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Seriously Useful Apartment-Friendly Closet Organization Ideas for Renters

by on Sep 21, 2020

Photo: Elena Elisseeva/Shutterstock

Most beautifully organized closets have one thing in common – built-ins. Whether it be custom shelving or even IKEA installations, a little (or a lot) of construction is needed. But what if you’re a renter, and you can’t make any permanent changes to your closet? Are you doomed to a single hanger rod and basically a hot mess? Luckily we have some solutions that don’t require a power drill. Read on for renter-friendly ideas that will keep your closet nice and tidy.

Clothing and other items arranged in a closet.
Photo: Emily Henderson
 
A well organized closet makes use of its small space with shelves for hats and foldable pieces.
Photo: Home Stories A to Z

1. Use mix and match closet organizers. Closet organizers have come a long way in recent years. The key to using these pieces for maximum functionality, and keep it aesthetically pleasing, is to fill up the whole closet from top to bottom. Measure your closet before you shop so you know exactly how everything will fit. Choose a combination of stand-alone items on the floor, hanging shelves, and over-the-door tools to utilize every square inch. 

A black and white curtained tied back revealing a neat closet with clothes hung by color over shoes lined atop a white dresser.
Photo: Decor Pad

2. Place a dresser in the closet. This is such an easy solution that adds loads of storage. Simply place a dresser in your closet underneath the hanging clothes. It can store shoes, folded sweaters, or underwear and socks. It’s great because it provides closed-door storage that always looks great, and doesn’t require a single modification to your closet. 

A well-organized closet filled with items.
Photo: Domestikated Life

3. Use a bookshelf. This linen closet is super-organized thanks to a single bookshelf. This cubby shelf holds bins, paper towels, and other linens; and looks like it was custom made for the space. Want to make your closet really shine? Add some temporary wallpaper for an extra chic look.

An organized closet with fown baskets on the top shelf, clothes hung in the middle and white shoe boxes and laundry hampers on the bottom.
Photo: Domestikated Life

4. Never underestimate the power of matching baskets. This closet uses a combination of a cubby shelf, labeled hampers, and matching baskets. Loading the top shelf of a closet with matching baskets or bins, as opposed to just random piles of belongings, makes a huge difference. 

Clothing and jewelry hanging in a closet.
Photo: Paint Yourself a Smile

5. Use Command hooks. For smaller items like neck ties and jewelry use non-permanent sticky hooks. Placed on the wall or the inside of a closet door they can add function and organization without damaging any surfaces.

Check out more great closet and organization ideas from Curbly:

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2 Comments

  1. I buy 3 seven ft high 1 x 6 boards as pole supports for open closets. Measure & mount pole supports on boards. Put one board against each outside wall and one in center. Mount your closet poles. 2 and 1 or 2 and 2. Lets me configure the closet with no holes in the walls. When I leave I stack my 3 boards and several poles ready to put up in the next place.