10 Closet Organizing Hacks for Small Closets: My Personal Journey

Today, I’m thrilled to share with you my top 10 hacks for organizing a small closet—perfect for renters or anyone short on space. Trust me, you can transform your closet in just three hours. I’m here to walk you through every step.

1. Start with a clean slate

First things first, take everything out of your closet. Yes, it’s a big task, but trust me, it’s worth it. This gives you a clear view of what you have and makes it easier to decide what to keep and where to place it.

Closet organization

2. Clean every surface

Once your closet is empty, give every surface a good clean. I used Brillo spray from the Dollar Tree, which left my closet smelling fresh and looking spotless. A clean closet is the foundation of a well-organized space.

Brillo cleaning spray

3. Rolling organizers to the rescue

During this process, I found rolling organizers incredibly helpful. They make moving items around so much easier. But be careful not to overload one end, or it’ll tip over—learn from my mistakes!


4. Say goodbye to hanging shelves

I was fed up with my hanging shelves, so I decided to ditch them for something more streamlined. Instead, I used cube organizers, which not only look more upscale but also provide better storage.


If you’re renting or have a tiny closet, this is a great alternative that will make your space feel more organized and less cluttered.

Cube organizers

5. Repurpose and revive furniture

We had an old dresser that I repurposed for closet storage. A little paint and some new knobs gave it a whole new life. If you have old furniture, consider how it can be revamped and reused in your closet—it’s a cost-effective and eco-friendly solution.

Repurposed furniture

6. Center your furniture

Centering the dresser in the middle of the closet freed up a ton of space on the sides. It also gave the closet a high-end, boutique feel. This small change made a big difference in both aesthetics and functionality.

Centered furniture

7. Use cube organizers efficiently

I can’t emphasize enough how much I love these cube organizers from Walmart. They’re durable, easy to clean, and look great. I used them to store everything from tank tops to t-shirts, freeing up precious hanging space.

Closet organization

8. Hang clothes like a retail store

To maximize space, I organized my hanging clothes like you’d see in a store. I grouped items by color and type—white and black on the left, colors on the right. This makes it easier to find what you’re looking for and gives the closet a neat, uniform appearance.

Clothes grouped by color

9. Label everything

Labeling is the finishing touch that ties everything together. I used my Cricut Joy labeler for this, which is perfect for small spaces. Labels make it easy to keep everything in its place and maintain the organization long-term.

DIY labels

10. Light up your closet

Good lighting is essential. I found some motion-sensor lights from Five Below that were easy to install and affordable. They make it much easier to see everything, especially in a small space, and ensure you’re not overlooking items in the back.

LED light bar

Closet organization hacks

By following these hacks, I’ve completely transformed my small closet. Take a look at these after photos:

Organized closet space

It’s now more functional, easier to use, and looks amazing. I hope these tips inspire you to tackle your own closet and make the most of your space.

Organized closet space

Thank you for joining me on this journey! If you found these hacks helpful, don’t forget to leave a comment down below.


And remember, your closet doesn’t have to be big to be beautiful and functional—sometimes, it just takes a little creativity and a few good hacks. 


Next, check out these 30 Ideas for Bathroom Organization on a Budget.

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