Beautiful Virgin Islands

Thursday, Oct 30, 2025

11 small closet ideas – storage tips and stylish designs to make more of your space

11 small closet ideas – storage tips and stylish designs to make more of your space

Blessed with a tiny closet? Let our savvy small closet ideas save you from out of control shoe collections and tumbling piles of sweaters

As much as we would all love a spacious walk-in wardrobe to house our ever-growing shoe collection, most of us are not blessed with copious amounts of space when it comes to clothes storage. Small closets are the reality and therefore clever small closet ideas (so we can still keep the prior mentioned ever-growing shoe collection) are a must.

Just because there are not acres of room to play with, it doesn't mean you can't have a small closet that's practical and well organized, plus you want it to be visually pleasing too, of course. You just need a few handy closet organization ideas and styling tips to make the most of the space you do have. From storage solutions to clear the clutter, to closet design ideas if you are looking to add one into your current, we have you covered with our small closet storage ideas...

1. Organize and declutter




As much as you might not want to believe it, no amount of space saving storage is going to create a practical small closet that's a joy to use, if you are filling it with too much stuff. So the first step to organizing your small closet is to have a declutter.

Yep, that means getting everything out. 'Clear enough time to do the job properly - there is nothing more frustrating or disheartening than starting a project and then running out of time' advises Lucy Williams, founder of Please Organise Me.

'Do not try to do everything in one go - it is tiring and can be overwhelming. Instead, tackle one small area at a time. One shelf, one drawer, one section of hanging space etc. Have a bin bag for rubbish, a bag for items to donate or give away, a bag for “belongs elsewhere”, a pile for needs to be mended. Only put back items into the wardrobe or closet you want to keep.'

Then once you have made your cull, organize your clothes seasonally. There's no point filling up a small closet with winter coats and sweaters in the middle of summer, so rotate your wardrobe every few months. Anything you don't need to keep in your closet, store in boxes under your bed, or in a loft space if you have one. Save space by putting them into vacuum bags first.

2. Assess your storage needs




Once you can clearly see what you need to put back into your closet then you can start thinking about what storage would be best to maximize your space. Do you have lots of long items that will need rails? Or can you sacrifice some rail space for drawers or shelving? Do you want all your clothes on show or could you bring in some bins or baskets to roll up sweaters or t-shirts into?

We spoke with Vicky Silverthorn, professional organizer and founder of You Need a Vicky and these were her top tips for making the most of a small closet:

Make use of all space including the inside of wardrobe doors - hooks work well

Ensure your shelving is close enough together so you aren’t wasting any height. Add extra shelving if this is the case

If you have space under your hanging clothing or even a long hanging rail but not many long hanging clothes add an extra rail

Think carefully before ordering gimmicky inserts and additions that may hinder rather than help!

Look at what you are folding versus what you are hanging and see if changing a habit would be more space-efficient

If your wardrobe doesn’t touch the ceiling is there space for some moth proof storage boxes to sit on top that could hold a holiday clothing box or seasonal items/ items only used occasionally

Fold clothing that won’t crease vertically in drawers to save space

Use slimline hangers (check the sizes before you order!) to save huge amounts of space

3. Create a small closet with a room divider




Right, serious storage talk out of the way, let's move onto lovely small closet designs that will not only make more of your space but look lovely too.

If you are squeezed for space, but want to create a small closet that still has that walk-in feel, be inspired by this walk-in closet idea. A half-wall separates a small closet from the rest of the bedroom, and yet it doesn't feel like you are compromising on bedroom space because the divider doesn't totally break up the room.

4. Choose glass doors




In a small closet, whether is a separate space or in your bedroom, you don't want it to feel boxy or add too much visual bulk. Opting for glass doors will feel more open and airy, plus being able to see into your closet will encourage you to keep it organized. Alternatively, line the glass doors with fabric so you still have the glass bouncing light around the space, but your clutter is well hidden.

