Most of my clients struggle to fit all of their belongings in their closets; that’s why they contact me in the first place. If you find it a challenge to make the most of your small reach-in closet, I have good news for you – I can help you transform even the most cramped closet space into a functional storage area that you’re happy to use each day.
Some of my best tips for making the most of a reach-in closet are:
- Declutter the space
- Choose adjustable shelving
- Organize your drawers
- Make good use of lighting
Ready to get your small closet organized once and for all? Let’s get started!
Declutter the Closet
Before diving into your organization project, it helps to take any items you’re not using out of the closet. Everyone has some clothing or accessories they don’t use or need any longer; even if you can just remove a handful of items, that will open up more space for the things you actually are using.
Go through your belongings, and look for clothes you haven’t worn all season and shoes you haven’t worn within a year. Some may be for special occasions, and it’s fine to keep those. If you have several pairs of black pants, though, and you avoid one or two because they don’t fit quite right, it’s best to let them go. Real Simple has some tips on items you can guiltlessly let go of today if you’re purging your reach-in closet.
Choose Adjustable Shelving
The day you have your custom closet installed, it will be perfect for your needs… that day. In a small closet, efficiency is key, and as your needs change throughout the seasons and years, you’ll want to ensure the space is able to accommodate your current wardrobe. Adjustable shelving allows you to move components around to suit what you’re wearing.
For example, if you live in shorts and t-shirts all summer, you’ll want shelves that can accommodate these smaller items. The shelves might be closer together to prevent tall stacks of t-shirts from toppling over. In the winter, though, when you switch to sweaters and jeans, you might want to move those shelves further apart to accommodate your bulkier clothing.
Organize Your Drawers
You might be thinking, drawers in a reach-in closet? Yes, absolutely! I often recommend that my clients have drawers added to their closet systems to hold items, like socks, undergarments, ties, belts, tank tops, and other small clothing and accessories. Drawers fit in well between hanging rods or along the bottom of the closet.
What you don’t want, though, is to have items spilling out of your closet drawers. Use drawer organizers and separators to keep everything in order. Separators will also keep items, like belts, from uncoiling and getting tangled up with everything else.
Make Good Use of Lighting
Many closets have dark corners and recesses that are unusable because you simply can’t see what’s there. Rather than avoid the dimmer areas of your small closet, make the most of them by installing better lighting throughout the space.
LED strips are great for illuminating places that don’t have good natural light or that aren’t directly brightened by an overhead light fixture. Put them along the bottoms of shelves to light up what’s underneath. Battery-operated touch lights are another excellent option for allowing you to turn on a small light where you’re focusing your attention without having to plug anything in or have someone wire a separate fixture.
Conclusion
Making the most of a small reach-in closet can sound like a big order, but working with a professional closet organizer can shed a lot of light on the topic. My team has a lot of experience working with homeowners just like you who need a bit of help getting out of a cramped and crowded closet situation. Contact us to learn more and to schedule a free consultation with one of our professional designers. Your only regret will be that you didn’t call sooner!
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