Having a spacious, well-organized closet can make getting dressed a breeze. But for many of us, our closets tend to fill up quickly and become cluttered and disorganized. If you’re looking to maximize your closet space, there are several simple things you can do to transform your closet into an organized sanctuary. Follow these stress-free steps to maximize your closet space:

Audit and Organize Your Existing Closet Contents

The first step in maximizing your closet space is to take everything out and do a thorough audit and organization of what you currently have inside.

Remove every item from your closet and sort them into piles on the floor – keep, donate/sell, and trash/recycle. Be ruthless and honest about items you haven’t worn in over a year and likely won’t wear again. Letting go of these unused clothes will clear out space.
For items you’re keeping, properly fold or hang them so they take up less space. Rolling clothes maximizes space and prevents wrinkles. Use S-hooks to hang multiple items like tanks, bras, or accessories on a single hanger.
Invest in velvet hangers which take up less space than plastic or wire ones. Hang dresses and long shirts on the rod sideways to double hanging space.
Designate one area of the closet for out-of-season clothing storage to open up prime real estate for everyday wear items. Use vacuum storage bags to compress bulky off-season garments.
Categorize items by type – shirts together, pants together, etc. Use dividers or shelves to separate categories. Group by color to easily visualize what you own.
Store shoes, bags, and other accessories together on shelves rather than the floor to free up valuable floor space. Consider hanging shoe racks or over-the-door clear bags for added storage.
Don’t forget those top shelves – use organizer bins to neatly store hats, scarves, purses, and other items up high.

Properly sorting and organizing your existing wardrobe will help you identify problem areas and make the most of the space you already have before making any major changes.

Add Functional Closet Storage Solutions

Once you’ve pared down your wardrobe, bring in storage solutions to help make the most of your closet layout. Look for organizational systems that suit your space and needs.

Shelving

Install shelving above and below the existing closet rod to double your storage space. Sturdy wire, canvas, or wood shelving adds plenty of space for shoes, folded clothes, accessories, and more.
Try adjustable or removable shelving to fully customize storage to fit your needs and maximize usable space. Look for shelving with built-in drawers for hidden storage as well.
Floating shelves take advantage of vertical wall space while keeping the floor clear. Shelf risers double stacking space. A shoe shelf can be installed over the closet rod.

Hanging Storage

Consider a double hanging rod to make use of prime vertical real estate. Stagger clothing lengths for easy access to items on both levels.
Use hanging shoe organizers over the door to store multiple pairs while freeing up floor space. Choose clear acrylic organizers to easily see contents.
Install sturdy hooks on walls or the closet rod for bags, belts, hats, and other accessories. Hang a multi-tiered hanger for scarves, jewelry, or ties.
Try a hanging sweater organizer with clear plastic pockets to store bulky sweaters and shirts upright and in view. Use for off-season clothing as well.

Drawers

Install a dresser or set of drawers inside the closet for folded clothing, undergarments, socks, accessories, and more. Opt for stackable drawers on wheels.
Clear plastic drawers keep contents visible while protecting clothing. Labeling each drawer keeps everything organized.
Use small bins or trays for jewelry, sunglasses, and other small items that can otherwise get lost at the bottom of drawers.

Other Ideas

A freestanding closet organizer with cubbies, shelves, and rods provides affordable extra storage. Rotating carousels are great for scarves and ties.
Repurpose accessories like over-the-door racks, hanging shelves, under-bed storage bins, and multi-tiered shelving to maximize every inch.
Customize with closet organization systems tailored to your space. Look for modular and adaptable components to fully optimize storage.

Taking advantage of vertical space and using functional storage accessories will provide plenty of additional room for all your wardrobe basics and accessories.

Maximize Hanging Space

Hanging space is prime real estate in any closet. Make the most of yours with hacks to maximize the rod.

Use sectioned hangers to hang multiple garments from a single hanger. Try hangers with clips for skirts, pants, and accessories.
Install a second rod for double the hanging capacity. Stagger clothing lengths for easy access.
Use rod risers or extenders to lower high rods or raise low ones. Adjust to a custom height that works best for your needs.
Upgrade to a closet rod system with integrated shelving above and below for footwear, folded clothes, accessories and more.
Utilize hanging space between studs or over doorways that may be dead space with an adjustable hanging rod kit.
For walk-in closets, consider building custom cabinetry for optimized organization and a luxurious feel. Include a built-in shoe rack and plenty of shelves.

With a few upgrades and accessories, it’s easy to maximize linear hanging space for dresses, shirts, coats and other wardrobe staples.

