When I was laying out the plan for my Master Closet Makeover and looking to create a new closet space for my husband, I did a lot of homework. That’s the fun kind where you get to dream about all the possibilities of a new space by looking through tons of pictures. I made notes of what I liked about some of the closets that I saw so I could incorporate those ideas into my own.
After completing both new spaces, I thought it might be helpful to share what I learned along the way as well my own ideas about how to make your closet work better for you.
Here is my totally transformed Master Closet:
Seeing the before will really help you appreciate this makeover! You can see the before and how I built my closet here.
As you can see, I did my best to maximize this small space. This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.
Now for those tips I promised…
{1}
Keep a container in your closet to hold a sewing kit, a small pair of scissors, and all those extra buttons and doodads that come with your clothes. You’ll be more likely to fix that loose button or cut new tags off without using your teeth if you have these things close by.
{2}
Use Bins
They don’t have to be expensive to look great. These came from Michaels and at 50% off, I don’t think I paid more than about $8 each. The fabric bins up top are from Target and sell for $6-$7 each.
{3}
You can maximize your closet’s storage potential by taking storage all the way to the ceiling with bins to hold items you don’t need everyday.
Keep a stool or small chair close by to reach those out of the way items. That will make it easier for you to stick to putting things away properly.
{4}
Store shoes in clear plastic shoe storage bins with lids
{5}
Add personal touches. Add some personality to your closet like photos of your kids, a fun sign, or a cherished doll from your childhood. Something that makes you smile when you open your closet.
{6}
Make it pretty! I see homes that are gorgeous until you open a closet and see builder grade flat white paint with a million scuff marks. Paint it! Wallpaper it! Give it new life. I used leftover wallpaper remnants from my master bath redo that I pieced together. I could only come up with enough to cover a small area so I used it on the back wall on either side of the shoe shelving.
The rest of the closet I painted with leftover paint from the master bath redo (mostly because I’m cheap). This would be a great place to be a little bold or use really girly colors (especially if you have a house full of boys like me) because most closets can be closed off and only you know its there. 🙂
{7}
Find a way to incorporate everything you need to get dressed in the morning into one space. I moved all my undergarments to these baskets
in the closet and now I can jump out of the shower and the only stop I have to make is my closet for everything I need.
It kills me now to have to get my PJs from the dresser! (Maybe I could add just one more bin…)
{8}
Hang your pants on top. Nothing looks messier than the bottoms of all the shirts right in your face. Pants can be hung uniformly and all Fall at about the same height which is more pleasing to the eye.
You can also consider lowering the hanging bar in part of your closet and adding additional shelving above it. The tops of the hangers all hanging at the same height (just below eye level) gives a much cleaner appearance. (Plus now you’ll have a place for those undergarments. 🙂
{9}
Use all the same hangers
These ones are super slim so I can pack a lot more into my closet and the velvety coating prevents garments from slipping off!
You don’t even have to spend that much. I replaced all my husband’s hangers with these plastic ones from Target. At $2.99 for a pack of 18, it’s was really inexpensive. Using all the same color looks so neat and orderly.
{10}
Finally, kick your honey out! I mean keep your man, just kick him out of your closet. BUT make sure he has somewhere else to go first! (And you might want to do it when he’s out of town ask his permission first!) After all, how can you make it the girly closet of your dreams if Prince Charming is taking up half of it?
Not all of these suggestions may work in your situation, but hopefully there’s something in there you can use.
I’d love to hear any suggestions you may have!
You can see before photos and how I built my closet here:
XO,
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Debra@CommonGround says
great tips (and a beautiful closet)! I have a long way to go, but you’re inspiring me to get started making some changes!
Christy K. James says
Thanks Debra! Honestly, it’s about the only organized closet in my house right now…but I’ll get there:)
Deanna Myers says
What are the dimensions of your closet? Do you have any long hanging space? If you have any extra pictures I’d ( we’d) love to see all of your ideas. I have a master closet that I hate. It’s a hot mess!
Christy K. James says
Deanna, I answer all your questions here: https://www.confessionsofaserialdiyer.com/how-a-girl-built-her-closet/ I don’t have any long hanging space. The right side is long enough for shorter dresses and I didn’t want to create a dedicated space for longer items since I only have a few dresses. I just folded the bottoms up and clipped them to the top of the hanger. Hope this helps! XO
Ros says
Great tips! I wish I had as much room as you do – my closet is quite small! It is looking fairly tidy at the moment but the but the linen closet is in need of a serious overhaul! Thanks for the lovely message you left on my blog 🙂
Stacey says
I will be making over my walk in closet this summer so I’ve been compiling *clears throat….hoarding….closet ideas & inspiration. I love your list because there really are some good tips on here & even a few I never would have thought of. I totally heart the idea of keeping a little ‘sewing kit’ handy! Pinned & I will definitely be referring back to it come makeover time. Thanks for sharing what’s worked for you!
Christy K. James says
I’m glad you found a few tips that you can use! I totally enjoyed redoing my closet…it’s your most personal space and you can design it any way you want! Thanks for commenting, Stacey:)
Barinder says
I absolutely love your closet! we just purchased a new house but have a very small walk in closet…I would like to know where I can buy shelfing like yours to put in my closet to create space for drawers, baskets and organizers! Love love love your space!
