A Must Have Guide to Walk In Closet Organizer
When you look into your closet, you might think to yourself: “Well, there’s a place for everything and everything’s in its place!” But really…how bad is it? We won’t tell anyone, we promise! If you’ve come to grips with the fact that your closet needs some TLC, you’ve come to the right place.
Today, we’ll take you through some basic steps to get your closet back in order, from the initial purge to where you should store your unmentionables. We’ll also introduce you to a few great walk-in closet organizers and other storage products to aid your closet rehabilitation process. Let’s get right to it.
How to Get Your Walk In Closet Organizer in Order
Closets are daunting places. As children, we fear the monsters living inside of them and insist that the closet door is closed at all times. As adults, we realize that there are monsters in this world—and the one named Disorganization stares us right in the face every morning.
We can’t help you combat the spiders living underneath your piles of clothing or restore your long-forgotten-about blouse to its original form. But we can offer you a few tips on how to get your closet back in order. It will take some doing, but the end result will be miraculous.
Set a Date
Like many dreaded chores and activities, organizing your closet requires devotion.
To ensure you actually get around to doing it, set a date with your closet. Choose one day of your busy life to give your closet the undivided attention it deserves.
Depending on how much TLC your closet needs, you can expect to spend anywhere from 30 minutes to a few hours getting things in order.
After the initial organization, it’s important to regularly organize your closet. Experts recommend doing basic organizing frequently and setting a date every six months to do the full works.
Purge Your Closet
You’ll need a clean canvas to paint your new closet on. There are a few steps involved here.
- Step One: take it all out
The first step is to take everything out of your closet. Everything.
Do your best to separate everything based on category. For example, put all of your shirts in one pile, your pants in another, and so on. Do the same for any accessories, shoes, or “junk” you happen to have in there. Once that’s done, it’s time for the next step.
- Step Two: clean the closet
When was the last time you vacuumed the clothing-laden closet floor? Or dusted the hanging racks? Or used Febreze? Now is the time to do all of these things! Show your closet you care. Haul that vacuum cleaner up the stairs, grab a fresh Swiffer duster, and, you know, buy an air freshener. The goal is to clean every square inch of your closet to the best of your ability.
- Step Three: Decide what to keep and what to get rid of
Now comes the hard part (and the part that will feel the greatest once it’s over with!).
Grab a few trash bags, bins, or boxes, and take another look at each clothing pile you made. It’s time to decide which items to keep and which items to get rid of.
You can categorize your clothing into four categories now:
- Keep
- Donate
- Sell
- Throw Away
And if your heart breaks at the thought of throwing certain items out, you can also create a “Maybe” pile to serve as a buffer. Just remember that everything in the Maybe pile will eventually need to leave that pile.
Everyone has that favorite shirt they’ll never get rid of and those ill-fitting pants they forgot all about. But what about when you’re on the fence about an item? There are a few ways to know whether to keep something or not:
- Ask yourself when you last wore it. If you wore the item within the last six months (or even the last twelve months), it may be a good idea to hold onto it.
- Ask yourself if you still like the item. Have you come across an item that you remember buying—but you’re not sure what you were thinking when you did? Sell or donate it.
- Ask yourself if the item is still valuable to you. You may not have worn that cocktail dress in the last six months, but you might want to wear it for the upcoming New Year’s party.
Categorize Your Clothing
Now it’s time to categorize the clothing in your Keep pile.
The way you decide to go about this is up to you, but we have a couple of recommendations:
- Categorize by type. For example, you may want to separate your professional clothing from your casual clothing and gym gear.
- Categorize by season. Many people tend to gravitate toward their warmer wardrobe in the winter and their cooler one in the summer. You can declutter by only keeping in-season clothing in the closet, and putting out-of-season clothing into a bin or box that you can place underneath your bed or in the garage.
Decide on Storage for Your Clothing
There are several options out there for closet organization and clothing storage.
The most important thing to consider is how often you use each article of clothing.
It’s best to keep clothing you wear often in easy-to-access locations. This usually means the center part of the closet and not too far off the ground. You should be able to reach for those items with no hassle!
Items you don’t wear quite as often can be hung on the sides of the closet, placed higher up, or stored away elsewhere. As long as you can get to them when needed, you can get creative with this.
Decide on Storage for Shoes and Accessories
Knowing where to keep all those shoes, hats, scarves, purses, and ties can be a real struggle.
If you’ve been trying to make shoe and coat racks work for you and it’s just not happening, you’ll be glad to hear that there are many storage options available for these superfluous items.
Shoes
There are countless ways you can choose to store your shoes.
For example, you can:
- Place them on shelves with dividers
- Use a hanging shoe organizer to have them hang right on the door
- Store them in cubbies underneath your clothing
- Utilize a boot organizer for the harder-to-store boots
Of course, you can always use your imagination here!
Hats
If you or your significant other has tons of hats laying around, it’s time to get serious about the organization.
