Closets are often treated as merely functional and nothing more, but there’s so much opportunity to make this space spectacular. Your wardrobe might be the most under-appreciated space in your home, but no longer!
For some, the closet is a very private space. It can hold everything from childhood treasures and love letters to comfy sweatshirts from college and the outfit you wore to the interview that scored you your dream job.
In between all the mementos, it's also a functional space. Generally the last thing to get cleaned—if ever!—your closet is a world of organized chaos. Guaranteed, it’s the first place you go to chuck things when attempting to spring clean your bedroom or tidy the place up so Roomba can work her magic.
Closets are often treated as merely functional and nothing more, but there’s so much opportunity to make this space spectacular. Your wardrobe might be the most under-appreciated space in your home, but no longer!
We’ve put together eight easy tips to help you transform and maximize your closet space. When you’re finished, your closet won’t only be aesthetically pleasing but also used to its fullest potential.
Color Coordinate
Did you know that the average American woman owns 30 outfits? That’s a different outfit for each day of the month!
The best way to arrange your clothing items is to group them in similar colorings—all the greens, reds, grays, blues, and blacks together. This makes it easier and quicker to pick out outfits and accessories, or color block.
If you really want to get organized, arrange clothing items by type within their colors: tank tops, t-shirts, and buttons downs all organized in line within the “black” grouping.
Refold, Knot, and Roll
Instead of arranging all your clothes by folding them, consider other methods that might save space and be better suited for specific types of items.
For example, sweaters don’t need to be folded. In fact, if stored correctly, they’ll keep their shape and make room for other items on your shelves.
How to Hang Up Your Sweater Correctly in 3 Swift Steps
- Begin by folding your sweater in half, vertically down the middle, until the sleeves touch.
- Wrap your folded sweater around your coat hanger’s hook, ensuring the armpit seam is flat and touching the hook.
- Tuck the lower half of your sweater and its sleeves into the hanger’s bottom rung.
Click here for a HuffPost tutorial if you’re more the visual type.
If you’re a scarf hoarder and your collection has taken over your shelves and drawers, try knotting several scarves onto one coat hanger. You can also knot each scarf individually into itself, creating small bundles you can place in a box or crate.
By separating scarves into similar colors, you can easily access them and use them to enhance your outfits. (Delicate and valuable scarves could be damaged or stretched by hanging, so these can be folded flat and carefully stored in between layers of acid-free tissue paper for extra protection.)
Denim jeans can easily be rolled to neaten them up. Rather than building precariously high piles of folded jeans, think of how you can roll them up into a box or onto a shelf. (This is also a nifty travel tip to cram as much as you can into your suitcase!)
Spruce It Up
There’s no need to stare into a blank, white closet every day! Wallpaper is an inexpensive option that can bring your closet’s interior to life. A bright, busy wallpaper print would be dizzying in a large space, but can add the perfect pop of color and interest to your closet.
If you’re missing some tools for this DIY closet wallpaper project, book them through Sparetoolz.
If you have an overhead light, consider swapping out the boring standard issue ones for something a little more interesting: hip Edison bulbs, a sparkly mini-chandelier, or even track lighting.
Don’t forget your other senses—hanging scent bags or cedarwood planks can keep that stuffy, dusty smell well at bay.
Lastly, don’t forget a mirror. Full-length mirrors can be easily hung on the inside or outside of the door, and not only maximizes light but also helps you make sure your outfit is ON. POINT.
Repurpose Your Shower Hooks
Need more space for your gym gear or tank tops? These also don’t need to be folded, so if you’ve got some extra shower hooks lying around, clip them on to one or two coat hangers and there you go! You can easily coordinate and hang your tops & instantly have more room in your closet.
Scarves, as well as purses, caps, and belts can also be stored in this way.
Showcase Your Sparkles and Souvenirs
Want to exhibit your jewels and souvenirs that are usually hidden away? Install shelves or hooks along the wall inside your closet to display special mementos and jewelry.
Displaying your jewelry in such a way also helps you remember what you have, allowing lesser-used pieces to see the light of day more often!
Installing closet shelves yourself is easier than you think. You’ll need some tools for this part, so if you don’t already have your own toolbox, with Sparetoolz you can rent everything you need.
Stand Up Your Shoes
How often do you find your shoes mismatched and scattered across the floor? Old magazine holders or standing file organizers are the solution. This way, you can vertically store your flat shoes—ballet flats, flip flops, sandals, slippers, and the like—and not have to scramble the next time you’re dashing out the door.
You’ll also create more space on your closet floor for larger, bulkier boots and running shoes. To keep your lace-up shoes together, tie them together so that they’re always a pair and easy to find.
Organize Before You Accessorize
It’s easy to forget accessories you haven’t used in a long time simply because you can’t remember where you’ve stored them. Use a hanging shoe organizer with transparent sleeves inside your closet to organize and show off your purses and sunglasses.
If you’re running short on hanging space, utilize a stack of clear plastic boxes with drawers for convenient access on your closet floor.
Strap Up Your Bras
This one’s especially for the ladies! Your delicates are usually crammed into a drawer where they’re out of sight. Using a coat hook rack mounted to the inside of your closet, hang up your bras by their straps instead. Your bras will stay neat and won’t lose their shape.
With so many possibilities, there’s no reason you can’t make the most out of your closet space.
If you’re feeling inspired but don’t have the tools you need to get the job done, save money and sign up for the Sparetoolz tool rental app to begin your DIY closet transformation now!
