Mastering Closet Organization
Simplifying the Steps to Organize Like a Pro
You’ve probably seen them on Pinterest or Instagram—the closets we all dream of having. Matching hangers perfectly spaced, clothing arranged in a rainbow, and every item looking like it belongs in a Neiman Marcus catalog. But have you ever wondered what those closets look like during the chaos of trying on outfits or, even more challenging when it’s time to neatly rehang everything after they’ve been worn?
Maybe you’re not striving for perfection—you just want to find your clothes without having to navigate piles on the floor. But then there’s the next challenge: you’ve run out of hanging space. This is where we need to address a common issue—you might be expecting your closet to hold more than it realistically can.
I have redone my current closet three times. It’s not because the size of my inventory has changed that much, but I realize from time to time that my system isn’t working to keep it maintained easily. I dislike folding clothes. I will happily fold our clients' clothes during the organizing process, but that’s what I’m paid to do. The problem was my closet was too crowded for hanging up basic t-shirts. While it looked like I was maxed out on drawer space too, I had to put on my professional organizer cap and address it like I would for a client.
I’ve developed a 5-step trademarked process, RESET™, designed to organize any space in any room. Follow along as we tackle a client’s clothing storage challenges in a small one-bedroom high-rise, and use these steps as your guide to transform your closet!
How it Started
Our client had two closets - a tiny primary bedroom closet and a pretty decent-sized closet in her entryway. The first thing I explained to the client was the need to redirect items that could be stored elsewhere in the apartment to free up space. In doing so, that meant that other areas would have to be addressed to accommodate the redirection. The key to an entirely organized home is understanding that the rooms operate in tandem with each other. That is why when organizing one area, you must consider other rooms where storing things based on use makes more sense.
Entry Closet - Before
Primary Closet - Before
Here’s how we applied our RESET™ formula!
R - Remove
We started by removing all the items on the shelves in the primary and hall closets to inventory them.
We try to use as much of the client’s existing supplies if they will work. The client didn’t have a dresser. She did have a bed with pull-out drawers that we utilized and was super handy to have in a small space! We also pulled out the white drawers you see in both pictures. Our goal was to free up the floor space and eliminate that clutter.
We removed all the clothing and switched all the hangers to a uniform slim hanger.
We pulled out all the shoes and put them in the living room to sort.
E - Edit
Once our client could see all her clothing inventory, it was easier to edit out what she no longer needed. Before starting, she did an edit but saw so much more to edit once it was pulled out.
The client did an additional purge after she saw everything pulled out.
S - Sort
We sorted all the items into categories and then by color.
Sorting shoes
E - Evaluate
This is the step so many DIYers underestimate! Determining what is the best placement based on usage and the space available. We decided to make the hall closet for cold weather and move the white modular drawers in the bedroom to open up floor space. We used the built-in drawers in her bed to relocate her jeans, joggers, t-shirts, and sweatshirts.
T - Think about Storage Products
This is something that trips up so many people. They buy organizing products before they declutter and organize. As a board-certified professional organizer with over 10K hours of experience, I can eyeball some things and know immediately what to buy. However, I don’t recommend it for someone trying to DIY. I often see clients trying to force an item to work and then they don’t understand why it didn’t solve their problem.
Conclusion
Entry Closet - After
Photos and descriptions can’t fully capture the time, effort, and expertise required to design an effective system for any closet. For our client, who lives in a 678-square-foot high-rise, organizing goes far beyond simply hanging and folding items by category. It demands the skill of someone highly trained in spatial planning to make the most of every inch.
Entry Closet - After
Entry Closet - After
Primary Closet - After
We added another shelf in the primary closet to accommodate her shoes.
We moved the over-the-door mirror from the bathroom to the primary closet where she could utilize it when dressing.
We added hooks behind the primary closet door to hang her sleepwear so it doesn’t end up on a chair.
We moved a chair in her bedroom to the opposite wall to accommodate a future dresser. That is where we set up the white stackable drawers she had in the closets. Once she gets a proper dresser, the contents can be transferred over.
We moved the smaller shelf into the hall closet to accommodate sports accessories.
We eliminated the one-hanging shoe organizer in the entry closet and added a place to hang hats and bags.
Not shown - laundry closet with stackable washer/dryer. We moved a box with a Christmas tree on top of the dryer to hang in the entry closet. As a result, all her laundry supplies on the floor could be stored on top of the dryer.
We went through all the boxes in the entry closet and could store many items like games and stationery in the console in the living room. This allowed her to access what she had without going through random boxes.
Here is a list of some great product options to get the most out of your space:
Valet Rod - Every closet should have at least one! You will get so much use out of it for a minimal investment.
Water Hyacinth Baskets - I don’t recommend getting the cubes because they are too deep and items can get lost.
Drop Front Shoe Boxes - We use these to stack on the floor or stack on shelves to make use of the vertical space.
If you’re still on the fence about how to maximize your closet space, contact us for a complimentary consultation. We can advise if you need a custom space (and we design those too), or offer ways to utilize what you have more efficiently.