When space is a significant challenge at home, utilizing every square inch counts. This also applies in a small closet, where proper organization can minimize the stress of storing and finding the needed stuff. But don’t worry; there are plenty of small closet organization ideas to help you optimize your storage. Show off your creativity with these brilliant space-saving tips to get the most out of your small closet.

1. Install Shelf Dividers

Clear shelf dividers take up less space than most standard shelves made of wood. This simple hack also keeps stacks of clothes neatly organized. You can avoid piles of winter clothes cluttering your shelves. Use these inexpensive dividers to keep items in place.
Another clever way to utilize shelf dividers is to divide garments by color, type, or season. This way, you can easily find what you need and make your closet look like a department store.

2. Label Storage Boxes

Labeling them saves you time if you’re fond of using color-coordinated boxes. Add labels and pack seasonal accessories, clothes, or socks in storage boxes. Lost socks no more since you can quickly find them in your uniform, professional-looking closet storage.

3. Enhance Blank Walls

As a practical homeowner, keep every corner of your nest appealing and functional. But having a limited space doesn’t prevent you from having your own walk-in closet. Decorate your interiors, specifically those blank walls, with practical furniture and stunning decors. For example, choose a narrow dresser pushed back against the wall and add a round brass-framed mirror. The mirror adds light and dimension to a dark, dull corner. Install a statement carpet to make it feel customized. Finish the look with an upholstered ottoman that doubles as storage for shoes and whatnot.

4. Extend Shelves to the Ceiling

This tip is helpful if you plan to remodel a small closet and create as much storage space as possible. It would be best if you considered extending shelves all the way up to the ceiling. Similar to kitchen cabinets, closet shelves are sometimes made at an awkward height, allowing lots of wall space to be utilized. When organizing, use the top shelves for less frequently used items. Then, tuck away a small step stool inside your closet so you can use them as needed.

5. Fold Clothes Properly

Saving space in your closet isn’t just about storing clothes; it begins with how you fold them. Properly folding shirts, sweaters, or pants doesn’t just minimize wrinkling and helps keep clothes in mint condition. You’ll notice the big difference in how many items you can fit on a shelf. Rolling can be an excellent method for drawer storage. However, a folding board that can be tucked away when not in use can help you neatly fold clothes.

6. Partitions for Your Shoes and Bags Collection

If you’re an avid shoe collector, elevate the look of your walk-in closet by installing partitions. How can you achieve this? Create a small walk-in closet for an extensive shoe and handbag collection by installing simple wrap-around shelves in your chosen space. Maximize the storage by putting compartments just enough to accommodate a pair of shoes or a bag while leaving enough room to move around when prepping up.

7. Mix Open and Closed Shelving Units

If you have more than one closet adjacent to each other or line up in a narrow area, you could try mixing open and closed shelving units. The upper should be left open – install a metal or wooden rod to hang long, bulky clothes such as coats and dresses. Alternatively, you can use the open shelves for storage boxes. The other half, or the bottom part, should be dedicated to the drawer to tuck away smaller items like belts, watches, and jewelry.

8. Use Clear Boxes

If you want to store jewelry in your closet, do it in the most space-saving way. Use clear stacking boxes to maximize vertical space. Divide jewelry by type—necklaces, earrings, and bracelets—and store each in a different drawer for an easy-to-maintain organizational system.

9. Hang a Mirror on the Door

Using a closet door for the mirror is another easy trick to maximize your limited space. Having a small closet prevents you from hanging a mirror due to lack of space. To maximize the closet space for your essentials, the door is enough vertical space to do so.

10. Use Wall Hooks

Again, using every inch is essential if you have a small living space. Wall hooks are one of a small closet’s most valuable storage tools. They are cheap and can be hung anywhere you want. It unleashes your creativity by adding a decorative element into the hooks. And the most practical way of course, is to use it to hang everyday essentials like sun hats, crossbody bags, belts, and bathrobes.

Do’s and Don’ts of Closet Design

Before we conclude this list of small closet organization ideas, below are the things to do and avoid when designing or renovating your closet.
– DO Put your top shelf on the right height. While we suggested creating a floor-to-ceiling closet, you must ensure that the topmost shelf is at the right height. It’s better to consult an expert in cabinet designing than to DIY your wardrobe to achieve the appropriate measurement of your closet shelves.
– DON’T Use corner shelves. Why? One reason is that they are angled inefficiently. Since your clothes are set in somewhat square rectangular piles, you’ll have a dead space in angled corner shelves.
– DO Add drawers for more space and style. Drawers not only make a closet look elegant, but many need to realize that you’ll also be able to store 2 to 2.5 times more things folded in a drawer than hanging on a rod.
– DON’T buy a closet system without seeing a 3D design. I don’t know about you, but most people can’t visualize a closet (or anything else) in 2D. If penciled drawings of closet sections (like those seen below) mean nothing to you, raise your hand.