Double your wardrobe storage: Smart tips for maximising space

Benefits of a shoe rack: Shoes can take up a lot of floor space. By adding a shoe rack or hanging shoe organizer, you can neatly store shoes vertically, freeing up valuable space at the bottom of your wardrobe (Image: Canva)

You need to get dressed for work in the morning, but the thought of your cluttered wardrobe stresses you out. You can find nothing to wear even though you seem to be shopping all the time. A cluttered wardrobe can make getting dressed stressful, especially when you're short on space.

Whether you're living in a cozy apartment or just have more clothes than space, figuring out how to maximise your wardrobe storage can feel like a daunting task. But here’s the good news: you don’t need a bigger closet—you just need smarter solutions.

With a few simple tweaks and some smart organisation hacks, you can easily reclaim lost space and bring order to your chaotic closet. Here’s how.

• Use slimline hangers

Switching to slimline or velvet hangers can free up a significant amount of space. These hangers are much thinner than traditional ones, allowing you to fit more clothes in the same area. Plus, they help prevent slipping, keeping your wardrobe tidy.

• Add an extra rod

Installing a second clothing rod beneath your current one doubles the amount of hanging space. This is perfect for shorter items like shirts, skirts, and jackets. You can keep longer clothes like dresses and coats on the top rod and hang shorter items below.

Also read | Maximise your wardrobe: 8 smart tips to make the most of all your clothing

• Utilise shelf dividers

If your closet has shelves, invest in dividers to prevent piles of clothes from toppling over. This makes stacking items like sweaters and jeans easier, creating more space and keeping everything neatly separated.

• Incorporate drawer organisers

Maximise drawer space by using dividers for small items like socks, underwear, and accessories. Drawer organisers create individual compartments that make it easier to store more items without clutter.

• Hang hooks and racks on doors

Don’t overlook the back of your closet door! You can install hooks, over-the-door racks, or hanging organizers to store bags, belts, scarves, or jewellery. This is a great way to free up shelf and drawer space.

Also read | Dress smart: 8 tips to organise and style all the clothes in your wardrobe

• Use storage bins and baskets

Store out-of-season clothing, shoes, or bulky items in storage bins or baskets and place them on top shelves or underneath hanging clothes. Clear bins allow you to see the contents easily, while baskets can provide a more aesthetic look.

• Invest in a shoe rack

Shoes can take up a lot of floor space. By adding a shoe rack or hanging shoe organiser, you can neatly store shoes vertically, freeing up valuable space at the bottom of your wardrobe.

• Vacuum storage bags for off-season items

For seasonal items like winter coats or thick sweaters, use vacuum-sealed storage bags to compress them. This minimizes their volume, allowing you to store them in the back of your closet or under your bed until needed.

• Install shelf risers

If your closet shelves have a lot of vertical space, use risers to create more usable surface area. You can store folded clothes or accessories both above and below the riser, essentially doubling the shelf’s capacity.

• Hang multiple items per hanger

Maximise hanger space by using cascading hangers or tiered pant hangers. These hangers allow you to store multiple items, such as pants, skirts, or scarves, on a single hanger.

By implementing these storage hacks, you can effectively double your wardrobe space without sacrificing style or functionality. The key is to be strategic about how you use every part of your closet, from floor to ceiling.