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15 Best Clothes Storage Ideas for 2022 — Smart Closet Storage Solutions

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If your home doesn't happen to have a huuuuge Carrie Bradshaw-approved walk-in closet—well, my deepest condolences. Believe me, I know the pain that is trying to squeeze your entire wardrobe into a tiny closet. It ain't fun! In fact, it may even be damn near impossible! Some people might tell you that the easiest fix here is to just simply get rid of stuff, but I'm gonna jump in and say That's! Not! An! Option! (Don't tell me I only need five pairs of shoes—I will end you???)

Listen. Listen to me. Don't listen to them. It's a good thing we live in this day and age because the internet is loaded with creative clothes storage ideas and space-saving solutions for hopeless people like us—and I've got 15 of the best ones outlined for you below. Maybe your closet is super tiny? Or maybe you don't even have one at all? (Praying for you.) Perhaps your wardrobe is overflowing and you're just in need of some more creative storage solutions to house all your precious stuff. Whatever your dire situation may be, consider any of the ideas below. And tell those minimalists to kindly heck off. Bye.

1

Get you an armoire

Homary

Woven Rattan Bedroom Clothing Armoire

Now 50% off

$1,980 AT HOMARY. COM

2

invest in pretty storage bins

The Container Store x Marie Kondo

Parchment White Calm Storage Bin

$25 AT CONTAINER STORE

3

use space-saving hangers

HOUSE DAY

Magic Hangers (12-Pack)

Now 43% off

$15 AT AMAZON

4

compress your storage bags

Amazon Basics

Vacuum Compression Storage Bags with Hand Pump (6-Pack)

$18 AT AMAZON

5

use shelf dividers

A & R

Acrylic Shelf Dividers (4-Pack)

$20 AT AMAZON

6

get a storage bench

Article

Maribo Ivory Bouclé 32" Storage Ottoman

Now 52% off

$129 AT ARTICLE

7

be selective about under-bed storage

StorageWorks

Under Bed Storage Box (2-Pack)

$33 AT AMAZON

8

Get some nesting storage bins

KonMari

Set of 5 Wooden Stacking Storage Boxes

$75 AT KONMARI

9

use a clothing rack

Simple Houseware

Industrial Pipe Clothing Garment Rack with Bottom Shelves

Now 20% off

$40 AT AMAZON

10

Organize your drawers

DIOMMELL

Foldable Drawer Organizers (12-Pack)

$30 AT AMAZON

11

buy a shoe storage cabinet

Corrigan Studio

Burlywood 12 Pair Shoe Storage Cabinet

$84 AT WAYFAIR

12

consider a storage bed

Prepac

Monterey Full Wood Storage Bed

$426 AT HOME DEPOT

13

hang a double closet rod

Whitmor

Whitmor Double Closet Rod

$23 AT AMAZON

14

get a hanging closet organizer (with drawers!)

StorageWorks

6-Shelf Hanging Closet Organizer with Drawers

$38 AT AMAZON

15

build a closet system

17 Stories

White Benco 59 "W Closet System Walk-In Sets

$240 AT WAYFAIR

Kim Duong Senior Shopping Editor Kim Duong is the senior shopping editor at Cosmopolitan, overseeing shopping coverage online for all things fashion, lifestyle, beauty, and sex.

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No closet? No problem. These creative clothes storage ideas are the closet alternatives you've been searching for.

A room without a closet may seem like a travesty to regular watchers of today’s real estate, home design, and organizing shows, but the fact is that closets in every bedroom of the home were a rarity 100-plus years ago. Back then, folks had a lot less stuff in general, and their clothing was typically stored in a trunk or armoire. So if you fell in love with the charm of an old house or are renting an apartment that dates back to the 1800s, you may need to get more creative when it comes to your clothes storage ideas.

After all, closet or no, storing your clothes neatly and in an organized fashion is a must. When you don’t, not only is it harder to find something to wear in the morning, but your clothes are also more likely to get wrinkled and look messy.