Here are some ideas:
- Opt for a traditional hat rack and place it against the closet wall
- Purchase a special organizing hanger to hang the hats on
- Display them in a clear storage bag
Ties
There are two main ways to store your ties: hang them or put them in a drawer.
The first option is best if you want your ties to be on display or if you have limited drawer space. You can find hangers designed specifically for ties, and these allow for a simple and clean look!
The second option is best if you have plenty of drawer space and don’t feel the need to display your ties. If you choose to store your ties this way, you should purchase drawer dividers or even an entire tie organizer.
Nowadays, you can also purchase tie organizers that can be mounted on the wall. This option can give you the best of both worlds: a fun tie display and compact storage.
Related: How To Reinvent Your Storage Areas With Closet Curtains
Scarves
There are quite a few popular storage options for scarves. Let’s look at just a couple:
- You can hang your scarves using a stylish scarf rack, a shoe organizer, hangers, or even towel racks. Choose an option that will fit best in your closet space while providing a clean but colorful look.
- Drawers or Cubbies. If you happen to have some extra drawer space, this can be a great option! Storing your scarves this way will keep them out of sight while also better protecting them from the elements. If you have cubbies or something similar, you can also store your scarves in those.
Purses
The purse storage option that works best for you will depend on a number of factors, such as how many purses you have and how much space is in your closet. Here are some popular options:
- From purse racks to hooks in the wall, there are several options for those who want to hang their purses. This can be a stylish storage arrangement and will save you lots of space, especially if you hang them vertically.
- Wire Racks. You can mount wire racks on the closet wall or place them overhead in the top storage area of your closet. Simply place one purse in each rack for a clean look and easy access!
- If you have shelf space to spare, you can also store your purses on a shelf and use dividers to keep them separate. This can be a great way to display your purses while using up every last bit of shelf space.
A word to the wise: While storing your purses, it’s a good idea to stuff a towel or pillow insert into them. This will help them stay young and beautiful when not in use.
Jewelry
When it comes to your beloved jewelry, there are three main ways to store it all:
- Jewelry Rack. A jewelry rack allows you to organize your jewelry in a fashionable manner, and most of them don’t take up a lot of space. This storage option is great if you want to display your jewelry and keep those long necklaces from getting tangled up.
- Jewelry Tray. A jewelry tray is a simple storage option that will lend your closet space some charm without taking up too much room. You can place a jewelry tray on your vanity or on a shelf.
- If you have some extra drawer space and aren’t keen on displaying your jewelry, you can opt to store it in a drawer. With the proper dividers, you can still keep your jewelry organized and looking great.
Bras
Do you know how bras get kind of sad-looking when they’re stored away for a while? Yeah…
The good news is that there are things you can do to prevent this: it’s all in the storage. There are two popular options for storing bras:
- First of all, your bras should have their own separate drawer. Within the drawer, ensure that the bras are “stacked” so that the cup of one bra fills the cup of another.
- Bra Organizer. If you want a more stylish approach to bra storage for your closet, you can purchase a bra organizer. This will allow you to display the bras and keep them separate from each other, making it easier to pick and choose.
Make the Best Use of Current Closet Space
We just talked about how to store lots of different items—but how will you ever find the room to actually do it?
There are a few things you can do to maximize the space you have in your closet:
- Store Vertically. You’d be surprised how many everyday items can be stored vertically! This is an especially good option for accessories like ties, scarves, and belts, which would otherwise take up lots of room. You can buy special hangers that allow you to easily hang multiple items on one hanger for a clean look.
- Use Baskets or Boxes. Baskets or boxes can serve as both a convenient storage option and a fashion statement. From folded T-shirts to socks and jeans, you can store just about anything this way. You can either place the baskets inside cubbies for a smooth look, place them underneath your hanging clothes, or place them in the top compartment.
- Utilize Shelf Dividers. We’ve mentioned these a couple of times already, but to reiterate: shelf dividers are awesome for storage! Dividers help give your shelves a more organized appearance. You can separate different types of items on the same shelf with them, or keep items of the same type from touching each other or falling over.
- Use All Available Shelf Space. In addition to the actual shelves, you can use the space above and underneath the shelves to store extra things. For example, you can place a basket underneath your hanging clothes.
- Don’t Forget About Drawer Space. We’ll admit that drawers aren’t the most glamorous storage option, but they’re effective. Putting clothes or accessories in drawers keep them out of the way, creating a clean closet appearance and giving you more room to decorate your shelves.
Add Style and Sophistication
It’s amazing what a well-placed ornament or a well-chosen color can do for a room…or closet. While this part is optional, we think you should consider some of these ideas to make your closet space that much more sophisticated. (We mean, you’ve already done all the other work—why stop there?)
- Add Decorations. This can be anything, but popular options include mirrors and rugs. Adding a mirror will make changing in your walk-in closet more convenient and a rug can add character.
