53 clever Closet Storage Ideas [get your closet organized – 2025]

Is your closet a disaster? If you need some ideas how to organize your closet – you’re in the right place. This article contains 53 clever closet organization ideas and closet storage ideas to help you.

The closet storage ideas are organized into:

• hanging closet organizers and clothes hangers
• storage cubes, drawers and baskets
• closet storage systems
• and more…

This article contains affiliate links. If you click a link and buy something I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more information please see the Disclosure page.

What are the best Closet Storage Ideas?

Below are 50+ closet storage ideas to help you get your closet organized.

A lot of the closet storage ideas in this article are targeted towards your bedroom closet, but many of these closet ideas will work for your linen closet, bathroom closet, utility closet, and coat closet too.

Not all of these closet organizers will appeal to you. Nor will you need all these organizers.

But scroll through to the end because I bet at least one of them will work for you.

(And remember, get rid of the closet clutter so you’re not trying to organize stuff you don’t need. This is one of the best tips I’ve heard about closet organization, but it can be one of the most challenging to implement.)

Hanging Closet Organizer Ideas and Clothes Hangers

A hanging closet organizer is a great way to instantly provide great storage and organization solutions – without tools!

Easily free up extra space using one of these clever closet organizers.

These types of closet organization ideas are great for renters who don’t want to put holes in the walls.

And they are some of the best closet organization ideas for small closets. So if you’re looking for small closet ideas, scroll through this section slowly.

Below I list various hanging closet organizers and closet shelving ideas that could help you finally get your closet organized.

Squiggly S-Shaped Clothes Hanger for Pants

These cool, snake-looking hangers are great way to hang your pants and keep them organized.

There is a spot to hang 5 pants per hanger, and you get 3 hangers per pack.

So buying this one 4-pack from devesanter will allow you to hang 20 pants.

If you hang 5 heavy pairs of pants (like jeans) on one hanger it may start to sag a bit and the pants slide off. (See further below to see a different pants hanger style.)

Do you need help storing your pants?

Metal Non-Sag No-slip Pants Hanger

This design builds upon the “S-type” pants hanger shown above, but address some of that design’s deficiencies.

It is supported on both sides so it is less likely to sag under the weight of heavier pants.

And there is a non-slip foam padding on the pant rails to stop your pants from sliding onto the floor. It is a well-designed pants storage idea for your closet.

This is a popular and well-rated pants hanger.

Space-saving Clothes Hangers (HOUSEDAY Magic Hangers)

The manufacturer of these space-saving clothes hangers claims you can save 80% closet space by using this vertical clothes hangers.

I haven’t run the test to verify this, but I do have similar ones in my closet, and yes, they do allow you hang a lot more clothes.

My complaint – a small complaint – is that I feel it makes it slightly harder to flick through my shirt to pick one out. But if lack of closet space is your issue then this will help.

I honestly don’t know who manufactured the ones I have. But the ones shown in the product picture below are made by HOUSE DAY. If you want a clothes hanger that works well in small spaces, check this out.

You can also get similar space-saving clothes hangers in metal. Click here to check out a popular metal hanger on Amazon.

DIY Closet Organizer Ideas – Use Aluminum Can Tabs to Increase Hanging Space

If you don’t have much space along your closet rod – because it’s stuffed with hangers – you can do something like this.

This is a clever DIY solution to increase hanging space in your closet.

You can use the tabs from soda or beer cans to give you some extra clothes-hanging potential.

(This may not work for you. It depends on the type of hangers you have. For instance, thick plastic hangers may not fit through the tabs.)

Need something to listen to while organizing your closet? Listen to some awesome books with a free Audible Trial. (Click the image below.)

Plastic Vertical Hanging Clip for clothes hangers (Cascading Clothes Hanger)

This product has the same idea as the other vertical hangers mentioned above, but a slight difference.

The other hangers with “eye-holes” requires you to thread your clothes hanger through the opening. This may not seem like much…but it’s a bit annoying.

This one has little hooks instead of eye-holes so you can simply set the hanger atop a hook.

These are sometimes called cascading clothes hangers. This 4-pack is made by a company with a great name, CraftyCrocodile.

