If you ask today’s homebuyers what they want most, storage space nearly always appears near the top of the list. However, if you bought an older house or have a small apartment, you might find your closets lacking in size. If you don’t plan to move anytime soon, how can you make the most of what you have? 

You can complete the seven upgrades below with minimal time and effort. You won’t need to hire a carpenter or invest in pricey organizers, either. Here’s how to maximize the available space in any closet. 

1. Use the Back of Your Door 

One side of your closet contains rods and hooks galore, but you have an open space you can put to use at the front. You can store a ton of things on the back of your closet door, as an over-the-door organizer can hold your handbags, scarves or belts. 

You can hang small plastic containers — the type that holds office supplies — to hang costume jewelry.  

2. Build Custom Shelves 

Sometimes, you require select spaces custom-made for delicate items. For example, if you have a new straw hat, it needs to rest upside down in a cool, dark place, and you don’t want your spouse casually tossing his jacket on top of it. 

While you will need to swing a hammer a bit, you can find shelf kits at many major retailers that make the task a snap, even for novices. 

3. Invest in Upgraded Hangers

A single row of plastic hangers can quickly fill your entire closet with only a few outfits. However, you can find wooden pants hangers that contain multiple tiers to hang several pairs. You can also find multilayered ladder-style models for your tops — they look similar to store window displays. 

If you find your clothes get bent out of shape from traditional models, you can add padding using fabric or even castaway bubble wrap from your last delivery. 

4. Get Creative With Your Available Space 

If you find you’re restricted by the tight constraints of your closet, you can always use other areas of your home for storage. Get creative with your use of space.  

For example, a well-insulated garage can double as a storage unit if you need to keep your belongings in a dark, dry place. You may have to take extra steps for climate control, however. It’s also important to ensure security if you intend to store any valuables. Install a door devil, buy a key fob or set up an alarm if necessary. 

5. Use Boxes and Baskets 

If you love to accessorize, you probably have a ton of scarves, belts and more scattered about your storage space. Use boxes and baskets to get these items organized. For example, you can roll up T-shirts and place them in a corner basket to save your available drawer space for more delicate items. 

Have you recently bought a case of wine because life in quarantine requires a little tipple now and then? Save the inserts that separate the bottles. You can use them in a sturdy wooden box or plastic bin to serve as shoe dividers. You can also place an old wine rack in your closet and use it to hold rolled-up socks. No more digging around to find the missing mate for each pair.

6. Store Shoes in Suitcases 

If you put shoes on one shelf and your suitcases on another, you’re out of space faster than you can shout.  Why not put your footwear inside your travel gear? Unless you fly off on business trips twice weekly, your luggage probably gathers dust most of the year. 

If you want to be even more space-conscious, you can install a shelf above the inside of your closet door. Once you put your shoes in your suitcases and hoist them up, it’s like you’ve added secondary storage space to your home. 

7. Put the Floor to Use 

As above, so below — when it comes to looking for more storage space, that is. If you have 2 feet or more below your last hem sitting open, why not add a shelf to the bottom of your closet? 

If you haven’t held a hammer since the last time you bruised your thumb, you can use plastic milk crates to create cubbies and an extra landing pad at once. One trip to the department store can leave you with enough room for that extra pair of Air Jordans you’ve had your eye on forever. 

Maximize Your Available Closet Space With These Tips

If you have a small pad with even tinier storage space, don’t despair. You can organize everything neatly with room to spare by using these tips.

Author: Dylan Bartlett

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