Having a small apartment usually means having small closets. You’ll need some creativity to make the most out of small storage spaces. Here are some tips for organizing closets! 

Declutter Your Wardrobe 

It’s a simple fact of life, but it’s true – the fewer things you have, the easier it is to organize them. Take some time to clean out your closet before you reorganize it. Chances are, you’ve held onto lots of things you don’t need. Get rid of those old ratty jeans and that paint-splattered shirt you tell yourself you’re keeping for when you do DIY projects. If you haven’t worn a piece of clothing in a long time, ask yourself if it’s worth keeping. Items that are still in good condition can be taken to a thrift store or recycle shop, where you might be able to get some money for them. Alternatively, you can donate them to organizations that help people in need of new clothes. If your clothes are too old and damaged to be donated, take them to a store that has a textile recycling program. For instance, Wacoal will let you bring old bras (of any brand; it doesn’t have to be a Wacoal bra) to some of their stores for recycling. Sometimes you can get coupons by participating in a store’s textile recycling program. 

Make the Most of Vertical Storage

If your closet has a long, thin shape to it, your best bet is to make use of vertical storage. Get a step stool so you can reach high shelves, and store items you don’t use very often on them. If possible, you may also want to add a shelf or two. Depending on the kind of door your closet has, you may be able to add a hanging organizer to it. Hanging organizers are great places to store shoes and accessories like belts, hats, and scarves. You can also hang organizers designed to hold handbags, pants, and more inside of the closet. 

In some Japanese apartments, especially older or renovated ones, it’s common for closets to not have a bar that you can hang things from in them. If this is the case in your home, we recommend installing a bar. It’s hard to get by when you can’t hang things in your closet. Your clothes will get wrinkled from being folded up and it’ll be much harder to organize your items. You can also add an additional bar to a closet that already has one to double your hanging space. 

Buy Some Storage Boxes 

While taking advantage of vertical storage space is great, you’ll probably need some storage boxes too. They can help keep the things you store on shelves or the floor of your closet organized. Since these locations aren’t the easiest to get to, keep items you don’t use very much in them. Save easy to reach storage locations for the things you use and wear on a daily basis. You can maximize the space in your boxes by getting bags that let you shrink down bedding and clothing you won’t be using for a while. 

If You Don’t Have a Dresser, Get a Storage Container with Drawers

If you don’t have drawers to keep underwear, socks, and other small items in, your closet and bedroom are probably a bit messy. Think about investing in a nice dresser. The right one can be a stylish addition to your bedroom. If you don’t have space or budget to get a dresser, buy a storage container with drawers that will fit inside your closet. It’ll help keep undergarments organized. If you struggle with keeping drawers neat, think about getting some dividers or organizers for them. 

Use the Right Hangers 

When you purchase the right ones, hangers can help you maximize the space in your closet. Slim plastic or thin wire hangers take up little space and will allow you to hang up more clothes. Avoid bulky hangers that take up a lot of space. You want your closet to be for storing clothing, not large hangers!  

Don’t Spend Too Much Money 

You might be tempted to spend a lot of money on storage containers and organizers for your closet. However, doing so isn’t the best idea. Nobody sees the inside of your closet except you and your family (or maybe your housemates). While it’s important that your closet is organized and functional, you shouldn’t worry too much about aesthetics. You can find cheap organizers and containers at 100 yen and 300 yen shops. Save your money for furniture and decorations that your guests will see.