How To Organize Your Closet Like a Pro

If you've ever considered making the switch to all non-slip hangers, let this be your final push. Felt or velvet hangers take up less space than traditional wooden ones, won't rip or snag your clothes like plastic or metal, and, most importantly, will keep your clothes exactly where you put them — on the hanger, and not on the floor of your closet. If you want the functionality of a non-slip hanger but can't justify buying a whole new set, you can DIY by wrapping pipe cleaners around the edge of your existing hangers for the same effect.

This is one of the easiest tricks ever, and it'll also instantly double your hanging space. Instead of hanging one hanger at a time, hook a second hanger onto the first. All you need is a soda can tab. This is perfect for freeing up space as well as keeping two-piece outfits conveniently together in one spot. For a more polished look, you can use an s hook, and adding a simple chain lets you hang more than two.

It's true that rolling your clothes instead of folding them can help save space, but it's not a one-size-fits-all solution. More casual clothes are great for rolling: things like scarves, t-shirts, pants, and casual dresses take up far less space when they're rolled up. On the other hand, you're better off folding heavier or more structured clothes like sweaters, jeans, and button-down shirts, as these have a tendency to become even bulkier when rolled and can get badly creased.

If you've been hanging all your clothes on a single horizontal rod, you're probably missing out on a bunch of valuable closet real estate. To make use of the empty space underneath your skirts and blouses, try hanging an extra clothes rod. You can DIY this pretty easily with a chain and some s hooks, hangng the second rod off of the first. This has the added benefit of letting you adjust the height. Alternatively, make the most of narrow spaces by using a hanging vertical organizer.

Clip-on clothes hangers are great for skirts and pants, but they're also a lot more expensive than regular hangers. For a cheap DIY substitute, take a standard clothes hanger and add your own clothespins or bag clips. You'll get the same result at a fraction of the cost, and feel handy to boot.

If you're hanging every scarf or tank top on its own individual hanger, you're giving them way more space than they need. If you don't feel like folding these away in a drawer, there's an even better option. Repurpose old shower hooks by slipping them onto a hanger, and use each hook to store multiple tank tops, scarves, belts, or even caps on a single clothes hanger.

Keeping the floor of your closet clear is one of the easiest ways to make it feel clean and organized. If the floor is your go-to shoe storage, consider these options instead. Ballet flats and sandals can be stored neatly inside cardboard glass or wine dividers — so don't throw these out the next time you order a few bottles. Keep shoes neatly on shelves, shoe racks, or in an over-the-door pocket organizer. You can even store them up high in baskets or shoe boxes; clear shoe boxes are pretty cheap to buy in bulk, and if you're using the original boxes, tape a photo of the shoes to the front so you remember what's in them.

Hanging accessories is another great way to make the most of your space. Jewelry trees are the obvious solution, but to really maximize unused closet space, try mounting some wall hooks on the side of your closet or on the back of a door. Another great solution is the humble pegboard. These aren't just for tools and office supplies — they also make great jewelry racks.

If you really love something, why not put it on display? Open clothes racks aren't just for clothing stores — they're also a cheap-yet-stylish alternative to a traditional closet. If you need a little extra overflow space, or just want to make your favorite pieces stand out, try hanging them on a simple rack in your bedroom. This is also a great way to remind yourself of clothes you don't wear as often as you'd like.

If you're looking to free up more closet space long-term, this is a great trick to instantly identify any clothes you haven't worn in ages. Start by having all your hangers facing backward (or the way you don't usually hang them); once you've worn a particular item, hang it back in the closet in the normal manner. After six months, you'll be able to clearly see which clothes you haven't worn, based on the hangers still turned around. Consider whether you actually need these items you rarely wear.