5 expert steps to organize a small walk-in closet – and how you can keep it that way for good

No matter how big or small, walk-in closets all share one familiar issue: how to organize them, and keep them that way.

When you're hurrying to get ready, piles of clothes can accumulate and any kind of organization system you had put in place quickly becomes messy and chaotic. So, if this has happened to you and you want to get organized, where do you start?

There's never enough space for clothes it seems, but even a small walk-in closet can be both functional and beautiful, all it takes is a little know-how on organizing small spaces. Luckily we've spoken to our professional organizers, for a complete, step-by-step guide on organizing your small walk-in closet for good.

Step 1. Declutter

'The first step in organizing any space—whether it's a small closet, bathroom, or basement—is to remove all items from the area,' says Jessica Moskal, owner of Organized by JM. 'Once everything is out, sort through your belongings and categorize them. As you go, decide what to keep and what to purge. Items that no longer serve a purpose, such as clothes you don't wear, accessories you've outgrown, or duplicates, should be set aside.'

Think about when the last time you wore something was. If it was over a year ago, grab a sturdy trash bag, such as the Hefty Strong Large Trash Bags available at Walmart, fill it up and donate, following the 10 rules for decluttering clothes to streamline your space.

'This process helps create space for the items that are truly meaningful, like a favorite band t-shirt or a special occasion purse,' says Moskal.

Step 2: Hang and store categories of clothes together

Once your clothes have been decluttered and categorized, storing like-with-like will mean you can always find what you're looking for, even in a small walk-in closet, making it a great closet organization idea.

'Hang categories of clothes together, such as shirts, tops, pants, skirts, dresses and jackets,' says Diane Quintana, professional organizer in Chronic Disorganization and owner of DNQ solutions. 'You can fold sweaters or put them on a shelf in the closet if you have the space.'

Using slim velvet hangers, such as the Zober Velvet Hangers from Amazon, which are available in a 50 pack and rated 4.8 stars by over 89,000 shoppers, will stop your clothing slipping off whilst also reducing visual clutter because of its uniformity - a pro tweak when decluttering your closet. That way, when you're next searching for a specific pair of jeans or dress, you'll know exactly where to find it.

Step 3: Get suitable storage solutions that work for you and your space

Once your clothes are organized, you will need suitable storage to put them away in.

'Wall space is for sure the best way to optimize a small walk-in space, says Marshall Webber, CMO of Stor-It. 'I am a huge believer in spending the time and money to invest in quality built in shelving units. Rarely do we ever need a closet that has one big open space.'

Where money, space, and time may be a concern, install wire shelving. 'It's easy to install, and if you take the time to find a heavy duty set up, it can be a headache saving investment,' says Webber. He also recommends the ClosetMaid Heavy-Duty Wire Shelf Kit available at Amazon, as it's durable, quick to fit and easy to clean.

Quintana recommends utilizing clear boxes, so you can stack them up and see what you have, making it easier to find things in a small space.

'It's important to make good use of the vertical space in the closet,' she says. 'I like to bring in products which make use of the space below the hanging rail and above. Put shoes you don't wear often in clear plastic boxes, such as the Mainstays Clear Plastic Glossy Extra Wide Shoe Box with Lid from Walmart,' which are a bestseller. 'Stack them on on high shelves,' which will keep your shoes organized and out of the way, and help protect them from dry rot.

Moksal also recommends investing in a set of drawers to keep inside your closet, such as the ClosetMaid Wire Basket 3 Drawer Organizer Unit available from Amazon, to expand your existing closet space. 'To make the most of your closet's floor space, consider adding drawer units,' she says. 'These act like a dresser within your closet, providing storage for folded clothes, accessories, or even undergarments, without wasting valuable space. By incorporating drawer units, you can neatly store items that might otherwise clutter your closet, keeping everything organized and accessible.'

Step 4: Store away out of season items

'If you live in a place where there are distinct seasonal climate changes, it's important to swap out the warm weather clothes and cold weather clothes,' says Quintana. 'These can be kept neatly in an under-the-bed drawer when not in use.'

If you don't have drawers under your bed, we recommend using Amazon Basics Under Bed Fabric Zipper Storage Container Bags, which are lightweight and portable, with handles to easily pull them out when needed.

Also, make sure your closet is only filled with clothes that currently fit you, especially when dealing with organizing clothes in a limited space. 'It's equally important to have the size clothes that currently fit occupying the valuable real estate in the closet,' continues Quintana.

'If you tend to fluctuate clothing sizes, keep the ones that aren't the correct size in a space saving bag (such as the Spacesaver Vacuum Storage Bags available at Amazon) either on a top shelf in your closet or in the attic. Do not keep them in your closet.'

Step 5: Operate a one in one out policy

Once your closet has been beautifully, and painstakingly, organized you'll want to keep it that way.

'It's important to consider and understand how many of any one type of clothing a person needs to have,' says Quintana. 'There is only so much space in the closet, and many different types of clothes to store there. If your goal is to have the majority of your clothes in the closet, be clear on how many of each category you need. This will help to keep the space organized.'

You can utilize this with decluttered capsule wardrobe, and rotating a few key pieces that pair well with multiple items in your collection to produce many different combinations of great outfits without overwhelming you small closet.

FAQs

How can I made my walk-in closet look expensive?

If your closet is organized it will look expensive, no matter the size. If you have the space, consider adding a statement chandelier, ottoman or chaise lounge to the space, to give it a luxurious feel. You can also swap plastic transparent clothing bins with fabric opaque ones, and using matching velvet hangers to add uniformity and a touch of luxury storage features.

Invest in quality, small furniture which works efficiently while looking beautiful, consider color drenching, using a trendy wallpaper style, or adding wall paneling, ceiling features such as molding, and soft uplighting.

Once you've organized your clothes, these walk-in closet ideas can be used to inject style and personality into your space.