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Space-Saving Closet Organization Strategies
Closets packed with clothes, shoes, and who-knows-what-no-longer-recognizable-things…
Closets stuffed so full, you don’t even know where to start?
Closets are so out of control, there are empty shelves because you can’t find anything to put on them.
You’re not alone. If organization of living spaces is important to families, then it’s safe to say that closets are a major issue in the modern family home.
What’s the secret?
The right space-saving strategies for organization in family closets.
The good news is that these solutions don’t take a huge investment in time, money, or effort. You just need some planning and the right approach.
In this post:
- Understanding Your Family’s Closet Needs
- The Best Space-Saving Closet Organization Solutions
- Smart Storage Systems for Families of All Sizes
- Make the Most of Vertical Space in Your Closet
Why Organization in Families’ Closets Is Such a Challenge
Before getting into the best space-saving strategies for families’ closets, let’s face it…
Closets in family homes are a completely different beast.
Closets need to store multiples of everything for multiple people. Multiple clothing sizes, different types of clothing, shoes, jackets, bags, and random things.
Closets in family homes get even more out of control as children get older. Their sizes change so quickly, and you end up with so much stuff that you’re not even sure what to do with it.
Most families approach closets with the same strategy: shelves for folded items, a hanging rod for hanging clothes.
Shelves, rod, done. Hang everything you can, fold up the rest. And the stuff you don’t know what to do with? Oh well, there goes the floor of the closet.
The problem is that’s never going to work. Because if you don’t have the right system in place for families’ closets, then it will never function. Ever.
Your closet will become a black hole, where you lose items.
Now let’s look at some of the specific strategies.
And, as a reminder, when it comes time to do a full home improvement project on family closets, consider professionals like A Better Closet of Birmingham, who are experts in custom closet designs and know all the best ways to optimize your space while meeting family needs.
You don’t want to make some of the common mistakes most people do, so get some expert advice.
Strategy #1: Maximize Vertical Space in Your Closet
First of all, let’s talk about vertical space in the closet.
You’re probably not using it to your advantage. In fact, most people completely ignore 40% of their closet space by not using vertical space.
If you take a look at most closets, then you’ll see this massive gap between the top shelf, or hanging rod, and the top of the closet. And it’s just there collecting dust.
Fix this by:
- Installing a double hanging rod instantly doubles your hanging space. This is especially good for kids’ clothes, since they don’t need full-length hanging space.
- Adding shelving all the way up to the ceiling. Yup, you’ll need a step stool to reach the top shelves. But hey, that’s where you store off-season items and the things you don’t need quick access to.
- Install over-the-door organizers. Perfect for shoes, accessories, and those little things that end up creating clutter.
- Remember, maximize vertical space, all the way to the top of the closet. Every inch you can use will help with space saving for family closets.
Strategy #2: Choose Modular Closet Systems that Adapt
Want the inside scoop?
The best closet systems are modular, which means they adapt as family needs change.
And with plenty of closet system options out there, there’s something for every family.
The key to these modular systems is:
- Adjustable. Adjustable shelving and hanging rods. As kids grow taller, you can raise them. No wasted space. No kids who can’t reach their own clothes.
- Expandable. Start small and add as the family grows. Drawer space? Shelf space? Shoe storage? Modular systems allow you to customize and expand as needs change.
- Customizable. Every family is different. You may need more hanging space, or another family member may need more shelves. Modular systems can be exactly what you need.
Strategy #3: Smart Storage Solutions for Different Ages
Here’s the best-kept secret…
Closets for toddlers are nothing like the closets teenagers will need.
And yet most families use the same organization strategy for all their kids.
Smart storage solutions for young children (ages 2-7)
- Everything in reach of the child – You can’t expect young children to organize their own clothing if they can’t even reach it. Install hanging rods lower, so they can hang up their own clothes.
- Label bins with pictures for toys and accessories. Little ones can’t read yet, so use pictures. And bins that are easily labeled, for sorting.
- Think low, accessible, easy to use by children themselves.
Smart storage solutions for tweens and teens (ages 8-18)
- More hanging space. Older kids care more about their clothing. They don’t want everything in drawers, all wrinkled. Hang up as much as you can.
- Hang a mirror on the inside of the closet door. Teens will use this. And it keeps them from leaving the door wide open all the time.
- A hamper, inside the closet. Make it easy for teens to toss dirty clothes without just dropping them on the floor.
Strategy #4: Drawers vs. Shelves in the Closet
Quick question, and one that can divide families right down the middle…
Drawers or shelves?
The answer: Both. And both in the right places.
- Drawers. Use these for undergarments, socks, pajamas, or anything you want protected from dust.
- Shelves. Open shelves work great for folded T-shirts and casual clothes. Bags and accessories. See at a glance.
- The key: Make items as easy to put away and find as possible. If it takes too many steps to find a space for an item, then it will just get dumped on the floor.
Strategy #5: Closet Rotation Strategies
What most families overlook…
You’re storing winter coats in July, and shorts and t-shirts in December.
You’re wasting valuable space that could be used for what you actually need, on things you can’t even use during that season.
Closet rotation. Seasonal rotation of family clothes. When spring and summer arrive, move winter coats up to the upper shelves. Storage bins. Pack away heavy sweaters and winter gear. Bring out swimsuits, shorts.
A simple rotation strategy will free up 30-40% more usable space in the closet, each season.
Strategy #6: Maintenance Rules That Work
Let’s not kid ourselves…
Organization in closets is not a one-time project. It takes maintenance.
You can make it easier, though. Make it a system with some simple rules:
- One-in-one-out rule. For every new item brought into the home, another must go. This is the only way to prevent the accumulation of stuff over time.
- Weekly 5-minute pickup. Set a timer and have everyone spend 5 minutes each week, putting things back where they belong. You’ll never again have to face an out-of-control, total disaster closet.
- Quarterly closet purge. Go through each family member’s closet every 3 months. Toss items that no longer fit, haven’t been worn, etc.
Getting Everyone in the Family On Board
And the biggest secret of all…
Organizational systems are only as good as the people using them.
You can create the best, most awesome closet ever. But if the family doesn’t know how to use it properly, you’ll be right back to square one in two weeks.
So make it simple. If the system is easy to use, people will use it.
Label everything. Everything. Even the obvious. Labels make people accountable, and you can’t “not know where something goes” when there’s a label.
Celebrate small victories. Does your child actually hang up their jacket without you asking? Make a huge deal about it.
Closet space saving is simple when you follow these strategies.
Organization in closets is an ongoing process, not a one-time thing.
It’s a system that must be maintained. And you have to be willing to do that maintenance.
Start with one closet, and get it perfect. Move to the next. Then next.
Pretty soon, every member of the family will have closets that are not just organized, but that actually make mornings easier, instead of adding to the stress.