Clothing Storage Solutions: Maximizing Your Closet's Potential
When it comes to ideas for storing clothes, the foundation lies in closet organization ideas. More space doesn't always equate to more storage.
According to Rachal Hutcheson, National Retail Manager at Sharps, 'Getting the configuration right is what makes or breaks a closet and its functionality.' To begin, assess your clothing storage needs, as everyone organizes differently. Consider the quantity of clothes and shoes, whether you require storage for bedding and towels, and anticipate your future storage needs.
Whether you aspire to have a walk-in closet, his and hers dressing rooms, or want to optimize your current design, these clothing storage ideas are the perfect starting point.
1. Choose Customized Furniture for Space Optimization
While a standalone wardrobe or antique armoire can add character to a bedroom, custom fitted clothing storage solutions provide a personalized option that can be adjusted to better match the space and size specifications. Built-in closets are especially effective in period properties, where challenging corners, nooks, and alcoves can be an issue, as they can be designed to perfectly match the room's unique contours, eliminating any wasted space.
Nevertheless, when it comes to clothing organization, the interior is what truly matters. A built-in closet can provide customized clothing storage options to meet individual needs. While single hanging rails were once conventional, a combination of interior storage elements such as rails, shelves, and drawers can provide a more versatile and practical solution.
‘Once you have considered the capacity, start to think broadly about the design element of the interior fit out and what you might like to include,’ advises bedroom storage expert Rachal Hutcheson. 'There are many options for personalizing a fitted wardrobe, to ensure it works perfectly for your lifestyle, for example combining hanging rails with pigeonhole shelving. Internal drawers and shoe storage will help keep you organized whilst allowing easy access to the clothes you need, when you need them.' Also, think about whether you'd like dedicated space for organizing jewelry and makeup.
2. Discovering Clever Solutions for Challenging Spaces
Utilize Space Effectively in Period Properties with Challenging Features In period properties where sloping ceilings or awkward under-eaves spaces limit the use of full-height furniture, cubbyhole shelving can be customized to extend from the floor to the ceiling, making the most of the room's vertical space. These cubbyholes can have angled doors that slide in and out smoothly, offering a practical solution for storing items like bulky sweaters and shoe collections.
'Many of us own numerous shoes and bags that need storage. When they are stored in their boxes or bags and stacked two or three deep, it can be challenging to see everything at a glance. Installing open storage is a much more practical approach,' Rachel Hutcheson suggests.
3. Arrange Knitwear in Stacked Piles for Simplified Retrieval
Utilizing the space above clothing rails that would otherwise go to waste, adding shelves at the top of closets is an excellent strategy. These shelves can be used to store bulkier items such as sweaters and chunky knitwear, which could get snagged or stretched if hung on hangers. Thicker items fold neatly and maintain their shape without creasing when stacked on shelves, making them more accessible than if stored in drawers.
If your closet lacks built-in organizers, you can create your own dividers by purchasing plastic options that can be easily placed on top of the shelves. It's advisable to stack shorter piles of items securely rather than creating overly tall stacks that might become unstable.
4. Allocate Time for Precise Clothing Folding
Rethink Clothing Storage: Opt for Filing Over Stacking Clothing storage can undergo a complete transformation by adopting a filing approach. According to storage expert Marie Kondo, 'neatly folding your clothes can solve almost every storage-related problem.'
The KonMari method recommends arranging clothes vertically instead of folding and stacking them on top of each other, which not only saves space but also makes it much easier to locate specific items. Kondo emphasizes, 'The act of folding goes beyond compact storage; it is an act of care, an expression of love, and appreciation for how these clothes support your lifestyle.'
After meticulously folding your clothes, Kondo suggests the use of drawer dividers and boxes to maintain a tidy and organized storage arrangement.
5. Create a Dedicated Dressing Room Experience
"If you're fortunate enough to have some extra space, consider indulging in a dedicated dressing room. It offers the perfect canvas for exploring a multitude of innovative clothing storage solutions. An elongated, narrow room is the ideal candidate for this transformation, so think about converting an underutilized room into a walk-in closet or repurposing a seldom-used guest bedroom into a luxurious dressing room.
To create an expansive atmosphere, you can opt for sleek built-in storage along a single wall, allowing ample room for doors to swing open, or explore the option of space-efficient sliding doors. Incorporating mirrored doors and glossy, light-reflective surfaces will not only help illuminate the space but also make it feel more spacious. Plus, mirrors will come in handy for outfit changes.
According to Simon Tcherniak, senior designer at Neville Johnson, "A custom furniture company can typically design a dressing room or walk-in wardrobe to fit any available space, but it's advisable to consider a minimum room width or depth of at least 1.3 meters. To ensure unrestricted hanging space, a depth of 650mm is essential, along with enough room to move around comfortably."
6. Maximize Accessibility in Every Space
Consider partitioning a section of your upstairs landing to craft a dedicated dressing room or a compact walk-in closet. To optimize storage, take full advantage of the ceiling height by incorporating built-in joinery that extends cupboards or shelves from the floor to the ceiling. Opt for glass doors to maintain a light and airy appearance while providing a quick overview of the contents.
