Making The Most Of A Small Closet (On a budget)

 

I often see American TV shows, and social media content, where folks have enormous bedrooms, with an even larger walk in closet. Something that I can only dream about in the older Sydney neighbourhood I live in, where most of the housing stock is Postwar, Edwardian or even Victorian, and space is at a premium. 

I have helped a number of my clients reorganise their spaces to get the maximum utility, who, like me, often live in small homes with pokey, cramped bedrooms. Here are some tips I’ve picked up along the way:

• Purge ruthlessly - I am no minimalist, by any means. But an easy way to start is to immediately toss out garments that are worn out, beyond repair, do not fit, and you have no intention of ever wearing again. A common suggestion is to donate clothes to thrift shops, which is a great idea, but please, do not donate something that is more suited to be cut up for rags - thrift stores are already groaning under the weight of fast fashion and raggedy garments.
  
• Make it pretty - Think about aesthetics. Just because the space you have to work with is small, it doesn’t mean that you don’t deserve a beautiful, organised closet that inspires you to look your best every morning. Start by taking everything out, giving everything a good wipe down and vacuum. Think about form and function as you place your garments back in.
  
• Reuse and repurpose - Don't spend a tonne on organisation products - Have a look around your house and see if there are any storage items you can repurpose, before going shopping, as tempting as that may be.
• Use Uniform Clothes Hangers - In direct contradiction to the above point, I do think its worth investing in all new, uniform hangers for a clean, cohesive look. I'd especially recommend those slim velvet hangers, because they aren't bulky, and they help prevent your clothes from slipping off. You can pick these up fairly inexpensively from many major retailers. 
• Categorise and Systematise - Arrange your clothes by categories, such as work wear, casual wear, event wear, athletic gear, etc. You can go further, and arrange things by colour within these categories, for a neater look, which also makes it easier to spot things quickly. Have a dedicated spot for everything, so things don't end up in a pile, or slung over the back of a chair. Ask yourself - does this need to be hung? Consider folding things (the KonMari method is great!), that don't strictly need to go on hangers to save even more space. Here are a few storage ideas for additional space outside of your closet:
  
• Handbags - I have a designated multi layer hat rack to hold my all handbags. I've done this for a few years and it has worked really well. You can see what you have for an added bonus.
• Over the Door Organiser - the pockets work well for small accessories, or shoes. 
• Pegboards and Hooks - great for belts and scarves.
  
• Under the bed or on top of a shelf - A good spot to keep infrequently worn, or out of season items. 
  
• Catalogue and Digitise - The final step will be to go ahead and catalogue all items in your wardrobe. There are many closet apps out there, such as Indyx, Whering, Acloset, etc. They all have their pros and cons, depending on your individual needs. Having your complete closet in your pocket when you go shopping, being able to create outfits, and seeing the gaps in your closet (and where you overdo it - perhaps you own a dozen black shirts like me!) is truly amazing. 

And there you have it! Some of my tips for making the most of a small closet on a budget. Remember to have fun and not get overwhelmed while you embark on this project - you're doing this to make getting dressed easier and more fun! Let me know in the comments below your thoughts!