We received a few questions lately about living with a smaller closet. So today, we’re thrilled to share the best small closet solutions. I know. We sound super confident in that title. But for those of you who aren’t familiar with our little bedroom story, here’s a little of what it looks like now, with what it looked like before…
The closet was once upon a time, a smaller unit of space on the wall.
Just like the kiddos’ shared bedrooms, we knocked through the wall to make more room for storage. In doing so, we were able to do the tiny bathroom on the other side a favor and give it a little more square footage. However, this is not our forever bedroom, and we’re in the process of building an addition. This room will eventually be handed to our daughter, which will be the perfect set up for her.
But in the meantime, we have indeed functioned with this tiny closet.
We know that this is large compared to some set ups. We have enjoyed it for in the meantime. So here are a few of our best tips: {along with a realistic look at what the inside now looks like after doing this thing for 4.5 years…}
Best tips for smaller closets:
1. Best tips for smaller closets: Go for slim hangers.
When we first moved into this renovated closet, I thought I needed to be ‘fancy’ and have all the nice wooden hangers. I just recently ditched those after being completely miserable in a tiny space, and went for slim hangers. GAME CHANGERS. {We’ve linked them below, and the wooden hangers went to a happy home.} While we’re in the middle of planning a space just for us with more generous closets, we know that it’s important to have your clothes functioning in an easy way. So this is what we went for.
2. Best tips for smaller closets: Organize it in a system you can use.
I’m not here to declare one is better than the other. I think if you looked long enough into this site, you could find where I say something about long sleeve vs. short sleeve vs. clothing type. Over time though, I’ve found that the ROYGBIV way of doing things just makes me happy, and it’s the most rational way to organize. That color coded way of organizing just makes sense for me. Find a system that works for you and makes you happy, and stick with it. You won’t regret it. Here you’ll see in this tiny space, I have dresses on the top, and tops on the bottom to make more space for hanging pieces. Then I organized them by color, too.
3. Best tips for smaller closets: Purge often.
When I show our friends how I’ve been living for the past few years, they always want to know if I’m “some kind of minimalist” the answer is absolutely not. {Maybe the correct answer would be unfortunately not.} The benefit with all things closet storage like this, is that it’s really helped us think through what we need or don’t need. While Jamin started out in here as well, he’s now moved to the hallway closet, which has definitely helped us both to spread out a little in such a tight space.
While we can’t wait to spread out, it hasn’t been that bad at all. The truth of the matter is, we’ve gotten used to it, and total first world probs. So purging often is the key. AKA I won’t be holding on to those smaller sizes I’ve hoped and wished for, since I’m forced to live in more of a reality. {We all have them… don’t judge.}
4. Best tips for smaller closets: Consider different options, like shelving.
Not everything has to hang, and we found that by adding shelves to our closet, it helped add more space for different types of clothing, like big sweaters that will leave dents in them from hangers. Then we added containers to that, which made them easier to find. While I can definitely always use a little help on all things organization, it’s helped us reformat how we like to use our space.
5. Best tips for smaller closets: Use baskets for folding options
Or some other type of container – as we’ve shared more below! It helps give options for clothes that aren’t so easy to hang, provides more space, and offers more flexibility for clothing storage in general. I’ll be honest, while this has worked for us, I’ll be helping our daughter come up with better solutions once we move out. I think we’ve always lived with the mindset of, this is just temporary, and didn’t want to invest in much over the last few years. But I do think that some better fitting containers would be smart.
I’ve learned that if I also do these stored by color, and folded with the ridge of the clothing facing up {a-la Marie Kondo – no, they’re not perfect} it helps to find things at a glance. I find that when I’m in a hurry, I’m usually throwing things about, saying “purple shirt….” and if I can search by color it just makes things faster.
So yes, we have ‘survived’ like this for a few years now, and have been just fine. It’s totally doable. We would continue to do so… but these are some of the simplest tips and best storage solutions for smaller closets!
Since I have all things organization and storage system on the brain lately, I thought it might be helpful to round up a few of our fave recent finds here when it comes to all things smaller closet storage solutions. Here are a few easy storage solution ideas for smaller closets {and big ones, too, to be honest!}
zip cube clothing storage / over the door hanger / organizer / drawer organizer / modular closet organizer {striped} / stackable closet organizer / freestanding drawers / colorful foldable storage cubes / shoe shelves / bag storage bin / no slip slim hangers / shoe shelf storage / over the door mesh holder / woven felt basket / black multi hanger
So do you live with a smaller closet space? What are some of your best tips you’d like to share? We’d love to hear.
Have an inspired day!
Rakhinationwide says
One of the finest writing I have read so far!
Janis Ferra says
Love the new door with the glass in bedroom. Is it a special order? Love to have one like this in our bedroom.
ashley @ the handmade home says
Hey! Thank you so much, Janis! That was a door from a flea market find salvaged from an old university. Then we built a door around it. You can definitely hire someone to build a door from any special find if you don’t want to build it, and then order the hardware – ours is from artisan hardware. Hope that helps!