How to Maximize Space in a Small Closet

Clear Everything Out

While it can be a bit of a hassle at first, the best way to optimize your closet is to first clean everything out of it. It’s much easier to maximize space with a blank canvas as opposed to awkwardly moving and adjusting things on a case-by-case basis.

In general, the KonMari method applies. As Marie Kondo encourages, it’s best only to keep those items that spark joy and still get regular use in your home. Next, separate your items into distinct piles: clothing, shoes, and anything else you might want to keep. You can also make a pile of items to sell or donate and another pile of items to toss.

Get Exact Measurements

Once you’ve emptied your closet, decluttered, and decided what to keep and what to get rid of, it’s time to get the exact measurements of your closet. A simple tape measure will do the trick, and this step will help once it comes time for you to purchase baskets, bins, and other storage solutions for your items.

Take Advantage of Your Vertical Space

Now that you have a blank canvas and the exact size of the space mapped out, you can invest in some good drawers, bins, and even stacking shelves.

Stackable options are especially great for items that might get used a little less frequently. You can use the vertical space in your closet to your advantage, freeing up more space for hanging clothes and storing shoes. 

Don’t Forget Your Floor Space

Simple, stackable shelving works wonders for shoe storage, and this type of solution also helps to give your collection more of a chic look than if the shoes were haphazardly clumped together on the floor or kept in their original boxes.

With the free space you’ll have after putting in your shoe shelf, you should even have a little room left for a floor hamper or anything else you might want to store at ground level.

Use Your Doors

One of the easiest points to overlook when organizing is that your closet door is another untapped resource. With a simple mounted pocket organizer, you can have a central place to store jewelry, ties, scarves, or just about anything else you might need at arm’s reach.

If you don’t need a pocket organizer but need a place for a bulky robe, a hook mount on the back of your door can also do the trick in a pinch.

Categorize and Optimize

The great thing about separating all of your items into piles when you start out is that you can now break your closet down into categories and reintroduce each item accordingly. Sectioning off articles by type will also make it much easier for you to find things in a hurry and keep away clutter in the long term.

Stick To Your New Structure

With proper categorization and optimized space, it should be much easier for you to keep your closet neat and tidy. With that said, habits can take some time to form fully. Be sure to check in every week or so and make sure that nothing is out of its proper place, and that no clutter has developed. With regular upkeep, you should have no problem keeping your closet looking great!

Conclusion

When you have a small closet, it can seem like all the organizing in the world won’t help. But by following these steps and getting a little creative in your approach, you should be able to maximize the space in your closet, no matter the size.

Sources

• https://konmari.com/about-the-konmari-method/