27 Closet Storage Ideas That Will Make Your Closet Unrecognizable
Desperately need help organizing your storage closet? Here are 27 genius closet storage ideas that are guaranteed to make your closet look unrecognizable.
We all have that one storage closet that has become the dumping ground for everything without a home. Sound familiar?
Whether you are looking for small closet storage ideas, linen closet storage ideas, or a complete storage closet organization overhaul, you are in the right place.
Here you will find 27 practical, budget-friendly closet storage solutions that will help you maximize your space and create a system you can actually maintain!
This post is all about the best closet storage ideas that are actually worth copying.
Best Closet Storage Ideas:
1. Go Vertical
Copy this closet organization idea:
Okay, we all know how difficult it can be to store cleaning supplies, especially when it comes to brooms and mops. They always end up falling down when you try to prop them up and if you don’t have a good system to store them, they’re a pain in the butt.
A wall organizer is your best bet for freeing up floor space and organizing them in a way that keeps them easily accessible.
2. Optimize Your Closet Door
Copy this closet organization idea:
So many people forget about using the actual door for storage! It’s seriously such a missed opportunity because you can get a lot more space from using an over-the-door organizer.
If you’re working with a small closet, this will be a total game changer! Smaller items like cleaning supplies fit perfectly into the shelves of this organizer, so you can use the shelves in your closet for bigger, bulkier items.
This is hands down one of the best small closet storage ideas out there because it literally creates storage out of thin air.
And if you are specifically working with a linen closet, check out my full post on how to organize your linen closet for even more tips!
3. Make Items Super Visible and Accessible
Copy this closet organization idea:
Clear bins will be your best friend! Even though they’re not always the most aesthetic option, it’s so much better to be able to see all of your items at a glance so you know exactly what you have and don’t have to guess where items are.
Clear bins will also force you to stay super organized to keep your closet looking pretty. 😉
4. Shelf Dividers
Copy this closet organization idea:
Shelf dividers are SO helpful! They make it a whole lot easier to break up your closet shelves into different sections to keep everything super organized.
Just like with a pantry, you can create zones in your storage closet and use dividers to make sure the categories don’t overflow into one another.
Especially when you have a lot of loose items in your closet like sheets, towels, and blankets, these dividers will make a huge difference in how organized your closet looks and feels.
5. Bed Sheet Organizers
Copy this closet organization idea:
If you’re not using bed sheet organizers, you’re seriously missing out! These are definitely one of the best storage closet organizers you can get your hands on.
We all know how difficult it can be to store sheets and bedding well. It might start out all nice and folded, but when you’re digging around trying to find that one sheet set, all of your hard work goes to waste.
Having a legitimate way to store your sheets will save you so much time and frustration. Plus, they have labels so you can easily find the sheets you’re looking for.
6. Labeled Bins and Baskets
Copy this closet organization idea:
Labels are everything! Every basket, bin, and item in your storage closet deserves a label. Especially if you have identical baskets, you’re going to an easy need a way to know what’s in each of them.
Labels will also do wonders for making your storage closet look insanely put-together! This is one of those closet storage solutions that works in every single type of closet, from your linen closet to your cleaning closet. 🙂
7. Add Extra Storage Under Shelves
Copy this closet organization idea:
If you don’t have shelves that you can adjust in your storage closet (which not a lot of us do), these under-the-shelf organizers will help maximize your storage space so you can fit as much as possible in your closet while making sure it doesn’t look chaotic.
You don’t want to waste any precious real-estate, especially when it comes to vertical storage space!
If you are working with a really tight space, you will definitely want to check out my post on small closet organization ideas for some extra help maximizing every inch.
8. Use File Organizers for Vertical Storage
Copy this closet organization idea:
It turns out, file organizers are actually super helpful when it comes to organizing your closet. Items like baskets, trays, jars, and candles all fit super well in file organizers.
So all of your extra decor that you don’t know what to do with will have a designated home until you’re ready to use them! You can also fit quite a few of these file holders onto one shelf. It’s super efficient for maximizing storage!
9. Clothing Storage Cubes
Copy this closet organization idea:
A lot of people use their storage closets to hold seasonal pieces and extra clothes that don’t fit in their closets. The only problem is, these clothes can be super bulky!
And if you want to be able to store other items in your storage closet, you’re going to want organizers that also compact your clothing.
Especially if you’re storing sweaters, coats, and puffier items, they can easily be compressed and take up a lot less room! You would be surprised how much fits into one of these storage cubes. It’s pretty amazing.
10. Color Coded Laundry Baskets
Copy this closet organization idea:
Having multiple laundry baskets might seem unnecessary, but it makes sorting your laundry so much easier! Designate one laundry basket for lights and the other for colors/ darks.
That way when you go to do laundry, you don’t have to spend any time sorting through all of your laundry and potentially missing a couple of white socks that get in with the colored laundry (we’ve all been there!).
