Closet space may not have been at the top of the list when you searched for your new home. Such things as location, view, and amenities usually win out. However, once in a home, the lack of adequate closet space can soon become a problem and it can make it difficult to embrace your surroundings as you’d like. Luckily, there are creative ways to add more storage to your existing space. Here are ten ways to increase your closet space.
It should go without saying that your closet wouldn’t be as crammed with stuff if you weren’t trying to cram as much stuff into it. Some of us have a tendency to hold onto things that we never wear, “just in case”, or to keep a wide range of sizes on hand. Paring down these unused items can be very freeing, and there are many charities, churches, and schools that would love to accept your donations.
Move your off-season and less frequently worn items to a different place in your home. Your closet is the place that you’ll want to store items that you wear on a regular basis and for items that fit the current season. If you’re in the dog days of summer, pack the sweaters and long underwear away in bins that can slide under your bed or in an unused suitcase. When the seasons change, you can switch those out for the swimsuits and tank tops.
The rule of thumb is that two-thirds of a closet should be dedicated to hanging rods. Feel free to break from the norm, however, if you have more or less of your wardrobe that requires hanging. To get the most “rod-space” in your closet, stack rods one above the other. The first should be well above eye level for longer garments and the second at least three feet off the ground for shorter garments. Both rods should be positioned at least one foot from the back wall.
Avoid having leaning and jumbled stacks of sweaters and t-shirts by making use of dividers to partition your closet space. Limiting shelf stacks to a height of ten inches will ensure that you keep everything in good order. You can even use dividers in dresser drawers to help keep socks, underwear, and other small items organized.
You’d be amazed at what you can fit behind a door. Yes, there are great hanging organizers for things such as shoes, but the creativity doesn’t end there. If the wall is hollow and unobstructed, you may actually be able to install a recessed shelf behind a door to hold small items such as purses and jewelry. Even if this isn’t feasible, behind a door is the perfect place to store anything small in tiny bins or pockets that can be attached to the back of the door.
Don’t underestimate the value of a well-placed hook on the wall inside your closet. Hooks and very short valet rods can be used to hang clothing, belts, and scarves or to set out the next day’s outfit.
Using vertical space is the best way to make use of every square inch of your closet space. Custom closet shelving above and around your clothing rods is the perfect way to do this. Both wire shelving and laminate units are excellent solutions for any reorganized closet space.
Kitchens add islands for storage so, if your closet is big enough, make use of that unused space in the middle and do the same thing there. A closet island is the best use of space in very large walk-in closets. Any combination of drawer space can be added to a closet island, and the additional counter space is another bonus.
Lighting is essential in closet spaces and has more to do with opening up unused space than many realize. A well-lit closet space with proper lighting makes items easy to find, encourages neatness, and helps to identify unused areas that you may not have seen before. You can either have light fixtures installed in your closet or simply try some battery-powered lights to shine on those dark corners.
One of the easiest ways to add closet space is to do so outside of your closet. Add a stylish stand-alone wardrobe along a wall in your bedroom. These often have all of the elements of a closet included in them, such as a hanging rod, drawers, and even a shelf system. A benefit to these systems is that you can take them with you when you move. If you would like something more permanent, you can convert an unused wall in your bedroom into a built-in wardrobe storage space.
Whether you live in a condo or an older home where closet space wasn’t on the designer’s priority list, it is likely now on yours. Most people today find that closet space in their home is at a premium, and there are ways to make existing closet space both more functional and aesthetically pleasing. Improving your closet space not only makes you happier when you walk in to find something to wear, but it also improves the value of your home. These ten tips to improve your closet space will have you well on your way to transforming that small closet into something that you can both use and enjoy.
