31 Small Walk-in Closet Organizing Ideas You Need

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Does your small walk-in closet give you an instant headache because it is cluttered, untidy, and chaotic? Here are 31 clever small walk-in closet ideas that will get you organized,

By implementing only a few of these ideas, you will notice an immediate difference and transform your space into a stress-free sanctuary. Let’s get started! 

Small Walk-in Closet Ideas

1. Dedicated Hanging Bag Rail

Dedicated Hanging Bag Rail

Source: @thetidyguru

Let’s kick things off with bags, bags, and more bags! These bulky accessories quickly clutter your shelves using up valuable space.

Installing a hanging rail dedicated to bags is a clever small walk-in closet idea. Use sturdy S Hooks like these to hang your bags.

Now that all your bags are visible and easily accessible, why not sort them by season, color, and style?

2. Over the Door Shoe Storage

Over the Door Shoe Storage

Source: @shipshapeorganize

Like bags, shoes are space-eaters, especially on the floor. A budget-friendly over the door shoe organizer like this frees up floor space and keeps shoes organized and accessible.

Over-the-door shoe storage is a game-changer for small spaces, turning an often-overlooked area into a functional and stylish storage solution.

You’ll want to see these other genius door storage ideas!

3. Labelled Baskets

labelled baskets

Source: @primspace

I love how woven baskets add a warm, rustic charm to a small walk-in closet. The natural textures and earthy tones make the space look stylish and functional.

This classic set of 6 wicker storage baskets can organize tops, bottoms, accessories, scarves, bags, tees, underwear, and linen. Add labels to make your baskets even more user-friendly.

Check out these other ways to organize with baskets!

4. Shelf Dividers for Purses

Shelf Dividers for Purses

Source: @gestaltliving

Have you ever tried to pile purses one atop the other? Well, don’t – You will end up with a frustrating mess and potentially damaged bags.

This clever idea uses shelf dividers to create compartments for individual purses. Your bags stay in shape, are easy to find, and as a bonus – your closet looks like a designer store.

5. Behind the Door Organizer

Behind the Door Organizer

Source: @lemonaidsolutions

When I search for extra storage space, I seldom consider the space behind the door. But, looking at this image, you can see how ingenious this idea is.

A behind the door organizer requires no drilling, hammering, sawing, or other heavy-duty work. Simply hang it over the top of your door and you have multiple compartments for shoes, bags, clothing, accessories, and more.

6. Acrylic Closet Organizer

Acrylic Closet Organizer

Source: @openathome

Do you have teens with loads of jeans? Packing them in heaps ends up with a disorganized mess.

These clear acrylic bins keep jeans neatly stacked. You can also use this closet organization idea for tees and sweaters. And, by sorting into colors, your teens will easily look runway-ready when they leave home.

7. Stackable Shoe Organizer

Stackable Shoe Organizer

Source: @thejoyfulsort

Stacking is the name of the game when you have loads of sandals, sneakers, and other footwear. (I mean, who doesn’t?)

Clear stackable plastic boxes like these keep your footwear efficiently organized, protected from damage, and easily accessible. And, you save precious floor space which can be used for bulkier items.

8. Ombre Jean Organization

Ombre Jean Organization

Source: @ordendelascosas

Calling all fashionistas! When your jeans collection ranges from jet black to washed-out baby blue, here is a clever small walk-in closet idea to get organized.

Sort your denim jeans in an ombre arrangement from the lightest to the darkest shades and hang them on sturdy closet hangers like these. You have a denim masterpiece in your closet ready to complete your OOTD.

9. Seasonal Basket Storage

Seasonal Basket Storage

Source: @longaberger

Woven baskets are perfect for storing seasonal sweaters and other bulky items. Just roll up your sweaters and tuck them neatly into the baskets.

Your closet will look organized, clutter-free, and it is easy to swap out items as the seasons change.

