5 Ways to Make a Small Closet Feel Bigger

A small closet can be one of the most frustrating spaces in a home. Clothes are crammed together, shoes pile up on the floor and the top shelf becomes a place where things disappear. The good news is that most small closets have far more capacity than they seem. These five changes make the biggest difference.

1. Use the full height

Most standard closets leave the space above the shelf and below the hanging clothes empty. A designed system runs from floor to ceiling: shelves or cubbies up high for items you rarely need, hanging in the middle and drawers or shoe shelves below. Using the full height can nearly double what a reach-in closet holds.

”A small closet doesn’t have to feel small — it has to be planned.

2. Double up the hanging

Shirts, blouses, folded pants and jackets don’t need full-length hanging. Two rods — one above the other — fit twice as many garments in the same width. Keep a short section of long hanging for dresses and coats.

3. Add drawers and pull-outs

Drawers inside the closet free up room in the bedroom and keep folded items, underwear and accessories organized. Pull-out baskets, valet rods and tie or belt racks use narrow spaces that would otherwise be wasted.

4. Light it and keep it light

A dark closet feels smaller and makes it hard to see what you own. LED lighting along shelves or rods makes every item visible. Light-colored finishes and matching hangers also make a small closet feel calmer and more open.

5. Edit before you organize

Even the best system can’t fix too many things in too little space. Before a new layout goes in, take everything out and keep only what you wear and love. Seasonal items can move to a higher shelf, under-bed storage or another closet.

Small details that help

• Slim, matching hangers save space and look tidy.
• Hooks on the back wall or door hold bags and robes.
• Shoe shelves angled slightly forward make pairs easier to see.
• Adjustable shelves let the closet change with your wardrobe.

Every closet is different, and a few inches can change what’s possible. We measure each space and design a layout around your wardrobe — then show it to you in 3D so you can see exactly how it will work before installation.

Related service: Closets