Steps to Improve Your Closet Storage

Find the most efficient use of space in your closet. You can utilize spaces that you have not considered before to make a space for everything. The goal is for everything to have adequate space in the closet. Keep things organized while simultaneously making it easy to keep organized, which is often the challenge of closet organization. Homes are built, generally, without storage needs in mind. But, you don't necessarily need more closets to create storage space, just modify what you have to fit your stuff.

1) Think outside the box. The days of the closet rod with an upper shelf are gone. Trying to store anything in there besides hanging clothes, a few blankets and your shoes, is impossible. Look at closet designs that might fit your needs. The internet can help you come up with solutions to some of your biggest problems.

2) Start in the center and work your way out. A good way to figure out which closet design will be best for you is to lay out your items on the bed to visualize where certain things should go. Start in the center with the things that you use most often. If you are using bins for socks, ties or underwear, you may want to put these down lower near the center so that you can easily peer into the bin and pick out what you need. Clothing that you wear often should be in the middle also, so that it is easily accessible. Items that are rarely used can be put in back corners or up high on shelves.

3) Create storage for bulky items. Some things just rob you of space. Big empty suitcases are common storage hogs. You can move things like this underneath the bed or into the garage. If you're worried about pests, dust or dampness affecting your luggage, store it in a large trash bag, tightly sealed with cedar closet accessories inside.

4) Make spaces for smaller items. Little things can be kept in bins or on a small series of shelves in the closet. If you have installed shelves, consider adding a drop-down shelf underneath for storing small items.

5) Discover nooks and crannies that can be used for storage. You can simply rearrange clothing to make more space. Hanging pants all together opens up space beneath them for shelving or a taller shoe rack. Adding a belt and tie rack or hooks on the inside front wall of the closet can keep things neatly stored without using any space. You can easily add some corner shelves to the front corners of your closet to make more storage areas for additional items.

6) Utilize closet accessories that help you make the most of the space. Using metal hangers or other slim, strong hangers will keep your clothes as skinny as possible on the bar, creating space where you didn't know you had it before. You can keep winter coats and suits on cedar hangers to keep their shape and protect them from damage, but use a metal hanger for everyday items.