If you had a nickel for every time you wished for more reach-in closet space, well, you’d have a lot of nickels. However, expanding your closets is out of reach right now, leaving you frustrated with what you have. You often feel like you can’t accommodate all of your belongings.
Here’s some good news. It’s all about how you use your storage space and not necessarily how much you have. By implementing the right strategies, you can uncover plenty of hidden space. How do you get started? Here’s how to maximize reach-in closet efficiency:
- Assess your closet space for hidden opportunities
- Use vertical space wisely
- Make use of closet doors
- Use drawers and dividers for better organization
- Use slim hangers and hooks
- Optimize the floor space
Who knew there were so many practical, easy-to-apply tips to maximize your storage potential? Ahead, we’ll break them down one by one so you can begin using your small closet space more efficiently.
Assess Your Closet Space for Hidden Opportunities
You know your closet well; it’s small enough, after all. So, what do we mean by hidden opportunities?
It’s just as it sounds. After you empty out your closet space, you might uncover underutilized or even ignored potential storage areas. So, go ahead and treat your closet to the deep cleaning you’ve kept putting off. Take everything out and declutter the space, organizing it more efficiently.
For example: Are your accessories, bags, or shoes taking up more room than they need to be? If so, you might consider donating some of these items or at least storing them differently in your closet.
Once you have a neater space to work with, you can assess its underutilized areas and unlock your small closet’s full storage potential.
Use Vertical Space Wisely
One part of your closet that’s often very underutilized is vertical space. Most people just organize everything horizontally, likely for accessibility, but vertical space can be just as reachable. Better yet, it will open your floors back up.
The great thing about vertical space is that it’s usable in just about any type of small closet, from a game closet to one where you store cleaning supplies. Lifehacker recommends looking for opportunities of overlaps between horizontal and vertical storage, as this intersection can be one of the most valuable parts of your closet.
As you explore vertical storage, consider options like adjustable shelving units, double hanging rods, stackable boxes and bins, and hanging organizers. Keep everything at eye level so you can easily reach what you need.
Make Use of Closet Doors
On the note of vertical space, don’t limit yourself to only the walls when seeking additional storage in a reach-in closet. Use your closet door, too, both sides!
For instance, you can add over-the-door racks to hang accessories like your purse or work bag. This way, when you wake up in the morning, you won’t have to go hunting for it. It will be right there waiting for you.
You can also use over-the-door racks for hanging shoes, ideally for the pair you plan to wear with tomorrow’s outfit. You’ll save so much time during your morning routine as you can just grab what you need and go.
What about your accessories? While over-the-door hooks are fine for these, we’re quite fond of clear pocket organizers, especially for smaller items. You can easily find your favorite belt, scarf, or jewelry.
Of course, not every item is so easily stored, and we know that. That’s why we suggest hooks or pegboards for all of those items that don’t fit on shelves, from umbrellas to hats and everything in between.
Once you begin using your closet doors as an efficient storage area, you’ll realize how valuable they are and wonder why you overlooked them for so long.
Use Drawers and Dividers for Better Organization
Dividers and drawers are your friends. It’s okay if your reach-in closet doesn’t have room for the full-sized versions; small drawer dividers and drawer units still get the job done. You can easily store accessories like jewelry, socks, and underwear.
If you share a small closet space, such as with a spouse or roommate, the dividers will be especially valuable. You can keep your items separated.
Even if you’re lucky enough to have your closet all to yourself, dividers are still very useful. You can prevent smaller items from getting lost by swimming away in a large bin (we’ve all been there). They’re also handy for keeping your clothing neatly folded.
We also suggest adding some stackable drawers if you want additional storage space. Place them compactly at the bottom of your closet to keep your floors open and accessible.
Use Slim Hangers and Hooks
As you revitalize your small closet, take stock of the types of hangers you use. Although they might not seem like much, bulky hangers can take up more space in your closet than you realize. That just won’t do when you need every square inch of space to use toward storage.
Instead, switch to space-saving, slimmer hangers. Alternatively, you could explore cascading hangers that store more garments per set. We also like tiered hooks, which let you hang multiple items and accessories in the space it would take for one.
While you’re at it, why not add some adhesive or wall hooks inside your closet? They’re a great way to hang bags, belts, and hats.
Optimize the Floor Space
You’ve worked so hard to achieve all of this floor space. Now, you should go above and beyond to ensure you use it to the fullest.
The key is to avoid overcrowding, as you want to keep up with a clean, open look. On that note, stackable cubbies and containers really help. You can stack them up as high as needed (well, maybe not too high) without taking up much floor space.
Rolling baskets and bins are great for keeping bulky items stored on the floor without being piled up, such as sports gear and shoes.
Conclusion
If you have a small reach-in closet, you can achieve organizational efficiency by discovering hidden or underutilized storage areas like walls (and other vertical space) and the closet door. The tips we shared here can help you optimize your closet no matter its square footage!
