Small Closet Organization Ideas Homeowners Can Use to Maximize Space

Closet space is a common point of contention between inhabitants of a home. And how many people really have walk-ins, much less more than one?

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How do you organize a small closet with a lot of stuff?

Get rid of some stuff. It’s the simplest and most affordable way to organize a small closet. A common rule is that you probably don’t need it if you’ve not used it in six months to a year. 

Cleaning out your closet is so affordable that you can even make money by selling those skeletons in your closet. List some of that stuff on eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or Etsy. Hosting a garage sale will bring in a few extra bucks, too.

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Always donate what you don’t sell. 

Ideas For Organizing Closets On A Budget

You don’t have to be a home decorator or professional organizer to get your closet in tip-top shape.

Reorganize What You Don’t Want to Sell

You’ve tossed out what you don’t want or need. Or, you’ve decided you need another six months to be sure. 

It’s now time to take it all out and organize it. You’d be surprised how much room you can free up by developing a system that works for you.

The closet may be organized by color, occasion, or season. Reorganizing also gives you a second chance to weed through what you may not need.

Shoe Boxes Aren’t Just for Shoes

You may think you’re organizing when you keep your shoes in their box, but really, you can make better use of the room.

Use the shoe boxes as small extra compartments for belts, jewelry, etc. You free up more space by putting shoes on a rack or floor.

What is the cheapest way to organize closet?

If you’re looking for something a bit more bougie than shoe boxes, you can find a variety of baskets that work just as well and improve the space’s aesthetics.

Shoe Organizer

We’ve pulled the shoes out of the big bulky brown boxes, so now what?

Shoe racks are super handy to have, even if you’ve got plenty of closet space. And you can find shoe storage that hangs or sits on the floor.

Put Daily Stuff Up Front

Let’s be real. How often do you recycle the same outfits, be it gym clothes, everyday clothes, work clothes, or night clothes?

So, it makes sense you will want to put all of those items up front for easy access. 

The part we often forget is that we need to put things we don’t regularly use in the back – like Halloween costumes or your wedding dress from twenty years ago.

Make It Pretty

Organizing a closet on the budget often means deciding what needs to go inside and what we can hang outside.

Use a peg board on your closet interior door to hang colorful scarves and hats. You’ve added some class and made room for more in your closet.

Fancy Clothes Hangers 

You can find clothes hangers of all shapes, sizes, and colors. For example, you can find hangers meant only for your two hundred tank tops.

One of the more popular closet-organizing hangers holds multiple pairs of jeans, which means they’re super durable.

Vacuum Storage Bags

Say you’re organizing your closet as summer comes. What do you do with winter clothes?

Vacuum storage bags are handy because you can seal up and shrink your galoshes, mittens, and sweaters and slide them under your bed.

Dividers Divvies up Space

You can maintain order (and fairness) when you go with dividers to organize your closet on a budget. 

A divider doesn’t have to be something you buy, either. You may have the answer to more room lying around your house or kitchen.

• stackable baskets
• shelf dividers
• plastic bins
• wire storage cubes
• kitchen Tupperware

Super Secret Storage

As living spaces get smaller, we are getting more inventive. Some of the bulk of storage comes from sweaters, cardigans, and jackets.

You can find furniture that has hidden compartments where you can stow the closet overflow. One of the more popular solutions is ottoman cubes because they’re both comfortable and useful for storage.

Raise the Roof

Use the little bit of space you have by lifting the rods and existing shelves a few inches. You’ll be surprised how much that adds to a closet’s capacity.

Don’t forget to use the back wall and door. Install some hooks or new shelving to give you more clothes hanging space.

And, if you’ve got room in the back of your closet, a new set of drawers may be what you need to free up storage space.

Light Up the Closet

Good lighting makes everything better, even your closet. Not only can you see your clothes better, but you also will have an easier time reorganizing.

You don’t need an electrician either; apply some stick-on LED closet lights and brighten up the room.

Put Your Dirty Laundry Somewhere Else

Some of us throw dirty laundry at the bottom of our closet or in a bin that takes up space. 

You can build a built-in hidden clothes hamper in your closet to hide the dirty or use a rolling cart.

The rolling cart is especially helpful because you can pull it out and take it to the washing machine or roll it out when you need to access the closet.

Use it All

Utilize every nook and cranny. You can do it without it looking cluttered by going with different decorative organizers and bins.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most efficient way to organize a closet?

Really, no one solution is better than another. The first step should be taking it all out and starting from scratch. It’s easier to find what works best for you, making weeding through the unnecessary more straightforward.

