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31 Ways to Make Over Your Closets

31 Ways to Make Over Your Closets

By Real Simple

Updated November 17, 2016

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Credit: Bob Hiemstra

Closets can be the bane of your existence. Steal some ideas from those pictured here.

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Use Proper Hangers

Credit: Bob Hiemstra

Proper clothing care calls for appropriate hangers: satin padding for more delicate items and sturdy wood hangers for tailored jackets.

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Mount a Pegboard

Credit: Formula Z/S

Pegboard mounted inside a closet door creates an inexpensive mini-dressing station.

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Stack Shoe Boxes

Credit: Frances Janisch

Slim plastic shoe boxes stack compactly, while hanging canvas shelves offer an inexpensive alternative to built-ins.

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Store Accessories in Clear Plastic Drawers

Credit: Bob Hiemstra

Clear plastic drawers make perfect storage quarters for neatly rolled scarves, underwear, and belts.

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Customize Drawers

Credit: Bob Hiemstra

One smart solution to a storage crunch: a customizable unit of wire drawers.

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Hang Bags on Hooks

Credit: Burcu Avsar

Durable hooks keep large bags from slumping and losing shape on shelves.

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Capitalize on Every Inch

Credit: Annie Schlechter

Even tight closets can be kept in check with helpers like bins and hanging shelves.

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See Your Shoes

Credit: Bob Hiemstra

A slanted plywood platform lets you take in your shoe collection at a glance.

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Hang a Shoe Shelf

Credit: Bob Hiemstra

A shorter version of the traditional hanging shoe shelf is perfect for double-hung closet rods.

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Stow Out-of-Season Pieces

Credit: Frances Janisch

Use large canvas boxes to store away neatly folded winter sweaters.

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Keep Clothes From Stretching

Credit: Bob Hiemstra

Canvas shelves, like this set with drawers, hold sweaters, T-shirts, and other clothing items that might stretch on a hanger.

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Gain Extra Space

Credit: Frances Janisch

Gain extra space in small closets by using slim hangers and stackable bins with pull-out drawers.

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Hang A Mirror

Credit: Jeff McNamara

A walk-in closet becomes a dressing area with the simple addition of a mirror.

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Start Labeling

Credit: Scogin Mayo

Employ gold plates and a label maker for the ultimate closet organization.

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Turn to Shelf Dividers

Credit: Scogin Mayo

Shelf dividers prevent leaning towers of cashmere and keep unruly items in their place.

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Categorize Clothing

Credit: Scogin Mayo

Group clothing by category―dress pants, jeans, casual shirts, work tops―to make putting together outfits easier.

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Color-Code Your Wardrobe

Credit: Scogin Mayo

Another take on organizing: Arrange clothes by color, from light to dark.

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Think Creatively With Storage

Credit: William Abranowicz

An armoire provides extra storage space in the bedroom; use baskets to collect odds and ends.

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Keep a Ladder Inside the Closet

Credit: Jeff McNamara

For little legs, stow a collapsible step ladder just inside a closet door, and place high-wear items―like baseball caps―in easy-to-access spots.

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Keep Toys Within Reach

Credit: Jeff McNamara

Keep toys in low drawers so they’re easy to take out (and put away).

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Work the Walls

Credit: Scogin Mayo

Up-to-the-ceiling cabinets, offering maximized storage space, are reached with a library-type ladder.

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Take Advantage of Doors

Credit: Bob Hiemstra

An over-the-door rack makes the most of the unused space behind a closet door.

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Store Sports Equipment

Credit: David Prince

Another use for it: Store bats, balls, helmets, and other sports gear.

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Hang Boots Above the Ground

Credit: David Prince

A neat way to store clunky rain boots off a closet floor: a metal shoe rack that affixes to the wall.

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Streamline a Coat Closet

A simple strategy (store less-used items up top and popular outerwear in a grab-and-go locale) and well-chosen hardware (like back-of-the-door hooks) streamline a coat closet.

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Organize Cleaning Supplies

Credit: David Prince

An organized broom closet allows you to quickly find the cleaning supplies you need―saving you precious time on a Saturday.

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Corral Mops and Brooms

Credit: David Prince

Keep mops and brooms corralled in a holder attached to the back of a door.

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Bring Order to an Overpacked Space

Credit: Annie Schlechter

Shaped like oversized magazine boxes, canvas bins bring order to an overpacked closet.

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Conceal Secret Storage

Credit: Jeff McNamara

Use an upright plastic bin―tucked into a closet corner―to harbor your umbrellas.

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Make the Vacuum Accessible

Credit: Jeff McNamara

Position your vacuum cleaner so it’s easy to get to, hanging the hose on a hook to free up floor space.

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Eliminate Clutter

Credit: Bob Hiemstra

Closet Nirvana? To streamline your space, constantly eliminate clutter: Every three to four months donate unused items to charity.

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31 Ways to Make Over Your Closets

1 of 31

Use Proper Hangers

1 of 31

2 of 31

Mount a Pegboard

2 of 31

3 of 31

Stack Shoe Boxes

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Store Accessories in Clear Plastic Drawers

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Customize Drawers

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Hang Bags on Hooks

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Capitalize on Every Inch

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See Your Shoes

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Hang a Shoe Shelf

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Stow Out-of-Season Pieces

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Keep Clothes From Stretching

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Gain Extra Space

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Hang A Mirror

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Start Labeling

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Turn to Shelf Dividers

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Categorize Clothing

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Color-Code Your Wardrobe

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Think Creatively With Storage

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Keep a Ladder Inside the Closet

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Keep Toys Within Reach

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Work the Walls

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Take Advantage of Doors

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Store Sports Equipment

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Hang Boots Above the Ground

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Streamline a Coat Closet

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Organize Cleaning Supplies