Introduction

When we chose our current home, I love everything about it except the master closet. It is weirdly tiny. Definitely not my dream closet where I could effortlessly organize my clothes, shoes and purses. For someone who works hard to organize my home, it was a disappointment. But we loved the rest of the house and the location, so we decided it was the house for us. And I set about reading up on everything I could get my hands on about how to organize a small closet. Well, I didn’t find much so I decided to write my own article!

When deciding how to organize a small closet, the first thing to assess is the space. Whether we have a little or a lot of space available, there are still common issues to tackle like deciding how many clothes, shoes and purses we really need to keep. No matter how big the closet, there is still a constant effort to maintain order.

With an organized closet, you not only achieve efficiency but also elevate your style and attain peace of mind. An organized wardrobe ensures quick access to your favorite outfits, reduces the stress of hunting for that elusive blouse, and presents a visually pleasing, coordinated arrangement that enhances your mood and confidence each day. It just makes you feel good!

When the closet is small, making use of every inch available is crucial for improving usage and functionality. It requires adopting strategies that maximize your space, curating your wardrobe to reflect your lifestyle, and establishing habits that promote order rather than chaos. This guide provides actionable steps to maintain a streamlined and personalized storage solution even in the smallest of spaces!

Section 1: Assess Your Closet Needs

The first step in learning how to organize a small closet is to assess your closet needs accurately. Begin by identifying your personal style and clothing preference. Whether your collection leans more towards formal wear or casual attire, understanding your style will help you prioritize space and storage solutions. Consider your lifestyle and daily activities; this will help determine what clothes are necessities and which are luxuries.

Next, differentiate between daily wear and occasional wear items. Daily wear should be easily accessible, while occasional attire, such as cocktail dresses, can be stored in higher, less accessible spaces. By gauging how often you wear certain pieces, you’ll ensure the most frequently used items are always on hand. This assessment will lay the foundation for your organization strategy, guiding decisions about what to keep and how to store it efficiently.

Section 2: Declutter Strategically

Let’s not spend our precious time or space trying to organize clutter! When you are short on space, you simply cannot keep everything “just because”.

Decluttering is an essential step in learning how to organize a small closet efficiently. Begin with a simple process to take everything out of the closet and sort into three categories: Keep, Donate, and Toss. Start by pulling each item from your closet and ask yourself whether it fits, whether it’s in good condition, and whether it aligns with your current style. If an item hasn’t been worn in the past year, it might be time to let it go.

Consider implementing the one-in-one-out rule to manage your closet’s capacity. I started this a little over a year ago, and it has been a game changer. For every new item purchased, donate or toss an old one. This has helped me not make my closet bulge at the seams. And it has also helped me be more intentional with my purchasing. Am I buying this purse because I absolutely love it or am I just in the shopping mood and it’s kind of cute and I am going to feel good about taking something new home today? Buying to stimulate endorphins is a real thing.

Making tough decisions about what to let go involves more than practicality; it requires an emotional detachment from sentimental pieces. Consider the joy and value each item brings to your life, and make room for new memories in your streamlined wardrobe.

Donating gently worn clothes not only helps those in need but also offers a sense of satisfaction and makes room for items that better serve your lifestyle. Be faithful to the decision-making process; it’s about maintaining a balanced wardrobe that reflects the person you are today rather than the person you were or may want to be someday.

You might also like Take 15 Minutes for Quick Decluttering.

Section 3: Optimize Closet Space

Now that decluttering has settled the cluttered state of your space, the next step in how to organize a small closet is optimizing the space. Utilize vertical space with the aid of shelves, hanging racks, and hooks. Vertical storage solutions allow you to keep more items in an organized manner without the closet feeling cramped. Shelves can be used for storing folded sweaters, jeans, and accessories, while hooks can hold bags or belts.

Compact storage solutions like baskets and bins can contain smaller items and keep them from spilling into your main clothing sections. Choose clear or labeled containers so you know exactly what’s inside each one without having to sift through. Selecting multipurpose hangers, such as those with clips for skirts or a tiered structure for multiple pairs of pants, will save space and create uniformity in your closet. I use thin velvet hangers which don’t take up as much room as plastic hangers.

