it upside down, and slap some felt furniture pads on the corners if you’ll be using it on a hard floor. Place your shoes on the “tray” and slide it out of sight. Easy!
5. Keep Boots Upright
Tall boots can take up more space than necessary in your closet if they are leaning against each other. But you can keep your boots standing tall by placing a short section of a pool noodle into each boot! They pool noodles will keep them upright and make it easier to keep them organized.
6. Use Colored Hangers
Using a color-coded hanger system can make it quicker and easier to get ready in the morning. Use a different color or type of hanger to separate clothes by season, by person, by occasion, or whatever system makes the most sense for you and your closet! It will help you know exactly which color hanger to look for when you go to get ready.
7. Use Skirt Hangers For Pants
Hang pants from skirt hangers (which are those hangers with clips on either end.) Many people just hang their pants over a regular hanger, but this adds unnecessary bulk to your closet. Hanging them from clips will ensure you can fit more clothes on your closet rod!
What’s your best tip for making the most of your closet space?
Plastic chain sold by most hardware stores can be hung from a closet rod with an S-hook. Hangers inserted into the links of the chain enables layering, thus saving space.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I use those no mess hooks for inside cupboards for jewelry and things to keep bathroom counter neater.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hubby enjoys beer and I noticed the boxes stacked just right for the mud room shoes!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I use wine bottles in my boots.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I put coat hooks on the wall behind the clothes to store handbags carry on bags etc. I put coat hooks just inside the door for frequently used items. Bathrobe in the bedroom closet and umbrellas in the coat closet
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Jillee, can you source your pants hangers for us?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I bought them here: https://amzn.to/2JMztl1 :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.….there are lots of great tips for closet storage…especially taking advantage of unused space as in your first tip…I keep a small folding step stool in the closet so I can easily reach items stored high in the closet….That area above the shelf to the ceiling used to be empty, I would only store a few sweaters, hoodies, etc. on the shelf, leaving at least 2 feet of space above it…I now use stack-able bins, (they are actually for kitchen storage!)..so that stool makes it easy to reach anything I may need…also, I use really well, made garment bags to store one winter coat (I have 4) in each underneath the bed…(only 4 inches from bed rail to floor)…when they are “in season” they are on one of those old fashioned clothes/hat stands by the front door….I might also store one or two in the closet I keep my vacuum in (it’s a tight fit but ok to deal with for a little while) because it’s down stairs and closer to the front door..those I might tend to keep in the garment bag to protect then from dust and/or cleaners…and then…my summer flip flops (I live in San Diego, so I really do own way too many!) are stored under the bed, instead of a plastic top, I use cardboard boxes I’ve cut down myself to fit…every time I can get my hands on a good sized one, I make a”new” tray for underneath the bed…
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’ve tried to find those sleek black skirt/pant hangers (pictured above hanging jeans) and I cannot find them anywhere. Anyone know where to purchase them ??
Please log in or create a free account to comment.A lot of times when I buy new clothes they will ask when you check out if want to keep,the hangers. I keep them most of the time. I’ve gotten some nice skirt and pants hangers that way.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.The Container Store carries them. They also have the hanger clips. http://Www.containerstore.com
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I bought them here: https://amzn.to/2JMztl1 :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.When luggage not in use, I pack off season clothing. Add a label on handle & slide it under the bed.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Jo
Skip the pool noodles in your boots (more plastic!) I use rolled up old magazines.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.We were lucky enough to be able to add on our dream bathroom. We call it our retirement bathroom since we made it a large 12×12 foot room with plenty of space for wheelchairs or walkers and added a 5 foot walk in shower. When we did that we gutted our old master bath & turned it into a walk-in closet. It’s big enough we don’t have to put away our out of season clothes any longer, which I love. I hang my purses on S hooks from one of the rods. Before they were falling over on one shelf. The best thing I ever did was buy two sets of those foldable cube storage bins – the type you put in those cubby hole shelving units. We have upper & lower hanging rods, so the top shelf is about a foot from the ceiling & the boxes fit perfectly. I was amazed at how much they hold! My messy shelves suddenly went from sloppy & disorganized to chic & organized. Each box holds a different type clothing or miscellaneous item, so I used Avery Name Badge pockets to label each box with printed labels that can easily be changed over time if the contents change. Instead of piles of things on the shelves it’s neat bins with cute labels. It’s amazing how just that little change totally changed the look of the closet. One more thing I did that I love is that I hung a cute key holder hook on the wall above the light switch in the closet to hang my necklaces on so I didn’t have to untangle them from a jewelry box. Love the shoe tray idea. It would work perfectly for the in season shoes that sit on the floor under my bottom rod of hanging clothes. The out of season shoes are in plastic boxes on the shelf between my top & bottom rods. :)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have (too many) jewelry items. They fit into the hanging jewelry organizers, like shoe bags but clear smaller pockets. However, this hangs above another row of clothing. From the craft store, I bought a variety of small zip baggies so that each item can be organized in sets. If I drop one, it SLIDES past the lower hanging rods to land on the floor without getting caught on the lower clothing items. I organize my jewelry hanging by colors. I have a separate hanging organizer for my Christmas / holiday jewelry to bring out at the correct season. Some items (snowflakes etc.) run after the December holidays, so I move those temporarily to daily storage. Another answer is a 3-drawer organizer on top of my large vanity. The sectioned liners from a lovely box of candy (chocolate-covered cherries, anyone?) serve as temporary holders for earrings or pins until I get them into their own baggies & put away. This also prevents tangling & scratches on jewelry. I have my makeup in one drawer & meds in another drawer. Antiperspirants & lotions sit on top, so it becomes a 4-layer storage system.
My best new purchase is a P-Touch labeler with 1” tape! Now I can READ my labels on containers! I still have my smaller P-Touch labeler for smaller locations, but love my big one!! I recently measured all of our suitcases, as we have added & replaced some. Now I (P-Touch) labeled & numbered them, so I can reach for 7 for myself & smaller 5 for my husband for next trip. We often do a 3-week summer car trip, so knowing that 3 is my hotel-overnight bag, and 8 is my week-long specific convention clothing helps when unloading. Convention clothes never get unpacked until convention arrival.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Like Chrystem, I store off season clothes elsewhere. So twice a year i cull items for the thrift store and make sure everything is clean and do repairs. We do own a house so my husband made me a set of adjustable shelves for my shoes on one end of my new closet. I used a wardrobe (so bad!) before we renovated and carved a space out of the attic backing up to the room for my clothes. He also installed a switch which turns on the light in the closet when i open the door! Real luxury!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Love the tip about using lids as trays to store shoes under the bed.
I am not a fan of those wire racks/shelves but am stuck with them while renting. I set up something useful that requires imagination to visualize, but here goes. Stack popcorn cans on their sides next to the wall. Use a spring rod vertically to hold them in place. Can support one end of spring rod on a jar lid above or below a shelf if you don’t run the rod from floor to ceiling. In the resulting cubbyholes store rolled knits (pants, capris, shorts, tanks, sweatshirts), lingerie, pj’s, small purses, etc.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.This is a great way to use those popcorn cans, and create storage beyond my small, wooden built-in shelves, which actually don’t hold much more than a can … !
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Shoes are a storage problem for me, but I’ve saved a sturdy box with identical top and bottom from a “huge” delivery to use in the same way you describe for a lid. They will hold lots of shoes, and slide under our bed. This box held a fence gate, so I’m tempted to order again, just to get a second box for another bed!!! (It’s almost cheaper than some other storage solutions!)
Kathy, your last sentence about ordering another gate just to get the box made me smile over my coffee this morning. I can SO relate to that!
Using a jar lid to secure a tension rod is brilliant!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Fill the suitcase with out of season clothing or whatever before you hang it.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.That’s a great idea, but due to the added weight, be sure you’re hooks are the type that are mounted & screwed into a stud, and not the Command Hook variety or it may tear up your walls.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Great idea!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Great ideas. I struggle with this too small of a closet problem. I store my out of season clothes either hanging up in our basement closet or in plastic storage bins under a bed in a spare bedroom. I did for awhile keep them in our garage, but it was too much of a hassle. Our house doesn’t have any storage rooms so we had to use this space.
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