For the most part, I really do love our house. It’s not any bigger or smaller than we need, and it’s on a nice street in a beautiful neighborhood. But if there’s one thing I wish I could change, it’s the size of the closets (the size of my closet, more specifically!)
It seems like I’m always fighting to keep my closet from descending into complete chaos. But I’m aware that short of a major renovation, there’s not a whole lot I can do about the size of my closet, so I do my best to make the most of the space I have!
Over the last several months, I’ve implemented some changes to the way I store clothes, shoes, and accessories in my closet, and now it’s more organized now than it’s ever. So in the spirit of getting organized, I thought I’d share my favorite closet “hacks” with you today.
My hope is that these tips and tricks will help you tackle the clutter in your own closets at home! I’ve also included some handy closet organizing products that I’ve come across on Amazon. Any one of them is sure to help you in your quest to clear out your closet! :-)
(And for more clever organizing ideas for every room in your house, be sure to check out my eBook Get It Together! You can buy it in my shop, or download it for free if you’re an OGT Plus member!)
Related: Want A More Functional Closet? Try These 6 Simple Solutions
8 Brilliant Closet Organization Hacks
1. Sweater Storage That Saves Space
A few weeks ago I wrote a post mentioning the way I like to hang my sweaters. It’s a simple method that helps eliminate stretching and those dreaded “shoulder bumps.” (You can get the full details on my sweater-folding method at this link.)
But many people pointed out that storing sweaters this way does tend to take up more space, because it makes each sweater thicker in your closet than it would be if you hung it up the normal way. And that’s a problem if you’re short on closet space to begin with!
So I thought about it, and I came up with a simple solution that I implemented in my own closet—adding a double closet rod! Just hook it onto the rod in your closet, and it gives you an additional rod nearer to the ground. Put one of these in your closet, and you’ll have plenty of space for those folded sweaters!
Related: This One Simple Hack Solves Every Problem With Collared Shirts
Another simple storage solution you can try is hooking hangers together with a tab from a soda can. It will hang lower than your other hangers, which should help you save more space with very little effort.
Related: 10 Reasons Why Hangers Are More Useful Than You Think
2. A Solution For Scarves
It can be tricky to figure out the best way to store scarves in a closet. One of the best ways I’ve found is to attach a few shower curtain rings or curtain clips to the bottom of a hanger.
Just slip a scarf through each ring, then hang it up next to your other clothes! All of your scarves will be clearly visible and stay wrinkle-free.
Related: 7 Clever Ways To Get More Organized By Thinking Like MacGyver
If you’d rather go the store-bought route, there are plenty of scarf hangers available online. This one comes in a 3-pack and is really inexpensive! The hangers also have small hooks on them that could be perfect for hanging necklaces and other small items.
3. Storing Shoes & Small Items
If shoes, socks, clutches, and other small items are giving you trouble, try an over-the-door pocket organizer. They’re an inexpensive way to add additional storage to your closet. Plus, since they hang over the back of your closet door, you won’t have to worry about adding more stuff to your closet rod. (Having room for more clothes is always a bonus in my book!) ;-)
Related: 13 Ways To Use My Favorite Cheap Organizing Tool
4. DIY Pants Hangers
Hangers with clips can be really useful for hanging pants and skirts, but they can be a bit more expensive. Luckily there are plenty of simple ways to add clips to your existing hangers!
One way to do it is just by using a couple of clothespins, which works best on thin wire hangers, but it’s not impossible to use them on thick plastic hangers. You’ll just have to fold your skirts or pants in half to make the fabric thick enough for the clothespin to grab onto.
A better solution for adding clips to thicker hangers is to use bag clips like these. They fit nicely around the bottom of plastic hangers and they grip unfolded clothes well.
If you mainly use those fuzzy non-slip hangers, check out these special hanger clips. They’re designed specifically to fit over the bottoms of those hangers, so you can just clip them on and hang your skirts and pants!
5. Rotate Your Wardrobe
One of the ways I save space in my small closet is by rotating my wardrobe seasonally. When the weather starts warming up in the spring, I take all of my heavy coats, thick boots, and the rest of my winter wear and I pack it up into a few plastic tote bins.
Then I replace those items with sundresses, sandals, and other warm weather clothes. Rotating my clothes each spring and fall also gives me the opportunity to get rid of anything I haven’t been wearing (which is another great space saver!)
Related: 10 Simple Tips For Storing Winter Clothing
6. Fit More Shoes On A Shelf
If your shoe collection is taking up a lot of shelf space, place the left shoe with the toe facing into your closet, and the right shoe with the toe facing out. The shoes will fit together more snugly, and you’ll likely be able to fit an additional pair of shoes onto your shelf this way!
7. Use Hooks For Handbags
Need a way to hang up handbags, clutches, belts, or other accessories? Try an S-hook! These hooks are usually inexpensive and easy to find, and they couldn’t be easier to “install.” (You can also hang jeans from them too. Just slide one or two of the belt loops over the hook, and voila!)
Another space-saving way to store your purses is on an over-the-door hanger. This one has three curved hooks that are perfect for hanging up purses, backpacks, and more!
8. Use A Clever Closet Organizer
When I was doing research for this post, I ended up finding a LOT of really cool closet organizers online. I couldn’t really justify buying them all just for the sake of closet research, but I wanted to share them anyway!
If you haven’t found the perfect solution to your particular closet conundrum yet, you might just find it among these clever products! :-)
Portable Wardrobe With 10 Shelves
Price: $39.99
If adding a few more shelves to your closet isn’t enough, this free-standing wardrobe could be just what you need! This wardrobe is made up of a frame of steel tubes, and has a cloth enclosure with front flaps you can close (or leave open, if you prefer). It has 10 shelves along the edges, and space in the center to hang shirts and dresses. And it’s surprisingly inexpensive, too!
S-Type Steel Hanger
Price: $8.49
This sturdy steel hanger has 5 “rungs” that are perfect for hanging pants, skirts, ties, scarves, table linens, and more! It’s a little pricey for one hanger, but it’s sure to stand up to years of use in your closet!
Hanging Drawer Organizer For Wire Shelves
Price: $12.99
This drawer organizer is perfect for those with wire shelves in their closet. Simply attach the velcro straps to the underside of a wire shelf, and you’ve instantly added a useful and functional drawer to your closet! There’s also a model with two narrower drawers to store underwear or other small items.
Hanging Organizer Tray For Wire Shelves
Price: $19.99
Here’s another handy organizer for wire shelves, and this one is perfect for wallets, clutches, and other narrow items. It has 5 compartments to keep your small bags organized. Installation is easy, because this shelf clips right onto the underside of a wire shelf.
Hanging Purse Organizer
Price: $20.95
If it’s your purse collection that’s causing problems in your closet, you could probably use a purse organizer! This one hangs right up in your closet, and has 10 different pockets for your purses and bags (or whatever else you want to store in it!) It’ll help keep your bags organized and protected from dust and dirt.
What’s your best tip for keeping your closet organized?