Expert Tips & Ideas

Space-Saving Closet Tips

Our customers tell us that the closet is often rated as the top source of frustration when it comes to getting organized at home. Here are a few, easy tips to help you get started. Our Closet Designers are also available to help you plan an efficient, functional closet with elfa, our premier shelving and drawer system, through our free space planning service.

Use the "two-year" rule. If an item has been there for two years and has not been used or worn, get rid of it. Chances are it is not needed and it is taking up much needed space.

24-Pocket Vinyl Overdoor Shoe Bag
$14.99
Make use of wall space on the back of closet doors with overdoor organizers, or hooks to hang items such as hats. Hanging pockets that fit over doors also are great for organizing accessories, hosiery, socks, or even video tapes and toys.
Take advantage of the vertical space in a closet by stacking sweaters, hats and other clothing or accessories on top of closet shelves. Organize clothing into long hanging items and short hanging items. Using this system, there is enough space beneath the shorter section and time is saved by not looking through the entire closet for a particular item.

Evaluate all the different ways to organize shoes. Use clear shoe boxes, clear hanging bags or open racks to store shoes so each pair can be found in a single glance.
If space is tight, use "add-on" hangers to stack several skirts or pants together. An "add-on" hanger takes up as much space as a single hanger and stores four times the amount of clothing.

Our Shoe Boxes
$1.99 - $3.79

Dublet Adjustable Closet Rod Expander by Umbra®
$19.99
If most of your clothes are short hanging, add an extra closet rod to double the amount of hanging space instantly.
Make sure the clothing that is worn is within reach on lower shelves. Items used less often, such as ski wear, a summer straw hat or shoes in unusual colors, should be stored on higher shelves.

Take empty hangers off the closet rod and throw away or recycle wire and plastic hangers. Several empty hangers only waste time and cram the rest of the closet.
Color coordinate clothes in the closet, to make it easier to find matching outfits. For example, let all white shirts hang together.

Freestanding Hanger Organizer
$29.99

Clear Shirt & Accessory Drawer
$17.99
So that nothing gets lost in the back of crammed drawers, use see-through drawers or shelves to store such items as T-shirts, short, sweaters, and jeans. Interlocking organizers also are a quick and easy way to make socks, hosiery, and lingerie easy to find. They can be customized to fit any drawer and change with the needs of the user.


Use the "two-year" rule. If an item has been there for two years and has not been used or worn, get rid of it. Chances are it is not needed and it is taking up much needed space.

24-Pocket Vinyl Overdoor Shoe Bag $14.99	Make use of wall space on the back of closet doors with overdoor organizers, or hooks to hang items such as hats. Hanging pockets that fit over doors also are great for organizing accessories, hosiery, socks, or even video tapes and toys. Take advantage of the vertical space in a closet by stacking sweaters, hats and other clothing or accessories on top of closet shelves. Organize clothing into long hanging items and short hanging items. Using this system, there is enough space beneath the shorter section and time is saved by not looking through the entire closet for a particular item.

Evaluate all the different ways to organize shoes. Use clear shoe boxes, clear hanging bags or open racks to store shoes so each pair can be found in a single glance. If space is tight, use "add-on" hangers to stack several skirts or pants together. An "add-on" hanger takes up as much space as a single hanger and stores four times the amount of clothing.		Our Shoe Boxes $1.99 - $3.79

Dublet Adjustable Closet Rod Expander by Umbra® $19.99	If most of your clothes are short hanging, add an extra closet rod to double the amount of hanging space instantly. Make sure the clothing that is worn is within reach on lower shelves. Items used less often, such as ski wear, a summer straw hat or shoes in unusual colors, should be stored on higher shelves.

Take empty hangers off the closet rod and throw away or recycle wire and plastic hangers. Several empty hangers only waste time and cram the rest of the closet. Color coordinate clothes in the closet, to make it easier to find matching outfits. For example, let all white shirts hang together.		Freestanding Hanger Organizer $29.99

Clear Shirt & Accessory Drawer $17.99	So that nothing gets lost in the back of crammed drawers, use see-through drawers or shelves to store such items as T-shirts, short, sweaters, and jeans. Interlocking organizers also are a quick and easy way to make socks, hosiery, and lingerie easy to find. They can be customized to fit any drawer and change with the needs of the user.