25 Ideas for Organizing Your Walk- In Closet

Take It EASE-y

Chances are you have heard of Japanese tidying expert Marie Kondo and her highly acclaimed Koni-Mari Method of decluttering. If you have trouble deciding what sparks joy in your life, you might want to try following the EASE method.

Start by Emptying your closet so you can Assess every item, deciding what you want to keep, donate or toss. The next step is to Systemize your closet by categorizing your belongings. Finally, it’s time for Expansion to see how you can best use any extra space for storage. After all, when space is limited there are only so many places to put your stuff. 

Sort It Out

Once you determine exactly what you want to keep, you will need to come up with an organizational plan. Reader’s Digest recommends organizing your walk-in closet like a clothing store, with different sections based on clothing categories.

For example, hang all of your shirts in one place, pants in another, and women may want to add separate sections for their dresses and skirts. Within each area, sort items by their purpose. This means separating work attire from your casual wear and exercise clothes.

The home design experts at HGTV take this system one step further, suggesting that in addition to sorting by occasion you also organize by color. This makes assembling outfits a breeze.

Another great tip is to install hooks in your closet to plan out your #OOTD (outfit of the day). You can decide exactly what you are going to wear – all the way down to the accessories – in advance. This will save precious time when getting ready in the morning and ensure that you always look your best. Hooks or pegs are also great for holding fashionable hats which, otherwise, would take up too much shelf space.

Additionally, take advantage of double hanging rods to maximize space and better organize your wardrobe. Many people prefer to put shirts up top and pants down below, but feel free to do what’s best for you. Just be sure to keep whatever you use the most within easy reach.

Slide-out pants racks are another great option. They may take up a bit more space than traditional hangers, but if you have a walk-in closet then you have room for these rolling racks which make it super easy to access your pants as each pair slides right out. Plus, they look super fancy too. 

Again, if you are lucky enough to have a walk-in closet, you will want to take full advantage of all the extra space it affords by adding drawers and cabinets. You can easily create your own custom dresser, complete with lingerie drawers and drawer organizers to hold workout clothes, t-shirts, pajamas, or other items that do not necessarily need to be neatly folded.

Adjustable shelves are another walk-in closet staple, and the best part is they can easily be disguised behind cabinet doors. They're definitely a versatile storage solution as sweaters, sweatshirts and even jeans can be neatly folded and placed on a shelf at varying heights.

Show It Off

Blame it on reality TV or Carrie Bradshaw from Sex in the City, but walk-in closets today tend to closely resemble boutiques. Homeowners are looking to showcase their collections, whether it be designer handbags or athletic shoes. Fortunately, you do not need to sacrifice form over function when organizing your walk-in closet.

Seriously, how could you not smile every time you walk into your closet and spot your favorite purses or shoes on display behind glass doors in their very own custom curio cabinets complete with spotlights shining down or LED glass shelves? You don’t necessarily need something so elaborate, but a walk-in closet definitely affords you the room to place your most treasured items from and center.

If you're a shoe lover, then your walk-in closet is calling out for shoe fences. The wire guards securely hold your shoes in place so they don't slip off of a shelf. Store your shoes heel to toe. Not only does this look super cool, but you can fit more shoes on a shelf this way. Shoe organizers are another great option for organizing everyday footwear. 

Hide It Away

While your designer shoes and purses may be calling out for attention, there are some things in your walk-in closet that are best hidden away. The number one thing is surely dirty laundry. Built-in laundry organizers are the perfect solution. These roll-out containers are concealed within cabinets, freeing up floor space because you no longer need a laundry hamper or basket.

Storage bins are another great organizational solution.  Fabric bins are more suitable over wire or wicker because the fabric won't snag or damage your clothes. Plus, matching fabric bins are aesthetically pleasing.

Depending upon the size of your walk-in closet, you might have room for an island. These cabinet pieces can be used in more areas, aside from the kitchen. Homeowners are now adopting islands for their closets because they offer extra storage space with built-in drawers or cabinets. 

Besides the extra storage, the top of a closet island is the perfect place to fold your laundry. It can also serve as a landing zone for packages before you put away your new purchases. Some homeowners are even incorporating a bench into their island so they have a place to sit down and put on shoes and tie up laces.

Even if you don’t have the space for an actual island, you should have enough room for a storage ottoman. These dual-purpose pieces of furniture are perfect because they provide a place to sit down, but you can also store items inside such as flip-flops, bathing suits, or other miscellaneous things you don’t need all the time. 

Bring on The Bling

A walk-in closet may also afford you the space for a vanity. This could be a desk-like table with a small chair or stool or a specially designed cabinet area with drawers for jewelry trays or an organizer for your sunglasses. By adding proper lighting and a mirror, this vanity space could even be a beautiful place to do your make-up.

Speaking of mirrors, every walk-in closet should feature a full-length mirror. Not only is this a necessity to make sure you look good before you leave the house, but it will also make your closet feel bigger and more luxurious. 

Conclusion

Numerous benefits accompany having a well-organized walk-in closet. Take advantage of the tools and organizational tips available today and, who knows, you just might be able to sell your home at a higher price to boot!

Sources

• https://www.hgtv.com/design/rooms/other-rooms/17-ways-to-maximize-storage-in-your-walk-in-closet-pictures
• https://konmari.com/about-the-konmari-method/
• https://www.rd.com/article/walk-in-closet-organization-ideas/