Hanging Closet Organizer Shelves with side mesh pockets

Hanging shelves (like the ones shown above made by StorageWorks) are a great closet organizer because they instantly give you more storage options.

Do you have sweaters you don’t want to hang? Then great, you can put them on a shelf.

You can even tuck your underwear in the side mesh pockets.

This is StorageWorks’ 5-shelf JUMBO model. It has 15-inch wide shelves.

Hanging Closet Storage Shelves with 3 Drawers

There are a lot of different designs for hanging closest organizers. They have the same concept, but with some varied features.

The product shown above is another hanging shelf, but this one has 3 drawers that can slide into the shelves, and it has mesh pockets along the side.

This product shown above is the MONINXS hanging closet organizer.

The drawers are a great way to store smaller items like socks and underwear, and the side pockets would work for watches, scarves and accessories. But the unit does hang down almost 4-feet from your closet rod.

Will this work for you?

3-Shelf Hanging Closet Organizer (2-pack)

Hanging closet shelves can help you get an organized closet. But a tall hanging unit may go too close to the floor and get in the way.

Thankfully you can get a shorter 3-shelf hanging organizer like these ones from StorageWorks.

What’s cool about this hanging organizer is that each piece can be used individually as a 3-shelf organizer (each approximately 2ft tall…OR you can zip them together to make a 6-shelf unit (that is approximately 4-feet tall).

And they can be hung by using the metal hooks, or velcro-fastener.

DIY Closet Organizer – Shower Rings to Hang Scarves

This is an easy DIY solution to organize your scarves.

Clip the shower curtain rings to a clothes hanger and then slip your scarves through the plastic rings.

But if you’ve ever done this yourselves you probably encountered an annoying problem...

The shower curtain rings slip and slide along the clothes hanger.

All the scarves slide to one side.

Well an easy way to fix that is use bread bag clips.

DIY Acrylic Purse Shelf

Do you have a lot of purses that you don’t want just stuffed in a drawer?

If so, and if you’re handy, check out this DIY tutorial from “Polished Habit.com” where she walks you through step-by-step instructions on how to make these cool shelves.

I’ve never worked with acrylic sheets before but its got my brain working…what other storage solutions could I make from acrylic?

If you like to tackle DIY projects, check this out.

DIY Belt Hanger (easy access to your belts)

Here is a simple DIY belt hanger.

All you need is to screw some ‘cup hooks’ into a wooden clothes hanger.

If you have some wood hangers and lots of belts, give this a try.

These are quick and easy to make, and it gives easy access to see and reach your belts.

Hanging Jewelry Organizer for your Closet (by MISSLO)

Clothes aren’t the only thing you can hang in a closet.

Thanks to unique organizers like the one shown above, you can even hang your jewelry! This has 80 clear pockets so you can see what is inside each pocket.

If you don’t like the beige color, it’s also available in black.

Don’t have enough jewelry to fill this thing? Don’t worry, you can use to hold other things like small accessories, hair care items, makeup, nail polish, etc…

This is a popular and well-rated hanging jewelry organizer.

If this isn’t the best way for you to store your jewelry, you make like these other unique jewelry storage ideas.

Add a Second Hanging Closet Rod to your closet

Now that you’ve stuffed your closet rod full of hanging organizers, you may need another closet rod! Some people use tension rods as a second closet rod, or you can buy a handy product like this one.

Check out this cool hanging closet rod from The Container Store. They call it their “Umbra Dublet Closet Expander.”

I was uncertain about what those silver circles were on the hanging pieces, but they’re an adjustment control.

You can move the second rod up or down from 28″ to 51.”

And it even expands side-to-side as well. Pretty cool closet organizer.

This closet organizer was featured in the June 2016 issue of “Real Simple” magazine in their closet organization article.

Hanging Closet Shelves (Closet Maximizer by ClosetMaid)

Here is another clever hanging closet organization product. This is the ‘Closet Maximizer’ from ClosetMaid.

It can hang from wire racks or closet rods, and is adjustable. It can adjust from 42-inces to 52-inches wide, and extend up and down from 66-inches to 74-inches.

Even though they connect to the closet rod, the shelves do rest on the floor for extra support. The picture below shows it “in action” so you can get a better idea of how it may look in your closet.

