Bedroom Closet Organization
Use Vertical Space and Storage Pieces Meant for Other Places
Mar 23, 2009
No one ever has enough closet space. There is always a little (or a lot) more stuff than there is room for. This is magnified when two people share a bedroom and, therefore, the closet. Homebuilders are building larger walk-ins now, but too many of us won’t have access to such things. Read on to discover simple storage solutions to maximize closet space.
Pare Down Clothes
You’ve heard this over and over, but it doesn’t seem to sink in. If you haven’t worn it in a year, get rid of it! An excellent reference for this is It’s All Too Much by Peter Walsh of TLC’s TV series Clean Sweep. He is tough and no-nonsense, but walks you through the steps. Another good rule is to bring one thing in, take one like thing out.
How to Organize Clothes
- Clothes should be sorted and stored so it makes sense to you. The most popular form is by type, i.e., all blouses together, all slacks together. Other possibilities are by color or by function, i.e. work versus casual.
- If your closet doesn’t have separate rods for long and short garments, you can purchase inexpensive hanging second rods to double your space. A stand-alone ready-made shelf (or bookcase) could also be placed under short garments for additional storage or build your own custom piece for the space.
- There is usually one shelf above the hanging rod, but the space is often so tall that much of it is wasted. Utilize stacking or tall containers particularly in this situation, preferably clear plastic. These can hold out-of-season clothing or bedding. Again, group like things together and label if necessary. Many such storage solutions can be found in the discount department or dollar stores now, but it might be worth visiting a specialty store, i.e. container store, to get ideas, although they may be pricey.
How to Organize Shoes
One reason for a shortage of closet space is often too many shoes! There are many organizers for shoes on the market.
- They can be stored on stacking wooden shoe shelves placed in the floor of the closet under clothes. You may also use vertical space with a shoe bag that fits over the inside of the closet door.
- There are shoe hangers that hang on the rod, but these take up valuable space.
How to Organize Accessories
- Racks of all kinds can be found for ties/belts. Many hang on the rod and there are even motorized ones! A drawer organizer hung on a closet side wall (see picture) can be used for belts and a tie rack could also be place there for ties or belts. These are easily visible and accessible.
- Scarves make an outfit, but storing them can be problematic. These can be folded in drawers and layered ¼” apart so they are all visible. Unless you want the one on top, they may not be as accessible as you would like. Scarves may also be folded long-ways and draped across pants hangers. There are also solid hangers with holes to pull scarves through which provide easy accessibility.
- Jewelry storage boxes are many and varied. Larger ones may have a few hooks for chains or necklaces. Otherwise chains invariably become tangled. The above-hung tie rack is perfect for keeping these handy and smooth (see picture).
Think Out-of-the-Box
Just because it’s called a tie rack doesn’t mean it can’t be used for anything else. If it works, use it. Don’t forget to look for solutions utilizing wasted space under hanging clothes, double-high storage, closet walls or doors.
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