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If your closet looks like a tornado of tangled hangers, random shoes, and mysterious clothing piles… you’re not alone. Whether you’re wrangling a tiny hallway closet or trying to bring order to a walk-in wardrobe, organizing your closet can feel overwhelming — but it doesn’t have to be!
Let’s break down some easy closet organization tips with some realistic, creative, and affordable ideas. Ready to turn that chaos into calm (and maybe even make room for a little retail therapy)?!
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Start with a Ruthless Declutter
Before you organize anything, pull it all out. Yes, all of it. Try on clothes, toss out broken hangers, donate what you no longer love or wear. If it doesn’t fit, flatter, or spark joy (thanks, Marie Kondo), let it go.
💡 Pro Tip: If you haven’t worn it in a year, chances are you never will.
Sort by Category First, Not Location
Instead of organizing by where items were in the closet, group similar items together: pants with pants, dresses with dresses, all accessories in one pile. It helps you see what you actually own — and what you have way too many of (hello, black leggings).
Use Matching Hangers
Mismatched hangers look messy and waste space. Investing in slim, non-slip velvet hangers instantly makes your closet feel more luxe and organized — plus, you’ll fit more in.
I recently did this in my bedroom closet and I was blown away by the difference it made. I got rid of all my plastic and wire hangers and now I have a nice slim black and gold hangers. It elevated the entire look! I highly recommend doing this!
Add Hooks for Extra Storage
Add adhesive or screw-in hooks on the back of your closet door or on the wall to hang hats, belts, bags, or necklaces. It’s a great way to use vertical space and avoid drawer clutter.
Try Shelf Dividers
If your closet has long shelves, shelf dividers can keep piles of sweaters, jeans, or handbags from toppling into each other. Bonus: they make everything look neat and boutique-style.
Get Bins or Baskets
Labelled bins and baskets are perfect for items you don’t reach for daily — like seasonal accessories, spare sheets, or keepsake clothing. Clear bins are great for visibility, but fabric ones can hide clutter while looking chic.
It’s important not to get ahead of yourself and get the bins and baskets before you start organizing your closet. Then you just end up with more items you don’t need, more clutter to deal with and it’s counter productive. Make sure you know exactly what storage bins you will need with what you have left after you clean and declutter.
Use a Hanging Organizer for Shoes or Accessories
Maximize your hanging rod with a hanging cubby organizer. These are great for shoes, scarves, or folded tees. It adds a whole second layer of storage without drilling a thing.
I’m currently using a legging storage bag for all my skeins of yarn. It’s meant to store several pairs of leggings but it’s perfect for storing all my yarn too! I can see all the yarns I have, get to them easily, and they are out of my way. Get creative with what you have and come up with different ways to use what you already may have laying around the houses.
- Large Capacity: This leggings roller rack with 24 clear compartments, could storage 24 rolls of the leggings with a diam…
- It’s A Good Helper for You: Our Yoga legging Storage Organizer each of the front and back sides have 12clear compartment…
- Save Your Space: This rolls holder bag come with a 10in strap and 2 door hook. You can hang them on the wall or closet o…
Double Your Hanging Space
Install a second tension rod or add a double-hang closet rod to hold shorter items like shirts, blouses, or pants folded over hangers. Twice the space = twice the fun.
Add Lighting
A dark closet can feel like a black hole. Stick-on LED lights or motion-sensor closet lights help you actually see what you own — and might even stop you from buying a 4th white t-shirt because you “didn’t know you had one.”
Use Drawer Dividers for Small Stuff
Got a drawer in your closet for underwear, socks, or accessories? Drawer organizers or even DIY cardboard dividers keep everything tidy and easy to grab.
I don’t know about your household but in mine there is very much a sock thief! So anything I can do to try to keep the pairs together- Im doing it!
Create a “Maybe” Box
Too afraid to part with that sequin top or those too-small jeans? Put them in a “Maybe” box. Revisit it in 3–6 months. If you haven’t missed it, donate it guilt-free.
Label, Label, Label
Label shelves, bins, and baskets so everyone in your home (or just future-you) knows where things go. It keeps the system going long after the organizing buzz wears off.
Make It Pretty!
It sounds silly, but adding a fun wallpaper backdrop, painting the inside of your closet, or using stylish bins can make your closet feel like a mini boutique. When it looks good, you’ll want to keep it organized.
Your closet doesn’t have to be Insta-perfect — it just has to work for you. Whether you’re overhauling a walk-in or just trying to keep the coat closet from exploding, these tips will help you get started. Happy organizing!