The shelves provide a convenient place to store your shoes, high heels, or even bulkier items like sweaters.

Hanging Closet Cubby Organizer by Rubbermaid

It can be a little tricky to get a sense of what you can accomplish from this product photo.

But the unit hangs from a shelf above your existing closet rod.

(It doesn’t come with the upper shelf, you need to already have one to attach to.)

This hanging closet cubby organizer has two hanging towers (4 shelves on each tower for storage), and it has an additional hanging closet rod that connects the two towers.

If you really want to see this “in action” I suggest you check it out on its Amazon page for more photos.

Hanging Cubby Organizer with Hanging Closet Rod

It’s easy to see how this product by Whitmor can help improve your closet organization.

This hanging organizer has 4 fabric shelves (or cubbies) and a closet rod below it.

Use the shelves for larger items like handbags and sweaters and then hang your shirts and pants from the lower rod.

This is a good idea for people that have a lot of unused space at the bottom of their closet near the floor.

Hanging Shoe Organizer

If the bottom of your closet is cluttered with shoes and sandals a hanging shoe organizer may be what you need.

They put your shoes within easy reach.

There are LOTS of hanging shoe organizers out there.
This particular organizer from Simple Houseware has 10 shelves to store your footwear.

CLICK here if you want more details on this hanging shoe organizer.

Baseball Cap Hanger (Clips)

Here is an option to hang up your baseball caps.

But I bet you could use it for other items too.

What do you think?

It is the black piece and clips in the picture above. It attaches to the horizontal piece of a clothes hanger using Velcro (hanger not provided).

Do you have a lot of hats? Check out these 25 popular Hat Storage Ideas.

Hanging Stuffed Animal and Toy Holder

If you have young children you can use a hanging stuffed animal holder like the one shown above.

I don’t remember where we got this from.

But here is a link to a similar item on Amazon (not exactly the same, but similar).

Storage Boxes, Drawer & Shelf Dividers

There are a lot of different ways to improve closet organization by compartmentalizing clothes and accessories.

Below are some examples of storage boxes, cubes, drawer dividers, shelf dividers and more…

These are a great way to add more storage to the high shelf above your closet rod. (You know the one that is either messy or under-utilized.)

Compartmentalized Clothes Organizers

Maybe “compartmentalized” is too fancy a word…but that’s what they do.

And you can use them in various ways:

• in a dresser drawer as a drawer divider
• on a closet shelf to store underwear, socks, tank tops and accessories
• or even as ‘under the bed’ storage

Regardless of how you use them, most folks like these organizers.

And don’t worry if you don’t like the “Aqua” color…they come in several different colors and patterns on Amazon.

“Granny Says” Fabric Storage Bins

These attractive fabric storage bins are popular and available on Amazon.

Can these storage bins help you get organized? If so, click here to check them out on Amazon

Clothes and Blankets Storage Bags

If you rotate your wardrobe between seasons or if you store blankets in your closet, then you may want to look into a zippered storage bags like the ones shown above.

And you literally can “look into” these bags because they have a clear front so you can actually see what you put in there.

The bags shown below are a popular product and are available on Amazon.

Storage Cubes (open top)

Storage cubes like the ones shown above are a great way to store your clothes that you access every day.

There is no top on them so you don’t have to fiddle with a zipper.

I use cubes like the ones above. They are great for underwear, t-shirts and accessories.

I set the cubes on the homemade closet shelves I made (easy DIY project). In this article I explain how I built them and included a video.

Colorful Closet Cubes for Kids

Your closet organizers don’t need to be boring.

There are some colorful closet cubes that are way more fun than boring grey or brown.

Above are some Bluey cubes that are available on Amazon and come in a 2-pack. They are 10-inch cubes.

Or if your children prefer Paw Patrol you can get these cool cubes featuring the pups.

Click here to see the cubes on Amazon.

Get Creative with your Storage Baskets and Bins

Who said you can only use cubes in the closet?

We use a cute wicker basket for our daughter’s socks.

It’s a fun storage idea for a toddler.

Wire Shelf Dividers for Wooden Shelves

A shelf divider for wooden shelves – like the one shown above – helps to keep your sweaters from tumbling over and keeps your shelves tidy.

