How To Add More Storage Space To Your Closet
While I love our house, one of the things it is seriously lacking in is storage space. Our main storage areas downstairs are two very small, narrow closets. There is no entryway or mudroom, so the only space for storing jackets, purses, keys, & sunglasses, etc is a small coat closet by the stairs. Except that it really only has a narrow rod for hanging jackets and a shallow shelf up top that doesn’t hold much besides my sewing machine. I loathe the thought of purses and keys just being strewn about on tables or countertops so I wanted to find a solution that would keep everything in it’s place.
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Maximize Your Closet Storage with Adhesive Hooks
After hours of browsing Pinterest for closet storage ideas and inspiration, here’s what I did: I added more hanging storage by using the the back of the closet doors! And the best part is, I was able to do it using 3M Command Hooks so there was no need to use a hammer and nails or worrying about damaging the door. This has turned out to be a perfect solution because (1) everything is nice and concealed within the closet, and (2) the closet is in a central location close to the front door and garage, so everything is easily accessible.
I don’t have a “before” picture (you can just imagine a plain door with nothing on it), but here is the “after”:
All nice and organized, and in one convenient location!
For the hooks, I went with the sturdier size that could hold up to at least 3-5 pounds. Depending on what you plan on storing/hanging, you want the hooks to be able to support the weight of those items. In my case, my purses and wallets tend to be on the heavier side, so the stronger weight hooks (between 5-7.5 lbs) are your best bet. I staggered five hooks on the back of the door for holding purses, bags, umbrellas and keys.
**Update** Since posting this, I have updated the back of the closet door with this ingenious organizer (not exact, but similar) and it is perfect. (I swear it didn’t exist before, lol.) It holds everything I need and then some, and it simply hangs over the top of the door, so no need to fuss with command hooks. Love. It.
Using Wall Mount Baskets For Additional Closet Storage
Above the hooks, I added this sweet little wire frame wall-mount basket to hold all the little things that you want to be accessible but not seen: sunglasses, sunscreen, chapstick, gum, mints, hand sanitizer, etc. And I even used command hooks to hang the basket! Plus, having everything all in one central location makes it all so easy for getting ready to leave the house (and coming home).
I loved this idea so much that I added more back-of-the-door baskets in our other closet. This closet mostly houses our games and cleaning supplies. But, now I also keep empty paper shopping bags in a basket up top and additional (smaller) cleaning supplies below.
How To Store Paper Shopping/Gift Bags
Am I the only one, or do you guys have a supply of paper shopping bags (the good kind with the handles) that you keep on hand? I use these all the time for giving things to friends or neighbors, sending things to school, taking things in the car/on trips/to a friends house, etc. I like them because they are much sturdier and nicer looking than a regular plastic bag. But, I never had a good place to keep them. (Usually they were just tucked inside a larger bag and set aside somewhere in the bottom of the closet. But now, voila! They are all easy to access and nicely tucked away in their basket.
Speaking of plastic bags, I also like to keep a supply on hand for other things (trash basket liners, throwing out expired food, carrying wet bathing suits, etc.) and I store them in these. I keep them in the garage and they work great!
Back-of-the-Door Closet Organization
Obviously, I’ve become pretty obsessed with these hanging baskets for creating additional storage. And, in addition to closet doors, this idea can also work for kitchen and bathroom cabinets too. The possibilities are endless!
Do you have smaller closets that can use a little extra love? Have any additional closet storage ideas to add to this list? Let me know if you think this could work for you, too, or if you have any tips to share!
With love,
Liz