10. Off-Season Storage

Off-Season Storage

Source: @whitmorinc

One of the smartest ideas for small walk-in closets is to get off-season wear out of your way.

Gain space and get organized by moving off-season clothes and shoes onto the highest shelf where they are out-of-sight. Stackable plastic shoe boxes like these make the job easy.

11. Plastic Bins

Plastic Bins

Source: @roombyroomnwa

I can never have enough plastic bins! They are ideal for organizing a small walk-in closet.

This savvy designer has chosen large white plastic bins to sort out a his-and-hers closet. Adding labels ensures that everything has its dedicated place.

12. Vertical Pants Rack

Vertical Pants Rack

Source: @home.orga

Think vertically – not horizontally! How clever is this small walk-in closet idea to save space?

The vertical rack adds a touch of elegance and sophistication to your space. Sort your pants by style and color and you are ready for any event.

13. Hanging Handbag Storage

Hanging Handbag Storage

Source: @home.orga

One of my pet gripes is a closet that has no shelves. I don’t want to put handbags on the floor where they get scuffed and dirty.

These innovative hanging baskets solve the problem by creating space for handbags, storing them neatly, and ensuring they are easily accessible.

14. Wire Baskets

Wire Baskets

Source: @organizingforlife

I love this small walk-in closet idea because it does not cost a fortune. Simply head off to the dollar store and buy classic wire baskets or get a set of wire baskets from Amazon.

Wire baskets can be used to organize shoes, socks, bags, sporting gear, school wear, caps, tees, jeans, and more. They are ideal for smaller children as they offer floor-level accessibility.

Check out these other dollar store closet organizing ideas!

15. Slippers and Flats Organizers

Slippers and Flats Organizers

Source: @erikamatheus_energiauniversal

Prevent the dreaded pile-up of slippers and flats at the bottom of your closet. My heap is so disorganized that I sometimes end up wearing mismatched slippers!

Organize your slippers and flats by storing them upright in pairs in eco-friendly rustic woven baskets. Avoid the daily shoe-hunt, save time, and look stylish (in a matching pair!)

16. Women’s Only Closet

Women’s Only Closet

Source: @carolrosaorganizer

Celebrate your femininity by dedicating a section of a small walk-in closet to your personal accessories – no sweaty male sneakers!

I love this sophisticated setup with a unique space for heels, flats, and handbags. Getting ready for the day will feel like a luxurious shopping experience.

17. Clear Bins

clear bins

Source: @idlivesimply

Clear bins are a budget-friendly, versatile solution for organizing small walk-in closets.

Use large clear plastic bins like these to store scarves, hats, gloves, bags, seasonal clothing, shoes, and sweaters. Don’t forget to add large customized labels to make it even easier to find things.

18. Hanging Fabric Rail Organizers

Hanging Fabric Rail Organizers

Source: @potterybarndorm

I am captivated by this classy design! How amazing are these hanging fabric shelves, drawers, and shoe holders that attach to your clothing rail?

I found a fabric 6 tier shelf hanging closet organizer on Amazon in a snazzy gray color. If you want to change up your walk-in closet, you can simply unhook it and flat-pack it.

19. Rotating Tank Top Hanger

Rotating Tank Top Hanger

Source: @jennifers_si_showroom

Workout fans have loads of tank tops. How much fun is this twirly holder that keeps them all in one place, saves space, and makes it easy to pick out your favorite for a gym session?

A 24 capacity rotatable metal space saving hanger like this is also ideal for sports bras, scarves, belts, and ties (if your hubby wants one too).

20. Drawer Pulls Shoe Storage

Drawer Pulls Shoe Storage

Source: @emmalous_closetchronicles

This innovative homemaker has mounted drawer pulls on the wall to provide rails for holding shoes with heels. Clever!

Now you have a snazzy shoe display on a wall that takes up no additional space.