They’re a great solution for bulky items that don’t like to stack well.

Click here to see more details on Amazon.

Clear Shelf Dividers

These are some nice refined clear shelf dividers from The Container Store.

On the product page on The Container Store website there are a lot of customer-submitted photos.

Looks like a lot of clothing stores use this product to achieve a “clean” look.

Extra Wire Rack Closet Shelf (Expandable)

I’ve used something similar in my kitchen cabinets to store extra coffee mugs, and you can buy these for your closet too!

The picture above is the “Expandable Closet Shelf” from The Container Store.

It expands from 22-inches to 43-inches.

Bamboo Tie Organizer box

Here is an attractive tie organizer box made from bamboo that looks awesome.

If you have the shelf space for it, it could be a nice addition to your closet.

Click here to see this tie organizer box on Amazon.

DIY Closet Organization Tip – Labeling

Do you rotate your seasonal clothes or have kids clothes in a variety of sizes?

Here is a trick I learned from Family Handyman website to make your own erasable storage labels.

1. Place pieces of colored masking tape on a tote or storage box.
2. Put clear packing tape over top of the masking tape.
3. Then use dry erase markers to write the box’s contents.
4. Simply erase when you change out the contents.

In the picture below it is shown on a clear tote (which you can see inside), but it works really well for opaque boxes or totes.

Closet Systems and Closet Organization Kits

If a simple hanging closet organizer is not enough for you, then you may need to look at a complete re-haul of your closet.

Perhaps you need a whole new closet system.

You can check out these closet organization kits.

Most of them have installation videos on their Amazon products page, or on The Container Store website.

I’ll highlight closet systems from 3 large companies: RubberMaid, ClosetMaid, and the Elfa system from The Container Store.

Configurations Closet System by Rubbermaid

Rubbermaid makes a closet system that allows you to customize the height of the shelves. You can use it in “reach-in” closets or small walk in closets.

It requires some tools and installation.

But they have a video on their Amazon product page, and it looks easy to install. They have step-by-step instructions.

This particular Configuration kit shown below is for 3 to 6-foot kit. This means it requires at least one wall that is 3-feet wide.

If you think this could help you get your closet organized, click here to check it out on Amazon.

A potential negative drawback to this system (for some people anyway) is that the shelves are only 12-inches deep.

So they may not be deep enough to store totes or larger bins.

You may need to DIY your own solution to remedy this, or look at garage shelving systems which generally have deeper shelves to accommodate totes.

SuiteSymphony Closet Organizer System by ClosetMaid

The closet organization system shown above – made by ClosetMaid – is for closets 7-feet wide up to 10-feet wide. (But can be customized…see further below.)

I know it can be hard to tell by the product photo above exactly what you get when you buy this sytem.

So below is a photo of the system without clothes on it.

It comes with the vertical tower of 3 drawers, and shelves, plus it comes with 3 expandable closet rods (30-48 inches), and 3 shelves that go above the curtain rods.

Look at all the organization and storage possibilities!

What if I have a closet narrower than 7-feet wide?

The product listing page on Amazon claims that you can make this system to fit in a space smaller than 7 feet.

You would need to cut the top shelves and closet rods to fit your smaller closet.

Or you could just look into buying a smaller system.

For more information, click here to see the product on Amazon.

There are a lot of different sizes and models of the SuiteSymphony by ClosetMaid so just make sure you carefully order the one you want.

The Container Store‘s Elfa Collection

Another major player in the closet system world is The Container Store and their “Elfa” closet system.

Below is a picture of the “Elfa Classic 4-Foot Closet in a Box.”

Above is a bare-bones version of what Elfa can be or do for you.

The Elfa system is extremely versatile.

And there are Elfa sets that’ll match your style and needs.

For example, if you want a more complete closet organization solution check out the Elfa Decor 5-foot Birch and White Reach-in Closet Set.

It has shelves for storing totes and baskets, closet rods for clothes, and it even has a shoe shelf and gliding shoe rack.

If you aren’t sold on the color, don’t worry, there are other color combinations on the website.

After installing this, your friends will think you had a professional organizer come over.