5. Or double the space with mirrored doors




Mirrored doors work wonders in this small closet. The room appears double the size and filled with light, you really don't notice its narrow proportions. It might be the oldest trick in the book, but use this small closet idea in your own space and switch out your doors for mirrored ones and you'll instantly notice how much bigger it makes the space feel. This is a great option if you have a closet in a small bedroom too.

6. Make use of vertical space




In small closets sometimes the only place to go is up, so don't leave any of that dead space above your wardrobe. If you are having new units built-in, go floor to ceiling with them, and if you already have your storage system in place, use the highest spaces for storing items you don't reach for on a daily basis. Pop them into baskets rather than just folding on shelves, that way you can pull down the whole basket rather than attempt to pull down a jumper that's at the bottom of the pile.

Also, note how in this very cute small closet, a ladder has been brought in which means those higher shelves can be put to good use and filled with items that see frequent use.

7. Blur boundaries with dark cabinetry




As well as looking incredibly sleek and being incredibly functional despite its narrow footprint, the dark wooden cabinets of this small walk-in closet actually make the space feel bigger.

Light colors have always been known for their color-expanding properties, but dark colors can have a similar effect, especially in really tiny spaces like closets. Going for a deep hue like black or navy blue blurs the boundaries of the room and tricks the eye into thinking the space is larger.

8. Disguise a small closet




This is a lovely small closet idea if your closet is in your bedroom; wallpaper the doors so they blend into the walls. The gold, floral design gives this closet a really luxurious look despite it not being huge. And again, note how the inside is painted black so the space appears much bigger and deeper.

9. Choose sliding doors




Another great space saver, opt for sliding doors. That way you don't have to consider the space needed for your doors to swing outwards. It offers a very minimal look too, as can be seen in this stylish grey bedroom.

10. Create a tiny hidden dressing room




How fabulous is this closet? Such a narrow space and yet it's being used to its full potential. Rather than just fill your alcoves with two small closets, build-out slightly and use the space in between as a hidden dressing area and some handy extra bedroom storage. Once done using the space the doors just fold back over for a totally seamless look.

11. Add a narrow bench




If you have a small walk-in closet that's long and narrow, make the most of that dead space in the center and add a slimline bench. They are perfect for providing extra surface space for folding clothes, a place to put your outfit for the next day, and a spot to perch while you get ready.

You could even opt for a bench with storage so you can store more bulky items that you still reach for regularly, but don't want to fill up your hanging space.

How do you maximize a small closet?


Going for a built-in design is the best way to maximize space in a small closet. That way you can really plan and create a storage space that suits you and your needs. And make sure you choose a variety of storage types too. Even if you prioritize hanging space or lots of shelving, always include space for boxes, baskets, and drawers for those small pieces and miscellaneous items that always seem to be cluttering up the space.

'On shelves, we recommend boxes you can pull out, containing eg t-shirts stacked horizontally (so that they are all visible), rather than piles of clothes which will get tipped over every time you try to find anything.' recommends professional organizer Lucy Williams.

'And do not stack lots of boxes etc at the bottom of the wardrobe or closet. It makes even the biggest wardrobes look cluttered and you cannot access items in lidded, stacked boxes.'

How do you organize clothes in a small closet?