"When possible, consider adding a ladder for access," advises Annie Ebenston, a designer at Blakes London. "Ladders are particularly effective in period conversions, as they make good use of high-level storage potential. Besides their practical advantages, they introduce character and serve as a focal point in the room.'
7. Maximize Space Efficiency with Dual Functionality and Additional Storage
The most crucial aspect of planning clothing storage ideas, as suggested by designer Nathalie de Leval, is to take an inventory of all your possessions, including clothes, shoes, and accessories, and determine your storage requirements. Understanding how you prefer to store your clothes, whether through hanging or folding, will help you define your needs.
If you don't have many full-length dresses or coats, consider optimizing your space by replacing a single full-height clothes rail with two double-height rails, accommodating shorter items like skirts, shirts, and trousers. Alternatively, you can explore a combination of hanging rails with different heights to cater to all your storage needs.
Additionally, effective closet lighting ideas can make a significant difference, helping you identify various clothing storage options and locate items quickly.
8. Design Your Ideal Walk-In Closet
A walk-in closet can exude a sense of luxury akin to a dressing room, and with clever clothing storage ideas, it can be achieved with less space. Unlike a dedicated dressing room, a walk-in closet is typically a smaller area adjacent to or partitioned off from the main bedroom, often furnished with open clothes storage instead of fitted cupboards.
When configuring a built-in arrangement, corners can pose a challenge. Rather than leaving these spaces empty, consider corner-shaped units that snugly fit into angled recesses, making the most of the awkward space while providing ample storage.
Simon Tcherniak of Neville Johnson suggests, 'Walk-in wardrobes are an excellent choice for those who wish to showcase specific clothing items, accessories, or shoes. This more glamorous option elevates your everyday routine to something special and meaningful. Consider innovative and space-saving storage solutions, such as roll-out shoe trays for easy footwear visibility and organization, or adjustable clothes hanging racks and rails to future-proof your storage needs.'
9. Discover Ideal Solutions for All Your Clothing Storage Requirements
Outfit your walk-in closet with floor-to-ceiling clothing storage to fully utilize every available inch of space. Incorporate a combination of full-length and double hanging rails, slide-out shoe racks, and pigeonhole storage for neatly folded shirts and sweaters. Reserve overhead storage for items that are out of season and don't require frequent access.
Irene Gunter of Gunter & Co. recommends, 'We encourage our clients to conduct a thorough closet inventory and count every item. This provides a solid foundation for determining your wardrobe's priorities, whether it's shelving, hanging space, or a prominent shoe collection. Measuring arm spans helps determine the amount of hanging space needed. For example, shirts with double cuffs demand more hanging space than a row of skirts in a lady's wardrobe.'
10. Space-Efficient Shoe Storage with Slimline Solutions
In smaller, more confined spaces like hallways or upstairs landings, built-in solutions enable you to incorporate valuable additional clothing storage ideas. Shallow niches are perfect for shoe storage and have a minimal impact on the available floor space. You can also contemplate the use of glass doors to enhance the sense of openness while keeping footwear protected from dust. Slanted shelves take up less interior space, making it easier to identify your favorite shoes.
How Do You Store Clothes In A Small Space?
If you're facing the challenge of organizing a small bedroom or a compact closet, consider a customized approach. According to Simon Tcherniak from Neville Johnson, "Tailored closets offer an ideal solution for those with a substantial clothing collection without overwhelming the available bedroom space. The primary advantage of customized solutions is their ability to fully utilize the space and adapt to any unique features. Your designer can precisely calculate the space required for clothing rails and shelving."
Rachal Hutcheson at Sharps emphasizes, "Tailored designs stimulate creativity. Small or unconventional spaces often necessitate ingenious solutions to maximize their efficiency. Explore options like curved corner rails, pull-out trouser rails, and pull-down hanging rails to ensure your wardrobe is as space-efficient as possible.
"Custom designs guarantee the utilization of every nook and cranny behind the doors, extending from wall to wall and up to the ceiling. This includes those challenging corners and recesses created by high or sloping ceilings and alcoves. On average, a tailored design provides 40 percent more storage than standard fitted wardrobe designs.
What constitutes the most effective approach to clothing storage?
Simplifying your closet, ensuring it's not overly congested with too many clothes, is the most straightforward method to enhance its efficiency. According to the 80/20 rule, the average individual wears only 20 percent of their clothes 80 percent of the time, indicating that a significant portion of clothing goes unworn, occupying the majority of closet space. Therefore, decluttering becomes essential.
Consider a technique recommended by professional organizers if you struggle with deciding what to keep and what to discard. At the start of each season, turn all your hangers in the opposite direction. As you wear, launder, and return items to your wardrobe, flip each hanger forward. At the end of the season, any clothes still on backward hangers can be donated, freeing up valuable closet space.