A well-organized closet can feel like a huge victory—everything neatly in place and easy to find. But even with the best intentions, it’s easy to make rookie mistakes that leave your closet feeling chaotic. From inefficient shelving to overstuffed hanging rods, there are common pitfalls that can derail closet organization.
If you’re frustrated when you open your closet doors, you’re not alone. Fortunately, fixing these problems doesn’t require a complete overhaul (though that could help in some cases). Here are five common closet organization mistakes—and solutions to get back on track.
1) Overstuffing Your Closet
The Mistake:
We’ve all been guilty of this: we cram in as many items as possible, and shut the door. Out of sight, out of mind, right? At least until you open the doors again! When closets get too full, it’s hard to see everything you have making it easy to forget about things you don’t wear often. That can lead to wasteful spending due to purchasing items you might already have.
The Fix:
Take a minimalist approach. Start by decluttering and donating items you no longer wear or need. Focus on quality over quantity, keeping the pieces you truly love and use. Once you’ve purged, take a serious look at your closet’s storage capacity. If necessary, upgrade your shelving, add hooks, baskets, or hanging organizers to better utilize your space. If you’re ready for a complete closet transformation, Victory Closets can help. We offer custom closet systems that could literally double your space! The end goal is an organized closet with enough room to store items without overstuffing.
2) Inefficient Shelving or Storage Solutions
The Mistake:
Many closet systems come with fixed shelves that may not fit your specific needs. Likewise, not having enough vertical or horizontal storage can leave items piling up on the floor leading back to the dreaded reality of not remembering what you have in your closet.
The Fix:
Consider adjustable shelving. (A specialty at Victory Closets!) Flexible shelves allow you to rearrange them based on your changing storage needs, whether that means making more room for shoes or folded sweaters. For small items like scarves, belts, or jewelry, integrate small bins or drawer organizers to keep everything tidy and accessible. Using baskets or totes to contain loose items gives your space a clean, fresh, cohesive look.
3) Hanging Everything
The Mistake:
It’s tempting to hang everything, especially when you’re short on time or space. But hanging clothes that don’t need to be (like sweaters, t-shirts, or denim) takes up valuable hanging space and can end up making your closet more cluttered. Plus, those items can easily lose their shape when hung.
The Fix:
Assess what should really be hung up. Items like dresses, button-down shirts, blouses and blazers typically benefit from being hung, while sweaters, jeans, and casual t-shirts are better suited for shelves or drawers. Consider using shelf dividers or drawer organizers for folded clothes to keep everything tidy and easy to find.
4) Not Using the Right Hangers
The Mistake:
While it seems like a small detail, the type of hangers you use can make a big difference in how your clothes are stored and how well they stay organized. Using mismatched or overly bulky hangers can take up unnecessary space or cause clothes to get stretched out and distorted.
The Fix:
Invest in a set of slim, non-slip hangers. These hangers are a great choice because they take up little room, keep items from falling off the hanger and creates a cohesive and organized look. They also keep your clothes neat and wrinkle-free.
5) Neglecting to Organize by Category
The Mistake:
Grouping everything together (shirts, pants, dresses, etc.) without consideration of how often or when you might wear them can make it harder to find what you’re looking for. It can also lead to frustration when attempting to put an outfit together. Remember, a confused mind easily shuts down.
The Fix:
Organize your closet by category, then by frequency of use. For example, you could separate your clothes into sections for workwear, casual wear, special occasion clothes, and outerwear. Then go a step further by arranging those pieces by color or type (e.g., pants, shirts, dresses). This system helps you see what you have at a glance, and makes putting outfits together much easier.
Bonus Tip: Don’t Forget the Door!
If closet space is limited, use the back of your closet door. Install hooks or a hanging organizer for hats, scarves, bags, shoes or accessories. It’s a quick fix that adds additional storage without taking up any additional space.
Closet organization isn’t just about making your space look good—it’s about making your daily life easier. An organized closet doesn’t have to be perfect, but it should be functional and make sense. By tailoring your storage to your specific needs, you’ll find your closet more manageable and your clothes more accessible.
If you’re ready to take your closet storage up a notch (a big notch!) call Victory Closets. We will design a custom closet system specific to your needs and budget. Allow us the opportunity to demonstrate how we could literally double your closet space!
