Category
Closet guides
A small closet usually has the same problem: plenty of hanging rod, not enough shelves, and shoes piling up on the floor. The fix is to use the space you are not using yet: part of the rod for folded clothes, and the back of the door for shoes. These guides compare hanging closet organizers and over-the-door shoe organizers by their listed width, height and capacity, so you can choose pieces that fit your closet without drilling.
Guides in this category
Four hanging organizers compared, from an 11.8-inch-wide 6-shelf organizer to a 15.75-inch extra-large 3-shelf unit and separable wire baskets.
Read guide →Five over-the-door shoe organizers compared, from 24-pocket mesh hangers to a 36-pair metal rack, with heights from 64 to 71 inches.
Read guide →How to organize a small closet
- 1Measure before you buy.
Measure the free rod width, the space from the rod to the floor and the clear height of the closet door.
- 2Move shoes off the floor.
An over-the-door organizer holds 12 to 36 pairs without taking floor space. Compare sizes in our over-the-door shoe organizers guide.
- 3Turn part of the rod into shelves.
A hanging organizer adds shelves for folded sweaters, jeans and bags. Compare widths and heights in our hanging closet organizers guide.
- 4Keep the floor for one thing.
Once shoes are on the door and folded clothes are on hanging shelves, use the floor for a laundry hamper or a single storage bin.
- 5Store off-season clothes elsewhere.
Keep only the clothes and shoes you wear this season in the closet, and move the rest under the bed or to a higher shelf.
Related guides
Narrow laundry hampers slim enough to live inside a reach-in closet.
Read guide →Stackable and vertical shoe racks that fit inside coat closets and tight entryway corners.
Read guide →Compact shoe storage benches that work right outside the closet for daily entryway shoes.
Read guide →Related categories
Frequently asked questions
- Will these work in a reach-in closet?
- Yes — most of our picks are sized for standard reach-in and small walk-in closets.
- Do I need tools to install closet organizers?
- We favor tension rods, over-the-rod hangers, and adhesive systems that need no tools.
- Can these systems be moved when I move out?
- All of our renter-friendly picks come apart and travel without leaving damage.