Use a stepladder for the hard-to-reach spots in the closet.
A pint-sized closet doesn't have to be the death of your elaborate organizational skills. In fact, it can be the perfect invitation for them. While your cramped space might put you at a disadvantage, a little ingenuity and some creative storage ideas are all you need to make a place for everything. Does this Spark an idea?
Wasted Storage
Don't store more than you need to. Start your closet storage endeavor by honestly evaluating what you do and don't use. If you don't use it, don't wear it or haven't missed it, throw it away. Small closets are challenging enough even when they don't contain boxes of things you don't need.
If you find yourself with a closet full of things you simply cannot bear to part with, consider moving the items you don't use to another location. Put a few boxes in the attic, garage or storage unit to help free up some valuable space.
Wasted Space
Even the smallest closets often have wasted vertical space. Look both above and below the hanging rod for spots to install shelves, cubbies and other space-savers. If you hang mostly shirts and folded pants, consider lowering the rod as far as possible to make room for shelves and avoid wasted space underneath. Or, hang a second rod below the first to create more hanging space. Shelves of various heights will help you keep items separated according to size. If necessary, use wire shelf dividers to keep piles from toppling into each other and becoming disorganized.
If you can still see the walls, you have room to add hooks or stack containers. Add lighting and stash a small stepladder near the door for easy access to those high shelves.
Controlling Shoes
A plethora of shoes can threaten to take over any closet, but there are a few easy ways to contain them. Perhaps the most well-known idea is the over-the-door shoe hanger, where each pair of shoes can slip into a clear pocket for easy identification. If you have a sliding door, try placing shoes in stackable clear plastic containers. Alternatively, you can purchase or build open cubbies that will hold shoes without taking up much floor space.
Using the Door
No one ever said you can only use over-the-door shoe holders for shoes. If you can't fill one up with footwear, use the rows to organize things like socks, underwear, jewelry, nail polish, bath products or T-shirts. An over-the-door coat rack can make the perfect home for jackets, scarves, purses or hats. Keep in mind that anything you hang on the door will take up some space in the closet, so keep the shelves a few inches back from the door frame. If difficult sliding doors keep you from getting to half your closet, try replacing them with decorative curtains or folding screens to match your bedroom.
Expanding Your Storage
If you still can't fit everything inside, expand your storage to other parts of your room. Install drawers under the bed for winter clothes, hang scarves, hats, jackets and umbrellas on a decorative coat rack or keep smaller items in open cubbies with colored bins. Store important papers in a trunk or stack of vintage suitcases at the end of your bed.
Tags: coat rack, open cubbies, over-the-door shoe, your closet