How can I organize my closet cheaply?

To organize your closet cheaply, you can utilize baskets and bins as your go-to storage solutions. Additionally, make use of the space on your closet doors and consider adding drawers and organizers to maximize vertical space. Another cost-effective option is to install a second rail for hanging clothes and strategically choose hangers that optimize space. Think creatively when it comes to storing accessories and consider adding dividers to keep items neatly separated. Lastly, make a conscious effort to reduce clutter in your closet.

What order do you hang clothes in closet?

The order in which clothes are hung in a closet is as follows: Face all items in the same direction for a streamlined look, arrange them from shortest to longest (beginning with short sleeves and progressing to elbow-length sleeves, etc.), fold longer garments over the hanger to avoid dragging and catching, and finally, color code the items to facilitate easy locating and putting back.

Is it better to hang or fold T shirts?

The better option for T-shirts, whether they are everyday or made of 100% natural fibers like cotton, is to hang them. Hanging can help minimize wrinkles, especially when using wider and softer hangers to avoid distortion. On the other hand, T-shirts with modern stretch fabrics should be folded to keep them wrinkle-free.

How can I organize my closet in 15 minutes?

To organize your closet in 15 minutes, start by giving it a quick sweep. Focus on one shelf at a time and tidy up the items. Take the time to refold any items that need it and group similar items together. Additionally, make sure to match your shoes into pairs. If your shoes are scattered throughout the closet, take a few minutes to match them back up.

How many clothing items should I own?

You should own a wardrobe consisting of 74 garments and a total of 20 outfits. For instance, they recommend having six outfits for work, three outfits for home wear, three outfits for sports, two outfits for festive occasions, as well as four outdoor jackets and trousers or skirts.

How does Marie Kondo organize her closet?

Marie Kondo organizes her closet by following the KonMari Method™, which involves tidying up by category rather than location. She starts with clothes, then moves on to books, papers, komono (miscellaneous items), and sentimental items. The key principle is to keep only the items that bring joy and discard those that no longer spark joy.

How can I make my closet look more expensive?

To make your closet appear more luxurious, consider implementing these ideas: Create a shoe wall to showcase your collection. Incorporate an island if you have enough space in your walk-in closet. Enhance the ambiance with glamorous lighting. Organize your shoes by color for a visually appealing display. Hang artwork to add a touch of sophistication. Opt for acrylic storage to create a sleek and modern look. Bring in some greenery by styling a plant. Lastly, elevate the overall aesthetic by adding a mannequin.

How do I simplify my closet?

To simplify your closet, start by adopting a personal uniform and then curating a capsule wardrobe based on your preferred style. Avoid clutter by decluttering your closet and refrain from purchasing clothes that you rarely wear. Remember, simplifying your wardrobe is a gradual process.

How do you use dead space in a closet?

The dead space in a closet can be utilized by adding hooks, shoe bags, or racks to the backs of doors, installing high shelves for infrequently used items, and using decorative bins or clear containers to store items neatly and provide easy access to their contents. It is important to think creatively about neglected spaces in your home.

What is the fastest way to organize a closet?

The fastest way to organize a closet is by removing all the items, categorizing them, decluttering what is not necessary, and then arranging everything back in a manner that facilitates easy and quick retrieval of desired items.

What is the best order to hang clothes in closet?

The best order to hang clothes in a closet is to face all of the items in the same direction for a streamlined look. Start by organizing them from shortest to longest, beginning with short sleeves and progressing to elbow-length sleeves, and so on. To prevent dragging and catching, fold longer garments over the hanger. Additionally, color coding the items will make them easier to locate and put back.

Where do I start decluttering my closet?

To start decluttering your closet, begin by pulling out the clothes that you have worn the least. This is where the majority of your decluttering process will take place. Take out anything that hasn’t been worn in the last 6-12 months and ask yourself why. Then, make a decision whether to keep it or donate it.

Should you organize closet by color or type?

To achieve a well-organized and easily accessible closet, it is recommended to categorize clothing by type first (such as tops, skirts, dresses, and pants) and then arrange them by color. According to Janelle Burns, the lead interior designer of Maestri Studio, this approach ensures a curated closet experience.

What does Marie Kondo hang in closet?

Marie Kondo hangs items in her closet that are difficult to fold or prone to wrinkling easily. These may consist of heavy winter coats, jackets, suits, dresses, blouses, or pants with a crease. The recommended approach according to KonMari is to hang clothes based on their weight, and it can be beneficial to group similar items together.

How often should you go through your closet and sort through clothes?

