How to Organize Your Closet
Well hello friends! I’ve been wanting to give you an updated closet tour for some time now and today is finally the day! I’ve made a few changes to the way I organize things and I’ve also been purging some of the contents so that I’m left with only things I actually use and wear! It feels great to have a closet where everything has a place and everything is neatly organized. I can’t wait to show you around! I hope this gives you some ideas for how to keep your own closet organized!
First things first, I get asked all the time how big my closet is and it measures 9’4 x 13’2 and I’m lucky to have it all to myself! My husband has his own walk-in closet, although his isn’t as big. #sorrybabe!
When we built our home in 2010, I was sure to include plans for a large master closet because I’m an organization freak (with lots of clothes!) and wanted to have a specific place for everything. There’s shoe shelves (and more were added last year), a built-in dresser, a center island with 12 cubbies, and additional cubby shelving behind the door. This closet fits my life perfectly and I couldn’t be happier about it!
Similar Skirt • Similar Top • Leopard Heels • Similar Tassel Earrings • Moroccan Pouf
I’ll show you around from when you first walk in, then tour you from left to right. The first thing you might notice is the pretty chandelier. I was actually floored to realize I could put a chandelier in my closet! I had never seen one in a closet before! But, it really does make a pretty statement in the room and this one will never go out of style in my book!
Similar Wooden Stool • Chandelier
To your immediate left is 6 shelves that I can stack my rain boots, scarves and sweaters that I like to fold.
I keep my jewelry where I can see it so I know what I have and can quickly accessorize an outfit for the day. I used cedar belt/tie racks to hang my necklaces from so that I could see all these long necklaces and so they wouldn’t get tangled. I put rings on a multi-ring holder tray and earrings in another compartment.
To organize my purses, I used inexpensive silver shower hooks that hang on the hanger rod. This keeps them upright and also gives them room to breathe and not get smashed. Below are neck forms for holding larger statement necklaces. It helps them lay flat and looks pretty! If you have the space for something like this, I definitely recommend it!
My closet isn’t so terribly tall that I can’t stretch and pull things down, but I’m short, so a small stool helps. I scored this one at Homegoods, but have also seen similar ones on Amazon.
I’ve found that the thin velvet shirt hangers save so much space for your clothes and keep them in place. The rounded ends on these help prevent those ugly points on your shirts, Also, using the same hanger throughout your entire closet keeps everything at the same level and easy to see!! And a uniform set of hangers is prettier to look at!
The shoe shelves were built with one large shelf on top for boots, and room for about 50 pairs of shoes below. You can find the shoes I wear most often on the Shop – Shoes tab at the top of my blog.
Last year, I added another set of shoe shelves to the adjacent wall… because shoes are hard to part with!! #butyouknewthat
I use the small children’s huggable hangers for my jeans and pants. They aren’t pictured, but my clip hangers keep all of my skirts up!
On the right are dresses on top and vests and jackets below. I have my jackets on wooden hangers because my husband had extra.
I use these organizer racks for hanging my scarves. They’re actually meant for ties and belts, but the way these hooks are made really spreads the scarves out a little more than a traditional scarf holder! It keeps them tangle and wrinkle free and easy to see. It’s very strong- holds 14 scarves on one hanger!
To organize and store my bracelets, I use a white three-tier holder I found on Amazon. It’s faux leather, sturdy and works so well I bought two! The one in the middle I got at Target.
Why not have a little art in your closet?! This ferris wheel print “California Dreams” is from Minted, that I originally intended for Jordan’s bathroom, but I decided on other art for that room, and kept this piece for me. I also love having a photo of her and I in here as a sweet momento of when she was a newborn.
Above this I also keep my unused hangers. It’s good to leave space for these so they don’t end up on your floor and you can easily find a hanger when putting up new items!
Above the built-in dresser are more three more shelves. On the top shelf, I put my travel cases and hats. The second and first shelves hold purses and clutches. I get the clutches to stand upright by using an acrylic CD holder from The Container Store that slides to accommodate the size of your bag! I couldn’t find my exact holder on their site anymore, but Amazon has some acrylic dividers.
Did you spy the little minifigure James made me?!
In the top drawer of my dresser is my makeup, and I actually put my makeup on in here each day! The lighting is good and it keeps my bathroom from getting cluttered with hair/beauty products AND makeup. #reallife
Similar Top • Jeans • Bracelet
TIPS FOR CLEANING OUT YOUR CLOSET
The key to keeping your closet organized is definitely keeping the clutter out. I try to purge my closet twice a year in the Spring and Winter to make sure I’m only keeping the clothes that fit and also make me feel good. This 2015 Master Closet post has some cleaning out your closet tips that are still relevant today!
