50 Closet Storage Ideas From Designers That'll Keep Things Organized for Good

A hanging rod is a standard organizational detail in every closet, but we’re talking about hanging one up directly over your laundry machines. Doing this—like Laura K. Sullivan and her team at ID.ology Interiors & Design for our 2024 Whole Home did— allows you to take your clothes out of the laundry immediately before the wrinkles set in. Plus, making sure there’s enough room between the rod and the tops of the machines gives you more room to put baskets, which makes transporting the clothes easier.

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Older homes often lack sufficient closet and storage space. so installing a custom-built wardrobe might be an ideal solution to efficiently store your clothes and shoes. Designer Erin Myers explains that this closet organization idea is exactly what her team did for their client who lived in a historic row house in Washington, D.C. “We added a custom built-in for storage of folded clothes, linens, and jewelry in the primary bedroom,” she says.

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If you frequently forget what clothes and shoes you own unless they're directly in front of you, consider investing in glass-front cabinetry for your closet. This not only keeps your wardrobe visible but also allows your trendy pieces to be showcased like a boutique display. As Ethan Greenfeld demonstrated with his client, this method beautifully highlights your chic belongings for a stylish and functional solution. “We added motion sensor lights, which adds to the clothing boutique vibe,” he says. “We utilized as much height in the closet as possible and used linen-textured cabinetry.”

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Separate your clothes from your spouse’s, we mean. In this closet organization idea from Becky Shea, the designer created a more organized flow by separating the husband’s and wife’s clothes, as well as creating a changing room space away from the storage areas. However, you don’t need a walk-in closet to have this level of separation.

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Designer Christine Vroom doesn’t play when it comes to closet organization ideas. Not only does she suggest organizing by color, but also sleeve length—and she uses matching hangers to do it all. She says, “Incorporate tiered shelving for shoes, matching storage boxes for a clean finish, and elevate the space with a statement shelf or display, along with a piece of art to add personality and flair.”

Ditch the doors in your closet and go with open shelves and hanging racks instead. In House Beautiful’s 2020 Whole Home, designer Elizabeth Georgantas made this conscious decision so everything in the closet would be easily accessible but still look put together.

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Whether or not you’re looking for closet organization ideas for clothes or crafts, like in this closet by Grace Mitchell, there are plenty of unique ways to hang your smaller accessories. Mitchell uses this accordion peg rack for ribbons, but you could easily hang neckties, hats, or scarves on a similar item, too.

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In a small home, rooms and nooks are given multiple purposes, so if your laundry room is actually a closet, there are some stylish ways to organize it as well. Putting up open shelving with baskets above your washer and dryer, like Eden Passante has here, helps keep things organized but still feel open. Plus, you can take it one step further and add cute wallpaper behind the appliances, letting it peek out when the shelves aren’t full.

Possibly the most important tip for closet organization ideas in general is to not go overboard, and if your closet is starting to feel a bit cluttered, take that as a sign to throw some things out. This hosting closet from California Closets by Isabel Ladd looks so neat because it’s not filled to the brim—Ladd has exactly what she needs in there, nothing more, nothing less.

This closet is the ultimate triple threat. Having drawers, shelves, and a hanging rack in this California Closet by Claire Staszak is such a smart way to keep things clean and clutter-free, no matter if you’re hanging clothes or gifting items.

If your closet is on the smaller side, use vertical racks to better utilize the space. Arianne Bellizaire did so in this dog-walking closet, where she also kept a shallow space, fitting exactly what was needed into the closet.

Add more decoration to your closet organization idea and keep things contained at the same time by using cabinet doors with latticework on the front. This option, shown here in a closet by DuVäl Design, is also a good idea if you don’t like the look of all open shelving but still want to see inside the cabinets.

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Technically, this is more for your overall room organization, but using pocket doors rather than regular ones can help save so much space. Bonus points if you make the inside of the closet look like a boutique, like designer Brynn Olson did here.

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Find inspiration in the team at L.A. Closet Design and store your beloved jewelry in a glass-top island that sits in your closet, if space allows for it. Not only will this look so luxurious, but you’ll be able to see your pieces laid out before or after picking out your clothes. Plus, you won’t have to worry about tangling any necklaces or bracelets.

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Refresh your clothes between wears by installing a seamless LG Studio Styler, which also has a mirror on the front to save space. This gadget, put in this closet organization idea by L.A. Closet Design, uses steam to neutralize odors and sanitize the pieces.

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To make the most of a narrow walk-in closet, dedicate a wall to custom built-ins for accessories and clothing, and leave the other wall bare so that a pathway is clear. This will prevent it from feeling too cramped. Joy Cho also added a skylight in this custom narrow but tall closet from California Closets for a touch of natural light.

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Boots can be a pain to store in a closet—they seem to topple over at the slightest touch. If you're designing a closet from scratch, keep this in mind while drawing up custom shelving and built-in cubbies. A special bottom shelf is the perfect height for boots in this fun and organized closet designed by Andrew Howard.

Designed by Frank DeBiasi, this closet organization idea is simple yet polished and tasteful. The custom woodwork matches organizers, trays, and boxes for smaller items. Gold rods are stacked to double the storage capacity, too.