Spring cleaning season is upon us, and this year we’re dreaming of a spotless kitchen, an organized kids’ closet, and a tidy home office. The organizer we want is all about form + function, with rolling carts that can expertly line up item by item. We may not have the organizing skills, but we know that little things can turn a dysfunctional mess into an organizer’s paradise.
Our little closet needs the most help because we don’t want you to get all Marie Kondo and dump everything (God forbid!). We had to take a simple approach by grouping, stacking and layering in order to fit effectively even in the smallest of spaces. Jewelry and purses need a home, hangers need to be redone (no wire hangers!), and all those shoes. Small closets mean every space is valuable real estate, and we have the best organizing products to use every square inch.
Don’t forget the value of closet doors. When space is minimal, both sides can be fully utilized. With that in mind, check out the best closet organizing ideas.
Small Closet Organizing Ideas
Org 50-count Slim Grips Suit Rack
There’s no better feeling than throwing away all the hangers and starting over with these matching hangers. We might be a little special, but so what? Your clothes will look so much better! These slim hangers allow you to fit more in your closet, and they hold firmly so they don’t fall off and land on the ground. This set has 50 hangers to get you started. They are perfect for tops, bottoms, and suits. Now, ditch those wire hangers! Those random items you buy online – just because they’re free doesn’t mean they look good.
Dseap Wall Mounted Coat Rack With 5 Triple Hooks for Organizing
Add a row of hooks, like these triple hooks from Dseap, anywhere you can see a wall in your closet. They’re not just hooks, they’re everything. Do you know how many bras, necklaces, or scarves we put on one of the shelves? a lot of. You didn’t think about hanging a bra, did you? We squeezed a shelf on one wall for necklaces (it can hold 30+ without tangles) and another shelf dedicated to bras (they never get squashed or left in a drawer). Of course, these can also be used for coats, belts, scarves, and your weekly rotation of jeans (and/or sweatshirts), but either way, they add much-needed visible storage to even the smallest of closets.
Door Wardrobe Hanger
If hanging space is minimal, add more! This adds 17-24 inches of additional hanging space on the door hanger. If your closet is narrow or dark (or both), this hanger will keep your regular rotation within easy reach. Think how much less wrinkle your clothes can get when they don’t fit into your small space. We love it for blazers, fall jackets, and even a weekly scrub if that’s your work uniform.
Polder Chrome Slim Folding Ladder
If you really can’t reach it, you can’t really organize anything higher than shoulder height (yes, some of us are short!). This two-step folding stool from The Container Store needs to be in just about every room. It folds so slim (only 1 1/4 inches when folded) that it slides between jeans in the walk-in closet and between the washer and dryer in the laundry area. Step stools aren’t just for kids, folks. Here’s one you’ll probably use for years because it’s never useful.
Small Walk-in Closet Organizing Ideas
Rubbermaid Luxury Custom Closet Organizer Kit
The best way to organize is to remove everything from your closet and start over, which includes a new closet shelving system kit. This Rubbermaid kit is all in one and it has everything you need! You don’t need to pay for an overly expensive closet storage company to measure up, this is really a DIY project that can be done in a few hours. As long as one wall in your closet is at least 3 feet wide, you can do it. Reimagine your clothes are all hung, folded and stored where you can actually see them. Maybe the first time.
Wlive Vanity Organizer for Hallway or Closet
You know that extra space in your closet under your jeans and/or dress? This fits right there, giving you drawers where you can actually use them. We love its underwear and bras as well as corsets, belts and scarves. Socks are also very popular. At less than 2 feet tall and less than 1 foot deep, this gives all the little ones a tidy home. There’s no reason not to use any extra space in any closet, real estate is so valuable.
Simplehuman Pull-out Cabinet Organizer, 20″ Drawer
You can never have enough drawers. seriously. When you’re really organized, the latter stuff is enough. These steel drawers (available in 9, 14 and 20 inch widths) can be attached to shelves or cabinets in bathroom, kitchen or bedroom closets. We thought of all the missing dark spaces under hanging clothes that could be neatly filled with sliding drawers. The ergonomic handle, easy installation and sturdy quality are all echoed in product reviews. An incredible product that subtly takes a common design solution to another level of sophistication. It maximizes the capacity of the space while minimizing clutter.
Songmics Full Length Door Mirror and Jewelry Organizer
You need a full-length mirror and you need somewhere to store all your jewelry, so why not choose a great, space-saving 2-in-1 mirror-like Songmics? Once it’s on the door, you can fill it with all the gadgets and even lock the cabinet so the kids won’t be tempted the next time they dress up. The unit is less than 4 inches deep, so it won’t waste any space in your room or closet. There are even battery-powered LED lights inside the cabinet, so you can find all the little things, now they’re unfolded and displayed. It’s perfect in every way! There’s plenty of room for a variety of styles of jewelry, and the LED lights on top are great for illuminating the interior.
Abo Gear Storage Box, 3-piece Closet Organizer
One of the best ways to organize your closet is to remove unwanted items from your closet. This set of 3 storage bags with handles, clear windows and zipper is your great companion at the end of each season. They can be stored on those hard-to-reach shelves in the closet, under the bed or in the basement until needed again. These are perfect for all rooms in the house, not just bedroom closets, but hall closets (coats!), linen closets (duvets!) and even guest closets (grandma stuff!). They are durable and spacious. They fit right under my bed and look really nice. When not in use, I can fold them flat in my closet.
Elfa Custom Designed Closet Organization System
You have space, but you need imagination. Luckily, the Container Store has that covered. You can just click (right here!) and start designing. Even if it’s just a fantasy (the kids are asleep), try it. With good online tools, you won’t trust the configuration that’s right for your space. If you’re looking for some bells and whistles, they have it too. You can choose metal shelves or wood, open drawers or drawer fronts, and even metal handles with leather loops. The world is your oyster – container stores can design, pack and deliver. They even sell all the hooks, straps, and gadgets to add extra storage in every closet nook and cranny. (Prices are based on your custom design.)
Wardrobe Shoe Cabinet Ideas
Whitmor Over the Door Shoe Rack, 36 Pairs
You have a door, don’t be afraid to use it! This drill-free unit holds 36 pairs of shoes. (If you have more, you’ll need a whole article to help.) This shoe rack is much nicer than the clear plastic cellophane shoe rack, and it fits all sizes of shoes and boots. If you have tall boots that you want for the winter, fold a shelf for extra space. Once they’re stowed away for spring, pull the shelves back for extra room for sandals. The only thing better than that is two of them – so each of you can have your own if you’re lucky enough to have his and hers.
Wayfair Beachcrest Home 25′ Closet Storage System
We love the separate shoe (and handbag) towers in a rich wood finish. This unit (measures 84 inches high and 25 inches wide) will fit at least 12 pairs of your favorite shoes in the lower half and at least 8 purses in the upper half. Use your imagination and reconfigure it to showcase your treasure. They don’t even have to be Manolos.
Ziz Home Bed Bottom Shoe Organizer
It makes perfect sense to remove seasonal shoes when there isn’t enough shoe space in the closet. This under-bed storage bag holds 12 pairs of shoes. The zippered clear window lets you see at a glance because you never know when you’ll need a good pair of heels for the weekend! We also think it’s great for totes, so you might want a second one for all those clutches that don’t need to be on a closet shelf either, but still need to be ready. Of course, it’s also great if you have extra shelf space in your closet. Out of sight out of mind.
