1
First Things First, Purge Your Closet
Madeline Harper
There’s no point in organizing clothes or accessories you never wear. Make a donation pile and as you organize, add items you haven’t worn or used in the last year! Here’s a great example of a minimal collection on display from designer Anastasia Casey of The Interior Collective.
2
Swap in Matching Hangers
Courtesy of Organize Dwell
Streamline your closet with all matching hangers (personally, I prefer velvet hangers). Professional organizers Danna Bitton and Shira Rom Bitton of Organize Dwell suggest grouping like items, so it’s easy to find exactly what you need.
3
Use Dividers for Handbags
Meghan Beierle-O’Brien
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4
Use a Mix of Storage Solutions
Courtesy of Urban Organyze
For a newborn baby, Laura Kinsella of Urban OrgaNYze installs clothing racks, drawers and shelves, then adds various bins to accommodate more than just clothing.
SHOP PLASTIC BINS
5
Group Clothing by Color and Style
Meghan Beierle-O’Brien
Separate clothing by type (think dresses, short-sleeve tops, long-sleeve tops and pants) and colors, or honestly whatever system works best for you! And if you’ve got at least five sequined outfits, feel free to give them their own section.
See more at LA Closet Design »
6
Incorporate Comfortable Seating
Nicole Hirsch
If you’ve got the space, reserve a comfortable place to sit — it’s helpful for trying on shoes. In this modern setup, designer Nicole Hirsch opts for a curved bench.
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7
Install Recessed Lighting
Courtesy of Organize Dwell
Brighten up your everyday items by adding small LED lights on each shelf, just as Organize Dwell does here. This way, you can properly see every color and detail, and can ensure matching fits.
SHOP PORTABLE LIGHTING
8
Keep Small Accessories in Drawers
Meghan Beierle-O’Brien
Those small items you tend to misplace, like socks, sunglasses or cuff links, can be neatly organized in drawers. This keeps your must-haves within reach, while freeing up much-needed counter space.
See more at LA Closet Design »
9
Add a Dresser
R. BRAD KNIPSTEIN
For added storage and style, design firm K Interiors brings a wood dresser into this luxe walk-in. Use the drawers for small articles of clothing, like under garments and socks, and accessories, like scarves.
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10
Try a Closet System
Lemon Thistle
11
Build in a Pull-Out Pants Rack
Meghan Beierle-O’Brien
Men who regularly wear dress pants will love a pull-out rack to keep them wrinkle-free. And to make the most of vertical space, hang tiers of shelves to the ceiling — just keep a stepping stool handy for that top shelf.
See more at LA Closet Design »
12
Store Seasonal Items Up High
Courtesy of Urban Organyze
You may not be able to reach these tall shelves on the daily, but that’s OK. Swap out your closet seasonally — tucking your winter wardrobe up high when spring arrives and vice versa.
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13
Arrange Baskets
Caroline Lee for The Container Store Custom Closets
Keep bulky sweaters and shoes out in the open, so you can pull outfits together in an instant. Corral the rest of your accessories and off-season wear in designated baskets to give the shelving unit a cleaner look.
SHOP STORAGE CUBES
14
Add Smart Lighting
Bless’er House
Lighting can work wonders in a compact space. Blogger Lauren placed a battery puck light inside a wall sconce and installed it above her makeshift vanity’s mirror. The simple lighting solution is just what she needs to apply makeup without any issues.
SHOP WALL SCONCE
See more at Bless’er House »
15
Fold Sweaters in Clear Boxes
Sanctuary Home Decor
Blogger Karen decided to keep her sweaters in linen boxes with transparent fronts after noticing moths were damaging her clothes. They’re especially great if you’re not a fan of mothballs (Karen isn’t either), and their drop-front openings make it easy to see pieces without pulling them out every time.
See more at Sanctuary Home Decor »
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16
Organize Makeup in Drawers
LA Closet Design
Use drawer organizers to group makeup products by type. Lipsticks, makeup brushes, foundations and concealers can have their own sections, so everything is easy to find when you create your look for the day.
17
Consider an Over-the-Door Shoe Organizer
Andrew McCaul
An over-the-door shoe rack is an effortless solution to keep your floor clutter-free, especially if you’re not a fan of drilling holes into the walls for storage. Plus, they’re typically sturdy enough to hold a decent amount of weight.
SHOP SHOE RACK
18
Store Belts in Drawers
LA Closet Design
Let’s face it: You’re bound to miss a belt or two if you have a grand collection of similar designs. Keep them safely tucked away in drawers so you have a clear view to pick the one you want to wear on any given day.
See more at LA Closet Design »
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19
Put Baskets on the Door
Kate L. Photography
20
Utilize Clothing Racks
Photo/ Design: LA Closet Design
A freestanding closet organizer is sleek, stylish and more budget-friendly than built-in systems. Plus, since it’s portable, you can easily move it from room to room when necessary.
SHOP HANGERS
See more at LA Closet Design »
Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) is the associate lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers all things home and interior design. Prior to joining GH in 2022, she wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, Chairish, BobVila.com, Unique Homes Magazine and LODGING Magazine, in addition to crafting product copy for home brands like BrylaneHome and VIGO Industries.
Mariah Thomas (she/her) is an assistant editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers home and lifestyle content. Mariah has more than four years of editorial experience, having written for TLC, Apartment Therapy, Women’s Health and Avocado Magazine. She received her master’s degree in journalism at the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism and published her first book, Heart and Soul: Poems of Thoughts and Emotions, in 2019. She’s also the founder of RTF Community a platform for creatives of color to connect, learn and showcase their work.
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