- Separate Your Closet. By separating your closet from your bedroom or bathroom, you’ll be doing two great things at once: giving your home a more streamlined look and making your closet space a little more private. You can do the ‘separation’ by putting up a curtain or even a wall that hides the closet from view.
- Don’t Get Too Wild. Decorating can be a lot of fun, but there’s a basic ground rule you should keep in mind: things in your closet should generally be the same color. For example, all of your hangers should be a single color and not mis-matched. The uniformity adds a professional tone.
- Make Your Clothes Do Double-Duty. When possible, try putting your clothes and accessories on display. We’ve outlined a few ways to do this throughout the article. It will really add personality and fun to what would otherwise be just another closet.
- Label Everything. Adding labels to different baskets and drawers is not only cute—it’s also an efficient way to stay on top of where everything is.
What are the Best Closet Organization Products?
Okay, that was a lot. But lucky for you, there are plenty of wonderful walk-in closet organizers on the market. Here are the ones we recommend.
Closet System Walk-In Sets & Reach-In Sets
With sixteen adjustable, removable shelves and four hanging rods, this walk-in closet organizer has a place for everything! Three of its shelves are dedicated for holding footwear and the rest of the space can be used to store everyday clothing, purses, hats, and even towels. If the OP storage space isn’t good enough for you, just look at its sleek wall-mounted design. With five finish options, it will surely be the apple of your closet’s eye.
The Everyday System™ 72 W Closet System Reach-In Sets
This thoughtfully designed walk-in closet organizer offers plenty of storage and will serve as an elegant addition to your closet. It features three hanging rods, three drawers, and seven shelves, in addition to a classy mesh door that protects three of the shelves. All this in a small, space-efficient design! Purchase this organizer with gold, graphite, or white woodgrain finishing and see for yourself how much it improves your closet.
California Closets® The Everyday System™ 72″ W Closet System Reach-In Sets
This organizer brings closet shelving to a whole new level. With a whopping eleven shelves, three hanging rods, and three mesh bins, it provides more storage than you’ll know what to do with. You’d think that something with that much storage would be massive—but this organizer is so space-efficient that you’ll be wondering why you didn’t purchase one sooner. Choose from two finish options and three metal colors to suit your taste!
California Closets® The Everyday System™ 84.75″ W Closet System
This product features ten shelves (four of which are housed behind a mesh door), three drawers, and three hanging rods. It’s designed for larger walk-in closets, and thus a bulkier load of your favorite clothes and accessories—you’ll never be left wondering where on earth you’ll put your new purse! Available in three finish options, this organizer will look great in any closet.
SuiteSymphony 55″ W – 120″ W Closet System Starter Kit
Looking for a more affordable option but don’t want to sacrifice space or style? This closet organizer may be just what you need. It features five shelves (two of which are adjustable for your convenience) and three expandable hanging rods. It provides plenty of space for the essentials and will lend a sophisticated air to your closet. Choose from five attractive finish options and see your closet transform!
Modular Storage 68.76″ W – 90.76″ W Closet System
You know that feeling when you run out of shelf space in the middle of your closet organization? You’ll never have that problem again when you purchase this walk-in closet organizer. It has twenty-one—yes, twenty-one—storage shelves, five of which are adjustable. It also features four drawers and two hanging rods, making it one heck of a ‘starter kit.’ Buy it in white or taupe and get ready to start filling those empty shelves.
Closet&Co Custom System
Do you know what’s beautiful? The level of organization this product offers. No, really. It’s stunning. With twelve adjustable, removable shelves, eight gliding drawers, and four hanging rods, this organizer will make sure you’re never at a loss when putting your clothes away. Not only does it provide incredible storage space, but it also features a sleek design that makes it feel like part of your closet. Still on the fence? Check it out for yourself. You’ll fall in love.
Grid 78″W – 114″W Ultimate Corner Kit
The unique corner design of this walk-in closet organizer maximizes the space available to you and offers an open appearance that’s quite refreshing. Eighteen shelves (seven adjustable), three drawers, and five hanging rods will hold all of your clothing and accessory items—and probably still have room to boot. Pick your favorite of three finish options, order now, and metamorphose your closet into something beautiful and well-maintained.
Simple Custom Closet
If you’re on a tight budget or just need a little extra storage space, this is the perfect option for you. It features four fixed shelves and one hanging rod, providing just enough room to store a small wardrobe or a few odd items. It’s not much to look at, but hey—you won’t have to store your sweaters or purses on the floor.
Navarra 32.25″ W Closet System
This simple organizer features two hanging rods and two shelves, one of which is adjustable. Its corner design is minimalistic yet elegant, and it’s available in three attractive finish options. It will serve as a great place to store your most treasured clothing items or some odds and ends you don’t yet have room for. The best part: its 10-year warranty!
Conclusion
Now that you’ve finished reading our article, it’s time to start thinking about that closet of yours. When will you start the process? How will you store your scarves? Which products will best serve your needs? We hope you feel more prepared and inspired now to make the first move and get your closet in order. Good luck and happy shopping!