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The 8 Best Products to Organize Your Closet

If the kitchen is the heart of the home, your closet is the nervous system, at least for me.

When my closet is neat and orderly, I function better.

When it’s messy and chaotic, like it is after the holidays, my mornings don’t run smoothly and the whole day is off.

Because an organized closet doesn’t just make your morning routine effortless, but shopping and getting dressed is easier too.

When you can see everything you have; you can create outfits you love and you’ll see what you’re missing.

So let’s talk about space.

Because unlike what social media shows us, not everyone is working with a massive space that looks like a department store.

After working thousands of hours in hundreds of closets, I can tell you that most women’s wardrobes have limited space. 

I have two closet spaces, but don’t be impressed, it’s nothing fancy, not custom and rather small.

By definition, I technically have a “walk-in”. But it is very basic, featuring a simple rod for hanging and a series of shelves. But it doubles as our linen closet since our bathroom has no storage.

Additionally, I have a wall unit from Ikea, in my bedroom.  

I’m still sort on space (remember this is my job) but it functions well because I researched and thoughtfully purchased a few affordable products that help keep everything in place.

Before that, I took a use-what-you-have philosophy and it worked just fine.

But the difference these few products made has allowed me to keep the area in order (for the most part), and when it does get a little out of sorts, it only takes a few minutes to pull it back together.

The Best Products to Organize Your Closet

Best Products to Organize Your Closet
An open Ikea unit I built on an empty wall in my bedroom, just outside my closet.

This is the unit I purchased from Ikea. It was so easy to put together I did it myself. And you can measure and customize everything on your computer, and then order it all at once and pick it up at your local store.

It sits outside my closet against a wall in my bedroom. There are doors for it, but I haven’t put them up yet. 

I work between these two spaces. Keeping in-season pieces in the Ikea unit, and out-of-season, special occasion, some folded sweaters and a lot more shoes in my actual closet. 

It’s bit convoluted, but it works.

The Best Products to Organize Your Closet for a Custom Feel on a Budget.

If you only purchase one product for your closet to help create order and save you space, buy these slim flocked hangers. They are the best. 

The uniformity the slim line hanger creates helps your eyes settle so you can see (and therefore use!) everything you have. Plus they double your space. As you can see I hang a lot, including tee shirts and jeans. 

Next, these acrylic shelf dividers make such an impact. Before I bought them, I would have told you they were a waste of money, but they have transformed the space. You can see them below.

They have a little hook on them too, so you can hang your outfit or a few handbags from them. 

The ones in my closet image are from The Container Store, but I liked them so much I bought the dupes from Amazon at a lower price for my girls’ closets. The link is at the bottom of the article

I’m using them for sweaters, but they also work well for jeans, heavy scarves, and anything else you can fold. 

I also take advantage of the vertical space by using these “sweater drawers” to store silk scarves and bathing suits. 

How to Organize Shoes and Bags in Your Closet 

How to Organize Shoes and Bags in Your Closet 
A corner of my walk-in closet.

The most popular question I receive is about how I store my shoes.

I use shoe drawers from The Container Store. They are stackable, so I’m able to take advantage of all the otherwise wasted shelf space. I also keep a few under my hanging jeans, taking advantage of every bit of space. 

 You can purchase a case of 4 for $60; I’m using the large size because my shoe size is 10. 

Another product I’m thrilled with is this purse organizer (pictured on the top shelf and in the center of the Ikea system).

Here, I can easily slip in my various clutches and grab whatever I need when running out quickly. It’s practical, creating a fun, boutique vibe.

They are also from The Container Store, for $40 each.

Organize and Display Jewelry 

Organize and Display Jewelry 

Finally, let’s talk about how to store and display jewelry.

If you can, designate a space to keep it all together. I’ve mentioned this jewelry box before – it’s a stackable trays system that you can customize to meet your needs.

It also keeps your pieces from tarnishing. 

Related: How to Create a Classic Jewelry Capsule  

If your jewelry is scattered in tiny boxes or stuffed in a drawer, get them out fo there! Of course, you can still use the drawer; just consider using a tray system. I like this one on Amazon; you get a set of five with various compartments

I also use one of the pull-out drawers of the Ikea system and keep my go-to, everyday pieces in little trays and dishes.

In the other shallow drawers, I lay more clutches, and then the last three drawers hold delicate sweaters with embellishments folded with tissue between them, and then long and short cardigans folded in the other.

For other categories, I use drawers in a dresser across the room. One for undergarments, one for workout gear and sweats, and one for pajamas. It’s nothing fancy, but I use these extendable drawer dividers to corral things. I use them in my kids’ drawers

Finally, my latest addition is this hanging leggings organizer. My workout drawer was always a mess so I purged and sorted everything from my leggings and tanks to sport bras.

My 8 Favorite Products to Organize Your Closet

1

Slim, Velvet, Non-Slip Hangers

Amazon Basics

$25.00
2

Set of 8 Acrylic Shelf Dividers

Amazon

$30.00
3

Acrylic 3-Compartment Clutch & Small Purse Organizer

The Container Store

$45.00

4

Clear Stackable Sweater Drawer

The Container Store

$25.00
5

Case of 4 Clear Stackable Large Shoe Drawer

The Container Store

$58.00
6

4 Pack Drawer Dividers

Amazon

$38.00
7

Stackers White Classic Jewelry Box Collection

The Container Store

Price Varies
8

Hanging Legging Organizer

Amazon

$22.00
The 8 Best Products to Organize Your Closet
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MEET THE AUTHOR

Megan Kristel

Megan Kristel is an entrepreneur, working mom, and former personal stylist. Tired of the one-dimensional portrayal of women online, she founded The Well Dressed Life as a resource for other professional women.

