Here are 15 creative closet storage hacks that will help you store more items and stay organized.
15 Clever Closet Storage Hacks
Published on Feb. 28, 2025
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Add Levels
“Using the vertical space available to you in your closet is an excellent way to increase the available storage,” Saltman says. “One of my favorite hacks is to use clear drawer storage bins to store away your out-of-season shoes.” Also, consider adding some shelves and drawers among the hanging clothes. This will help break up the space and allow you to fold items such as jeans and sweaters, so they don’t take up space on hangers.
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Use a Bookshelf for Storage
Adding more storage is a crucial step for decluttering your closet. Here’s a clever IKEA hack that uses an IKEA bookshelf in the closet for extra storage. “More segmented than a bookshelf and also deeper, they can be outfitted with drawers, cupboard doors or dividers to section them off even more,” Adams says, “They also come in a variety of colors.” Try using multiple bookcases if you have the space to store items such as bags, shoes and folded clothing.
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Hang Clothes with Shower Ring Hooks
Here’s a great way to hang all those tank tops and scarves in your closet: Clip plastic shower rings on a hanger, put scarves through the rings, unclip, put the ring through tank top armholes and reclip. Place the hanger at the end of the closet rod with all your shirts.
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Add-On Clothes Rod
Don’t let that unused space beneath your hanging clothes go to waste—maximize your closet’s potential by adding a second clothes rod. You can easily install this extra rod by using a chain and S-hooks to suspend it from the top rod, giving you more space for shorter items like shirts, pants, or accessories. Adjust the height to suit your needs, creating extra storage and keeping everything within reach while keeping your closet organized.
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Soda Tab Hangers
Repurpose the opener tabs from soda cans and use them to maximize closet space. Simply slip a tab over the hook of a hanger, and then hang a second hanger on the tab. This clever trick lets you double the hanging capacity in the same amount of space, perfect for maximizing small closets or keeping seasonal items organized. It’s a simple, free solution to create extra room for your clothes without cluttering your closet!
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Twin Closet Shelves
Build closet shelves that double your storage space with these plans for twin shelves. You can make use of every inch of closet real estate, allowing you to store twice as much as before. Whether it’s shoes, folded clothes or accessories, these shelves help keep everything organized and easy to access, making the most out of your closet.
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Wine Dividers
Before you toss those cardboard wine dividers in the recycling bin, consider reusing them for a smart, DIY shoe storage solution. If you’re struggling to keep shoes organized in your child’s closet, simply place the dividers into a basket or tub. The sections will create neat compartments for each pair, helping to keep shoes organized and easily accessible. It’s an eco-friendly and free way to repurpose materials while improving closet organization.
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Wire Shelf
A wire shelf is an inexpensive way to add a storage level to your closet. However, a wire shelf is even more useful, along with a rod for hanging clothes beneath it. For a simple way to add a clothes’ rod that requires no special tools, use zip ties. Take a curtain rod and suspend it from the wire shelf using loops of zip ties for a simple and inexpensive storage hack.
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Pegboard
You may already use pegboard in your garage or pantry for storage, so try adding some to your closet. Add some hooks to organize jewelry and scarves. You can even install the pegboard on the back of the closet door. “Be sure to paint your pegboard to either match your wall color or for a complimentary color to add a decorative touch to your closet,” Saltman says.
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Labeled Bins
Use labeled bins to store seasonal items you’re not currently using. When the season changes, swap the items. Bins are also great for storing shoes, hats, bags and socks. Make sure the bins are stackable to take advantage of any vertical space at the top of your closet. Simply stack the bins on your highest shelf to store off-season clothes in an otherwise seldom-used space.
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Hanger hacks
Start with all your clothes hangers pointing the same way. Once you wear something, put the hook in the opposite direction when you hang it back up. If you haven’t worn something in six months, toss or donate it.
Saltman suggests using matching color hangers for a more streamlined look. “And even better, go for slimmer hangers which actually take up less space in your closet allowing you to hang up more items without them getting wrinkled,” she adds.
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Belt Rod and Tie Racks
Try adding a short rod or towel bar in the back of your closet or even on the back of your closet door. Add some S-hooks and use the rod to hang belts or scarves. “Be sure to organize the belts by color or material, so you can quickly find exactly what you are looking for,” Saltman says. Adams likes to add a tie rack to her closets when possible. “If you have space on your closet wall, a tie rack can provide nice storage for necklaces,” she says.
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Add shelves to dead space
Closets often have extended spaces to the left and right of door openings. This dead space can be awkward to use, but should be part of any closet storage planning. Consider adding wood or wire shelves to these closet nooks to store shoes, bedding or off-season clothing. This can also be a great place to store hats. “Use the wall space to add clips to hold your baseball hats. They will be easy to see, and it’s nice to have a dedicated place for your collection,” Saltman says.
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Behind the Door Storage
If your closet has hinged doors, take advantage of the storage space on the backside of the door. “Shoes can be stored effectively in organizers that hang over the door, either on the inside or outside of your door,” Adams says. “But their use doesn’t have to be limited to shoes. They’re a great place to store scarves, gloves, even small clutch purses.” Also consider hanging a mesh jewelry rack behind the door for a space-saving jewelry storage solution.
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Add a Rolling Cart
A kitchen cart or utility cart on wheels could be a great storage addition to your closet, if it will fit. This can be a great place to store accessories or even as a mobile makeup station that you can wheel out when you need it, and tuck away when you don’t. This can be a practical way to add flexible extra storage without giving up any floor space.
About the Experts
- Lauren Saltman is a professional organizer and owner of Living. Simplified., a personal home organizing company focusing on providing busy families and retirees personalized systems for their homes.
- Janine Adams is a Certified Professional Organizer and owner of Peace of Mind Organizing in St. Louis, Missouri. She has been a three-time President of the St. Louis Chapter of the National Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals (NAPO), as well as appeared on A&E’s Hoarders and TLC’s Hoarders:Buried Alive.
