Not everyone has wardrobe space and a closet organizing team like Hannah Montana. Some of us need to work on our organizing skills. Others have limited closet space, and even worse, we sometimes hoard and fill up our storage areas.
While these are common closet dilemmas, there are foolproof workarounds that are tried and tested by professional wardrobe organizers. If you’re in need of reorganizing, you came to the right place.
For Pieces In Rotation
1. Dividers for Undergarments
Are your socks and stockings just scattered or stretched out? How about boxers or briefs that look weird when you fold them? Do your bras and panties form into odd shapes when stored? To address this, you can use dividers for your undergarments so that they look more orderly and natural.
Wine boxes or cardboards of your old gadgets make good dividers for undergarments. If you have bigger or bulkier undergarments, like shapewear for girls or jockstraps/supporters for boys, then get bigger dividers to accommodate your bulky belongings.
2. Shower Curtain Rings for Scarves & Handkerchiefs
Do you have way too few handkerchiefs to have a designated spot in your drawer? Does it look awkward if you hang scarves in one large hanger? Get your old shower curtain and take off its plastic rings. You can hang multiple scarves and handkerchiefs in one big hanger.
If you’re feeling a little more artistic (and if you’re also willing to shell out a little more), then have your scarves framed like Heart Evangelista, or hung on the walls like Maggie Wilson. This doubles in function: freeing up space and giving a pop of color to your otherwise plain walls.
3. Soda Tabs for Belts
If you don’t have those panel hooks behind your door, then make use of your Coke or Pepsi cans instead. Wash and collect the tabs, then attach them onto your hanger. You now have a double-purpose belt and shirt hanger. This way, you can easily coordinate your outfits, too!
Side note: these soda tabs aren’t just for belts, though. You can also hang another hanger on them, especially if you’re short on space. Just make sure that your hangers are sturdy and made of good materials.
4. Hanging Wall Pouches for Regular Footwear
Instead of a bulky, dust-collecting shoe rack, you can save ground space and put your favorite flip-flops, ballet flats, and sandals on your walls. Use your hooks or nails to hang the vertical pouches, and then insert your regularly used footwear in them.
For convenience, place these vertical pouches in strategic locations. For example, put the footwear that you use regularly when you go out of the house near the door. If you workout, place the pouches near your exercise spot so you can put your sports shoes there as well.
5. Shelves for Bags, Eyewear, & Accessories
Whether it’s for regular or occasional use, your bags, eyewear, and accessories are ideally placed in easy access spaces. A good way to do this is to put them on shelves. These shelves can be mounted on a wall, or attached inside your closet.
If you want to, make personalized stands or boxes for these pieces. If you still have the original containers that you bought them with, then make use of it. But if you don’t, then consider purchasing them or just DIY if you’re good with your hands.
For Off-Season Pieces
6. Closed Containers for Special Footwear
Not all footwear is created equal. While some can be easily stored in vertical pouches, others need a little more TLC, like your power pumps, combat boots, or higher-end sports shoes.
It’s best to keep them in their shoeboxes, with stuffings and desiccants like silica grains or gel, so you maintain the shape of your shoes and at the same time, keep the pesky insects at bay.
7. Multiple Pieces of Swimwear in One Hanger
During wet or cold seasons, your favorite swimsuits are usually hibernating in the closet. These swimsuits may look great on you, but they can be an eyesore when stored. To counter this, hang multiple swimsuits in one hanger.
This works especially well on string bikinis. However, if you own one-piece swimwear, just swimsuits without strings, you can still attach them together in one hanger using clothespins. If your hangers have built-in clothespins, then better.
8. See-Through Plastic Containers For Duffel Bags & Luggage
These large bags for sports and travel take up so much wardrobe space. What you can do is take them out of the closet and place them in the corners of your home that you don’t really use. Put them under the bed, on top of the closet, or inside unused cabinets.
If the time comes and you need to go out of town, have a sweat session with friends, or attend sports tryouts, then you can bring out your duffel bags and luggage. To spot these large bags easily, store them in transparent containers. This way, you can protect your big bags from dust and scratches.
9. Hanging Garment Bags for Suits & Tuxedos
Suits and tuxedos are made of sensitive materials. If you need to attend a corporate event or a wedding, your Americana must be ready to use: dust-free, crease-free and lint-free. To keep them in mint condition, keep the garment bags that come with your suits and tuxedos.
If your job requires you to be in corporate attire, then these are in your rotation. Keep a lint roller, use a steam iron, and wash your pieces with mild detergent. But for the others, keeping your suits and tuxedos in their protective bags would suffice.
10. Two Hangers For Long Coats & Maxi Dresses/Skirts
Some closet spaces are not friendly to long pieces of garment. But there’s a good workaround for this. Hang your flowy midi or maxi on a regular hanger, then smoothly slide in another hanger through the garment until you reach the middle. Let it drape and make sure it doesn’t completely fold to keep it crease-free.
If your coat is not flowy (like most thick and heavy coats that are made for cold places) then try using more hangers and make them bigger as well. If it still won’t work, then hang it in an area that you don’t frequent so it's not prone to damage.
11. Special Boxes for Gowns & Costumes
Do you still have your unicorn onesies from 2017? How about your custom-made dress from your senior prom? Or your cosplay staples? Unless your job requires you to wear gowns or costumes at work everyday, it’s unlikely that you’ll be needing them anytime soon.
Designate a big box for the clothes you use on special occasions. Don’t just crumple the pieces and push them forcefully in boxes hoping that they fit. Fold them in a way that maintains their form and keeps them wrinkle-free.
How Would You Do It?
We didn’t miss anything, did we? Which hacks do you think you are going to pick up and apply IRL? What do you think is the best hack in this list? Hopefully this inspired you to save more wardrobe space without compromising on aesthetics.
Sources:
Brougham, R. (2019, March 20). 12 Awesome Closet Storage Hacks. Family Handyman. https://www.familyhandyman.com/list/12-awesome-closet-storage-hacks/
Brown, N. (2021, June 28). 25 Brilliant Lifehacks For Your Tiny Closet. BuzzFeed. https://www.buzzfeed.com/twopoodles/hacks-for-your-tiny-closet
Garrity, A. (2020, February 19). 30 Smart Closet Organizer Ideas to Maximize Your Storage Space. Good Housekeeping. https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/organizing/g2171/diy-closet-organizers/
Goldstone, P. (2017, May 15). 13 style storage hacks that will change your life. Marie Claire. https://www.marieclaire.co.uk/fashion/wardrobe-closet-storage-hacks-clothes-506389
Nystul, J. (2021, June 12). 8 Brilliant Closet Organization Hacks. One Good Thing by Jillee. https://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/8-brilliant-closet-hacks/