So how do you create storage in small spaces? Start by doing a full closet cleanout to pare down the clothing you need to store. Then assess your space: If you have high ceilings, look for vertical storage options; if they’re low, shorter and wider storage makes more sense. Either way, you want to use whatever space you have to your advantage and fill it with the best closet organizers. Don’t forget to brush up on the best tips for how to organize a closet, too.

We’ve rounded up the best no-closet solutions and small room storage ideas for people without closets and anyone who has a small closet and is short on space. You may also want to consider creating a capsule wardrobe and you’ll definitely want to learn how to fold like Marie Kondo.

Flashpop/Getty Images

Create a “closet”

Invest in a bedroom wardrobe

An armoire, a clothes storage idea from the past, is a classic closet alternative. This piece of furniture is essentially an external closet; some come with a bar for hanging with enough room to hang longer clothes including pants and dresses, while others have a bar with only enough space to hang shirts and a lower half filled with drawer space. Still other versions are all shelves. Pick the version that works best for you and your current wardrobe. You can find armoires in a range of sizes and finishes to match your space and style.

Commit to a freestanding closet organizer

Basically, a wall-less portable closet, a freestanding closet system offers all the storage of a clothes closet—just without the walls. Look for one with built-in drawers that’s wide enough to hold storage bins and boxes for added organization. And brush up on your folding skills—since your clothes will be on display, they’ll need to be extra tidy.

Mint Images/Getty Images

Create zones with a bedroom cabinet

If you’re in a studio and/or want to section off your bedroom, a large freestanding organizer/wardrobe doubles as a way to store your clothes and divide the space. Bedroom cabinets typically offer a mix of hanging space, drawers, and shelves; they can be open or closed, and are large enough to function as a makeshift partial wall.

Try a telescoping rack

A tension pole garment rack is one of the easiest non-closet closet units to put up. If you tend to hang most of your garments, then this clothes storage idea is for you. Two vertical, tension poles get locked in place from floor to ceiling; then two tension poles fit side to side, adjustable from approximately 24 to 47 inches. You can make this adjustable rack work in almost any space, plus there are no screws or other hardware required, making it a smart choice for renters. Need some shelving? Hang a short hanging shelving unit from one of the bars.

Reclaim that dark corner

Replace the chair in the corner of the room where you haphazardly toss all your clothes at the end with a functional corner closet. This one from Wayfair packs a lot of storage into not a lot of space (it’s just 33 inches front to back and side to side). With two shelves and two closet rods, this corner piece makes use of the often-forgotten room corner space. Choose between neutral white and the on-trend designer-inspired bark gray color.

Aleksandr Zubkov/Getty Images

Get creative

Hang floating clothes shelves

Hung on the wall, floating shelves are a perfect place to set folded clothes. Another clothes storage idea: Attach hooks to the front or sides of the shelves to hold hats and scarves. Bonus: Being able to see everything you own means you know exactly where everything is.

Find hanging storage space everywhere

Upgrade the basic floating shelf with an under-shelf hanging rod. A valuable addition to your makeshift closet set-up, this multitasker is a shelf with hanging space all in one. You can purchase DIY add-on kits—just screw the brackets to the underside of a solid shelf; then add the hanging rod. Or go the easier route and buy a pre-made shelf with the hanging piece already attached.

Turn a clothesline into a decorative accent

Sure, you could hang a basic clothesline from hooks secured to wall studs. Or you could up-style your clothesline by stringing it with wooden beads for a simple DIY clothes storage idea. Keep it rustic-looking by leaving natural wood beads unpainted. Or for a pop of color, paint them a bold, contrasting shade or the same as your wall color to blend with your décor. The beads are not only decorative but also functional, as they prevent clothes hangers from sliding to the center of the line.

Repurpose a bookcase

One of the best no-closet solutions—a bookcase (or two), which can do the work of any closet. Consider mixing bookcase heights to get useable wall space above the lower bookcase. Organize your folded clothes by category before placing the stacks on the shelves. Distinguish your long-sleeve shirts from your short-sleeve shirts by keeping them in separate piles. Use a modular cubby system to create compartments for grab-and-go items such as workout tops. Attach hooks to the sides of the bookcase for hanging a few clothes on hangers or storing larger accessories such as statement necklaces.

