25 Small Closet Ideas to Make the Most of Your Space

Many of us dream of large, spacious closets, but often, our living situations, particularly in city apartments, older homes, or smaller residences, mean we have limited closet space.

However, even the tiniest closet can become incredibly efficient and neatly store your possessions.

The trick lies in maximizing every bit of space, staying organized, and thinking creatively.

Let these ideas for small closets spark your imagination.

Shelves and Bins

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Walls of shelves and cabinets are organized with bins that corral shirts and sweaters into neat, easy-to-locate spots.

Mirrored doors make the small closet feel larger and hide the items inside, minimizing visual clutter.

Bins beneath the clothes rod hold purses and maximize the space.

Implement a Clear Vanity

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Choose clear furniture, like this vanity table made of lucite, to make a small walk-in closet appear roomier.

Using furniture you can see through takes up less visual space and keeps the closet feeling open and airy.

Small Walk-In Closet Idea on a Budget

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Design your small walk-in closet with easy-to-install metal shelves, clothing rods, and drawers for maximum efficiency at a minimum price.

Measure your closet and buy affordable shelves and rods to fit your space. Use clear plastic bins for extra clothes storage so you can see inside without opening them.

Suspend hanging shoe shelves made of fabric for inexpensive and organized shoes, purses, and clothing rolled to fit.

Shoe Bins and Shelves

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A slim and tall set of metal shelves tucked into a corner of a small walk-in closet packs a lot of storage into a little area.

A set of shoe cubicles placed on a shelf keeps shoes tidy and near their mate.

The shelves have been arranged to fit the shoes’ height with no wasted space.

Utilize Wall Space with Hooks

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Installing wall hooks for hats, purses, and scarves transforms bare walls inside a small walk-in closet into smart storage space.

The rest of the wall is also used wisely thanks to a mounted shelf complete with a pair of small drawers, perfect for storing makeup and hair accessories.

Closet Island

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Islands aren’t just for kitchens—put a stylish island in the middle of a walk-in closet to turn floorspace into storage space.

A marble countertop glams up the closet, along with an eye-catching light fixture.

Makeup Nook

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Hang a vanity on the wall beneath a closet window to make the most of the space without blocking precious natural light.

Mirrored drawers on the vanity make the space look brighter and graphic black-and-white wallpaper makes the area visually intriguing.

Tuck a small ottoman with under-seat storage under the vanity to combine style and function.

Make It a Vibe

PinStefan Radtke

When you have a small closet—in an even smaller space—there’s no ignoring its presence. Instead of playing the shame game and pretending it’s not there, let it be a decorative element.

In her New York City apartment, Christina Juarez calls attention to her fashion-forward closet by surrounding it with copious artwork and boldly patterned wallpaper.

Rehome Your Shoes

PinJoshua Greene

Shoes take up a lot of room, so they’re one of the first things you should consider removing if you want more clothing storage in your closet.

They’re also the last thing you put on, so it’s okay if you need to go to another area, like a hall or bathroom closet, to find them.

This ensuite linen closet by Joshua Greene doubles as a shoe cubby, keeping pairs neat, tidy, and off the closet floor.

Add Decorative Wallpaper

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There’s no reason a small closet shouldn’t feel as special and considered as a dreamy walk-in.

Case in point? This charming kid’s room closet by Leanne Ford, which gets a pop of playful energy from a floral mural.

Put Mirrors on the Doors

PinNgoc Minh Ngo

In this bedroom by David Kaihoi, there are several must-steal small closet ideas, starting with placing mirrors on the inside of your closet doors for function and stylish appeal.

Mounting hooks on the doors and using canvas bins to stay organized as seen here are two more great small-space solutions.

Use a Boutique Rack

PinFantastic Frank

For anyone whose tiny closet is already packed to the brim (or who doesn’t even have a closet to begin with), a freestanding clothing rack is a lifesaver.

Besides, since your wardrobe is exposed, it’ll force you to keep your clothes nice and organized instead of in an avalanche pile.

Use the Room Outside the Closet

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Augment a tiny walk-in closet by putting shelves in the room just outside.

Here, shelves have been cut into the drywall outside the closet entry—they’re recessed and don’t take up floor space.

A vanity painted to match the walls and shelf provides a place to sit and put on makeup and jewelry.

The room’s walls and vanity match the shelves in the closet, tying the space together visually.

Focus on Shoe Storage First

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Arranging shoes is key to a functional and organized walk-in closet.

Skip the morning shoe scramble by installing a shoe shelf with room for every pair you own.

Then design the rest of the closet (like the rods and shelves for the rest of your wardrobe) around the shoe shelf.

Embellish a Modular System

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Dress up a modular storage system in a walk-in closet with trim on the front of the shelves.

This will give the closet a more finished, custom look.

You can cut pieces of trim and DIY it, or look for a system that offers this option as an add-on.

Go Bold and Minimal

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Glam up a walk-in closet by installing simple white shelves and cabinets against dark gray walls for a minimalist style along with an organized wardrobe.

Hang a pendant light overhead to provide a beautiful source of task lighting.

Double Duty Walk-In Closet

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A modular system of shelves, drawers, and clothing rods has been arranged to accommodate coats, sports equipment, cleaning supplies, and overflow dishware.

Choosing the appropriate storage system to match the items you have is integral to making it all fit into a tight space.

Use Various Types of Closet Storage

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Mix and match storage types to suit your space—apart from the usual hanging rods, consider using open cubbies, baskets, plastic bins, and cabinet storage units to store different types of clothing and accessories.

Generally, most clothing, shoes, and extras (like purses) should be visible to make outfit planning easier.

