Taking the Closet From Scary to Airy: After

Curtains Instead of Doors
Mounted slightly wider than the door frame, drapes make the closet look bigger, offer easy access, and add style to the space. Replacing a narrow upper shelf improves functionality: Fabric swatches live in clear-front containers, and artwork is protected in labeled white boxes.

Projects Filed Away
The right containers make all the difference when it comes to storing various materials: glass jars for easily lost items; open bins on the floor to keep underway projects findable and portable. Widely spaced shelves house supplies of all heights without that “stuffed in” stress.

Gift Wrap Taken Seriously
A wall-mounted bike rack serves as a wrapping-paper caddy. A trunk, its lid fitted with tension rods for ribbon, holds clear bins containing bows and cards; casters allow it to be rolled into the main space during holiday wrapping marathons. Off to the right is a hook for small gift bags.

To buy:   Cotton-canvas printed window panels in Scribble Lattice, $39 each, westelm.com. Linen drop-front sweater boxes (on high shelf, left), $30 each, containerstore.com. See Jane Work basic art boxes (white), $18 each, seejanework.com. Collapsible linen-closet storage bins (on floor), $22 each, greatusefulstuff.com. Ekby Järpen shelf with Gällö brackets, $45, ikea.com. Bike rack: Gray Screw Eyes hooks by Real Organized, $7 each, lowes.com. Super Jumbo Naked trunk, $313, wayfair.com. Our Shoe Boxes (in trunk), $2 each, containerstore.com. Wrapping paper, from $8 a roll, paper-source.com. Paint for closet interior: Valspar Woodsmoke EB482, $30 a gallon, lowes.com.