After several years blogging about fashion and outfits, it’s amazing the amount of clothes I’ve accumulated! I enjoy doing the dressing room posts because most of those items I try on to share fit, quality and offer some styling tips. I only keep the items I truly love and know will keep for a long time. I’m definitely having to redefine what “truly love” means because I WILL run out of room in this closet if I keep all of the good stuff!! Not to mention, blow all my money shopping! To see what I recommend keeping, I’ve got a page strictly for Must Haves in the “Shop” tab at the top of my blog.
Similar Top • Jeans • Heels • Bracelet •
MORE CLOSET INSPIRATION
This master closet has come a long way, and you can see the progression from my initial Mom Cave post in 2010! that my friend Kate promoted on her blog that introduced my blog to lots of new readers (thank you Kate!); that time I was inspired by Thibaut Tanzaia wallpaper and painted the walls with a bright pop of pink; to the last closet post- Organized Boutique Closet to see how this closet has evolved over the years!
James’ closet still looks good as new with making better use of his closet space with Elfa shelving and drawers.
Jordan’s closet is still going strong too, along with our Linen Closet and my Office Closet! Well, the office closet could probably use a refresh!
Finally, I’ve got a Shop My Closet page that I update frequently with favorite finds!
Thanks for the tip of using the child size hangers for jeans and pants! This is a great solution. Beautiful closet, girl!
Thanks Deanna! Those kids hangers have worked great for that!
All of the heart eyes! I love the idea of a built in dresser AND of keeping your makeup in the closet – it so easily junks up the bathroom! Thanks for the tour. 🙂
I realized I didn’t share how I organize the rest of the drawers! 1st drawer: makeup 2) bras/undies 3) workout tops (bras/tanks/shirts) 4) pajamas In the cubbies are workout shorts and leggings, shorts, bikinis, belts, socks.
Love the post – we just redid our master closet at our lake house (yesterday) and I need helping organizing!!!
How exciting! A fresh start!
These organizational tips are my favorite! Keep them coming!
Thanks so much for letting me know- I love these kinds of posts too!
OMG I loooooove your closet. It’s beautiful and so neat! Hey is there a post with all those books in it? I’d love to see what they are and possibly get some!
Hi! I do have a post about books- https://www.honeywerehome.com/2017/06/this-that-boot-storage-printed-photos.html I get lots on Amazon and Half Priced Books!
Beautiful closet!!!!
Would you consider doing a post on Rodeo wear? Different ideas on what to wear? You always have great ideas!
I’ve never done that, but we’re planning to go this year so maybe I should!
Love an organizer anything! Is there a reason you have 2 ceiling lights? They look very close to one another.
The ceiling lights give more bright light. They aren’t as close together in person.
I have serious closet envy!!! I have my clothes spread over about 4 rooms – sometimes I find things I forgot I even had!!!
Mel! We need to get all those things together in one place! Or at least organize them so you know what is where! I had a friend with lots of little closets in different rooms, so she’d organize some of her things by season.
I’m obsessed! I’ve recently organized my closet and it really does feel great for everything to have a place. I need to try the shower hook idea for my bags though because I don’t love the spot they have right now!
It’s so inexpensive too if you have room for it!
Your closet looks beautiful. So the velvet hangers don’t leave ‘hanger boobs’ in your shirts? I hate those!
I hate that too- I don’t get that with these hangers since they have a nice curve at the end.
This is definite closet goals!!! Quick question…what do you do about sweaters? Do you fold them or hang them? I am always on the fence?!?
I usually fold the bulkier ones and hang the thinner ones. I feel like the thinner ones tend to get “lost” if I fold them, but the bulkier ones stack better.
This closet is the dream of every woman:D and these tips are really useful:D
Those necklace forms are so smart: attractive and useful! I love any closet update you do. 🙂 Do you keep a laundry hamper in there? I’m on the lookout for a cuter one than my current boring-but-does-the-job one.
Thanks Melanie! I keep a laundry basket in our bathroom closet, but not in my closet.
I love your closet! I have a question about the velvet hangers, do they collect dust? I read that somewhere so I have been hesitant to buy them. 🙂
They can- that is a downside of them.
I love what you are blogging about this year. I have some of these hangers, need a lot more. As far at the kids hanger for pants/jeans, is it not too heavy for jeans? Also what hangers do you use for your kids? Chandeliers are great I have one in my laundry room. I really need to replace the light in my closet, thanks for the idea think I will buy a chandelier for in there, no window in my closet a small light not good for a closet when trying to pick out clothes. BTW, I wish I didn’t have to share a closet with my husband he leaves his hangers sticking out after he takes his shirt off of the hanger, drives me crazy.