Seating and storage

Storage benches and ottomans have a surprising amount of space to hold things—and you gain an extra seat. To avoid messing up folded clothes, use clear stacking boxes, that way you can lift out a box to reach the one underneath.

Stack your storage

Stacking cubes let you design an organizer to your specifications—it can be as tall or as short as you want. Because the cubes are easily changeable, you are not locked into one design. You can move the cubes or add more to the system as your needs change; stack two or three on top of each other, slide out the shelf and you’ve got hanging space.

via amazon.com

Use the corner

Transform the corner of any room into an impromptu closet with a corner hanging bar to maximize unused corner space with 19 inches of hanger real estate. Double your hanging space by installing two bars, one higher and one lower. The durable bar holds up to 45 pounds.

Make your bed do double duty

Trade in your basic headboard

Instead of a decorative headboard for your frame, buy one with a hutch or place a large freestanding closet system behind the bed to add storage space where there was none. Some come with racks for hanging, along with shelving. Store your smaller items in fabric-covered bins to keep things neat.

Raise the bed for DIY under bed storage

Optimize often-overlooked space under the bed by adding bed risers; these lifts raise your bed frame three to eight inches higher, creating more space for storage below. With more clearance, low-to-the-ground bins, cubbies, and containers easily slide under the bed. Place a fabric bin or basket on its side (with the open-top facing out) to contain items, so they won’t get lost under the bed and are easy to reach.

via homedepot.com

Hide things under the bed (in a good way)

If you’re in the market for a new bed frame, shop for a platform bed with built-in drawers. It blends right in with the decor of your room and keeps your clothes neatly hidden out of sight.

General tips

When you’re short on space, it’s important to store your clothes strategically.

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10 ways to store clothes and shoes without a closet

by Alexey | Tips Decor Workshop Cheap Interior | Monday, 04 February 2019

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Missing cabinet? Don't worry . We've rounded up the best ways to store clothes without a closet to inspire you to create a unique storage space for all your textiles, shoes and accessories. However, there are a few things to keep in mind:

Below are some examples of how to store clothes when you don't have a closet.

Copper tube hanger

In this studio apartment with a copper pipe fixture attached to the ceiling that serves as a coat hanger. Hooks on the wall serve to organize jewelry, hats and bags. Read also - how to make a hanger out of copper pipes in 15 minutes. nine0003

Photography - hgtv

White background to reduce visual clutter

If you don't have a closet but still need to store your clothes in your bedroom, then you should definitely choose white for your walls. This will reduce visual clutter and add a modern look. In addition, in the absence of massive wardrobes or built-in structures, the space of the room looks light and voluminous.

Photography - Grace Brooke LLC

Birch branch

This is the perfect way to tastefully arrange your favorite things in the interior without cluttering up the space.

Photo - etsy

Combination of elements

Shelves, clothes racks, hooks, everything you need to create the perfect organizational space. And the use of a decorative bookcase adds charm to the interior.

Photo - pinterest

Abundance of copper pipes

Only copper pipes and fittings can be used to create a functional wall that serves not only as a rack for clothes, but also performs a decorative function. Read also - 30 striking examples of the use of copper pipes in the interior.

Photo - google

Use of wicker baskets

People use the space under the bed to store books, shoes, towels and linens. Why not place clothes there? Baskets are a convenient option within easy reach and will save space. nine0003

Photo - google

Curtain as zoning

If you don't want to see your clothes all the time, you can fix that with a curtain. But you shouldn't use any old fabric for this. You have to choose what you like and what will go with the decor in your room.

