How to organize belts – 6 professional organizer-recommended methods to store unruly accessories
No matter how big a belt collection you have, there is an organizational method to keep any of these unwieldy accessories neat
![Someone getting a belt out of a divided accessories drawer in a closet](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fGZJajaNhsCqDSc4ZyuCM3-415-80.jpg)
Belts are one of those awkward accessory categories where you either have one or two or a whole collection. That said, they're always tricky to find the right spot for, especially when they unravel and fall around your closet.
No matter how many you own, there are some quick closet organization ideas experts rely on to organize belts in a way that will not damage them while making them easy to find and pull out each morning.
Among the typical closet organizers professionals always use, such as bins, there are some smart belt storage options designed specifically for the task.
How to organize belts
Here is what the pros prefer to do based on the space and collection they are working with.
1. Keep them straight with a belt hanger
Raychel Klein, professional organizer, Kon-Marie consultant, and founder of RayBayBay suggests using a designated belt hanger to help keep your belts straight, easy to find, and protect them from damage.
'I like to buy a hanger specifically designed for hanging belts with hooks, like this belt hanger from Amazon,’ she recommends. ‘Be sure you buy enough hangers or get a hanger that has enough slots/hooks for the number of belts you own to avoid having to stow belts in different parts of your closet, making them harder to pick between when getting dressed,’ she adds.
‘You can then further categorize them by style (e.g. dressy, casual, golf), or by color.’
2. Display them with wall-mounted belt hangers
If you are trying to organize a small closet with lots of clothes and don’t have the rail space to hang your belts, then a wall-mounted storage option is your next best bet, says Stephanie Gisondi-Little, personal stylist and closet organizer at ComposedCo.
‘My number one choice is always a hanging option, ideally well-mounted to a wall space and installed inside a closet.
‘Belt racks made of wood and/or metals such as this belt rack from The Container Store will outshine plastic's weight bearing and general deterioration over time. As with organizing any closet space, purchase racks for the number of belts you want to keep on hand (because you actively love and ideally wear them) as opposed to buying for all you have on hand (and never wear).
‘Check the capacity of the rack, don't be afraid to double up on hooks but also make sure to leave yourself a little wiggle room to incorporate one or two new pieces down the road.’
Stephanie is a self-proclaimed 'Fashion Therapist' having worked for top desgners such as Emanuel Ungaro and Nicole Miller while also helping clients with different needs across the style and budget spectrum refine their closets for a streamlined space full of clothes that truly work for them.
3. Use a drawer divider to keep belts tucked away
When organizing a small closet, you may wish to store your belts in a dresser instead, using a drawer divider to help keep your belts neatly wrapped up.
Jill Viglione, professional organizer and founder of Embrace Your Space likes to roll each belt with the buckle on the outside, stand them up, then place them side by side in a row in a dresser organizer.
‘This technique works best with drawer dividers to keep belts in place or a divided-belt storage container with an individual compartment for each belt,’ she says.
Marie Kondo Linen 3-Section Drawer Organizer | $19.99 at The Container Store
This sectioned drawer organizer is a simple way to define storage space inside a dresser or desk. Use the narrow compartments for sorting lingerie, accessories, or rolled-up socks.
4. Use hooks on the back of a closet door for odd belts
Making use of vertical space is a common home-organizing idea professionals always fall back on, and it is no different for organizing belts as Karina Toner, cleaning expert at Spekless Cleaning points out.
‘If you only have a few belts to store, consider attaching a few hooks or pegs to a wall or the back of a closet door. You can hang your belts individually on these hooks, allowing you to easily see and choose the one you need without having to designate a lot of storage space such as a small accessories category.’
Karina is the Operations Manager at Spekless Cleaning, a trusted maid service based in Washington D.C. The team has over five years of experience providing top-quality cleaning services for both residential and commercial clients. Karina oversees every aspect of the business, ensuring that every client gets the same top-notch service and spotless clean every time.
5. Use space in a hanging shoe organizer
Similarly, if you have a shoe organizer on the back of your closet, you could designate some of the pockets to keep your belts, Karina Toner, cleaning expert adds.