How you organize clothes in a small closet will depend on how you use the space and what system would work for you. Would you rather have your clothes stored by type or by how often you reach for them? We'd recommend a mix of both, so hang like with like but then within those categories have your most frequently worn pieces be the easiest to reach.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
UK and Vietnam Sign Landmark Migration Deal to Fast-Track Returns of Irregular Arrivals
UK Drug-Pricing Overhaul Essential for Life-Sciences Ambition, Says GSK Chief
Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie Temporarily Leave the UK Amid Their Parents’ Royal Fallout
UK Weighs Early End to Oil and Gas Windfall Tax as Reeves Seeks Investment Commitments
UK Retail Inflation Slows as Shop Prices Fall for First Time Since Spring
Next Raises Full-Year Profit Guidance After Strong Third-Quarter Performance
Reform UK’s Lee Anderson Admits to 'Gaming' Benefits System While Advocating Crackdown
United States and South Korea Conclude Major Trade Accord Worth $350 Billion
Hurricane Melissa Strikes Cuba After Devastating Jamaica With Record Winds
Vice President Vance to Headline Turning Point USA Campus Event at Ole Miss
U.S. Targets Maritime Narco-Routes While Border Pressure to Mexico Remains Limited
Bill Gates at 70: “I Have a Real Fear of Artificial Intelligence – and Also Regret”
Elon Musk Unveils Grokipedia: An AI-Driven Alternative to Wikipedia
Saudi Arabia Unveils Vision for First-Ever "Sky Stadium" Suspended Over Desert Floor
Amazon Announces 14 000 Corporate Job Cuts as AI Investment Accelerates
UK Shop Prices Fall for First Time Since March, Food Leads the Decline
London Stock Exchange Group ADR (LNSTY) Earns Zacks Rank #1 Upgrade on Rising Earnings Outlook
Soap legend Tony Adams, long-time star of Crossroads, dies at 84
Rachel Reeves Signals Tax Increases Ahead of November Budget Amid £20-50 Billion Fiscal Gap
NatWest Past Gains of 314% Spotlight Opportunity — But Some Key Risks Remain
UK Launches ‘Golden Age’ of Nuclear with £38 Billion Sizewell C Approval
UK Announces £1.08 Billion Budget for Offshore Wind Auction to Boost 2030 Capacity
UK Seeks Steel Alliance with EU and US to Counter China’s Over-Capacity
UK Struggles to Balance China as Both Strategic Threat and Valued Trading Partner
Argentina’s Markets Surge as Milei’s Party Secures Major Win
British Journalist Sami Hamdi Detained by U.S. Authorities After Visa Revocation Amid Israel-Gaza Commentary
King Charles Unveils UK’s First LGBT+ Armed Forces Memorial at National Memorial Arboretum
At ninety-two and re-elected: Paul Biya secures eighth term in Cameroon amid unrest
Racist Incidents Against UK Nurses Surge by 55%
UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves Cites Shared Concerns With Trump Administration as Foundation for Early US-UK Trade Deal
Essentra plc: A Closer Look at a UK ‘Penny Stock’ Opportunity Amid Market Weakness
U.S. and China Near Deal to Avert Rare-Earth Export Controls Ahead of Trump-Xi Summit
Justin time: Justin Herbert Shields Madison Beer with Impressive Reflex at Lakers Game
Russia’s President Putin Declares Burevestnik Nuclear Cruise Missile Ready for Deployment
Giuffre’s Memoir Alleges Maxwell Claimed Sexual Act with Clooney
House Republicans Move to Strip NYC Mayoral Front-Runner Zohran Mamdani of U.S. Citizenship
Record-High Spoiled Ballots Signal Voter Discontent in Ireland’s 2025 Presidential Election
Philippines’ Taal Volcano Erupts Overnight with 2.4 km Ash Plume
Albania’s Virtual AI 'Minister' Diella Set to 'Birth' Eighty-Three Digital Assistants for MPs
Tesla Unveils Vision for Optimus V3 as ‘Biggest Product of All Time’, Including Surgical Capabilities
Francis Ford Coppola Auctions Luxury Watches After Self-Financed Film Flop
Convicted Sex Offender Mistakenly Freed by UK Prison Service Arrested in London
United States and China Begin Constructive Trade Negotiations Ahead of Trump–Xi Summit
U.S. Treasury Sanctions Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro over Drug-Trafficking Allegations
Miss USA Crowns Nebraska’s Audrey Eckert Amid Leadership Overhaul
‘I Am Not Done’: Kamala Harris Signals Possible 2028 White House Run
NBA Faces Integrity Crisis After Mass Arrests in Gambling Scandal
Swift Heist at the Louvre Sees Eight French Crown Jewels Stolen in Under Seven Minutes
U.S. Halts Trade Talks with Canada After Ontario Ad Using Reagan Voice Triggers Diplomatic Fallout
Microsoft AI CEO: ‘We’re making an AI that you can trust your kids to use’ — but can Microsoft rebuild its own trust before fixing the industry’s?
×