For a complete room by room home organization guide, my how to organize your home post covers every major space in your home!
11. Add a Gift Wrapping Station Organizer
Copy this closet organization idea:
This is easily one of the coolest closet storage ideas! Chances are, you probably have some extra gift wrapping supplies on hand from the last holiday, or to have just in case.
And finding a practical way to store those long gift wrapping roles and ribbons while keeping them organized can be tricky!
This is by far the smartest way I have found to create a mini gift wrapping station without giving up any extra storage in your closet.
It’s an over the door system (bonus points for being small closet friendly!) and it has a ton of room for all of your gift-wrapping supplies so you no longer have to shove them into the dark corner of your closet and call it a day.
If this isn’t organization goals, I don’t know what is!
12. Designate Each Level to Different Categories
This is a super simple trick that will create a better system for keeping all of your items organized instantly! Create zones on each shelf to categorize your items. For example, dedicate one shelf to extra bathroom items, another for cleaning supplies, one for extra linens, and so forth.
Not only will it look a lot tidier, but when you go to find something, you’ll know exactly where to go instead of digging around aimlessly.
This is especially helpful for linen closet storage ideas since you can dedicate entire shelves to towels, sheets, and bathroom extras.
13. Create Zones for Different Items
Speaking of sorting items, creating zones in your closet will make your life 10x easier! You might want to use baskets to do this to keep everything better contained.
When it comes to towels, there are a ton of different sizes. So sorting them into different baskets or areas of your closet will make it easier to go in and find what you’re looking for. Bonus points if your baskets have labels! 😉
Most importantly, make sure you have larger zones in your closet. For example, keep the top two shelves of your closet strictly for towels.
It’s very similar to what you would do to organize your pantry into different zones (baking, condiments, snacks, etc.)
It also doesn’t have to be perfect by any means. Find a system that works for you and your lifestyle so you’ll have an easier time keeping with it.
For even more ways to organize your closet, check out my favorite closet organizer ideas that are all budget-friendly and worth every penny.
14. Use Clear Bins for Cheap Storage
Copy this closet organization idea:
Plastic storage bins might not be the most pretty, but it’s better to have an organized and functional closet. And if you have a ton of items and space to work with, this might make the most sense.
Not to mention, buying a bunch of different organizers can get pricey! So plastic bins might be the most cost-effective option.
These bins are also super good for storing seasonal decorations!
15. Use Rolling Carts for Bedding
Copy this closet organization idea:
If you have a little bit of space on the bottom of your storage closet, putting a couple of rolling carts to fill the space will be a life saver for holding bedding.
Duvet inserts, covers, and extra pillows are all super bulky, so you probably don’t want to keep these items on your shelves with everything else. Or that might be all you’ll have room for.
These carts will get them out of the way, but make it super easy to pull them out when you need them. It’s a win-win!
16. Remove Original Packaging
Copy this closet organization idea:
As easy as it would be to leave everything in its original packaging, your storage closet isn’t going to look aesthetic and Pinterest-worthy with colorful, bulky, cheap packaging. It’s all about presentation!
If your items are in matching containers, your closet will immediately look super cohesive and put-together. It’s just how it goes.
And even though you might not be able to (or want to) take everything out of its original packaging, it’s most important for items that are clearly visible.
This is also something you can work on little by little, to make it practical.
Once you see how beautiful items look in glass canisters with clean labels, you’ll never want to go back!
17. Most Used at Eye Level
The way you organize your storage closet should make it easier for you to grab what you need on a daily basis. So for your most used items, put them on the middle shelf where you can just grab them without any hassle.
Items you don’t use everyday, like seasonal clothes or extra paper goods, can go on the floor and on the higher shelves. They might be harder to get to, but it’s not as big of a deal since you won’t need to get to them very often.
18. Put Liquid Items in Plastic Bins
Copy this closet organization idea:
It’s a lot easier to clean messes and spills out of plastic bins than it is to clean them out of fabric bins. So for liquid cleaning supplies and items, do yourself a favor by putting them in plastic bins.
You won’t have to worry about anything leaking through the bin, and if anything happens, you can easily wash them out with some soap and water.
19. Add Hooks for Cleaning Supplies
Copy this closet organization idea:
The brooms and mops that don’t have a place to live in your home can easily be organized by simply adding a couple of adhesive hooks to the inside of you closet door (or any open wall space).
Most cleaning supplies like mops and dusters will have a whole on the handle. And if that doesn’t fit onto the hook knob, you can take a piece of ribbon to create a loop and hang that part around the hook.
If you are not sure where to even start, my step by step guide on how to organize your closet will walk you through the whole process from beginning to end.
20. Roll Towels Instead of Folding
This is a classic spa technique that makes storing towels super simple! Of course you can just fold towels the traditional way, but rolling them makes it a lot easier to grab them, and they’ll stay in tact a lot better.