Store smaller folded garments, accessories, and other miscellaneous items inside closed storage solutions to avoid a cluttered look.

Design a Small Walk-In Closet with Style

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Small walk-in closets provide a lot of storage within tight quarters, but that doesn’t mean they can’t also be stylish.

A beautiful chandelier, for example, can work wonders for turning a dark closet into a bright and inviting dressing area.

Cover the walls or door with patterned wallpaper and add accents like an ornately framed mirror to add character and dimension.

Maximize Every Inch of a Small Walk-In Closet

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Sort, stow, and organize a walk-in closet to reflect your style. For example, this small walk-in closet idea brings big color to a tiny space with colorful boxes.

Lidded boxes in bright colors and patterns add notes of color (and hidden storage) throughout while racks, shelves, and baskets puzzle together to provide space for everything else.

The closet doors sport glass panels and cut-glass knobs for a touch of elegance.

Reconsider Your Small Closet Layout

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Amplify your usable space by customizing the layout of your closet.

No room for a standard dresser? This tall, narrow option includes seven drawers for folded garments and accessories while allowing enough space to enter the closet.

A mirror and pendant light above the dresser provide a spot to try on jewelry and accessories.

To complete the customized small walk-in closet ideas, the homeowners strategically spaced sets of hanging rods to accommodate longer shirts and dresses as well as folded slacks.

Use Simple, Functional Storage Containers

Pin @afreshspace / Instagram

Simple storage containers with labels are an easy, budget-friendly way to organize loose items and all those cords.

This will help organize that closet that seems to hold all your random items.

Use a Shoe Rack With Pockets

Pin @nycneat_louisa / Instagram

Over-the-door shoe pockets are an easy, budget-friendly way to store shoes when you don’t have closet space.

They keep shoes easy to find and at hand while saving room in the closet for other items.

Add Drawers Between Clothes Racks

Pin @joanna_organize / Instagram

Adding a closet system with drawers is a great alternative to a dresser if you don’t have the space for one.

It keeps small accessories organized and at hand. Concealing items in drawers and storage bins gives your closet a decluttered look.

Use a Hanging Organizer for Handbags

Pin @afreshspace / Instagram

Oftentimes, organizing is about knowing what organizational items are out there. You can find organization solutions for just about anything, including your handbags.

These hangers allow you to hang multiple handbags in a small amount of space.

Plus, they prevent the handbags from creasing or getting damaged, and they fit right on the bar with your other clothes hangers.

Try Door Storage

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Even though this closet is small, it has room for everything your baby needs.

The clear storage cabinet acts as a dresser while the hanging system on the door holds baby gear.

Make Room for Cleaning and Pet Supplies

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One of the main rules of organizing is keeping similar items together, and storage bins are the most budget-friendly way to do that.

This hall closet is designated for cleaning and pet supplies. The bins also safely keep the cleaning supplies away from pet toys and accessories.

Maximize Closet Space

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An acrylic jewelry holder is a great way to keep your favorite pieces visible while keeping them from getting tangled.

The lining on the inside of the drawers adds a seamless, more elegant look.

Install a Modular System

Pin @joanna_organize / Instagram

A combination of pull-out drawers and shelving goes a long way in a small closet.

This modular closet system features both, making it easier to store accessories and other small items.

Maximize a Laundry Closet

Pin @nycneat_louisa / Instagram

The door to this laundry closet features a hanging organization system with baskets that hold cleaning and laundry supplies.

This is proof that just because your laundry closet only has room for a washer and dryer, doesn’t mean you can’t maximize the space to store other items.

Hang Toys

Pin @neatbymeg / Instagram

Just as you would use a rack to hang clothes, you can install racks to hang bulky toys that take up too much bin or shelf space.

All you need are some S hooks. Now the trick is getting the kids to put their toys here!

Expand a Small Walk-In Closet

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The walk-in closet above works well as stand-alone storage, but pair it with an adjacent dressing area and you have an all-inclusive wardrobe warehouse.

These space-smart homeowners outfitted a secondary shallow closet space with a custom-built dresser that provides a home for lingerie, gym clothes, and socks.

Accessories rest atop the dresser and an adjacent shelf. A sliding barn door enhances the bedroom’s modern farmhouse look.

Use Furniture Inside a Small Walk-In Closet

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It makes sense to tuck a dresser or a small wardrobe inside a walk-in closet for added storage—inside drawers and on top.

This small walk-in closet idea incorporates a chest of drawers into a built-in framework that houses glass shelves and two hanging compartments.

The glass keeps light bouncing around to brighten the dark space while other shelves rise to the ceiling to stow all sorts of out-of-season clothing and rarely-used items.

A single rod for hanging dresses equips the rear compartment, and double rods hold blouses and jackets. A transparent vessel sitting atop the dresser corrals colorful scarves.

Try a Custom Small Closet System

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Whenever budget allows, outfit small walk-in closets with custom-fitted furnishings. These pieces make small closet spaces work as hard as they possibly can.

This homeowner created plenty of storage for his wardrobe along two adjacent walls in his deeper-than-wide closet.

The dresser houses drawers sized to hold all sorts of clothing items; shelves above support getting-ready supplies and accessories.

Adjustable shelves on the side of the corner closet hold folded items such as sweaters.

Utilize Inefficient Wall Space

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Closets are filled with difficult-to-access nooks and crannies—why not make the most of them?

Here, a built-in DIY shoe rack made from wood shelves and lucite rods creates a clever, efficient shoe rack that’s contained, out of the way, and makes use of otherwise unusable space.