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Like it or not, everyone needs to have a closet clean-out day from time to time. One of the best times to do it is during a seasonal transition, like the one we're in right now from summer to fall. This is an essential part of keeping your space organized and reducing clutter, especially if you're known to go on shopping sprees every season. Out with the old clothes that you no longer need, and in with the new threads that better match your aesthetic.
While this is easily said, it's not necessarily easily done, especially if your closet is on the tighter side. Thankfully, we have some experience in dealing with small spaces, as do Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin, cofounders of The Home Edit—they've helped us curate a list of the best small closet organization ideas that should (hopefully!) make decluttering a bit more enjoyable.
Even if your closet is short on space, smart organization can make a big difference. As you begin your tidy-up journey, focus on three key zones: clothes, shoes, and accessories. There are hangers designed to hold more while taking up less room, and when it comes to shoes, thinking vertically can help you maximize every inch of floor space. Accessories and jewelry might not be essential to store in your closet, but if you can carve out a spot for them, why not? With a few clever organization hacks and the right storage tools, even the smallest closet can work smarter.
Keep reading for 20 small closet organization ideas that’ll make your next clean-out a breeze.
Additional copy by Jessica Cherner.
If you’re not a fan of how metal or plastic hooks look on your walls or doors, try mounting a wooden pegboard instead. It offers the same functionality—letting you hang shelves, hooks, or rods—but with a warmer, more intentional feel that blends better with your decor.
A valet rod is retractable, making it the perfect solution to your small space problem if you like to set out your outfit for the day ahead. The rounded end ensures that your hangers or handbags won't slide off, and it can easily be bolted to the wall.
This simple metal organizer is designed to hold up to 11 baseball hats. If you're someone who needs to see an item to remember that you have it, then this sleek rack should be helpful when you're picking out what hat to wear.
Hang a wood and metal organization system for added sturdiness. If you can, install a sturdy shelf across the longest wall in your tiny closet to give you plenty of space for anything you don't want to hang.
"Vertical storage is key, whether it's adding a second rod for shorter items like tops or skirts or installing an over-the-door unit," Teplin explains.
Your closet door may not seem like the most obvious place to store anything, but at (usually) 96 inches tall, it offers the perfect amount of surface area for hanging organizers. We recommend over-the-door organizers for anyone who has a few too many shoes—especially flat ones that can tuck into these little pockets.
A little closet with a narrow rod for hanging dresses, pants, and shirts does not mean you must make tough choices about which articles will live on a hanger. Instead of potentially ruining or, at the very least, wrinkling your favorite pieces of clothing, get a smarter hanger like this collapsible one.
It takes up no space on the rod but gives you enough hooks to hang four times the pieces you'd hang on one regular hanger. Get hangers that pair well together so your closet doesn't look mismatched.
"Matching hangers are the easiest way to make your closet look like it belongs in a magazine since you get the added benefit of saving space on a hanging rod," Shearer says.
Similar to the idea above, a pull-out hanging rack is a clever storage solution—especially if you have a lot of pants. While it may take up more room than a single hanger, it offers much more in return. For one, sliding it out gives you a full view of your pants without needing to dig through the rack. And because the edge is open, you can grab what you need without any tugging or wasted effort.
This one may be a bit niche, but anyone who collects hats—specifically baseball hats—could really benefit from these nifty hooks. To use them, slide the loop on the back of the cap onto the hook and stack as many as you can. This way, you save valuable shelf space and make use of your wall.
Anyone with a few beloved sweaters knows that nothing will ruin cashmere like a hanger. That imprint it makes in the fabric will never go away. Instead, opt for a set of hanging cubbies, which are the perfect size for a few folded sweaters.
As much as we love a classic over-the-door shoe rack, it has one major downfall: It's meant only for flat shoes, like ballerinas or sneakers. If you have a sizable collection of heels, an over-the-door shoe rack is not your friend. At $123, this one is a bit pricey, but it is meant for all shoes, no matter the heel height.
Even if you only have a few purses, a purse organizer is a must. Without one, you're forced to lay your purses on their side, which may cause the shape to deform over time, or hang them on hooks, which will eventually cause an unsightly point in the strap. These purse organizers are adjustable, so if you have purses of different widths, this is the perfect solution.
We love stackable baskets because there's so much you can do with them. Whether you fill them with workout clothes, socks, sweaters, or anything else you need regularly, you'll be glad to have these on hand. No assembly is required; just snap the pieces into place and stack the baskets accordingly.
Though some like to roll their belts into a perfect circle and stick them in a drawer, we are fans of racks accented with hooks to avoid the crease marks and hard-to-undo rounded shape. By hanging your belts, you don't have to deal with the constant curl.
Small closets don't always allow you to keep your summer and winter clothes out. So, if you're looking for somewhere to store your warm-weather clothes when it's cold outside, get a set of these fabric storage bins and put them on the top shelf of your small closet.
No space for a jewelry box? No problem. Just install this drawer under an easy-to-reach shelf. It has enough compartments for everything, including a long necklace.
If you have enough space to slide one of these drawer systems under your hanging rod, do it. They are so convenient and perfectly sized for anything you need daily, such as pajamas, underwear, socks, or whatever.
A clothes rack may not seem like the most practical purchase for a small closet, but hear us out: If you like to plan your outfits the night before, this is a must. It also makes packing for trips much easier because you can see all the pieces you want to bring at once before putting them in your suitcase.
We have storage options for flats, heels, and now boots. You may be able to sneak some of the ankle-height ones onto the previously recommended shoe racks, but for knee-height alternatives, stick them on these pegs—they won't bend and become brittle.
These drawers may look tricky because there is definitely some DIY involved, but once they're installed, you'll be so glad you broke out the power drill. First, start with the vertical pieces that you drill into the wall (just make sure you're using an anchor so you don't end up tearing the drywall). Next, place the drawers wherever you want; you have options.
If you don't have a dedicated coat closet, feel free to neatly fold them up and pop them into these lidded storage bins so that you can use the closet space on more seasonally appropriate pieces.
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