Double Your Hanging Rods

What you might be lacking in horizontal space in a small closet, you can make up for by using vertical space well. Doubling your hanging rods entails hanging one rod a bit higher than the one that’s currently there and hanging another one a few feet underneath.

This allows you to store separates on top of each other rather than all next to each other in one cramped line. You can put your pants on top and your tops on the bottom to allow for maximum light to shine through, or you can do the opposite and put your blouses and shirts on the top rod.

Add Adjustable Shelving

Adjustable shelving is also vital in a small custom closet system. Fixed shelves have their place, but when you have limited space, it’s nice to be able to move the shelves around to fit your current needs. Then as your needs change, you can simply adjust them as needed.

One example of when to do this is when you rotate out your seasonal clothes. In the winter, you might have bulkier sweaters and jeans that make higher stacks on the shelves, so you may want to widen the space between them. In the summer, though, you might mostly wear short sleeve knits or T-shirts, which take up minimal space. During the warmer months, you might want the shelves closer together to make more room for another hanging rod to hang your dresses, for instance.

Use Drawer Dividers

You may not have the luxury of having lots of drawer space in a small closet, but that’s not a problem when you add drawer dividers. Consolidate where you can to open up more space.

Here’s an example: You don’t need one full drawer for your socks and another full drawer for your partners’; just put all of the socks in one drawer and separate them with a divider. Everyone has their space, and you will gain the use of another full drawer by combining items.

Take Advantage of Door Storage

The inside of your closet door can be an untapped storage resource. If you have a bifold or pocket door, this tip doesn’t apply, but a traditional closet door can certainly be outfitted with hooks, pockets, or an over-the-door shoe rack to add extra storage space.

If you do have a bifold door taking up space and making it difficult to access the closet, you might consider removing it altogether. While this won’t add more storage space, it will make it simpler to access what’s already in the closet and make your life easier.

Consider Corner Shelves

Even in a small closet, the corners can be difficult to really make the most of. Consider adding corner shelves, which will give you surface area in a less-used space. You can store a variety of small items, including a jewelry tree to hold necklaces or even decorative items to make the closet more personalized. 

How You Can Make It has instructions on building corner shelves in case you want to give it a try as a DIY project.

Make the Most of Closet Accessories

A wide range of closet accessories is available, and these can open up a world of possibilities in your closet. A few examples of accessories to consider include:

• Shoe organizers: Take control of your shoe collection and get footwear off of the floor with shoe shelves, pull-out shelves, or cubbies that hold your shoes.
• Tie and belt racks: These are items that often slip off of regular hangers and end up on the floor. Putting in racks will keep them neat and tidy. They can also be used for scarves and other items.
• Pull-out mirror: Rather than taking up valuable wall space with a mirror in your small closet, install one that pulls out. Check your outfit, then slide it back into place.
• Jewelry tray: Don’t let your necklaces and bracelets get tangled up or misplaced. Put them in a shallow jewelry tray that takes up little space but organizes these important items.
• Valet rod: These make mornings easier by giving you a place to put the next day’s outfit in advance. Your clothes will stay tidy, and you’ll have everything you need at your fingertips.
  

Conclusion

A small custom closet can be just as functional as a large one; you simply need to know how to use the space. Adding additional hanging and shelf space, using drawer dividers, and taking advantage of closet accessories can go a long way toward giving you more storage space in your reach-in closet.

Source

• https://howyoucanmakeit.com/2022/01/11/how-to-build-a-corner-shelf-closet-in-any-standard-closet-weekend-woodworking-project/