Maximizing Closet Space in the Bedroom and Bathroom

By Kathy Jenkins, Professional Organizer, Come To Order 

Whether in the bedroom or bathroom, it seems our closets are never big enough! So it's important to maximize the closet space we have and use it to its full potential.

Bedroom closets are for clothing, shoes, accessories, and possibly linens and the first step in keeping them neat and tidy is to keep things off the floor. Rather than tossing purses, belts, shoes, and even clothing into piles, think about how you can better contain each item.

• Use hanging organizers for purses, ball caps, scarves, and even jewelry to make use of vertical space.

• For shoes, use a shoe tree, an over-the-door hanging organizer, or purchase clear shoe boxes and stack in neat rows on the floor or on shelves up above.

• Purchase quality hangers so your clothes don't slide off and end up on the floor.

• If you have to store extra linens in your closet place them on higher shelves so they are out of the way.

• Add shelf dividers to keep clothes neatly arranged on closet shelves.

• Create extra space on your closet rod by storing seasonal items in clothing bags or in under the bed linen or cotton chests (clothes need to breathe yet stay dust free).

• Use a stylish hamper to collect all clothing that needs to be laundered or dry cleaned.

Your bathroom closet, on the other hand, holds towels, bath accessories, cosmetics, and extra toiletries. This requires creative shelf organization so that items don't “hide” in the back and become impossible to find.

• Use cosmetic organizers or bins to store makeup, fingernail polish, grooming items, and medicine. These will slide in and out of your closet while still keeping like items together.

• Regularly sort medications and cosmetics and toss out those items that are expired. They won't be effective anyway! FYI – Most cosmetics are old after a year.

• Use cotton ball holders and cotton swab holders to keep these from scattering all over shelves and giving easy access when you need them.

• Consider installing pull out drawers or baskets to you can easily access all items and maximize the use of space, even at the back of the closet.

• Use shelf dividers to keep folded towels nicely stacked.

• In your vanity, install cosmetic drawer organizers to make drawers suitable for storing smaller items, which helps you save shelf space, too.

• If you have full sized door your bathroom closet, don’t forget to install an organizer on the door. This is perfect for storing extra soap, shampoo, medicines and the like.

Whether storing clothes or towels, shoes or toiletries, closet space is always at a premium. Using a few helpful organizing tools gives your items a place to call home. You can easily find the item when you need to use it, and also know exactly where to put it back when you’re finished with it.  And that's the key to maintaining a clutter-free closet!

 © 2010, Kathy Jenkins, Come to Order

Kathy Jenkins is a Residential Professional Organizer, Student Organizer, Certified Family Manager Coach, Writer and Speaker based in Richmond, Virginia. She is a member of NAPO, NSGCD and ABWA and is dedicated to helping her clients simplify their lives by reducing clutter, organizing their homes and offices, and managing their time. Kathy especially enjoys working with kids and their families to help them learn good organizational skills that will benefit them for a lifetime.