Vacuum Storage Bags

You may not immediately think of vacuum storage bags as a closet organization idea.

But for people that don’t have a dedicated linen closet…they absolutely are.

They are a great space-saving solution for blankets, duvets, pillows and “out of season” clothes.

I don’t know if its the product, or I just buy a bad batch, but the vacuum storage bags I’ve bought from Walmart don’t last. (Air seeps into them and they expand.)

If you want to try some vacuum storage bags to save space, check these ones out on Amazon.

Laundry Hampers, Baskets and Organizers

Many of the closet organizers I’ve already mentioned above do a great job at organizing CLEAN clothes.

But what about your DIRTY clothes?

Does the bottom of your closet look like a dumping ground of mismatched socks and dirty shirts? Get that dirty pile of clothing off your floor.

Check out these dirty laundry solutions.

Hanging Laundry Hamper

Hanging laundry hampers like the one shown above (made by Household Essentials) is a great way to free up some floor space in your closet.

In the product photo below it is hanging from a door knob, which is an option, or you can hang it from your closet rod.

Click here to see details on Amazon.

Hanging Laundry Hamper 2-Pack

Here is another hanging laundry hamper and this one comes in a 2-pack.

It has breathable mesh fabric and stainless steel hanger.

I don’t have space on my closest rod to hang a hamper, so it wouldn’t work for me. But…

Would this work for you?

Slim Laundry Hampers

I like the look of these laundry hampers.

They are slim so you may be able to get a couple of them on your closet floor: buy a white one for dirty white clothes, and a dark one for your dirty color clothes.

This would help make laundry duty go more efficiently as well.

Closet Door Organizers

We currently have old-school bi-fold closet doors so most of these “behind the door organizers” won’t work for us.

But will they work for you?

Shoe Organizer (multi-pocket organizer)

Hanging shoe organizers are extremely versatile home organizers.

In fact, I wrote a whole article about their various uses.

And when it comes to closet organization you can use them to hang;

• shoes
• slippers
• jewelry
• kids toys
• socks
• rolled up belts
• rolled up underwear
• and more…

Over-the-Door Shoe Rack

Finding adequate shoe storage is a problem for a lot of people.

If you are in this category too, then check out this over-the-door shoe rack made by Whitmor.

You can use it to store headbands, running shoes and even wigs.

Elfa Door Shoe Rack (The Container Store)

This is a shoe rack system available at The Container Store. It is part of their Elfa collection.

It comes with over the door hooks to hang it from a 7-foot door.

We don’t have The Container Store where I live, so I haven’t seen these in person, but from what I’ve read, they are solid and well-built.

Click here if you want to read further details about this shoe storage option.

Over-the-Door Shelving System

This adjustable wire shelving system is from ClosetMaid.

It is very versatile and you can actually use it in just about every room in the house.

It can mount to a wall, or hang over a door.

And it comes in 12-inch wide OR 18-inch wide sizes.

The assembled height is 77-inches tall.

Even if you do hang it from your door, you should still put some screws into it to stop it from swinging when you open the door.

Would this work in your closet? (Perhaps for shoes or purses?)

Over-the-Door 4 Pocket Organizer

This is a convenient 4-pocket over-the-door organizer with clear window on the front so you can see what’s in it.

A lot of folks use this in their nursery, but it would work well in a closet too, if you had a standard door (not a bi-fold).

You could stash your socks and underwear in here, rolled-up belts & scarves, and more…

If this could help you, Click here to check it out on Amazon.

Hanging Strip for Hats

I know a lot of guys have a big baseball cap collection.

These strips hang over the door and each strip has room for 9 hats.

You may be able to use it on the outside of bi-fold closet door, but it would work on the inside of a regular closet door.

Click here to see more details on Amazon.

Wall-Mounted Closet Organizers and Shelves

Do you have empty wall space on the sides or back of your closet?

The following wall-mounted closet organizers will help provide you with lots of closet organization ideas and can even free up floor space too.

Wall-mounted Shoe Storage and Shelves (Container Store)

This intense shoe organization system is the “Elfa Decor 2-foot Shoe Wall” from ‘The Container Store.’

I’d say this is more for a serious shoe person.

