Remodeling a Small Closet

You can design a small closet to provide maximum well-organized storage.

Small closets can present the biggest problems when you are trying to keep your items organized. The limited space can be dark with hard-to-reach shelves and only a single rod for hanging clothes. If you are creative, you can turn your closet into a functional area making use of vertical as well as horizontal space. Invest as much thought in planning your small closet as you did when designing the main rooms of the house. Determine what your primary needs are and configure a layout that will allow for optimal organization of your belongings. Does this Spark an idea?

Things You'll Need

• Measuring tape
• Paint
• Painting supplies
• Floor covering
• Light fixtures
• Shelving and hardware
• Electric drill
• Screwdriver
• Cabinet with drawers
• Rods and hardware
• Handsaw
• Storage containers

Instructions

1. Empty your closet of all its contents. Eliminate clothing and other items you are no longer using. Your small closet will appear to be larger when you get rid of clutter and excess items.

2. Paint the walls and ceiling to coordinate with the main room. Choose a light color to brighten your small space.

3. Cover the floor with a surface that is easy to clean. Ceramic tiles, hardwood and laminate planks are good options and will provide a stylish contemporary look.

4. Add light fixtures to illuminate your space. Proper lighting will make your closet a more functional space. Place it in the ceiling and on the walls.

5. Install shelves. Position them to best suit your needs. A closet designed to store office or household items will require a generous number of shelves. If you are using the closet for clothing, it will need fewer shelves to hold bins or boxes.

6. Position a small cabinet of drawers for storing small items in the center of your closet, extending from the floor to the lowest installed shelf. This will give the cabinet the appearance of a built-in unit.

7. Include rods if you use the closet to store clothing. Place rods on both sides of the cabinet of drawers about 5 feet above the floor. Secure another rod on one side of the drawers, centering it between the existing rod and the floor. This arrangement will allow you to stack two rows of hanging shirts as well as longer pieces of clothing.

Tips & Warnings

• Measure carefully before installing your shelves. Choose laminated particle board, rubber or vinyl coated wire, or wooden shelves based on your needs and budget. You can find closet organizing kits at your local big box hardware store.

• Use attractive labeled baskets or canvas bins to store items on your shelves. This is an easy system to keep your items well-organized.

• Commercial containers are available in a variety of materials and sizes to suit every storage need. Plastic, canvas, cardboard or or natural fibers are practical choices and readily available in local home goods or craft stores.

• Store seasonal or seldom-used items on the high shelves. Frequently used items should be placed on lower shelves within easy reach .

• Battery-operated lighting fixtures are available that can be easily attached to walls or ceilings.

• Electrical wiring should be completed by a licensed electrician.

References

• This Old House: The Principles of Smart Closet Design
• Cosmopolitan: How to Deal With a Tiny Closet

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish