You know that scene in the movies where the main character opens a closet door and a pile of stuff comes tumbling out?
You definitely don’t want that happening to you.
If you have small closets, you’re probably wondering how to organize a closet and fit everything into such a small space.
Here are some simple ways I use to keep your closets organized, room by room.
A tidy closet also does something quiet for the rest of your home, since the calm you feel behind a closed door tends to show up in how the whole room reads.
Begin with Your Bedroom Closet
Empty Out Your Closet
To get a clear idea of how much closet space you actually have, you need to take everything out.
This also makes it easier to sort your items later.
If you need help deciding what to keep and how to put your wardrobe together, you can organize closet with Dressly AI fashion stylist and get ideas for new outfits from the clothes you already own.
I like doing this on a clear morning with the curtains open, since good light makes the whole job feel less like a chore.
Sort through the Contents
Sort through all your clothes, shoes, accessories, and anything else you might have been storing in your closet.
Create three separate piles: items to keep, items you might need, and items to get rid of.
- Get rid of damaged items as well as those that no longer fit you. You should also part with items you no longer wear, even if they’re in good condition.
- If you’re unsure whether to keep a particular item, mark it with a ribbon or some other indicator.
- Donate items you no longer need. As for torn or worn-out ones, feel free to throw them away.
Clearing out what you don’t love is the same instinct that makes a room feel restful, since empty space is part of the beauty.
Remove Seasonal Items
So how do you organize your closet?
If you have space for long-term storage, an attic for example, move all your seasonal items out of the closet as soon as the season ends.
Be sure to store items in plastic bins with airtight lids to prevent moisture damage.
Swapping seasonal pieces in and out is also a nice moment to switch your throws and pillows, so your home shifts with the weather too.
Use Vacuum Storage Bags
They help organize clothing for long-term storage while minimizing the amount of empty air space the garments take up.
Place folded clothes inside the bag and use a vacuum cleaner hose to remove all the air.
Another advantage of vacuum bags is that they protect your clothing from mold and insects.
This makes them an excellent choice for seasonal clothes, winter jackets, blankets, and pillows.
Keeping your extra blankets fresh matters more than you’d think, since a soft clean throw is what makes guests settle in on the sofa.
Replace Old Hangers with Tiered Ones
They allow you to store more than one shirt or pair of pants on a single hook, so you make better use of the vertical space in your closet.
Use hangers with clips or fabric lining to prevent clothes from slipping off.
Matching hangers are a small touch, but they give an open closet the same tidy rhythm as evenly spaced books on a shelf.
Decide on a Sorting System
Sort your clothes by color and type.
You can organize the rest of your wardrobe using whatever system makes the most sense to you.
Dressly Smart Shopping Assistant can also help you figure out what pieces you actually need and make better choices when adding new items to your wardrobe.
Categorize your items into as many groups as possible.
Separate sweaters from sweatshirts, pants from skirts, and casual shirts from dress shirts.
Then, organize closet by color and further sort your clothes by material.
I find a color-sorted closet pleasant to look at for the same reason a well-arranged shelf is, since your eye enjoys an easy gradient.
Move on to the Entryway Closet: The Best Way to Organize Closet
Install Adjustable Shelves
Extra shelves let you organize more efficiently, so you can make the most of both vertical and horizontal space.
You can use fixed shelves if you prefer, but the advantage of adjustable ones is that they’re easy to remove if your needs change.
Your entryway sets the tone for your whole home, so a closet that closes easily is worth more than any welcome mat.
Use Woven Baskets and Small Plastic Containers or Drawers
You can use these containers to organize your closet and keep small items on shelves within easy reach.
This makes it easier to find what you need and helps you make the most of your available space.
If you opt for woven items, choose a basket with a linen or canvas lining, especially when storing fabric goods.
The lining protects your belongings from damage, keeping clothes from snagging or tearing.
Clear containers are especially useful because they let you see the contents, so you remember exactly what’s stored in each one.
If you decide to use drawers or containers with opaque sides, apply labels to them so you don’t forget what’s inside each one.
To organize closet, install a shoe rack.
If you store your shoes in a closet, a shoe rack will help you keep them organized.
This lets you make the most of your space while keeping your footwear tidy.
I lean toward woven baskets here because natural texture warms up a plain closet the way a jute rug warms up a bare floor.
Bathroom Cleaning
Start by Decluttering
Take everything out of your cabinets and off open shelves.
Discard expired cosmetics, empty containers, and products you haven’t used in a long time.
Sort the remaining items into categories: skincare, haircare, makeup, shower products, household cleaning supplies, and backups.
A bathroom clears out faster than any other room, and the payoff is a space that finally feels like the spa-quiet corner you wanted.
Organize Items Where You Use Them
Keep shower products near the shower or bathtub, skincare and makeup near the mirror, and towels where they’re easy to grab after showering.
Small containers and dividers will help keep little things like hair ties, clips, and cosmetics neat and organized.
Folded towels in a matching color are one of the cheapest ways to make your bathroom feel cared for rather than just clean.
Make the Most of Your Space
If you’re short on cabinet space, use the walls and doors.
Add narrow shelves, hooks, hanging organizers, or baskets.
Upper shelves are ideal for backup supplies and items you don’t use daily, and that frees up space on your sink and other surfaces.
Mount hooks above the door.
You can install hooks or hangers to store bags or other rarely used items.
Clear counters around the sink leave room for one small plant or a candle, and that’s usually all a bathroom needs to feel finished.
Finish up by Cleaning the Kitchen: Ways to Organize Your Closet
Sort through Your Kitchen Cabinets
Take out food items, dishes, and utensils that you hardly ever use.
If you’re looking for organize closet ideas, the same principle applies here.
Keep only what you use and give frequently used items an easy-to-reach spot.
Check expiration dates and get rid of expired products and empty packaging.
Once your cabinets are edited down, your prettiest bowls and boards can come forward instead of hiding behind things you never touch.
Group Items by Function
Store plates near other dinnerware, keep spices in one spot, and place pots and pans near the stove.
This makes it easier to find what you need and put things back in their place.
Cooking feels more relaxed when everything’s within arm’s reach, and a relaxed cook is really what makes a kitchen feel welcoming.
Make the Most of Every Inch
Drawer dividers, vertical racks, extra shelves, and hanging organizers help you make the most of your space.
These ideas can also help you organize small closet spaces, where using every inch matters.
Even in a small kitchen, this approach can free up counter space and make storage more convenient.
I always keep a bit of counter clear for a bowl of fruit or a vase of greens, since an open surface is what keeps a kitchen from feeling cramped.
Small Habits That Keep Your Home Feeling Calm
Organizing your home doesn’t require a huge number of cabinets, dozens of bins, or a perfectly elaborate system.
Try to notice what occupies your space and how to make storage convenient for your daily routine.
Start with a single room rather than trying to tackle your entire house in one day.
In the bedroom, get rid of clothes you no longer wear and make use of vertical space.
In the entryway, add shelves, baskets, and organizers to keep shoes, accessories, and odds and ends from piling up by the door.
In the bathroom, keep products close to where you use them, while moving rarely needed supplies to higher shelves.
In the kitchen, clear off your countertops, check your cabinets and refrigerator, and group food items and utensils by function.
The most useful system is one that’s easy to keep up with day to day.
If putting an item away means opening three cabinets and moving five boxes, you probably won’t stick with that system for long.
When your storage works quietly in the background, the things you actually love get to be the parts of your home you notice.
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