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If you’d like to get more storage out of a small custom closet, there are steps you can take that can make a world of difference. Try these six simple tips for maximizing your closet space.
- Clean and purge
- Think strategically
- Consider unique storage solutions
- Look for vertical storage options
- Don’t forget the door
- Keep it up
1. Clear out Your Closet
You can’t make progress with an inefficient closet. A closet that’s smartly organized will result in more room, and you can also make space by getting rid of some of the things you don’t need. Before making any big changes to your custom closet, remove all of your stuff and give your closet a deep clean.
As you pull things out, ask yourself if you truly need each item. If there’s an old sweater you haven’t worn in years, throw it away or (if it’s in good condition) donate it to charity. Your sweater won’t mind. With your closet totally empty and freshly dusted, you’ll have the freedom to start organizing your new, efficient custom closet from scratch.
2. Evaluate Your Needs
No two closets provide the same function, so why are so many organized in exactly the same way? How you intend to use the closet is going to determine your strategy going forward. Is this a shared closet among many family members? Is this a children's closet, or the closet of a socially active teenager?
Choose accessories that fit the needs of the user(s). Options like custom cabinets, valet rods, and jewelry organizers can add versatility to your closet while providing more space. You can have components taken out as well. If you have no use for things like shelves or hanging rods, remove them until you have a closet that works for your family.
3. Look for Storage Solutions
Traditional closet setups have their place, but many more options are available than a rod topped by a shelf. Today’s small custom closets can be outfitted with a wide array of organizers that can increase a closet’s space while making it more manageable.
Pull-out drawers and shelves let you store foldable items where they can be easily accessed. Tie racks protect your ties while keeping them safely out of the way in a place where they can be quickly be located when needed. The professionals at The Spruce are particularly enamored with creative storage solutions like hanging cubbies with built-in shelves.
4. Think North and South for More Storage
Most items in closets are stored at waist or eye level. This is convenient for the kinds of items you use every day, but if you’re not taking advantage of the areas at the top and bottom of your closet, you’re missing out on a lot of unused potential.
If you don’t have a shoe rack, the floor is the next best thing. That doesn’t mean you should just toss all your shoes and boots on the ground, however. A low-level cubby with shelves will keep them properly cared for and easy to locate. Reserve the shelf above your hangers for seasonal items like Halloween and Christmas decorations. Use see-through plastic containers and label them so you won’t have to rummage through a bunch of mystery boxes every time a holiday comes around.
5. Door Storage
Depending on your setup, you might be able to use your door for additional storage. Shoe holders are an excellent option for doors, but there are several other possibilities as well. Simple over-the-door organizers can be used for storing wallets, handbags, hats, scarves, and pretty much anything else you can imagine.
Change your door storage as the seasons change. When it’s summer, use it for tank tops and floppy hats. When cold weather arrives, place those items somewhere out of the way, and replace them with scarves, gloves, and mufflers.
6. Clean on a Regular Basis
If you don’t take the time to periodically clean your small custom closet, it will eventually revert to its natural messy state. Vacuum the floors and dust the shelves just like you do the rest of the house and swap out any mothballs and air fresheners every few months.
When you purchase new clothing and accessories, you should get in the habit of discarding older items you no longer use. This will prevent your closet from ever becoming overcrowded in the future.
Conclusion
If you’ve got a small custom closet, don’t let its size get you down! Once you’ve determined what you most want out of your closet, it’s just a matter of finding the right storage solutions to meet your requirements. Once the process is complete, you’ll be amazed at how much your new custom closet can hold!