Closet Organization on a Budget
DIY Closet Organization Ideas to Create a Customized Space without a Designer
We all wish for the perfect closet that's roomy and organized to store all our stuff. Certainly, anyone with unlimited budget and unlimited space can create a beautiful closet system that can easily rival any celebrity closet. However, most of us have to make do with small(ish) closets, little or no budget, and an accumulation of possessions to try to fit into our existing storage space. But even if you can't afford to hire a professional closet designer, you can still make the most of your existing space with a little ingenuity and some affordable products that turn any closet into a better organized and more functional space.
First declutter and purge
Before you can create a more usable space, you need to purge your closet out anything you no longer wear, use, or need. Take everything out and sort into piles of items to keep, items to toss, and items to donate. Take a page out of Marie Kondo's book and be ruthless in your purge.
We all struggle with parting with our stuff, but do you really need that dress that never really fit or that blouse you barely wear? Instead of hoping some of your clothing and accessories will someday come back in style, get rid of it if you haven't worn or used it in the past year or two.
Utilize vertical space
If your closet is small, you can make up for what it lacks in width by making better use of its vertical space. Maximizing every inch of existing space is the key to creating even more storage space even if your closet has a small footprint. Increase the amount of hanging room by doubling or even tripling the hanging rods. Mounting them in a staggered formation will give you even more room to hang your clothes.
Take advantage of tall wall space or the interior surface of the doors with over-the-door or hanging multi-pocket organizers to hold shoes, purses, accessories, and smaller items, making them easier to find while freeing up floor and shelf space.
Customize it with a storage system
Add a wall-mounted closet unit to add shelves, drawers, and hanging rods to your closet. Many of these customizable units are modular so you can add components as your storage needs change or as your budget allows. You can also use an inexpensive freestanding racking unit that has both garment bars and shelves. You can even utilize an old or inexpensive dresser by moving into the closet to add need drawer storage.
Take advantage of side walls
Use the side walls of your closet to incorporate more storage space. Mount hooks to hold items such as purses, hats, or scarves. Another option is to use slide-out racks for holding belts and ties. They'll attach to the side panels of the closet and hold multiple items without taking space on your hanging rods or shelves.
Keep a uniform look with matching hangers
The right hanger can make a huge difference in both the appearance and efficiency of your closet. Ditch the mismatched thick wood and plastic hangers and purchase packs of velvet-covered hangers. They have a thinner profile that uses less space, allowing you to hang more clothes in the same square footage. The velvet covering grips the clothing and ensures slippery materials such as silk and polyester do not slide off and fall on the floor. Use all the same color and be stylish and elegant. For suits, use hangers with clips to hold pants and skirts along with jackets on the same hanger.
Organize your shoes
Shoe racks are indispensable for keeping your footwear organized so you'll never have to hunt one from a pile of mismatched pairs scattered across the closet floor. There are many options to choose from including shoe trees that use less floor space and maximize vertical space, multi-tiered and/or expandable racks that make sure of horizontal and vertical space, and over-the-door pocket organizers that free up floor space.
Neaten your shelves with storage bins and containers
Ditch the old cardboard boxes and clean up shelf clutter by investing in some decorative and functional storage bins and lidded containers. The options are limitless in style, size, and design. You can choose clear plastic bins that let you see the contents, woven rattan and wicker, or metal wire baskets that are functional and attractive, fabric or canvas storage totes that can be folded and stashed away if not immediately needed, and zipped storage boxes that ensure contents remain dust-free. For a more custom look, you can use storage chests that come with slide-out bins, either wood furniture-quality designs or simple rolling storage carts.
Lighten it up
Closets need to not only be organized, but also filled with bright and inviting light. Having efficient lighting in the closet will make it easier to distinguish between colors when selecting outfits to wear—no more grabbing clashing colors in the dark.
If natural light from a window is not an option, you can brighten your closet with lighter wall colors and increase illumination with the addition of lighting fixtures. If you have a larger, walk-in closet, add a ceiling light. You can use a pendant or a glamorous mini chandelier if the ceiling is high enough. For lower ceilings, recessed lights, semi-flush mount, or flush mount lights will work better. For smaller spaces, you can use puck lights that can mount or the wall or ceiling. These compact and space-saving lights also come in battery-operated styles so you don't have to run electrical wires into your closet.
No matter the size of your closet, square footage isn't the be-all, end-all factor in your storage space. With the right design and layout, even the smallest closet can give you plenty of storage space. Some smart organization combined with a little style can make your closet feel special and spacious.
