Maximizing Space: Best Storage Solutions for Small Reach-In Closets

Rick Blakeney • Nov 16, 2023

As a home organization specialist, I’ve seen my share of small closets. Many homeowners struggle to maximize the potential of these spaces, but don’t worry: I’m here to share some tips and tricks that will help you transform your reach-in closets into attractive, appealing, and functional storage spaces.

Here are some tried-and-true ways I’ve found that can make the most of a reach-in closet:

Start with a clean slate
Add hanging rods and drawers
Use your wall and door space
Ask about closet organizers
Keep it tidy

Are you ready? I’m ready to share my knowledge, so keep reading!

Start with a Clean Slate

I know firsthand how easy it is for a small closet to get overwhelmed. When there’s not a lot of room on the hanging rod, everything gets crammed together and can fall on the floor. I get it! This isn’t your fault; the problem lies with the organizers being used in the space. I’m going to help you get it all under control, though.

Take everything out of the closet – the shirts, the pants, anything you have on the floor, and the wardrobe accessories you’re storing. Go through your items, and ask yourself whether you’ve worn each one in the past year. If not (and if it’s not an item you’d only wear to a special occasion, such as a wedding), it might be time to let it go.

The rule of thumb is that most of us wear 20 percent of our clothing 80 percent of the time, so it’s likely you can get rid of more than half of your clothes without really noticing. In fact, Fashion United breaks it down by country. Pack up what you’re not using, and drop it off at your favorite thrift shop.

Add Hanging Rods and Drawers

Here’s where I can personally help. One of my designers would be thrilled to meet with you and see how we can optimize your closet design. For most of my clients, adding hanging rods, drawers, and shelves truly transforms a cluttered closet into a blissful haven of organization.

What I recommend is adding a hanging rod a few feet under the current one (we can also move the top one up a bit, so the spacing works better). This allows you to hang your separates, well, separately. Hang tops on top and bottoms on the bottom (or vice versa), and it will double your hanging space without you needing to expand the closet.

While we’re at it, we can add drawer space, so you can store your t-shirts, jeans, sweaters, delicates, and whatever else you’re currently having trouble fitting in the closet. My designers and installers will work with you to figure out exactly how to make the most of every inch depending on what you’re storing and how you want to use the space.

Use Your Wall and Door Space

Many people look in their reach-in closets and think they have 12 or 20 square feet of space because they’re counting only the floor space. The trick, I’ve found, is to also consider all of the wall space. That counts!

We (or you) can add hooks and wall organizers either to the walls or behind the closet door. Here, you can hang scarves, purses, belts, ties… the possibilities are nearly endless.

Ask About Closet Organizers

In addition to hooks on your closet walls, Golden Gate Garage Storage & Closets also offers a wide range of other closet organizers you might consider. Some accessories can be pulled out to use; the rest of the time, they stay tucked away in the depths of the closet – taking up minimal room.

For example, a pull-out mirror lets you do a last-minute outfit check, but it doesn’t take up room in your closet, since it stays pushed in most of the time. A telescoping valet rod is another example: You can pull out this handy rod to keep an outfit fresh for the next day, but when you’re not using it, it collapses into itself to stay out of sight. My designers have a ton of ideas and options to choose from, so don’t hesitate to ask.

Keep it Tidy

Finally, keeping a reach-in closet organized is largely a matter of taking a few extra minutes each day to keep it neat. Put items away properly; don’t just leave it “for later.” If you have any receipts or tissues in your pockets, throw them away immediately; don’t let them fall out of your pants onto the floor of the closet.

Home & Gardens shares the story of someone who has taken on a 5-minute cleaning challenge and had good results. You might consider trying it in your closet; I’ve been surprised by how much I can accomplish in just five minutes, and I think you will be, too.

Conclusion

I’ve worked with countless homeowners who have been struggling with their small reach-in closets, and I know the tips above will help you. Clear everything out of the closet, so you can see what you have, let my team add hanging rods and other components, and work on keeping your closet neat and tidy. You’ll see a major difference soon!