How to Organize a Small Closet: Tips from a Personal Stylist
Do you ever feel like organizing your closet can feel like playing Tetris with your clothes? There seems to be a place for every piece, but finding it is the actual game? If so, this blog is for you!
When organizing a small closet, the goal shouldn’t just be to make everything fit. Your goal should be for your entire closet to be arranged in a way that makes getting dressed both easy and efficient.
And, as a personal stylist, I’m here to help you do just that.
Organizing a small closet is about making smart decisions on what to store and how to store it. Whether you live in an apartment, or have a small walk-in closet, these tips and tricks will help you stay sorted and avoid clutter-especially if you have a lot of clothes!
So, prepare to clean, declutter, and maximize every inch of that closet space. Lets get into how to organize a small closet…
How to Organize a Small Closet
First things first: you empty your closet completely. Yes, everything. It's time to get ruthless! We're going full Marie Kondo meets tornado.
BUT before you go pulling everything apart…
You should stop to question why certain pieces have a spot in your wardrobe? As you pull items from your closet, ask yourself, what's the REAL reason they're hanging there?
It's not merely about deciding which items to say goodbye to; it's about understanding why you've held onto them in the first place.
Consider:
What do these pieces truly add to your life?
Is this piece bringing joy, confidence, or something else entirely?
When did I wear this last?
How does this make me feel?
Am I excited to wear this again?
Now, take everything out of your closet, lay your clothes on your bed, put your shoes, bags and accessories into piles. As you do so, follow this process:
The Closet Purge Process
Prepare: Start by gathering bins or bags to sort your clothes.
Sort: Create categories such as "keep," "donate," "sell," and "recycle."
Assess: Look at each piece of clothing. If you haven't worn it in a year, or if it doesn't fit your current lifestyle or body shape, place it in the "donate" or "sell" pile.
Create a pile for off-season clothing, which can be stored elsewhere until needed.
Decide: Make tough choices about what stays and what goes. If it's worn out or damaged, add it to the "recycle" pile. If it’s in good condition but you don’t wear it, donate or sell. Keep only clothes that make you feel good and fit your everyday life.
Donation and Disposal Options
Now, let's handle the breakup with your excess pieces. As I mentioned above, we’ve got 4 piles - keep, donate, sell, and recycle.
As a lover of all things fashion, one can't help but think about the potential of clothing, shoes, and accessories in good condition that deserve a second chance at life. Just because it no longer serves you doesn't mean it won't make someone else happy. And not to mention, it's great for the environment. So why not donate to thrift stores or local shelters? It's a win-win for everyone involved.
But, make sure your items are clean and in good shape before donating.
Have you got fashionable pieces in excellent condition? You could sell them via online platforms or consignment shops. Use the funds to refresh your wardrobe or book a session with a personal stylist!
Items that have seen better days (you know - the ones with holes you can't explain) can be up-cycled or recycled. Seek out local textile recycling centers. This helps reduce landfill waste and give your garments a purposeful end.
If they're beyond salvation, it's okay to bid them farewell and dispose of them ethically.
Keep in mind, the EPA reports Americans discard an average of 81 pounds of clothing per person every year. Of this, 85% ends up in landfills.
Just like thrift stores don’t want your spaghetti stained, super-stretched decade old sweat pants, landfill doesn’t need that bundle of bought on sale, still new with tags stuff either. Let’s work together to help our planet and keep perfectly good clothing out of landfills.
Take Inventory of What’s in Your Closet
Understanding precisely what you're working with is key to a well-organized closet. Once you’ve got your keep pile sorted, let’s categorize. Here’s a checklist to get you started:
Clothing:
- Tops (T-shirts, blouses, tanks)
- Bottoms (pants, skirts, shorts)
- Dresses and jumpsuits
- Outerwear (jackets, coats, blazers)
- Sweaters and cardigans
- Workout wear and athleisure
- Pajamas and loungewear
- Undergarments (bras, underwear)
- Socks and hosiery
Seasonal Items:
- Summer clothing, swimwear and pool/beach gear
- Winter wear (heavy coats, knit scarves, boots)
Shoes:
- Casual shoes (sneakers, flats)
- Dress shoes (heels, dress boots)
- Athletic shoes
- Seasonal footwear (sandals, winter boots)
Accessories:
-Jewelry
- Belts
- Scarves
- Hats and gloves
- Bags and purses
Speciality items such as formal wear, themed items or vintage finds.