Even though folding and stacking towels the traditional way looks nice, they usually end up coming undone or take up too much room.
Think of it like packing clothes in a suit case. When you roll your clothes, you can fit a lot more in your suitcase. It’s the same with your towels!
21. Add Wallpaper for a Pinterest-Worthy Closet
Copy this closet organization idea:
Okay I know this is technically a storage idea, but this one is seriously so dreamy that I had to include it! Adding wallpaper to the back of your storage closet is such an unexpected and creative way to make it feel like a curated, intentional space instead of just a place to shove things.
The striped wallpaper in this example paired with the painted shelves and matching baskets is giving total Pinterest goals. Even if you are renting, there are so many peel and stick wallpaper options that look just as good and won’t damage the walls!
22. Convert Your Closet Into a Cozy Nook
Copy this closet organization idea:
Okay hear me out on this one because it is a total game changer if you have a closet you are not fully using for storage. Instead of cramming it full of stuff, convert it into a cozy reading nook or a little sitting area!
This example has a wood bench with basket storage underneath, a gallery wall of art, and baskets on the top shelf for storage. It is functional AND beautiful and honestly looks like something out of a home design magazine. If you have an extra closet in a hallway or bedroom, this is such a creative and unexpected way to use the space!
23. Create a Multi-Purpose Closet System
If you are working with a closet that needs to do a lot of heavy lifting, this is the inspo you need. This setup has wire baskets on top for bulky storage, wicker baskets on the shelves for smaller items, a hanging rod for coats and jackets, and a built-in shoe rack at the bottom.
It is literally doing everything! The key to pulling off a multi-purpose closet like this is making sure everything has a clearly designated spot so it never gets chaotic. The labeled wire baskets on top are especially genius for keeping things organized without having to think about it!
24. Use Matching Baskets for a Cohesive Look
Copy this closet organization idea:
If you want your storage closet to look like it belongs in an interior design magazine, the secret is using matching baskets in different sizes. Having all of your baskets in the same style and color family instantly makes your closet look super cohesive and put-together, even if you have a ton of stuff in it.
The wood tag labels in this example are such a cute touch and make it super easy to find what you are looking for at a glance. This is one of those closet storage ideas that looks like it took a lot of effort but is actually really simple to recreate!
For more home organization tips room by room, browse all of my home organization ideas for every space in your home.
25. Use Wire Baskets for Bulky Items
Copy this closet organization idea:
If your linen closet is constantly overflowing with pillows, throw blankets, and bulky sweaters, wire baskets are going to be your new best friend. They give you a ton of space to work with for bigger items while still keeping everything looking super organized and intentional.
The open wire design also makes it really easy to see what’s inside without having to dig around, which is always a win. Plus they look incredibly chic and elevated, especially when everything inside is in neutral tones!
26. Add Decorative Touches to Your Closet Shelves
Who says your storage closet can’t look beautiful? This is proof that a little styling goes a long way. Using a mix of wicker baskets and glass canisters on a tray creates such a clean, spa-like vibe that makes your closet feel more like a boutique than a storage space.
This works especially well for bathroom essentials, cotton balls, q-tips, and small items that would otherwise look messy just sitting on a shelf. It’s one of those small closet storage ideas that makes a really big visual impact without a lot of effort!
27. Add a Fabric Skirt to Hide the Mess
Copy this closet organization idea:
We all have items in our closet that are not exactly pretty to look at but still need to be accessible. That’s where a fabric skirt comes in! Adding a fabric skirt to the bottom shelf of your linen closet is the easiest way to hide the less aesthetically pleasing stuff while still keeping it within reach.
Nobody needs to see your extra toilet paper rolls or cleaning supplies, and now they don’t have to! Plus it adds such a cozy, cottage-y touch to your closet that makes the whole space feel more intentional and put-together. It’s one of those closet storage ideas that is both super practical and really cute at the same time!
Whether you are tackling a small closet storage problem or doing a full storage closet organization overhaul, these closet storage ideas will help you create a space that actually stays organized and looks good doing it. The best part is, you don’t have to do it all at once! Even just implementing one or two of these ideas will make a huge difference in how your closet looks and functions.
Ready to Tackle Your Closet?
Which of these closet storage ideas are you going to try first? Drop a comment below and let me know! And if you found this post helpful, save it to your Pinterest boards so you can come back to it when you are ready to tackle your closet. Trust me, your future self will thank you.
If you loved these ideas, you will definitely want to check out my post on linen closet organization ideas for a completely Pinterest-worthy linen closet makeover. And if baskets are your thing (same!), my basket organization ideas post is full of creative ways to use baskets to organize every room in your home!
This post was all about the best closet storage ideas that are actually worth copying.
Other Posts You May Like:
24 Pinterest Worthy Linen Closet Organization Ideas You Need to Copy
19 Clever Basket Organization Ideas for an Insanely Organized Home