It isn’t a cheap unit, but if you have lots of pairs of shoes, and you’re tired of having them scattered throughout your house, check this out.

Wall Shelving System

The three companies I listed above in the “Closet Systems” (RubberMaid, ClosetMaid and the Elfa Collection from The Container Store) have basic shelving systems too that can be used to fasten to the side wall of your closet.

The shelving system shown below is the Elfa Classic 2-feet Basic Shelving system from The Container Store. (Though its name is the “2-feet” system, which is 24-inches, the product description claims it is intended for a 27-inch space.)

What is cool about this shelving system is that you can order it with 12-inch deep shelves, 16-inch deep shelves and even 20-inch deep shelves.

Those deep 20-inch shelves would be perfect for totes and baskets of ‘out-of-season’ clothes.

DIY Closet Shelves

I’ve built a few easy DIY closet shelving systems over the years.

Here is a video I put together describing how I install DIY closet shelves.

Add a Second Closet Shelf

You can get extra closet storage by adding a second closet shelf above your existing closet shelf.

This will allow you more space to store baskets, bins and boxes.

Now the teddy bear has lots of room to stretch out and play.

Closet Floor Organization Solutions

Do you have wasted space below your hanging clothes and empty space at the bottom of your closet?

In this section I’ll feature some closet floor organizers.

Perhaps one of these could help you organize your closet and get the closet clutter off your floor?

But first…

Measure up from the floor to the bottom of where your clothes hang. You’ll need to know how much room you have to work with.

Write down this measurement because you’ll want to make sure any floor organizer will fit in this space.

Free-standing Organizer with Shelves and Bins

This product has 3 fabric shelves (which can hold 10 pounds each) and 2 fabric bins.

It is 31-inches tall, almost 33-inches wide and 12-inches deep.

If you placed this on the floor of your closet, would it help organize your closet?

You could even use the two fabric bins as your laundry hampers.

This product shown above is the Amazon Basics brand.

CLICK here if you think this will work for you.

9 Cube Cubby Organizer

This 9-cubby organizer by Neaterize is available on Amazon.

It comes with all 9 of the fabric baskets.

When it is assembled as shown below it is 3-feet wide, 31-inches tall and 12-inches deep.

Would this fit in the bottom of your closet?

Modular Wire Storage Cubes

Wire closet systems like this are very popular and cool because they’re very versatile.

You can make them into various configurations.

What can you do with these cubes?

You can store similar items together such as?

• use it to store shoes
• use it as a laundry hamper (in the dump bin)
• store books and binders
• store records (LP’s)
• use as shelf for sweaters
• use as a shelf for cubes
• and lots more…

You can get creative and use these cubes to make wire closet systems that suit your needs.

Stackable Shoe Shelves (ClosetMaid)

The shelves shown above are 24-inches wide and are stackable.

The product photo shows 3 different units (2 stacked on top of each other and one beside them). They make good shoe racks for the bottom of your closet. And you could place a laundry hamper on the top shelf.

It is a popular on Amazon.

5-Drawer Fabric Organizer

This is another well-rated organizer that may help you tidy up the bottom of your closet.

It is just under 31-inches tall.

The fabric drawers would provide a nice place for you to store sweaters, bed sheets, underwear, socks and more.

Plus, room permitting, there is a shelf on the top that would hold baskets, bins or totes.

Put a Dresser in your Closet

If you don’t want to install shelves in the side of your closet, perhaps you could fit a tall-boy dresser like the one shown in the picture above.

It isn’t a great option for a tiny closet, and your closet area may not be big enough to fit a dresser like we did. But if you can, it can provide plenty of extra storage space for kids clothes, seasonal clothing, small items and other clothes that don’t need to be hung.

Conclusion

Thank you for checking out this huge list of closet storage ideas.

There are lots ways to improve organization in your closet and they can range from real cheap (soda can tabs) to pricey (extensive closet systems)…

But you need to analyze your needs.

What will work for you?

What will help you convert your closet from cluttered mess to a well organized functional closet?

If you have any tips or ideas that I should add to this list, please let me know by commenting below.

Thank you.

Tim from LearnAlongWithMe.com

Up Next:

7 simple yet awesome Closet Hangers [easy closet organizers]

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