As a professional closet organizer, I love the challenge of working with small custom closets. The key is making the most of every inch of space, and my team has the experience and expertise to come up with some really creative solutions that our clients love. In this article, I’ll go through some of my best space-saving ideas for reach-in closets.
Some ways to make the most of your small custom closet system include:
- Custom solutions for nooks, crannies, and corners
- Hidden components that pull out as needed
- Double-hung clothing rods
- Various shoe storage options
I’d love to work with you on maximizing your closet’s potential. In the meantime, let’s delve into some of these tips.
Custom Solutions for Nooks, Crannies, and Corners
When it comes to a small closet, you really need to take advantage of every bit of space. Many closets have small cutouts, tight corners, and other unique architectural features that beg to be used in some way.
Custom-built shelves fit into these unique spaces because they’re built for the space you have. Corner shelves can be made on an angle if your corners aren’t square, for example. If there’s an awkward nook, drawers or shelves can be built to fit the space perfectly.
The goal is to design custom solutions that fit, so the entire system looks cohesive, and so there aren’t any buckling or gaps. With customized pieces, this is possible.
Hidden Components That Pull Out As Needed
When I build a custom closet, what you see isn’t all that you’re getting. My team often uses hidden components that only pull out when you need them. Some examples include valet rods, pull-out mirrors, racks, and other accessories that stay hidden when not in use.
The advantage here is that you’ll be able to use the items as you need them, but they won’t be contributing to any visual clutter. A valet rod can telescope back into itself when you’re not using it, but it will be ready to extend at a moment’s notice when the time comes to hang up your outfit for the next day.
If you need to do a last-minute outfit check, pull out the mirror, and take a look. Then you can put it back, so it won’t be blocking your access to your clothing and accessories.
Using hidden functionality in this way increases the items you can store while allowing everything to look streamlined and tidy. When the closet looks good, you’ll feel better about using it, which is the goal.
Double-Hung Clothing Rods
You can literally double your storage space for hung clothing by adding a second clothing rod. Usually, we’ll move the existing rod up a bit and then install a new rod a few feet below it. This lets you move some of your separates down – freeing up lots of space and giving you room to install shelves, drawers, cabinets, and other items to the left or right of the hanging rods.
If you wear a lot of longer items, such as dresses or suits, or if you prefer to hang your pants by their cuffs, you will need some full-length hanging space. This is no problem; we can leave one section with only the top rod to accommodate these items.
Various Shoe Storage Options
Most people have a number of shoes to store in their closets. I’ve found that in a small closet, extra footwear tends to accumulate on the floor, which isn’t beneficial to anyone. Not only can the shoes get crushed or stepped on, but they also become tripping hazards.
My team carries a variety of shoe racks, shoe shelves, and other shoe organizers to consider. The best type of shoe storage is going to be the one that fits well in your closet and that accommodates your collection. If you have only a handful of pairs of shoes, you might do well with a small shoe rack on the floor. If you have many pairs, however, you may need floor-to-ceiling shelving or some other storage solution.
Better Homes and Gardens offers a variety of options, both in and out of the closet, for storing these wardrobe essentials.
Conclusion
Making the most of a small closet can be a challenge, but with the help of custom closet systems, you will be thrilled by how many items you can store in this space. Reach out to me, and a member of my team will be happy to meet with you in your home to come up with the right solutions for your reach-in closet.