21. Open Stackable Floor Bins for Sweaters

 Open Stackable Floor Bins for Sweaters

Source: @thehomeedit

Sweaters take up loads of space in a small walk-in closet. By choosing open stackable floor bins, you instantly use lower space that would otherwise be wasted.

And, your sweaters are neatly contained so they don’t topple over.

I am luvin’ how this homemaker has color-coded her clothing from lightest to darkest.

22. Sneaker Storage

sneaker storage

Source: @tulsaneat

My next clever small walk-in closet idea is perfect for a family of fitness fans with dozens of pairs of sneakers lying around the house!

Organize your small walk-in closet with clear plastic bins to hold all your sneakers. They will be neat, tidy, clean, and easily accessible.

23. Labelled Fabric Bins

labelled fabric bins

Source: @renotahoeneat

Fabric bins add a soft touch and an elegant finish to any walk-in closet. Use them to maximize and organize your space when you store clothing, shoes, caps, coats, sweaters, scarves, and even linen.

Fabric bins like these from Amazon are perfect for a small closet. Add labels to further identify what is inside!

24. Fabric Bins With Handles

Fabric Bins With Handles

Source: @idlivesimply

Declutter your small walk-in closet with fabric bins like these and the KonMari folding method.

These charming bins have handles for easy access and lids for closing. I use lids on the bins that hold my less-used seasonal items and keep the lids off the more frequently used bins.

25. Clear Containers

Clear Containers

Source: @nest_in_order

One clever trick I discovered for managing a small walk-in closet is the art of folding! By neatly folding and packing clothes, you can store loads more in less space.

Clear plastic containers make it easy to organize clothes. If you want a time-saving morning-routine game-changer, this is it.

26. Vertical Pull Out Shoe Shelves

Vertical Pull Out Shoe Shelves

Source: @simplyorganizedpo

Luv… Luv… Luv… this neat shoe closet! Get your stylish shoes off the floor and onto pull out shelves.

This shoe organizer is slim and compact and slots into a small vertical space in your closet. Look for a dollar store bargain or embark on a family DIY project.

27. Horizontal Bars Wall Mount

 Horizontal Bars Wall Mount

Source: @hafeleamerica

Well, you can spend a fortune at a fancy designer store to buy something like this, or you can DIY!

All you need are some metal bars, screws, hooks, and a drill.

This neat idea is perfect for a small walk-in closet and provides stylish storage space for bags, scarves, coats, jewelry, hats, accessories, and even shoes.

28. Clear View Window Clothes Storage Bags

 Clear View Window Clothes Storage Bags

Source: @honeycando

Create closet storage where none existed before. Clothes storage bags with handles and clear-view windows like these make the most of unused space.

The cloth bags fold up for compact storage when not in use and they have reinforced handles for added strength if you need to carry them.

29. Snazzy Shoe Storage

Snazzy Shoe Storage

Source: @theneatlifebycathleen

Here is a really cool shoe storage idea from #TheNeatLife. These innovative plastic holders display one shoe on top and keep its mate tucked away inside.

This clever design not only saves space but also makes finding your favorite pair a breeze. It is time to say goodbye to mismatched shoes.

30. Wall Mounted Cap Rail

Wall Mounted Cap Rail

Source: @simplehome.organizing

Take your cap off to this nifty idea of using a small side wall to store … caps and more caps ….

All you need are a few metal rails, a pack of S-hooks, a few screws, and a drill. This trendy cap-gallery is sure to impress family and friends.

31. Combination Storage

Combination Storage

Source: @homewithjend

My final clever small walk-in closet idea combines many of the above suggestions.

Mix and match innovative ideas from smart homemakers to create the perfect solution for you.

This well-organized walk-in closet features

– Hanging rails

– Small stackable plastic bins for shoes

– Larger plastic floor bins

– Fabric baskets on the top shelves for seasonal items

– Wire baskets for books

I love the plush carpet that brings a warm and cozy feel to this small room.

Keep organizing with these brilliant ways to organize a small bedroom!

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