Maximize the space you already have with these space saving closet ideas.
10 Easy Ways to Expand Your Closet Space
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Declutter
Before you settle on any DIY storage ideas for your small closet space, you need to have a clear idea of what you’re working with, both in terms of closet size and how much stuff is going in it. “The first steps you should take when organizing a closet is to declutter what you have, find more appropriate storage spaces for items that shouldn’t be stored in the particular closet and give the closet a good thorough cleaning,” Saltman advises.
Gugni explains that miscellaneous things often take up precious closet space: “When I work with a client, I like to pull everything out and put it into categories—hung items in one pile, folded clothes in another, shoes in another. This might seem obvious, but I am always amazed at how much we find that doesn’t belong in a clothes closet at all, like children’s toys, random empty boxes and trash.”
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Closet Nook Shelves
Salvage the hidden space at the recessed ends of your closets by adding a set of wire shelves. Wire shelves are available in various widths at home improvement retail stores. Measure the width and depth of the space and then subtract 3/8-inch from the actual width to determine the shelf length. Next, choose the correct shelving and ask a salesperson to cut the shelves to that length for you. Buy a pair of end mounting brackets and a pair of plastic clips for each shelf, and then install them according to the manufacturer’s directions.
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Double-Decker Closet Rod
If your existing closet rod is at least 66 in. from the floor, there’s enough space to add a second rod below it and still hang shirts and slacks. All you need to gain a lot of hanging space in your closet is two metal closet brackets and a length of closet rod.
First, decide how low you want it to be. Look at where your existing one is, and think about what you’re hanging on each rod. We placed the top of the rod 35 inches from the floor, allowing just enough room to hang two pants. Locate studs on the back wall of the closet with a stud finder. Then, attach metal brackets to the studs. Use a level to align the brackets along the top. Space the brackets no more than 32 in. apart.
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Two-Story Closet Shelves
There’s a lot of space above the shelf in most closets. Even though it’s a little hard to reach, it’s a great place to store seldom-used items. That’s why Saltman suggests “going vertical” with storage. “Either use available wall space to hand belts, hats or ties, or consider using appropriate stackable storage bins on the upper shelves. These are best used for seasonal items that you are not currently using. Add a label to these bins so you know exactly what is inside,” she suggests.
You can also use this wasted space by adding a second shelf above the existing one. Buy enough closet shelving material to match the length of the existing shelf, plus enough for two end supports and middle supports over each bracket. Twelve-inch-wide shelving is available in various lengths and finishes at home centers and lumberyards.
We cut the supports 16 inches long, but you can place the second shelf at whatever height you like. Screw the end supports to the walls at each end. Use drywall anchors if you can’t hit a stud. Then, mark the position of the middle supports on the top and bottom shelves with a square and drill 5/32-inch clearance holes through the shelves. Drive 1-5/8-in. screws through the shelf into the supports.
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Back-of-Door Storage
“If the closet has a door that swings open, be sure to use the back of the door for additional storage. There are many racks available on the market today that can be affixed to the back of the door. These are perfect for holding frequently used items like your favorite shoes and accessories,” Saltman says.
The trouble is that most doors don’t offer a good mounting surface for hardware. The solution is to screw a piece of 3/4-in. plywood to the back of the door. Add construction adhesive for hollow-core doors. Cut the plywood 3 or 4 inches shy of the door edges to avoid conflicts with the doorknob or hinges. Now, you can mount as many hooks, magnets and other storage gizmos as you like.
If you don’t want to go to all that trouble, you can also use over-the-door hangers or hooks like Gugni does. “When I think about affordable space savers, you can’t beat hooks,” Gugni says. “Having hooks keeps those clothes off of the bedroom furniture and is another great way to use vertical space.”
Here are a few other DIY ideas for your small closet:
Tool-apron storage
Tool aprons can be modified to store nearly any household item. Just sew a variety of pocket widths in the aprons, then mount the aprons by screwing a wood strip through the top of each and into a door. For hollow-core doors, use hollow anchor fasteners to hold the screws firmly to the door.
Ironing board storage
Ordinary coat hooks on the back of a closet door keep your ironing board out of the way but close at hand when you need it.
Closet glove rack
Finding a spot to dry wet hats and mittens can be tough if you don’t have radiators. Tossing them into a plastic bin gets them out of the way, but they never dry, and it’s no fun to put on damp mittens in the morning. A simple back-of-the-door glove and cap rack allows wet things to dry and keeps easily misplaced items organized. Just string clothespins on aluminum wire (it won’t rust) and stretch it between screw eyes on the back of a closet door. This also works great out in the garage for y the garden and work gloves.
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S-Hook Hang-Up
If your closet has wire shelving, create a useful hang-up storage space by adding S-hooks. This provides tidy storage for mops, brooms and other cleaning tools. This hack is super cheap and low-effort since there’s no installation.
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Erasable Tape
When you need to update labels on items like storage boxes continually, create an erasable label. Put a piece of clear tape over masking tape and write on it using a dry-erase marker.
Warning: The ink wipes off easily, so you must be careful not to smear it.
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Add-On Clothes Rod
Very few people have too much closet space (and if you do, don’t brag). This DIY closet rod is an easy way to add space for hanging clothes (or at least clothes that don’t require a tall space). Hang a second clothes rod from the upper rod with a lightweight chain.
Attach the chain to screw eyes directly or use S-hooks or carabiners. Carabiners make adjusting the height of the extra rod a snap. This system works well in kids’ closets since they grow quickly (and their clothes grow along with them). It also works well in an adult closet—you can hang pants on one rod and shirts on the other.
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Belt and Other Hang-Ups
Where do you store your belts? How about on this inexpensive and easy-to-make belt holder? It’s made with just a wooden hanger and some cup hooks. If some of your belts have unusually thick buckles, just widen the cup hook slightly with needle-nose pliers. This is a great way to hang small handbags, too.
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Utilize Organizers
Items like shoes, bulky sweaters, and handbags can take up a lot of space, so finding specific organizers for them is a necessity. Saltman suggests things like shoe racks, separators for stacks of sweaters, and stackable clear bins to help control these sections and optimize storage space.
About the Experts
- Lauren Saltman is a professional organizer and the owner of Living. Simplified. LLC, a company dedicated to helping people organize their homes and lives.
- Melissa Gugni is the owner of Melissa Gugni Organizing, a professional organizing company.