You should go through your closet and sort through clothes at least once a year to prevent the accumulation of clothes, shoes, and accessories from becoming overwhelming. According to Seifert, if you haven’t worn an item in the past year, it is likely safe to donate or sell it.

What order do you hang clothes in the closet?

The order in which clothes are hung in the closet is as follows: face all items in the same direction for a streamlined look, start with short sleeves and progress to longer sleeves, fold longer garments over the hanger to prevent dragging and catching, and color code items for easy locating and putting back.

What do you put on top of closet shelves?

The items that are typically placed on top of closet shelves are infrequently used pieces and mementos, according to Aron. These upper shelves, reaching all the way to the ceiling, serve as an attic-like storage space. On the main floor of eye-level racks, rods, and shelves, you should store your everyday clothing, shoes, and accessories.

How can I make my closet more functional?

To make your closet more functional, you can consider implementing these 10 essential storage tips. First, assess the size of your wardrobe and determine if any items can be removed or donated.

Next, prioritize your storage needs and identify what items require easy access. Utilize a closet organizer to maximize space and keep belongings organized. Incorporate closet drawers to store smaller items and accessories. Increase hanging space by adding additional rods or utilizing double-hang rods.

Make efficient use of your closet floor space by utilizing storage bins or shoe racks. Finally, accessorize your closet with hooks, shelves, or baskets to further optimize storage and organization.

How often should you declutter your closet?

You should declutter your closet biannually, weekly, or as needed to keep it free from clutter. Indications that it’s time to get rid of items include having duplicates (or even triplicates) of the same item and trying on clothes that no longer fit.

How to organize a small walk in closet with lots of clothes?

To organize a small walk-in closet with a large amount of clothes, you can implement various strategies. One effective method is to incorporate an additional hanging rod to increase hanging space. Utilizing bins on the top shelf and opting for thinner clothes hangers can also help maximize the available room. Additionally, incorporating cubbies for shoes and folded clothes can provide valuable extra storage options.

How do you get rid of clothes you don’t need?

To get rid of clothes you don’t need, you can consider selling them to a consignment shop, organizing a yard sale or garage sale, donating them to an animal shelter, selling them online, donating them to Vietnam Veterans of America, donating them to Dress for Success, giving them to a rummage sale, or donating them to the Salvation Army.

How do I declutter and organize my closet?

To declutter and organize your closet, you can start by choosing between two approaches: categorizing items or tackling everything at once. Next, utilize various organizers to separate different types of items. Try implementing the reverse hanger technique, where you hang clothes with the hangers facing backward and only turn them around after wearing an item. Additionally, employ the one in one out technique to prevent clutter from accumulating by removing an item whenever you add a new one. It’s best to work on organizing your closet during the day when you have ample natural light. Lastly, remove any items that are unrelated to getting dressed to create a more streamlined and efficient space.

What is the best order to organize closets?

The best order to organize closets is to sort items by color, category, or length. For example, group jeans with jeans and keep sweaters with sweaters. If you have a large closet or prefer visual organization, you may also want to consider placing items of the same color in the same area.

How do I know what clothes to get rid of?

To determine which clothes to get rid of, it is important to consider the following factors:

• Evaluate if the clothes align with your core personal style. If they don’t reflect your preferred fashion choices or aesthetic, it may be time to let them go.
• Assess if the clothes no longer fit you properly. If they are too big, too small, or simply don’t flatter your body shape anymore, it’s best to remove them from your wardrobe.
• Examine if the clothes are damaged beyond repair. If they have tears, stains, or significant wear and tear that cannot be fixed, it’s advisable to part ways with them.
• Reflect on whether you have worn the clothes in the past year. If you haven’t reached for them within this timeframe, it’s likely that you no longer have a need or desire to wear them, making it a good opportunity to declutter.
• Consider if the clothes make you feel good when you wear them. If they don’t boost your confidence or make you feel comfortable and happy, it might be time to bid farewell and make space for items that truly make you feel great.

How do you start decluttering when overwhelmed?

When overwhelmed with decluttering, you can start by removing the easiest items first. After that, proceed to discard larger items. Instead of selling them, consider donating the items. To make the process more manageable, break down your large space into smaller challenges. Keep working until each smaller challenge is completed.

How do you part with clothes you don’t wear?

To part with clothes you don’t wear, you can consider selling them to a consignment shop, organizing a yard sale or garage sale, donating them to an animal shelter, selling them online, giving them to the Vietnam Veterans of America, reaching out to Dress for Success, or supplying them to a rummage sale.