Once you've got your categories down, it's time to play a counting game. How many tops do you have? 25, maybe? And what about bottoms? 15? Shoes? Let's say 10 pairs.
This little exercise isn't just for fun. It reveals to you exactly how much space you're going to need. So buckle up and lets dive into how you can sort your closet!
If you’re working with a cozy-sized closet, consider storage containers. But here’s a little Closet Fairy secret—if your treasures don't fit into these containers, it might be a gentle nudge that it's time to part ways with some.
Use Your Closet’s Vertical Space
Let's talk sky-high fashion—literally. Make the most of your closet's height by installing hanging rails at different heights for various clothing types. You can store twice as much without increasing the closet footprint.
Don’t Forget the Walls and Doors
Attach hooks or racks to the inside of your closet door to hold items like bags, accessories, or even small clothing items, making good use of often-overlooked wall space.
Over-the-door storage options offer additional organization for items that don't need to be hung up, such as shoes or hats.
Floor-to-Ceiling Solutions
If your closet floor is a no-man's land for lost socks and forgotten gym bags, it's time for a reboot. Introduce storage solutions like stacking bins or drawer units that embrace the vertical vibe. Remember not to have storage go to high or else you can forget about these pieces!
Installing adjustable shelving and shelf dividers works wonders here. Add extra shelving so your clothes aren’t piled too high and topple over easily. Shelf dividers help keep everything stacked neatly.
Add drawers with dividers so your socks can coexist in harmony and your underwear drawer doesn't look like a jumbled treasure chest.
Closet Organization Strategies
When it comes to maximizing your closet space it can truly be an art form in itself. It's not just about stuffing your belongings haphazardly and praying the door shuts without bursting at the seams. It's about curating your wardrobe with intention and finesse. Here are a few tips for making the most out of your closet real estate:
How to Organize Jeans in a Small Closet
For your jeans, consider S-style hangers which save space by holding multiple pairs. Folding them neatly and stacking them on shelves is also a viable option; just be sure to place the ones you wear most frequently on top for easy access. Dividers keep stacks of jeans stable and compartmentalized.
How to Organize Shoes in a Small Closet
Shoes can consume a lot of space, so a shoe rack or a set of shelves at the bottom of your closet is essential in this process. A hanging shoe organizer on the back of your closet door helps to keep pairs of flats and sandals neatly together.
Boots and bulkier shoes can be placed on the floor, while seasonal footwear can be stowed in bins under the bed or on the top shelf, labeled and out of the way.
How to Organize Purses in a Small Closet
Organizing purses in a small closet can be fun and functional, turning your collection into a display while keeping everything tidy. Here are some tips to maximize your space:
Consider shelf dividers, the unsung heroes of closet organization. With a flick of the wrist, these humble dividers help keep beloved purses standing tall, preventing any toppling mishaps and ensuring that each one is readily accessible for those moments of sartorial inspiration.
Clear, over-the-door organizers, originally intended for shoes, have found a new purpose in housing prized handbag collection. Their transparent design allows you to gaze upon your treasures with a single glance, all while conserving precious closet space.
Let's not forget the versatile wonders of a modular cubby system. With its adjustable compartments, you can customize the perfect nook for each purse, accommodating everything from petite clutches to oversized totes. It's like a bespoke wardrobe for your accessories!
Who says the back of a closet door is wasted real space? By installing a few hooks or a petite coat rack, you can transform this overlooked space into a chic display for my most-loved bags. It's efficiency meets elegance, babe.
