Small closets can be a real storage problem.
Closets serve an important storage function in the home, but you probably wouldn't know it from looking at the interiors of older homes. Back when these homes were built, people did not have the same storage needs as most families need now. Often you are lucky to find older homes with closets in the bedrooms at all, let alone ones that can tackle the expansive storage needs of the modern home. Decluttering and paring down your closet needs can help you make the most use of a small space.
Organization
To effectively organize a small closet, you should first assess your storage needs. If you plan to store clothing items, collections, shoes or toys, you should know the amount and size of what you want to store. Whenever possible, leave some room for future storage needs. To make the most out of a small closet, you should make use of vertical space, which includes installing racks to hang clothing and other items, drawers to store smaller items, as well as mounting shelves along the entire length of the closet wall that can store the most amount of belongings possible.
Considerations
Only fill your closet two-thirds of the way full, which is a trick that home stagers and real estate agents use to make a small closet seem larger. If renovating or closet organization systems are not an option for your small closet, you can supplement your storage needs with built-in shelving in other areas of your home or simply by using an armoire or chest of drawers.
Functions
If a closet in your home is just not effective as a storage space for clothing or collections, you can change the function of it for something more practical. For example, you can use a small closet to hold household cleaning supplies, such as mop buckets, brooms and spray cleaners. Another idea is to convert a bedroom closet into storage for photo albums or board games. If you remove the door on the closet, it can become a niche space for a small chair and lamp for a cozy reading area.
Removal
Still another option for small closets is to get rid of them altogether. If you have wasted space in other areas of the room, these empty spaces can be converted into larger closets that can store more necessary items. Modern closet sizes are approximately 16 to 28 inches in depth and 48 inches in width. To design a closet that will work in your modern lifestyle, assess you storage needs.