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Sarah Boaz

Friday 12th of January 2024

Megan, I love your emails! Thank you for all the love and time you put into this! For jewelry, I use screw/fishing tackle organizers. They stack, snap shut and you can adjust the size of the compartments and they're about $5. If you're concerned about moisture/tarnish, put a small piece of chalk in the container.

Tracy

Friday 27th of January 2023

This was super helpful! I just reorganized my closet! Now it looks great and I can see and find things. I’m embarrassed to admit that while doing this I found clothes I had forgotten I had because they had been shoved in between other clothes and sort of lost. Now I’m ready to go.

Joyce

Tuesday 24th of January 2023

Thank you, Megan. I am so glad I found your site! I have a couple of questions regarding the hangers-is it ok to hang sweaters on these hangers? I don’t have drawer space for them. Also, does the hanger make a crease in the pants when they are folded over? Look forward to your next post!

Sharon kokeny

Tuesday 24th of January 2023

I see you stored your shoes in plastic containers. While they look beautiful they don’t allow your shoes to breath. Please tell me I’m wrong. I’ve always wanted to put my shoes in these containers but am afraid they will get moldy. Thank u. Sharon kokeny

Megan Kristel

Tuesday 24th of January 2023

They are not sealed, there is no issue with air circulation.

Terri

Tuesday 24th of January 2023

I bought a 3 compartment plastic file organizer from an office supply store to hold my small purses and clutches. Each compartment holds two of them vertically and sits on a shelf in my closet. Also, I was interested to read that the ads we see on your website are different for each of us and are based on our internet usage. I never even thought about that before.

Rachel

Tuesday 24th of January 2023

You are literally the only blogger I read and love on a daily basis. Thank you for the time, love and care you pour out to us!! I am happy for ads bc you deserve compensation, but the ones of McDs are prolific And very obnoxious. Is there a way to switch out the McDonalds ad? It is truly dampening my desire to read your articles, which is sad bc I love your site! Blessings!!💕;)

Megan Kristel

Tuesday 24th of January 2023

Thank you for being kind in your comment. Unfortunately, I don't have any control over the ads other than I was able to block political ads from showing up. Other than that, they are generated based on data points collected by your web history. So, when I'm on our site, I see ads for department stores, Target, and brands like Sam Edelman, because that's collected from my internet usage.

rose g moffett

Tuesday 24th of January 2023

I love your website and the Contant I find your suggestions, very useful, and have purchased many of them. What I don’t like and I’m not sure it can be approved. Is the amount of ads that constantly interrupt whatever you have posted they’re incessant and it’s hard to tell the difference between your suggestions and the ads for what it’s worth. Thank you.

Megan Kristel

Tuesday 24th of January 2023

Ads are everywhere, on TV, in your social feed, on podcasts and websites. This is how platforms that offer free content generate revenue. It's especially important for our business because I am crazy selective about partnerships, and won't ruin our trust with readers by pushing stupid products I don't believe in so I can make money. So my option are: run ads, or charge a monthly fee for access or there is no website.

Dianna

Tuesday 25th of January 2022

Is this your entire wardrobe for all four seasons? Or do you have some stored in totes or another closet? Also what are the dimensions of your closet as mine in teeny tiny. I love ❤️ the looks of yours and have to figure out how to do this.

Megan Kristel

Tuesday 25th of January 2022

So in the Ikea system, I keep the in-season pieces I regularly wear. In the walk-in are a lot of dresses, special occasion, and out-of-season items, plus lots of shoes and sweaters. I have a large dresser to keep workout, athleisure , pajamas, and undergarments. Under my bed is out-of-season casual summer items, like shorts and tees. I feel like I have a lot, but I'm also very diligent about editing throughout the year. When I stop wearing something, I donate it. I just did my ruthless edit and have a giant box of donations. I'm not sure of the dimensions but two adults can stand in the closet.

Kim

Tuesday 25th of January 2022

Hi Megan! I notice you use the beige hangers in the picture of your closet, and the link goes to black. I have wondered - which color do you prefer? Or recommend?

Megan Kristel

Tuesday 25th of January 2022

I actually have the black ones in my walk in, and the beige ones in the Ikea system for no other reason that that was what I had. I have the black ones in most of the closets in the house.

Deanna

Tuesday 25th of January 2022

I bought the acrylic shelf dividers, the handbag organizer, and the amazon jewelry trays on your recommendation...they are wonderful products! I use the shelf dividers to divide my sweaters and my larger handbags, and the handbag organizer holds my clutches and my umbrellas! The jewelry trays sit on top of the drawers in my closet so I can easily see what I have :) Thanks for sharing these products with us!

Dawn

Thursday 15th of October 2020

I have the "wire shelving" in my closet with little hope of my husband agreeing to a redesign with solid shelves. Some of your organizers will work, but some won't (ex: the shelf divider, which I definitely could use!). Any suggestions?

Brenda

Friday 31st of December 2021

@Dawn, Hi just saw your post and was wondering if you found a solution? We had the same issues with wire in the pantry and a simple solution is to have plexiglass cut to fit the shelves. That way you have a solid surface and you can still see through to shelves below. It is also much more economical then pulling it all out. It works in the pantry and any closets with the metal coated shelving.

Suzanne

Saturday 30th of January 2021

These are for use with wire shelves https://www.containerstore.com/s/elfa/components/elfa-ventilated-shelving/white-elfa-ventilated-wire-shelf-dividers/123d?productId=10000943

Roons

Saturday 17th of October 2020

Hi - I have the same problem. I needed the dividers for jeans, so I bought some cheap book ends. They do the trick since the jeans are heavy enough to keep them in place. Hope that helps!

Betsy

Thursday 15th of October 2020

Mug trees are great for storing bracelets and necklaces too. In the kitchen department they are fairly cheap and I can see everything hanging there.