Christy K. James says
Thanks! I purchased 1’x 8’x 3/4″ pine boards from Home Depot for the shelves. I primed, painted, then cut each to the lengths I needed. I drew my plan out on graph paper first, so I would know what I needed to buy. If you have any other questions, I’d be happy to answer:) Good luck!
Barinder says
How do you feel about the Ikea shelving system? they are a bit expensive — but they do have shelving that you can add with drawers etc.
Christy K. James says
Unfortunately, the closest Ikea to me is about three hours away so I’m not familiar with that system. I cut mine to fit because my space was really tight and I wanted to use every inch of it. Plus I’m cheap ha ha! I have used other closet systems before and have been very happy with them. That might be the perfect solution for you. Let me know what you decide or if you have any other questions:)
Barinder says
sorry, last question…i dont want to take too much of your time…. we currently have two big closets but are moving into a new home that unforunately has one closet thats not very large….so my husbands stuff will be in there as well was mine! we also dont have much space in our room for dressers, that means all of our cardigans and sweaters, sweat pants that we wear around the house all goes into this closet so i really need to measure all that i have…. to make sure i have exact space to hold everything…is there a system that you used to see everything you have and build shelvign accordingly? for example…. did you measure your clothes length etc…any notes that you have that you can send me would be great! my email address is kaur12901@yahoo.com
Thank you again for all your help and i absolutely love your blog!!
Renee in Michigan says
I LOVE your closet(s) and want to do the same to mine(build my own shelves and customize it to my space) I have the same question , how did you decide on dimensions for you hanging areas vs shoes vs. shelves for baskets? Did you decide on baskets first and took those dimensions? I have a modest size walk in closet that I will share with the hubby and want to maximize the space. Thanks for the inspiration and any help. Off to look for my graph paper do make up a sketch of the closet 😉
Christy K. James says
Oh girl, I get so excited when people tell me they’re starting a closet redo…this is such a satisfying project! I found my baskets first, then made the shelves to fit. I drew every detail out on my graph paper first. Make one square = to one square foot to get a drawing that’s accurate in size. Ar for knowing what to put where, I just sat in there for awhile imagining how I could do it. Then I just held up pants and got an estimate of space. (You know I like them hanging up top..so much neater) and I did the same for shirts. I left just enough space at the top to add the fabric bins. They store all kinds of things from yearbooks to Halloween costumes!
I’d be glad to answer any other questions you have along the way! Good luck! 🙂
Angela says
I love these tips, especially the one about kicking the husband out of the closet. I totally agree with getting uniform hangers. My husband has nice matching hangers for his dress shirts and it makes the closet look so much nicer. Stopping by from House of Rose.
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Angela! Yes, it’s much easier to have a pretty closet without hubby hogging half of it! Thanks for stopping by! 🙂
Cheryl @ That's What Che Said... says
Thanks so much for linking up to Monday Funday! I featured YOU today! Please stop over and grab a button! xo Cheryl
http://www.thatswhatchesaid.net/2013/10-organizing-ideas/
Christy K. James says
Woohoo!! Thanks so much for featuring my closet organization tips and my cabinet door upcycle, Cheryl! You totally made my night 🙂
Julia says
These are handy tips. Your closet looks organized and easy to navigate. My closet is a bit smaller, but I think I can make these tips work for me as well.
Christy K. James says
It’s so nice to have an organized closet…I’m glad you found these tips helpful 🙂
Jenna says
my closet is a priority this week, and yours is awesome! I agree with everything you’ve said and done, especially about “eye clutter”, but my question is…”How do you keep it that way?” Last year I organized everything by color in their categories, pants, tops etc. but after a few weeks I would get lazy putting laundry away and it was all mixed up in no time! Do you have any tips about maintaining? Thanks!
Christy K. James says
Hi Jenna! I have found that even when I don’t put everything back exactly where it belongs, because of the height of the hangers (below eye-level) it appears neat. All the hangers are all aligned neatly. Having matching hangers if possible really helps too. Only my pants are hung higher. All the work to create my closet is huge incentive to put things back where they belong. My problem is the pile that accumulates on my little stool 🙂
Caitlin says
I love this! I know it’s a year later haha but I’m currently redoing our master closet, and I stumbled across this post and fell in love. Thanks for even more inspiration!
xx Caitlin
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Caitlin! This past week I wrote a post about how I built my closet that you might find helpful! https://www.confessionsofaserialdiyer.com/how-a-girl-built-her-closet/ The pictures are much better than the original reveal. Good luck with your closet 🙂
Susan says
Beautiful closet and great tips! A very timely post too as I’m thinking of updating my closet AGAIN!
Christy K. James says
Thanks, Susan! Having an organized closet makes laundry day so much better. Mine is about due for a good purge. 🙂
Luci says
What a fabulous job you did! New year, new closet idea. And the sewing kit idea – so simple and genius. Thank you for sharing!
Christy K. James says
Thank you, Luci! It’s been a couple of years now and that is still the most organized space in my house! 🙂