We cant neglect the delicate darlings of our collection—the special occasion purses that only see the light of day on rare, glamorous outings. Safely enclosed in their dust bags, perched upon a lofty shelf, they await their moment to shine, shielded from the ravages of dust and disarray.
For those petite treasures that defy conventional storage methods, you can turn to the trusty document organizer. Who knew that such a humble vessel could bring such order to your assortment of clutches and minaudieres?
Organizing for Each Season
When summer says adios, pack away those flip-flops and tank tops. Seasonally rotating your wardrobe can be like refreshing your life four times a year! It’s not just about making room; it's about rediscovering old favorites and making your morning routine a breeze.
Here’s how you can master the art of seasonal wardrobe rotation, Closet Fairy style:
Clean Before Storing: Give everything a good clean before storing them away. You don’t want any surprises (stains, moths, or odors) when you reunite with them next season.
Invest in Quality Storage: Clear bins are great for seeing what’s inside without opening them, and vacuum sealed bags can save a ton of space. However, be careful with delicate items that might need a little breathing room.
Keep a Few Off-Season Pieces Handy: Weather can be unpredictable. Keeping a few pieces from the other season within arms reach ensures you’re ready for anything Mother Nature throws your way such as; light jackets, hosiery, or hats.
Document: Take photos or keep a list of what you’re storing and where its being kept. This will save you the hassle of searching later on.
Rotate Thoughtfully: As you bring out your seasonal clothing, take the opportunity to reorganize your closet to highlight pieces you’re excited to wear. It’s like curating your personal boutique for the season!
Evaluate and Improve: After a season ends and you begin another rotation, evaluate what worked and what didn’t in your storage plan. Always look for ways to improve and streamline your organization process.
Organizing a Small Closet for Clothes You Wear the Most
Finding the perfect spot for your daily attire is all about balancing accessibility and creativity. After all, these are the pieces you reach for the most, so they should be both easy to grab and neatly organized to inspire daily doses of your style magic.
Reserve the most accessible spots in your closet for your daily wear. This could be the middle section of your closet rod or the top drawer of your dresser. Think convenience first!
Color Coding
To color code a small closet, start by organizing your clothes from light to dark or by color families (reds, blues, greens, etc.).
Hang or fold items together based on their color, creating distinct sections within your space. This makes your closet visually appealing and simplifies finding and coordinating outfits.
Create a Capsule Wardrobe
Creating a capsule wardrobe involves selecting a limited number of versatile pieces that you love, fit well, and can be mixed and matched to create a variety of outfits. Start by choosing a base of neutral colors for items like pants, skirts, and jackets, as these pieces will anchor your wardrobe and offer maximum versatility.
Then, inject personality with a selection of tops and accessories in your favorite colors or patterns. Aim for quality over quantity, focusing on well-made items that will last and look good. This approach simplifies decision-making and streamlines your closet, making it easier to keep organized, especially in a small space.
How to Organize a Small Closet for Two
Sharing is caring, but in a small closet, you’ll need a little more strategy and compromise. Decide first on how you’ll share the space - either equally, or based on each person’s wardrobe size.
Use some of the other tips throughout this article to arrange clothing, like double hanging spaces, shelving, and over the door organizers.
Slim hangers are an excellent space saver, as are tiered hangers. Hang similar length clothing together to create uniformity, but remember your boundaries… his Hawaiian shirt collection does not need to hang over into your little black dress territory.
Ready to Organize That Small Closet?
Now you know how to organize a small closet, it’s time to get cracking. Embrace your closet, maximize space, maintain order, and let your personal style shine through every outfit choice.
Remember, the key to a beautifully organized closet is not just sorting and storing but curating a collection of pieces that truly reflect who you are.
So, go ahead and give your closet—and your style—a little makeover. Here’s to opening your closet doors each morning to a world of possibilities, all neatly arranged and waiting to be discovered.
