Organizing a Tall Closet
Create More Room and Less Clutter in a Long, Skinny Closet
When a closet has lots of height but is lacking in width, the traditional closet storage system will not work properly. There is little room for clothing, and large boxes won't fit on the shelves. Working with the closet's limited space instead of against it allows for more storage and less clutter. Dividing items between two separate closet systems, an indoor and an outdoor system, takes advantage of the tiny space in a thin closet.
Creating an "Outdoor" Closet Space
The outdoor closet space is defined as the area being used as closet storage while technically falling outside the closet. This can be a wall or corner beside the closet, or an area across the room. The idea is to create a second closet space for clothing and large items that do not fit in the small closet.
There are a few items that can create an instant, make-shift closet:
- Metal rod(s)
- Dresser
- Mirror
- Room divider or curtain
Hang one or two metal rods from the wall. They will need to be U-shaped to connect to the wall, unlike the metal rods in a closet which form a single horizontal bar. These can be placed on a wall beside your closet so your clothing and accessories will be in the same area. Place a dresser underneath the rods, and store clothing that does not need to be hung in the drawers. A bottom drawer can also hold extra shoes.
Hang a mirror on the wall, or the closet door, to save a trip to the bathroom to view your outfit, and use a curtain or room divider to create a make-shift wall in front of the area. Think of this as your walk-in closet attached to your smaller, tiny closet.
Creating the "Indoor" Closet Space
The indoor closet space is simply the actual closet. For your skinny closet, shelves are the saving factor to keeping it organized. If the closet does not already have shelves from floor to ceiling, install more. They should reach from the wall all the way to the door frame to provide easy reach and maximum storage.
Create adjustable shelves by cutting your own slots in the walls for the shelves to fit into. You can also drill holes instead and use pegs to support the shelves. The pegs can be moved to adjust shelf height, but the shelves may not be able to support large amounts of weight if the pegs are not strong.
Use cheap, decorative storage boxes to sort clutter into, and adjust the shelves to hold larger boxes. Label each box according to the items it contains. Sort like-items together. Group items based on what you think belongs together, not what a friend tells you. The key to any successful organizing system is matching it to personal preference and thought patterns.
Extra Ideas for Cheap Space Savers
Though the options may seem limited when organizing a small closet, little changes can go a long way. Try placing a plastic container with no lid on the bottom shelve of the closet and store sandals and slippers in it. Attach hooks to the front or inside of the closet door to hang jewelry, scarves, belts or hats from.
A few extra curtains attached to the ceiling can even block off both the inner and outer closet space from the rest of the room to create a large, walk-in closet. Whatever your style, choose decorations and patterns that make you feel good. Paint the inside wall of the closet a bright color and you'll feel pumped with energy every time you open the door.
Organize a tall, skinny closet
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