15 Best Small Closet Organization Ideas

Nothing causes chaos quicker than a pile of shoes. To keep your collection in order, opt for a storage system that protects your kicks while still making valuable use of space. These drop-front shoe boxes can be stacked on top of one another to neatly keep them in order. They also feature clear fronts that easily lift up, so you can grab the perfect pair for your look in a cinch.

When you’re working with a narrow closet, you only have so much space for hanging clothes, and many items (like skirts or shorts) take up far more room stored horizontally than they do vertically. To help, snag a set of tiered hangers with clips, which will allow you to “stack” several pieces on top of one another for maximal storage potential.

Sometimes, the key to a more functional closet is simply reducing the amount of stuff you’re trying to fit inside. If you don’t rotate your wardrobe seasonally, you’re clogging up your available closet space with items you don’t even look at (let alone wear) for part of the year. Instead, use these vacuum-sealed storage bags to tightly pack away out-of-season gear. They’ll reduce clothing bulk and make it easier for you to store everything from sweaters and jackets to extra pillows and blankets.

When organizing a small space, it’s important to choose storage solutions that don’t add additional congestion (either physically or visually). These clear acrylic panels are the ideal pick for a closet with shelves, to help divide and tidy the space. With slots that easily latch onto the base of your shelf, each divider will help keep your items organized easily. Now, your sweaters can be neatly folded in place next to your handbags or accessory bin.

Hangers might not be the first thing you think of when you think of small closet organizing, but using uniform, slim design hangers can be a sneaky way to score more storage! Our suggestion? Pick up a pack of these velvet hangers. Their slender design means they won’t add extra bulk, so you can hang more clothing items. Even better, the velvet acts like a non-slip grip, helping your garment stay on the hanger.

Drawers are a savior for clothing storage, but unless you spring for a custom solution, you likely don’t have them in your closet. But with these stackable organizer boxes, you can mimic the feel of dresser drawer organization in a small closet. Customize your storage and arrange them in whatever layout you’d like. At 13 inches wide and 7 inches deep, they’re big enough to house a stack of shirts or a pile of jeans, and can even slide out like a traditional drawer.

If laying out your clothes at night before work is an integral part of your routine, then you’ll want to add this valet rod to your cart ASAP. Install it on the inside of your closet, and place your chosen clothing pieces on the hook for easy access in the morning.

Think of these Command hooks as the choose-your-own-adventure version of small closet organization. These versatile hooks can be anything you need, like a spot to hang scarves or a way to corral your favorite hats. They’re damage- and drill-free, so they’re a great closet storage solution for renters, too.

While labeled dividers usually find their home in the department store, they’re also a great option for organizing a small closet—especially if you share it with a partner or roommate. Simply write with a dry-erase marker (you can use them over and over again!) and use the dividers to divvy up hanging space by season, clothing type, or person.

Hanging organizers are a go-to for anyone looking to organize a closet. Not only do they help you take advantage of vertical storage, but they’re also soft-sided, so you can easily squeeze them in between the rest of your hanging clothes. This shoe organizer boasts ten spots for your pairs, but you can also use it for corralling accessories, purses, hats, or scarves, too.

Keeping your closet organized isn’t just about hanging up your clothes neatly—it also means tending to your dirty clothes. Instead of dealing with a bulky hamper, look to small-space laundry bags to do the job. This hanging version won’t take up any floor space in your closet and is easy to carry to the machine when you’re ready to tackle your chores.

A narrow closet means floor space is at a premium, so you’ll probably have to get creative when it comes to your shoe storage. Most shoe racks take up the entire floor of your closet, but this Yamazaki rack goes tall instead of wide, with enough shelves to hold five pairs of shoes.

If you need a way to group your accessories (whether that’s a few of your favorite bags, your running gear, or your impressive scarf collection), this clear-sided pocket hanger keeps everything neat and tidy while allowing you to easily find what you’re looking for.

It can be hard to find a smart way to store your belts. Either you roll them up and shove them in a drawer, or drape them over a hanger and hope they don’t end up on the ground. What you really need is this carousel-like hanger, which uses eight hooks to neatly arrange your belts on the clothing rack bar in your closet. Each hook can hold up to three, bringing the entire capacity of this piece to an impressive 24 belts, all in one space-saving hanger.