13 Clever & Creative DIY Small Closet Organization Ideas (With Pictures)
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Pete Ortiz - Last updated:
If you have a small closet, you know the struggle of trying to fit everything in such a limited space. But don’t despair—there are plenty of ways to optimize a small closet so that it’s both stylish and functional.
Here are 13 clever and creative small closet organization ideas to get you started.
The 13 Clever & Creative DIY Small Closet Organization Ideas
1. DIY Clothes Purge by The Well-Dressed life
Materials | Trash bags |
Tools | None |
Difficulty Level | Easy to Intermediate |
Get rid of anything you don’t need or use. This is the first and most important step in any closet organizing project. Be ruthless in your purge—if you haven’t worn it in 6 months (or longer), get rid of it!
2. DIY Clear Container Storage by Family Handyman
Materials | Clear storage containers |
Tools | None |
Difficulty Level | Easy |
If you can see through it, then it will help you stay more organized. These nifty little containers are perfect for t-shirts, leggings, socks, and underwear. Plus, they come in all different sizes, making it easy to accommodate your small closet space accordingly.
3. DIY Maximizing Space by The Style Index
Materials | Hangers, containers, boxes, hooks, etc. |
Tools | None |
Difficulty Level | Easy to Intermediate |
When working with a small closet, it’s important to make use of every square inch of space. Stack shoes on shelves or in bins to make the most of vertical space, and consider adding hooks along the walls to hang purses, belts, or scarves.
If your closet doesn’t have built-in shelving, look for freestanding options that can be tucked into corners or arranged along walls.
4. DIY Hangers by Pretty Designs
Materials | Hangers |
Tools | None |
Difficulty Level | Easy |
One of the most crucial steps to take when you’re planning on how to organize a small closet is to make sure you have high-quality hangers. You don’t want flimsy plastic or wire hangers stretching out your clothes and causing them to fall off and onto the floor. Good, strong hangers will help keep your clothes looking their best and save you time in the long run.
5. DIY Color Code Your Clothes by The Spruce
Materials | Hangers, clothes |
Tools | None |
Difficulty Level | Easy |
One of the best ways to organize a small closet is to color code your clothes. This will help you to easily see what you have and where everything is. You can use different colors for different types of clothing, such as red for dresses, blue for jeans, and yellow for shirts.
Or, you can use one color for all of your clothes and another for things like shoes. Whichever way you choose to do it, color coding will make it easier to find what you’re looking for and put away your clothes.
More Tips on How to Organize a Small Closet
1. DIY Hook Hangers by Better Homes & Gardens
Materials | Command Hooks, various sizes of hooks |
Tools | Hammer or drill, nails or screws, level |
Difficulty Level | Easy |
Hooks are a great way to store things like belts, hats, and scarves in a small closet. They take up less space than hangers and make it easy to grab what you need without having to search through everything.
2. Consider a Closet System
Materials | Closet system (Ikea has great options!), bins or baskets, labels |
Tools | Screwdriver, drill (if mounting shelves or rods), tape measure |
Difficulty Level | Intermediate |
If you have the budget for it, a closet system can be a great way to optimize a small closet. There are many different types of systems available—do some research to find one that would work best for your space and needs.
3. Keep Your Closet Clean and Clutter-Free
Materials | Hamper or laundry basket, hangers, storage bins, baskets or boxes, labels and tags (optional) |
Tools | Measuring tape or ruler, level, drill or screwdriver (if installing shelves or hooks) |
Difficulty Level | Easy |
If your closet is crammed full of clothes, shoes, and accessories, it can be tough to keep it organized. But a little bit of decluttering can go a long way.
Spend some time purging your closet of items you don’t wear, and be sure to keep it clean and free of dust. You can also invest in some organizing tools, like shelves, hooks, and baskets, to help keep everything in its place.
4. Think Vertical
Materials | Shelves, racks, hooks |
Tools | screwdriver, measuring tape |
Difficulty Level | Easy |
When you’re dealing with a small closet, it’s important to think about ways to make use of all the space available to you, including vertical space. One way to do this is by installing shelves or racks along the top of your closet. This will give you extra room to store items like seasonal clothing, linens, or boxes of shoes.
Another way to utilize vertical space is by hanging a rod from the ceiling. This is especially useful for storing long items like dresses or coats. You can also use hooks to hang bags, hats, or other accessories.
5. Add a Rod Doubler
Materials | Closet rod, brackets |
Tools | Drill, screwdriver |
Difficulty Level | Easy |
If you have the space in your closet, adding an additional rod can be a game-changer. This will double the amount of hanging space you have, which means you can fit twice as many clothes in your closet. Plus, it’s a great way to organize your clothes by season or type.
6. Add a DIY Shoe Rack by Kippi at Home
Materials | 1 x 2 lumber, 1 x 4 lumber, nails, screws, paint or stain (optional) |
Tools | Drill, saw, hammer |
Difficulty Level | Easy |
Adding a shoe rack to your small closet can really help to maximize space and keep everything more organized. You can either purchase a ready-made shoe rack or easily make one yourself using some simple tools and materials.
Conclusion
Small closets can be a pain to organize, but with the right strategy, it is possible to make the most of your space. By thinking vertically and utilizing all of the available space, you can maximize your storage and keep your closet organized.
Implementing some of these handy small closet organization ideas will help you to create a functional and stylish closet that works for you.
See also:
- How to Organize your Shoes: 17 Tips & Tricks
- 9 Expert Tips on How to Hang Pants on a Hanger (4 Main Ways)
- How to Fold Dress Pants – 6 Expert Tips That Work!
Featured Image Credit: MariaKray, Shutterstock