1
Let's make it a moment
Rustic white photo
Intentionality is key when designing a small closet. The closet should feel like an extension of the room it's in. DuVäl used this studio wallpaper for the closet's ceiling and painted the shelves in a coordinating Farrow & Ball Sulking Room Pink. A velvet-upholstered chair provides a place to sit and put on shoes.
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2
Utilize every nook and cranny
Tasmin Johnson
Take a cue from Tasmin Johnson and make use of the outside space in your small closet with some corner shelves – perfect for purses, shoes, and other small accessories you want to keep on display.
3
Keep your essentials in sight
Anna Sparer
This artistically curated pet cabinet, designed by Arianne Belizard for House Beautiful's 2023 Whole Home, displays everything your dog needs. And because it has no baskets, things don't get tangled and messy. Pro tip: This hanging system also works great for belts, ties, and scarves.
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Four
Surrounding the dressing table
Gail Davis Design
For those with limited space, a freestanding vanity like a desk may seem like an unattainable luxury, but Gail Davis has a solution: tuck it away in your closet. In this bathroom built-in, a vanity stand replaces shelves and is stocked with everything you need to get ready. And when you're done, there's no need to organize your perfume bottles or line them up perfectly; just close the door.
Five
Hide a miniature utility room
Tessa Neustadt
Not every home has the space for a full laundry room, but as Emily Henderson proves here, a small closet can do the trick: a shelf above the washer and dryer provides ample storage for laundry essentials and baskets, while a side shelf keeps other cleaning supplies out of reach of curious minds.
6
Show off your wardrobe
Ngoc Minh Ngo
For fashionistas, it's almost sacrilege to store this season's latest pieces behind your door, and in a tiny closet, you might not have the storage space to begin with. Instead of shoving everything into your closet (or leaving it on a chair), do as Pam Schneider does here and opt for a vintage clothes rack.
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7
Customize functionality
Anna Sparer
Instead of tossing ribbon and wrapping paper into separate boxes (where they'll get torn, tangled, and wrinkled), Claire Staszak of Centered by Design cleverly organizes them on a clothing rod in her gift closet.Tension rods make for easy DIY projects in your craft closet at home.
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8
Build a Party Closet
Anna Sparer
A hostess needs a hostess. Transform your boring linen closet into an entertainer's dream, just like Isabel Ladd did in House Beautiful's 2023 Whole Home. Each tablecloth comes with its own hook in the bottom compartment, while vases, jugs, and dishes are proudly displayed on the upper shelf.
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9
Keeping tissue functional
Victoria Pearson
Designer Lucy Somers has limited closet space at home, so she uses a vintage cupboard (painted bright blue, naturally) to house her favorite art supplies. She keeps her paintbrushes handy in jars so they're easy to see and access without rummaging through drawers.
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Ten
Focus on your needs
Shawn Litchfield
While designing this Victorian home in New Jersey, designer Alicia Hassen of Brooklinteriors was faced with an unusual discovery: an unused walk-in closet. Rather than let the space become a junkyard, or worse, leave it empty, she transformed it into a reading nook. Morris & Co. wallpaper lining the custom shelving adds extra depth.
11
Remove the door
Zeke Ruelas
If your room has a closet but it feels cramped, consider replacing the door with a pocket door or removing it completely. In this bunk room by Dee Murphy, wallpaper and paint separate the sleeping zone from the closet, but removing the door opens up the whole space.
12
Make use of your habits
Julian Wass
In a small room, every square foot counts. Instead of dismissing oddly shaped corners as wasted space, put them to good use. Here, Gary McBowney makes the most of his farmhouse's sloping roofline with a simple shelving and hanging rack.
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13
Use interior dividers
Ngoc Minh Ngo
This tiny closet designed by David Kaihoi has an attached washer and dryer, so everything needs to be neatly organized. Trays in the drawers help organize small accessories, and two rows of clothes rods make use of all that vertical space.
14
Liven up the atmosphere
Stephen Radtke
Don't ignore a small closet, especially one in an even smaller space. Instead of feeling embarrassed or pretending it's not there, treat it as a decorative element. In her New York City apartment, Cristina Juarez draws attention to her fashion-forward closet by surrounding it with copious artwork and boldly patterned wallpaper.
15
Move your shoes to a new place
Joshua Green
Shoes take up a lot of space, so if you want to fit more clothes into your closet, you should consider getting rid of them first. They're the last thing you put on, so it's okay if you have to search for them in another place, like a hallway or bathroom closet. This bathroom linen closet by Joshua Greene doubles as a shoe storage area, keeping your shoes neatly organized and off the closet floor.
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16
Add decorative wallpaper
Reid Rawls
There's no reason why a small closet can't be special and be considered a dream walk-in closet, like this charming nursery closet by Leanne Ford, whose floral mural gives off a playful energy.
17
Put a mirror on the door
Ngoc Minh Ngo
This bedroom by David Kaihoi has some small closet ideas you might want to replicate, like the mirror on the inside of the closet door that's both functional and stylish. Hooks on the door and canvas storage bins for organisation are also great solutions for making the most of a small space, as seen here.
18
Use Boutique Rack
Great Frank
For those whose tiny closets are already full (or who don't have any to begin with), freestanding clothing racks are a lifesaver — plus, their exposed wardrobe means your clothes stay neat and organized instead of piling up.
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19
Hanging Shaker Shelves
Franese
If one closet just isn't enough, a wall unit like this one provides shelves for accessories and pegs for hanging coats and bags. The white Shaker-style peg rail that Tom Scherer installed on the wall coordinates with the farmhouse style throughout the home.
20
Fits perfectly against the wall
Shapeless Studio
For a clean, uncluttered look and to exude a sense of order, design your closet to be flush with the surrounding walls. Here, inset closet doors from Shapeless Studio blend in with the rest of the master bedroom, allowing ample clothing storage space without invading the living space, either physically or visually.
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