Inspirational Closets

Jonny Valiant

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

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Use Proper Hangers

Blouses and skirts hanging on double rods

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

Formula Z/S

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

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Stack Shoe Boxes

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

Bob Hiemstra

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

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Customize Drawers

Bob Hiemstra

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

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Hang Bags on Hooks

Burcu Avsar

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

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Capitalize on Every Inch

Annie Schlechter

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

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See Your Shoes

Bob Hiemstra

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

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Hang a Shoe Shelf

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

Frances Janisch

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

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Keep Clothes From Stretching

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

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

Jeff McNamara

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

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Start Labeling

Scogin Mayo

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

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Turn to Shelf Dividers

Scogin Mayo

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

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Categorize Clothing

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

Scogin Mayo

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

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Think Creatively With Storage

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

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

Jeff McNamara

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

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Work the Walls

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

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

David Prince

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

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Hang Boots Above the Ground

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

Annie Schlechter

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

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

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

Annie Schlechter

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

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Conceal Secret Storage

Jeff McNamara

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

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Make the Vacuum Accessible

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

Bob Hiemstra

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

Replay gallery

31 Ways to Make Over Your Closets

1 of 32

Use Proper Hangers

2 of 32

Mount a Pegboard

3 of 32

Stack Shoe Boxes

4 of 32

Store Accessories in Clear Plastic Drawers

5 of 32

Customize Drawers

6 of 32

Hang Bags on Hooks

7 of 32

Capitalize on Every Inch

8 of 32

See Your Shoes

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Hang a Shoe Shelf

10 of 32

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

27 of 32

Corral Mops and Brooms

28 of 32

Bring Order to an Overpacked Space

29 of 32

Conceal Secret Storage

30 of 32

Make the Vacuum Accessible

31 of 32

Eliminate Clutter

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