Let’s face it, we’re not all blessed with luxurious, walk-in closets, so coming up with clothing storage ideas that help stay organized while also looking good is of utmost importance. And the smaller the closet, the more difficult it is to stay organized, which is why we’re highlighting organizational tools and styling tricks that can help make it easier for small space closet.

Whether you’re someone who thinks there’s no such thing as having enough closet space or you live in a city apartment with limited storage room, you can use these small space closet ideas to create twice as much space as you had before.

With the right organizing products, a few decorating tricks, and a little patience; you might find that small space closet is actually just right.

Here are some ideas on how creating the perfect small space closet.

small space closet

Throw out clothes that don’t fit

After tossing pieces you no longer wear or haven’t used in a year—and the ones that long ago went out of style—zero-in on the clothes that are too tight. People think hanging on to smaller sizes will inspire them to lose weight, but you can only wear the size that fits you right now—you never change a size overnight. If you have diet plans, store your tighter clothes elsewhere and bring them back after you reach your goals. The act of swapping out larger sizes for smaller ones might even make you feel more accomplished.

Remove the clutter

This means more than clothes, shoes, and accessories. Remove those plastic coverings that come with your dry cleaning as they actually don’t protect your clothes because they trap dry cleaning chemicals. It’s also shocking how much space they take up.

To maximize space, opt for thinner hangers and remove most of the empty ones, leaving just a handful in one spot so they’re easy to find and use. You might be tempted to try stacking or cascading hangers, but they can be hard to maintain. Before you invest in this type of product, make sure you can easily grab clothes from them.

Remember the floor space

If you have lots of long-hanging clothes, the whole bottom of the closet can become a no-man’s land. Group your short-hanging pieces at one end of the closet and your longer-hanging clothes at the other—that will open up lots of floor space, where you can place a little dresser or a stacking shoe rack. Once you can see your closet floor, treat yourself to a multi level shoe shelf.

Add lightin

If looking into your small space closet is like staring into the abyss, illuminate it. Just having more light in the closet will make it seem bigger. One option is to swap out your normal rod for an LED closet rod that is motion-activated and battery-operated.

Install sliding doors

Never again will you have to walk from end to end in search of what you need. These bypass doors will save your life, and are easy to DIY. They’re great space-savers, especially in tight corners where two doors would swing into each other.

Hang a mirror

Mirrors are a great way to create the illusion of a bigger closet, whether they’re attached to the door or inside. They make your small space closet feel like it extends beyond the walls. But, don’t go for just any old mirror. Instead, up the ante with a wall-mounted jewelry armoire that has a full-length mirror to boot. This way, you can simply hang the mirror over your closet door, with the added bonus of a lockable jewelry storage unit to boot.

Paint it a lighter color

A fresh coat of paint is an inexpensive way to add the illusion of space. We suggest to go for a durable paint, such as one with a satin or gloss finish, because the walls will get some wear and tear from clothes and shoes. A light color—like white, light yellow, or pale pink—can make everything seem cleaner and brighter. Brighter hues also make a small space closet seem more open and airy.

If you’re adverse to painting or afraid to commit to a color, try a peel-and-stick wallpaper.

Don’t count out corners

Corners are, too often, awkward and wasted. By adding corner shelves or corner hanging rods, you can really maximize that space.

Use the doors

Hang hooks to store handbags, loungewear, pajamas, scarves, or belts on the inside of your closet door. Or, line the door with corkboard to hang your jewelry on. If you have sliding doors, it can be hard to find things because a door is always blocking a portion of the space. Try some DIY projects to make your closet more accessible.