Photo - google

Clothing as an element of decor

Do you want to turn your favorite clothes into a decorative element? Install hooks to store clothes and accessories. Floating shelves and a wall can be used to place shoes, bags and other items. Don't forget to add a mirror and lighting. nine0003

Photography - elle

Rack and hangers

A pair of clothes hangers, a shelving unit and a small stool make for a nicely organized area for storing clothes. It's great, but the mirror will add the finishing touch.

Photography - Delikatissen

Vintage chest of drawers

Depending on the desired result, the dressing room can be "camouflaged" to match the color and texture of the rest of the bedroom walls. But also, sections with shelves and rails can be decorated with a mobile screen, and as a highlight - a vintage chest of drawers. nine0003

Photography - EM Interiors

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Where to store clothes: 17 alternatives to the laundry basket

Looking at the interiors in glossy magazines, you will certainly notice: all the master's clothes are located either in the dressing room or in the laundry basket. Is the whole world already living by the rule "once put on - and in the wash"? Something is not right here.

The question of storing clothes, or rather, “where do you store worn (in the sense of worn, not worn) clothes” causes sincere bewilderment in many people: what is the problem? Clean - in the closet, dirty - in the washing machine (in the basket for dirty laundry), everyday - on a chair by the bed (on an exercise bike or on a Swedish wall, as an option). However, there is another, rather numerous category of citizens for whom the voiced question is not at all idle. People with a delicate sense of smell are irritated by traces of foreign odors on fresh clothes, others are infuriated by exposed underwear. Therefore, disputes on the topic “whether this is a far-fetched problem” are meaningless. nine0003

Let's look at it rationally. The concept of “once put on and washed” is harmful, first of all, for clothes: water procedures shorten the life of things, spoil the fabric and appearance. Is it worth sending an expensive dress to the dirty laundry basket if there is not a spot on it? Are you ready to spend all your evenings ironing? In addition, there are clothes that we don’t wash, but dry-clean, you won’t do this with a jacket every day.

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Returning all worn items to the closet with clean clothes is also wrong. A foreign smell quickly permeates clothes: if you hang a smoky shirt in the closet, fresh shirts hanging nearby will smell like tobacco in the morning.

In summary: used clothes should not be stored together with clean clothes. But sending it directly to the machine is more expensive for yourself. What to do, where to store clothes?

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Where does freshness go: fighting musty smells in dressing rooms and cabinets

Tracie Butler Interior Design

transFORM Home

Wardrobe department
The simplest and most popular solution is to return not yet dirty, but not perfectly clean clothes to the dressing room or closet, but isolate them from the washed items. It is best to allocate a separate compartment in the closet with its own door for “second freshness” things. A compromise is to free up a separate shelf, highlight a retractable trouser rack. On a common bar, fresh and worn can separate things in covers. Finally, casual clothes can be hung on hangers in the "non-core" department - on racks near shoe shelves or on cabinet doors. nine0003

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Separate Wardrobe
A separate wardrobe is ideal for storing clothes you have already worn. It can be quite small - in one or two sections - so it does not take up much space. The closet can stand either in the bedroom or in the hallway - depending on where you are used to changing clothes. It is also logical to store home clothes there. nine0313 A closet for not fresh things can be purely nominal - for example, like this half-open section in the photo. It is designed for the hallway, but it will also look organic in the bedroom, especially if the interior is decorated in a Scandinavian style.

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The Phoenix Photography

floor coat rack
2 Most often they are made of metal, but there are also wooden ones. Floor hangers come in the form of a rack with hooks and in the form of a bar on supports. The latter, of course, is more convenient, because it allows you to carefully hang clothes on coat hangers and clips. nine0003

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Marrimor

Zhenya Zhdanova

Valet
A separate type of floor hanger - floor coat hanger (valet hanger). This device is usually designed for one set of casual clothes and is located in the bedroom by the bed. Such hangers are individual, that is, each member of the family will need their own hanger. Usually, a pair of crossbars for storing trousers or skirts comes with hangers, sometimes there is also a shelf for watches or glasses. nine0003

Adam Miller Homes

Mannequin
Floor hangers with hangers can be replaced with mannequins - real tailor or decorative. Yes, you can’t hang a lot of clothes on them (this is not only a minus, but also a plus), but they look colorful. More colorful - only "model of the human skeleton educational, medical."