Create Defined Spaces with Dividers

Using dividers is an easy way to section off areas of your closet and keep contents separated and organized.

Standing divider panels can create closet sections for each family member or clothing category. Panels with shelves add storage.
Use cubbies, baskets or bins to corral accessories, undergarments, socks, and pajamas into neat categories.
Try a hanging closet separator that hangs from the rod to split clothing types, seasons, or short vs. long items.
Install adjustable or movable shelves and drawers that can be positioned to create divided spaces as needed.
For open shelving, use decorative boxes, trays, or baskets to neatly store folded clothing and group similar items.

Clearly defined storage zones prevent clutter and make it easy to quickly find what you need. Experiment to find a divider system that best suits your space.

Incorporate Closet Organization Systems

For the ultimate in organization, storage, and style, consider installing a complete closet system. The integrated components maximize every inch of space.

Look for systems with rods, shelves, drawers, and cubbies that can be arranged and adjusted to suit your storage needs.
Modular DIY closet kits make it easy to customize your system. Choose pieces like drawers, shoe racks, and accessory holders to build it out.
Opt for a system with soft-close doors and drawers, durable finishes, and quality materials for a luxurious feel. Built-in lighting also creates a premium closet.
Closet systems allow you to utilize corner spaces, walls, over the door, above and beneath the rod for optimized use of every bit of space.
Hire a professional closet designer to create a fully customized system tailored exactly for your closet layout and storage requirements.

Investing in an integrated closet organization system makes it easy to keep everything neatly stored while maximizing every last inch of available space.

Maintain the Organization

Once you’ve organized your closet and added storage solutions, be sure to maintain the newfound order. Follow these tips:

Make it a habit to put clothing and accessories back in their designated space after wearing. Don’t let clutter accumulate.
If an item doesn’t fit in its spot, it may indicate you have too many of that clothing type and it’s time to purge.
Revisit your closet each season and donate or sell pieces you haven’t worn to free up space for new items.
Rearrange storage solutions if you find a better way to organize. Adjust shelving or rods to better suit changing storage needs.
Use closet organization accessories like quality hangers, shelf dividers, drawer organizers and bins to help keep order.
For extra motivation, leave a donation box or bag in your closet for easy purge opportunities to maintain roomy space.

By purging unused items regularly and keeping everything in its place, you’ll be able to enjoy your organized closet for years to come.

FAQs About Maximizing Closet Space

How can I add more hanging space to my closet?

Install a double hanging rod to double available hanging space. Make sure to stagger clothing lengths for easy access.
Use sectioned hangers or multiple item hangers to hang more pieces from one hanger.
Utilize hanging space between studs or doorways with adjustable rods.
Replace the closet rod with a system that has integrated shelving above and below.

What are the best shelves for a closet?

Some great shelving options include:

Adjustable wire shelving that can be customized to fit your space
Solid wood or canvas shelves that provide an upscale feel
Floating shelves mounted on the wall to save floor space
Acrylic shelves to easily see contents while protecting clothing
Corner shelving units that utilize awkward angled space

How can I add more drawer space to my closet?

Install a dresser or drawer unit inside the closet for folded clothing and accessories.
Stackable plastic drawers on wheels are great for customizing drawer space.
Entryway console tables often have built-in drawers and can be placed in a closet.
Repurpose a nightstand or office drawer unit for use inside your closet.

What are some ways to make use of awkward closet corners and spaces?

Use a corner shelf unit or rotating corner lazy susan.
Install customized closet systems filling the whole space.
A hanging shoe organizer is perfect for using the back of a door.
Small wall-mounted shelves work nicely for filling odd gaps.
Use decorative baskets to hold items and fill awkward areas.

Should I install closet lighting?

Yes, lighting is important for a functional closet:

LED lighting gives bright, energy efficient illumination.
Battery operated stick-on lights are affordable and easy to install.
Motion sensor lights automatically turn on when you open the door.
Hardwired systems give the luxury feel of a professionally installed closet.

Conclusion

With a few organizational hacks and storage solutions, it’s simple to transform a cluttered closet into a spacious sanctuary that makes getting dressed a pleasure each day. Start by purging unused items and categorizing what you have. Then incorporate shelves, drawers, hanging rods and other accessories to maximize each area. Maintain the newfound order by keeping everything in its designated spot. With some effort upfront, you can enjoy stress-free mornings and easily find what you need.

How to Maximize Closet Space in 6 Stress-Free Steps