5 Clothing Storage Solutions to Maximize Closet Space

How many clothes should one person have? This question doesn’t have an easy answer because there isn’t a magic number that satisfies all needs and lifestyles. A survey from ClosetMaid, a closet company, revealed that the average American owns a little over 100 pieces of clothing, which, of course, might apply or not to your wardrobe. One thing is for sure, though — even with an average amount of clothing, closet space can be an issue for most of us.

Fortunately, there are ways to optimize your closet space so that you not only have enough room for everything, but your clothes are stored in such a manner that you can easily find everything you need, at a moment’s notice. Here’s how to tackle closet organization for best results:

1. Start by decluttering your closet!

Going back to the idea of how many items of clothing we should own, and how many of them we actually use, Jennifer Baumgartner, a psychologist/fashionista and author of “You Are What You Wear: What Your Clothes Reveal About You,” notes that most people use only about 20% of their clothes on a regular basis. In other words, chances are that you don’t wear a good portion of your outfits, and the reasons vary. Some of them might not suit you anymore, others might be out of fashion, or, if you’re like most people, you probably purchased some items on impulse but never really wore them.

The first step in reorganizing your closets is getting rid of all that bulk — you can donate, gift, sell or recycle all the clothes you don’t use. Once you have a bit more space in your closet, it will be easier to see, and wear, all your favorite outfits. There are ways to prevent yourself from picking out the same clothes over and over again. For example, after doing laundry, hang your clean clothes at the bottom of the rack, or put them at the bottom of the pile — this ensures that you regularly rotate the clothes you wear.

2. Purchase vacuum bags

Vacuum bags are a genius way of creating more space in your closets. You should use them primarily for bulky things like blankets, pillows, duvets, extra sheets and so on. These items take up a lot of closet space, and, by storing them in vacuum bags, you’ll free up more room for actual clothing. You can also use vacuum bags for articles of clothing, but make sure it’s clothing that doesn’t wrinkle easily, like thick sweaters, down jackets and such. Clothing made of fabrics such as cotton, silk or linen will require a lot of ironing if you store them in vacuum bags.

3. Add more storage space for clothing

Carrie Bradshaw, the main character of the late ’90s hit show “Sex and the City,” famously kept her shoes in the oven. We’re not suggesting something quite as unconventional, but if closet space is simply not enough, there are ways to expand your clothing storage real estate. A trunk can be a very fashionable addition to your bedroom and can hold things like heavy winter jackets, blankets, pillows and so on, which generally take up lots of space in the closet (and you don’t even use them on a daily basis). The top of the trunk also makes for a nice seating area — if you place it next to the window, and you throw some soft pillows on top.

Storage stools are another great accessory for the bedroom — not only are they perfect for holding things like scarves and belts, but they also take up very little floor space (you can put them in a corner). Or, if you prefer, you can turn your storage stool into the perfect place to keep the clothes that you’re currently wearing (aka the “I might wear them again, but I don’t want to put them in the closet with my clean clothes” category).

You can save plenty of closet space by moving your shoes to a slimline shoe cabinet — the narrow piece of furniture can be easily placed in a hallway or against a bedroom wall. Your shoes will be neatly put away and easy to find — much better than having them on your closet floor.

4. Get the right accessories and learn to fold efficiently

The right accessories and working on your folding skills can take your closets and drawers from messy to pristine.

• Switch to narrow hangers

A simple switch from bulky clothes hangers to narrow ones will make a huge difference. You will be able to double the number of hangers in your closet, as the narrow ones take up much less space. This might also help you avoid piling several pieces of clothing on a single hanger, which makes them prone to wrinkling and makes it hard for you to find what you need.

• Install a second rod in your closet

Most closet setups allow you to install a second level rod — you simply move the top rod a bit higher and add a second one underneath, doubling your clothes hanging space. It’s a much better use of space than, let’s say, having a pile of bags or shoes on your closet floor.

• Try the KonMari folding method

The KonMari folding method, popularized by home organization guru Marie Kondo, is a popular technique for folding clothes that can help you maximize space in your closet and keep everything looking neat and tidy. It involves folding clothes into compact rectangles and standing them up vertically in your drawer or on a shelf. This way, you can see everything at a glance, and you don’t have to dig through a pile of clothes to find what you need.

• Use drawer dividers for accessories

Instead of letting your accessories like jewelry, belts, bags and scarves get tangled up in a messy drawer, use drawer dividers to separate and organize them. This will not only keep your accessories neat and tidy, but it will also make them easier to find when you need them.

• Install hooks or pegs

If you have a collection of handbags, backpacks or tote bags, consider hanging them on hooks or pegs. This will not only keep them off the floor and out of the way, but it will also help preserve their shape and prevent them from getting scuffed or damaged.

5. Use self storage

Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, there simply isn’t enough space in your closets for all your clothing. This might be the case particularly for those living in small apartments, those sharing their living space with roommates, families with young children, or people passionate about sports that require specialty apparel (garments for skiing or other winter sports, wet suits, riding boots and so on). The solution for such situations is to rent a self storage unit to keep those belongings you’re not using on daily basis, thus freeing up space in your closet. If you’re storing just clothing, a 5’x5’ or a 5’x10’ storage unit should be large enough, providing a good balance between costs and benefits. Self storage facilities are easy to find, particularly in large cities, though prices might vary from one city to another.

Renting a self storage unit to keep your out-of-season clothing, sports-related garments and other apparel you don’t use on daily basis allows you to enjoy more space in your closets at home. However, to ensure that your clothing stays in tip top shape while in storage, it’s important to follow some rules. First, make sure that all the items you are planning to store are clean and dry. Use sturdy containers for the clothing — lidded plastic boxes are the best. Add some moth repellents to the containers with clothing and make sure you drop by the unit once every few weeks to ensure that everything is in good order.