Beach Bungalow Designs

raumwelten architektur moebel design

Hangers can be not only floor-mounted, but also wall-mounted. Pull out the hooks of their standard hangers, pass the cable through the holes, fasten the hangers with knots - and the original hanger is ready. It rises and falls by the cord, like a flag. nine0003

SmartFurniture

Jerrica Zaric Interior Design, LLC

Hooks and handles
Hooks are also suitable for hanging hangers with clothes on. They can be inconspicuous so as not to catch the eye, or, on the contrary, bright - acting as a decor. Assorted hooks “scattered” on the wall are a fashion trend. The cabinet handle is also a hook. It is convenient to store a school uniform on it.

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Hook-and-loop: Unexpected attachment points for regular hooks

ilumus, llc.

Pause Design Inc.

Wall bar
Bars, which are attached to the wall like a home horizontal bar, are sold in many furniture stores. You can easily hang on them a set of ironed shirts and trousers for a week. This measure allows not only to get closer to the ideal order, but also to unload the closet with clean clothes.

This rod is easy to deploy and “hang” from the ceiling.

Katleen Roggeman

Tomás da Silva

Didn't find the same in the store, no problem. Rope, a metal tube (or a round piece of wood) and two anchor hooks are all you need for a hanging rod.

Finally, if you are going to show off your clothes, then let it be the highlight of the interior. Instead of a standard rod, you can use a strong dry branch from the forest.

"Lost and Found" Creative Gift Shop

By the way, interesting hangers can be chosen for this occasion. nine0003

Organized Living

Hanger on the door
Special hangers that are put on the door, or simply hooks screwed to the canvas from the side of the room - such devices will help not only store worn clothes, but also hide them from prying eyes (when the door is open ).

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Condensed: Ways to store things in a rented apartment

Martyn Clarke Architecture

Creative Arch

Niche
If half a meter is left between the wall and the side wall of the cabinet, drive the vacuum cleaner and dumbbells out of there. There is no better place to store home or work clothes. A few hooks, a barbell, a basket or a rail - and now nothing irritates the demanding eye.

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Nurit Geffen-NG Interior

It can be painted, stained, glossy or matte varnish. And you can leave it as it is - a shabby life, winds and rains. nine0003

Lucy Call

In a brutal loft, you can also afford clothes on a stepladder. However, be careful - so we will roll down to the chair.

Otto von Berlin

Melander Architects, Inc.

Panels for clothes
Places for clothes highlighted by panels on the wall legitimize the right of dresses and pants to be an eyesore. Such panels can be painted in the style of the room, pasted over with photo wallpaper.

Bernard Touillon Photographe

Screen
If the sight of clothes on a chair makes you reach for a gun and even shirts on a hanger look like visual garbage, cover them with a screen.

Curtains
Hooks and rods with everyday clothes can be covered with curtains. Just in case you haven't decided to use a niche between the wall and the closet.

Chest or basket
For sweaters, jeans, overalls and other things that are not in danger of being wrinkled, closed baskets are also suitable - wicker is better to provide ventilation. nine0003

Betty's Room, LLC

The Yellow Cape Cod

What else to look out for?
In the departments for dressing rooms, pay attention to hanging modules for storing things in several sections (hung on a bar), racks from open wardrobes (they come with different hooks, and even a mirror, as in the photo), wall rails from the same place (on they are convenient for attaching baskets), folding hooks, hangers with a clip, hanging shelves with a bar and panels with hooks.

In the range of bathroom furniture, it makes sense to take a closer look at the folding racks for drying clothes - they are also suitable for storing clothes. Standard hallway hangers with hooks for coats and a shelf for hats (we use it for folded knitwear) will do.

ARTFORMA

Washing machine
Do not forget that many washing machines have such an option as a mode for refreshing things - a super-short wash or steam treatment.

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