How to Organize a Small Closet in 5 Easy Steps
Organizing a small closet can feel overwhelming when you have a limited amount of space.
You might think it’s just impossible to fit all the clothing and items you’ve gathered over the years. At least, not without having a disorganized and unsightly mess to greet you every time you go reaching in.
Forget luxurious closet-islands with high-end finishes; you’re just trying to bring a little bit of order to the chaos.
You aren’t alone. Whether it’s an office closet, child’s closet, guest closet, or even just a small master closet, many homeowners struggle to make the best of their storage.
With a little bit of creativity, you can make any sized closet work for your needs. Here are five steps to transforming your small closet.
1) Downsize
The logical first step to taking back control over your little closet is deciding what needs to be in there in the first place. I’m not telling you to throw out your entire wardrobe, but I guarantee there is stuff crammed in that closet that you could throw away or store elsewhere.
For example, consider taking your out-of-season clothes off the rack and storing them in an attic, basement, or another closet. Get rid of clothes, shoes, and accessories that you won’t wear again (and be honest!)
2) Regroup
With your thinned out inventory, the next step is to take everything out of the closet and organize it. Group all your blouses, pants, shirts, skirts, and accessories together. Organize them by color, style, how often you wear them, or any way you please. The important part is that you organize them.
Doing this allows you to get an overview of the inventory you have to work with. You now have a palette, and your closet is a blank canvas.
With the hard work out of the way, we can get to the fun part; designing, building, and finally enjoying your new and improved closet!
3) Divide And Conquer
With your inventory lean and organized, we can take a look at where the closet lacks its full potential.
First, make a list of what you want the space to do. Do you need a place for long garments? Are you trying to find a home for an extensive shoe collection? Do you need a dedicated section for your spouse?
We need to figure out how we can use this space to achieve our goals. If you can see any part of the wall or floor, we’re in business.
There are a variety of ways to accomplish the goals we’ve laid out depending on the shapes we are working with. Mentally divide your closet into segments and visualize what you could fit in them. If you have a lot of space between the floor and your hanging clothes, can you install another rod? A shoe rack? How about drawers for socks and accessories?
You can utilize empty wall space by installing new shelves, or if there is not enough depth, hooks. Hooks take up very little space and are perfect for hanging jewelry, handbags, and accessories.
Take plenty of measurements before moving onto the next step.
4) Go Shopping
No, not for new outfits, that’s how we ended up here in the first place!
Using the measurements you took in step 3, we need to find organization systems that help us achieve our vision.
The number of products that exist solely to accommodate those trying to get a handle on their tiny closet might surprise you.
Whether it’s shallow shelving, dividers, cubby systems, or small shoe racks and drawers, you have the tools available; you’ve just got to dream it.
You could also enlist the aid of a pro closet designer and have all the components handmade for you.
5) Make It Happen
Now you have everything you need to make that dream closet you envisioned in Step 3. You’ve just gotta put it all together!
If something isn’t working the way you imagined, don’t get frustrated. Play with what you have to make efficient use of every square inch. If you’ve got the creativity and the drive to begin this project, you can finish it.
With everything put together, it’s time to enjoy the benefits of all your hard work and creativity. Your new, re-imagined closet is now working for you, not the other way around!
A Place to Call Your Own
You might be surprised how taking control over such a small space can dramatically change your household. Human beings thrive in an organized and neat environment. Even a tiny closet can transform a room or even an entire house.
It is well-known and widely researched that having an organized home has astounding positive effects. These include increased productivity, energy, and mood to name just a few. Don’t let something that you can fix in just a day or two dictate how you feel in your own home.
By taking command of your small closet, you now have a place to call your own. A little section of your home has become a feature instead of an eyesore. A source of anxiety has become an orderly, accommodating, and luxurious addition.
At 180 Closet Design, we are passionate about helping people like you design custom storage solutions and achieve new heights in home organization. If you have any questions or would like a free consultation from one of our expert designers, don’t hesitate to give us a call!
(703) 215-9754