Creative space-saving ideas can also include utilizing the back of the closet door for additional hooks or an organizer for shoes, showcasing how the area beyond the closet’s main frame can become storage. Every single closet door in my home has some type of storage on the back of the door. It is an often overlooked area that is super helpful for organization. By maximizing every inch, you ensure a more organized and functional environment tailored to your specific needs.

You might also like 5 Benefits of Wire Shelving for Closets.

Section 4: Smart Folding and Hanging Techniques

Learning smart folding and hanging techniques is key to understanding how to organize a small closet effectively. Different types of clothing require different storage methods to remain in good condition and accessible.

For example, utilizing the Marie Kondo folding method allows for vertically storing shirts and pants in drawers, everything visible at a glance. Fold each item into a neat rectangle and stand it upright; this not only saves space but also prevents wrinkles and promotes quick access. I started using Marie’s method several years ago. My sons’ wardrobes consist of mostly t-shirts, and her folding technique not only helped maximize the space but helps you see what is in the drawer at a glance.

When it comes to hanging, lightweight clothes, dresses, or anything that easily wrinkles should be hung. Heavier items like jeans might be better folded. Use hangers that are appropriate for the material—velvet hangers for delicate fabrics, wood hangers for suits, and clip hangers for skirts and pants. Strategic hanging is not only for space optimization but also to maintain the neat appearance and quality of your garments.

Also check out Discover Top 5 Sweater Storage Solutions or Hanging Closet Organizer: 7 Innovative Uses.

Section 5: Seasonal Rotation and Storage

I was spoiled with the closet in our last home that it was big enough to hold all of my clothes. Now, that is not the case. I use part of the closet in our guest bedroom to hold out of season clothing. We also built additional shelves to maximize the vertical space in our closet. That is where I store my Christmas sweaters and other season-specific clothing for Valentine’s Day, St. Pat’s and Mardi Gras.

Implementing a seasonal rotation system helps manage the available space and really necessary when learning how to organize a small closet. Arranging your wardrobe by season will keep only what you are wearing frequently at that time within reach. And that means your closet won’t be stuffed to the gills and it won’t be so hard to find what you are looking for!

Store off-season clothing carefully in bins or vacuum-sealed bags which can be tucked under the bed or in lesser-used closet zones. Ensure that items are freshly cleaned before storage to prevent deterioration or attracting pests over time. Additionally, use sachets or moisture absorbers to protect fabrics while stored away.

A seasonal rotation not only optimizes space but also keeps the closet feeling fresh and updated. I love the feeling of opening those bins when the time comes and “rediscovering” fun seasonal clothes every few months as they come back into season.

Section 6: Personalization and Maintenance

The best feeling, in my opinion, of knowing how to organize a small closet is just knowing where everything is. There is no digging through piles in a corner or wondering, “Now where did I put that?”

Personalizing your closet organization process will add a distinct touch that reflects your unique style and needs. Use labels to categorize different sections. Labels eliminate guesswork and create an immediate sense of control and order. Color coordination of your clothes will further ease clothing selection, especially during rushed mornings, simplifying decisions by creating a visually clear browsing experience.

Designate specific zones for different clothing types—workwear, casual attire, and athletic wear for example. These style zones help you make quicker dressing decisions. Personalization means creating an environment that not only acts as a storage solution but also resonates with your personality.

Establish a regular maintenance routine to ensure long-term organization and prevent clutter from creeping back. Set aside time consistently—be it weekly or monthly—to re-evaluate your closet inventory. Engage in rotating seasonal clothes, revisiting what’s functional or not, and tidying any disorderly sections. Cultivating regular upkeep as a habit ensures a neat and usable closet, reflecting both care and awareness of your personal space.

Conclusion

Mastering how to organize a small closet involves planning, creative space utilization, and consistent decluttering. The benefits of a streamlined space extend beyond mere aesthetics; they are instrumental to efficiency and overall peace of mind. By investing time and thought into how to organize your small closet with these methods, you open doors to a more efficient lifestyle.

Maintaining closet habits will promote continued organization, and in the end, reward you with a sense of accomplishment and clarity. It just feels good! As you enjoy your well-organized, functional wardrobe, remember that the journey to organization is ongoing, reflecting changes in your life stages and style preferences. Achieve the closet tranquility you deserve by adhering to these techniques, and turn your small closet into a personalized, efficient sanctuary.

For more organizing inspiration, check out the 97 Best Organization Ideas.

You might also like to read 19 Top Easy Storage Ideas.