My husband and I are planning to build our forever home in the next 4-5 years (which sounds like forever, but I know the time will fly!). I’m definitely bookmarking this post on my Pinterest so I will have it for reference when designing my closet! Thanks for the inspiration 🙂
xoxo, SS
Southern and Style
Hi Megan,your closet is magazine worthy. I’m so envious. My sister is a clothes hog and a jewelry freak,got some great ideas for gifts for her. Thank you
Megan I have major heart eyes for your closet. Your shoe alone are major eye candy! What a dreamy space and you are so lucky to have it all to yourself! We have a walk in closet and my husband gets one side, and me the other. They say opposites attract and this couldn’t be more true in our case, and our closet is a perfect example. I am extremely organized, and like a place for everything, everything in it’s place, etc. I even have my items on hangers organized by color. My husband on the other hand just shoves things wherever he sees an empty space, shorts are mixed with pants are mixed with hoodies. It makes me cringe just typing it. The bizzarre thing is that this actually seems to work for him. But it sure is an eyesore for me! I have trained myself to not even look over at his side when I go into the closet each morning! I checked out your post about James closet because that is a big item on my to-do list…my kids closets need a major overhaul! Love these inspiring posts! XO!
What company did you use To install your closet system. It is amazing!
Love the kid size hangers for pants idea! We downsized when we moved for a job relocation and I miss my walk-in closet the most!! Trying to figure out how to reconfigure our current closet situation so it works better for us. Ok, I really mean so it works better for my shoe collection !!! 🙂 Currently storing out of season flats/sandals in an underbed storage box-not ideal, but it works for now! Thanks for the inspiration! (and btw, I spy Chanel perfume-eau tendre? We’re perfume twins-I always get compliments when I wear it! ) Have a great day!
Love all the new posts! I think this time of year everyone is paying off Christmas bills and about have all the clothes we have room for so it is so fun to read about something else every once in awhile. I need to wear what I own and organize what I have so love it!
Hi Megan!! Hope you get a chance to see this question because I realllly need some advice! First of all, love love your closet. I would love to display my purses, shoes and jewelry but I find that everything gets so dusty. So I end up hiding everything in purse bags and container store clear shoe boxes. Not pretty at all!!! So what do I do? Do I really need to dust shoes and purses as if they were pieces of furniture?!? Halp!!!!
Hi Veronica! Thanks for stopping by! I do have to dust things one in awhile- especially the shoes I’m not wearing all that often!
Talk about some serious closet envy… this is perfection!
I just keep staring at your closet – swoon! I have to know…who makes the black bag with zippers hanging next to what looks like a striped backpack? #willworkforbags
You are rocking January with all the organization posts! I organized my closet last week and cleared a shelf to set out a picture frame and other pretty stuff and it’s makes me smile when I walk in there!
I bought the tiered rack for my delicate necklaces and bracelets after you recommended it. A local company actually ships them from here! It make it so much easier to just grab the one I want. The huggable hangers are game changers!! I hand’t thought about using the kids ones for pants…need to get on that. I don’t hang too many, my jeans are all folded in a dresser in our closet, but it would be perfect for all my leggings and dressier pants. Our closet gets dusty easily so I tend to keep things covered. Wish I could leave more out 🙁
This closet is definitely swoon-worthy! Thank you for giving us a peek inside. I especially love the shower hook hanging idea and use of acrylic CD holders for clutches— very clever and the first place I’ve seen that. Your blog actually inspired me to begin blogging. I stumbled upon was your post about painting wide horizontal stripes in your entry way when researching a similar project and was hooked. Appreciate the inspiration!
I love to hear that Lindsay! I hope blogging ends up being a fabulous journey for you!
Where do you keep all your kendra scott jewetly? Do you put the bracelets on the bracelet holder or keep them inthe bags they come with?
Hi Nikki! I keep the necklaces on the necklace holder, and the bracelets on the bracelet holder, not in the bags.
Hi Megan! It’s Andrea Thomas! I Love your closet! I’ve been following you! I love all of your tips and buy many of the cute clothing recommendations as well. I’m going to order the pink j crew ruffle skirt. Can you tell me the size that you ordered?
Hi Andrea!! So good to see you here!! Thanks for stopping by! I got a 00P in the pink J Crew skirt. Let me know how you like it!
Where do you keep your workout clothes?