The most common closet organization advice anyone can offer is to declutter. However, if you have a very small closet to begin with, spring cleaning will only get you so far.
There’s a better way to appreciate and maximize what you have. Here are some straightforward, smart storage solutions for tiny closets.
1. Stock by season.
Save the under-bed organizers for this. Keep off-season clothing, shoes, and accessories out of your main closet. Seal them in bags and store them elsewhere for the next few months.
When building a boutique-style closet, we call this backstock. Rotating your wardrobe by season keeps daily clutter, dust, and mess at bay.
2. Use a stepladder.
We’re always told to use as much vertical space as possible. However, we tend to store items we don’t use very often on the upper shelves because the area’s harder to reach.
Keeping a folding stepladder handy nearby or just inside the closet makes using it a habit. This one simple, common-sense convenience can double the daily usefulness of a small closet.
3. Double up on hanging rods.
If lots of careful folding really isn’t your thing, and many of your favored fabrics wrinkle easily, prioritize hanging them all up. Add another row of hanging space with a tension rod.
4. Buy full sets of slim, space-saving hangers.
Using one kind of hanger isn’t just an aesthetic choice. It will make the closet look more organized, but the thin profile of modern velvet hangers allows you to hang more garments per rod.
5. The exception? Hanging organizers.
The only other sort of hanger you may include in a tiny closet accommodates many items at once. A tiered hanger for all work pants or skirts, or a hanging ring that can easily hold every belt you own.
6. Don’t forget the inside of the door.
Floorspace is best reserved for closed storage, like drawers and bins. Hang shoes or other collections with nowhere else to go behind the door.
Behind the door is also one of our recommended spots for your less visually appealing organizers. Get more tips for improving your closet design.
7. Maximize affordable closet systems with more accessories.
Reach-in closet systems can be had for a great price. They won’t be tailored to your needs the way a custom system is, but you can use organizing accessories to get more out of it. Adding one freestanding shelf inside a cubby can make space to store four pairs of shoes where you previously had two.
Dividers are great for “filing” your clothing the same way you might store books on a shelf. Provided, of course, you’re committed to maintaining flawless folding.
8. Organizing inserts for every drawer
Drawers can be just as inefficient at storing items as any other area of a closet; we accept the mess since it’s hidden from view. Triple what fits with organizing inserts for accessories, small items, and compartment dividers.
9. Invest in a custom closet system and double your storage space
Tiny closets usually consist of a hanging rod with a shelf above. This isn’t the smartest use of space, but in many homes, it’s all we know.
Let The Designery change your entire perspective on tiny closets. We custom-craft space-saving solutions for closets, pantries, entryways, kitchens, mudrooms, and more.
“The Designery did two closets, two built-in desks, and a drop zone for me, and I couldn’t be happier. The entire experience was outstanding. Allie took exceptional care of me and these projects, with excellent communication and clear expectations every step of the way. I compared pricing with two other vendors, and Allie's was extremely fair, reasonable, and the quality was top-notch. I wholeheartedly recommend the Designery.”
–Justin M., client
Storage for tiny closets FAQ
Is it cheaper to buy or build a closet?
It is cheaper to buy your closet than have one custom-built, but you do get what you pay for.
With a mass-market closet system, you may need to buy additional organizers to make it work for your wardrobe and lifestyle. The quality may also not be as sturdy as a custom system.
Do closets add value to a house?
Yes, custom closets can add to the value of a home, but not always upon appraisal. Adding a custom system to a tiny closet will be a huge plus to a prospective buyer, even if it doesn’t automatically add thousands to the asking price.
Convenient closets are among the most potent perks and luxuries that stand out in people’s minds.
How to maximize a tiny closet?
Make the most of a tiny closet by decluttering your wardrobe, storing away off-season items, and selecting organizers and storage accessories that make sense to you.
Don’t forget to utilize the back of the door for hanging storage. Also, use dividers to prevent stacks of folded clothes from falling over.