‘This method works well if you have limited drawer or closet space,’ she says.
24-Pocket Over-Door Shoe Organizer | $19.99 at QVC
This over-door shoe organizer has transparent pockets, so you can easily see what shoes and accessories you have stowed away inside.
6. Use a storage bin to store belts on shelves
Last but not least, there is the common use of a storage bin – a storage product professional organizers can’t live without – on a closet shelf to help keep your belts in one place, especially if you do not wear them very often, suggests professional organizer, Raychel Klein.
‘To keep things simple, I often recommend that my clients corral their belts in a dedicated bin. No other accessories or categories should be in the bin and you should add a label to make them easy to find.
‘You can simply roll up your belts and stack them. This is a great option for someone with fewer than 10 belts, making the bin manageable to keep neat and sift through.’
You could even consider upgrading to a luxury storage basket to make your shelf storage that little bit more stylish, too.
FAQs
How do you roll a belt up for storage?
When storing or packing belts, it can help to roll the end through the buckle first. Then, form a tight swirl and continue to roll until it looks like a cinnamon roll.
Is it better to roll or hang belts?
Whether you roll or hang belts will depend on the material the best is made out of. Real and faux leather belts are best hung up so you do not crack the leather or leave creases. Fabric belts, on the other hand, can be rolled to help conserve space.
Organizing belts doesn't have to be hard work. Using smaller storage options or integrating them into what you already have is a great option for those of us that have two staple belts and rotate them, while larger racks and hangers make sorting larger collections simple. Just remember to declutter first before investing in storage solutions to make sure you are not stowing away items that will just collect dust.
Sign up to the Homes & Gardens newsletter
Design expertise in your inbox – from inspiring decorating ideas and beautiful celebrity homes to practical gardening advice and shopping round-ups.
Chiana has been at Homes & Gardens for two years, having started her journey in interior journalism as part of the graduate program. She spends most of her time producing content for the Solved section of the website, helping readers get the most out of their homes through clever decluttering, cleaning, and tidying tips – many of which she tests and reviews herself in her home in Lancaster to ensure they will consistently deliver for her readers and dabbles in the latest design trends. She also has a first-class degree in Literature from Lancaster University.
-
7 of the most versatile and easy to use paint colors according to designers
There are certain go-to shades that experts love as they enhance a space perfectly, we explore these versatile and easy to use colors
By Sophie Warren-Smith Published
-
Does vanilla extract repel mosquitoes? Experts explore the effectiveness of this sweet scent
We asked the pros if this natural hack really works
By Ottilie Blackhall Published
-
How to organize a galley-shaped kitchen – 5 tricks to make this small layout work
Keep even the smallest of galley kitchens neat with these 5 expert tricks
By Chiana Dickson Published
-
Should you store your glasses facing up or down? Experts share their thoughts
Which way is right and which way is wrong? We ask the pros
By Ottilie Blackhall Published
-
7 things pro organizers always notice in well-organized homes – and the lessons you can learn from them
These seven things are noticeable in every well-organized home, experts say
By Chiana Dickson Published
-
4 hacks to clean the inside of your drinking straws – and why keeping them dry is so important
Look out for your health and leave a positive mark on the planet by learning how to clean the inside of your drinking straws
By Ciéra Cree Published
-
Can your home be 'too organized'? – professional organizers share their thoughts
If your organization systems are bringing more stress than solutions to your home, perhaps it's time to reevaluate
By Ciéra Cree Published
-
5 tricks to stop your window panes from attracting too much heat
You’ll be surprised to hear just how many options are out there to cool down your window panes this summer
By Ciéra Cree Published
-
4 household appliances to unplug during a heatwave
Stay safer, cooler, and more on top of your energy bills after learning what appliances experts believe should be switched off during a heatwave
By Ciéra Cree Published
-
What is 'Non-Attachment Theory'? Use this practice to rid your home of unneeded items once and for all
Live a life no longer held captive by your stuff with the ‘non-attachment theory’ praised by minimalists and professional organizers
By Ciéra Cree Published