A tiny wardrobe can often equal a huge disorganised mess. If you're in wardrobe SOS make sure you check out these smart tips on how to organise your wardrobe and make the most of your space...
Editor's Note: This post was originally posted in May 2016 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness in June 2018.
The first tiny wardrobe hack is...
1. Spring clean your wardrobe
If you own a tiny wardrobe you are going to have to bite the bullet and scale down. This is very popular at the moment, with bloggers touting around the concept of 'capsule wardrobe' living (read more about this at Brit+Co). Set an afternoon aside and start organising your clothes into the following categories:
You'll be surprised at how many pieces of clothes you've not worn for years. With the start of a new season, now is the time to donate or sell - you could even make some money on your spring clean.
You want to organise your tiny wardrobe so the items you wear most weeks - think jeans, comfy jumper, work shirts - are the most accessible. Everything else can be hidden away in areas of your wardrobe. Every item you hang in the accessible areas should be worn at least once, if not you can move it to your occasional sections.
Start using coat hanger hacks
Coat hanger hacks will give you so much more space in your tiny wardrobe. Discover the handy tips below to make the most of your space.
2. Hang clothes vertically
If you have a narrow wardrobe that's also tall, this is the ultimate space saving solution! Inspired by this brilliant idea from Brit + Co you can use a cheap metal chain and an S clip to hang your t-shirts and other short clothes.
You can also create the same effect using shower curtain rings and drinks can pulls:
3. Use hangers to display everyday accessories
This trick is just for those everyday items that you wear week in, week out. I'm talking scarves, belts, hats and more. Attach shower ring pulls to a coat hanger as per the image above to hang these items.
This will remove the need for clunky accessory boxes, freeing up more space in your tiny wardrobe for more important things.
4. Use pegs to double up or hang whole outfits
Use pegs to clip your trousers or skirts to the bottom of your hangers. This is a genius tip if you're planning ahead and hanging up your week's outfits (this will save you time and space) or you could double up on T-shirts, tops and any other lightweight items of clothing.
5. Hang strappy tops from a tie hanger
Don't let your strappy tops (or other pieces of clothing you might have multiples of) take up all your precious tiny wardrobe space. Purchase a cheap tie holder and use the straps to hang your tops up.
Hang shoes, handbags & more to save even more space
6. Hang your handbags to save floor space in your tiny wardrobe
This is one of our favourite wardrobe hacks of all time!
Handbags have a tendency to end up on the floor (and get ruined) so why not utilise any spare hanging space by screwing in some hooks? These can then hold your handbags and other accessories and free up your floor.
7. During Summer hang your flip flops and sandals
Looking for shoe storage ideas? During the warmer months, you should be storing your heavy Winter footwear like boots and wellies away. Summer footwear tends to be lighter but that doesn't mean it doesn't take up valuable space in your tiny wardrobe.
Use plastic shoe hangers or bend wire coat hangers to create little hangers for your sandals and flippies.
8. Wardrobe hacks for your accessories
The back of the wardrobe is every tiny wardrobe owner's paradise - a completely free space that is yours to hang all those daily essentials that can be grabbed easily in the morning.
Hang coat hooks, rods, attach mirrors and all sorts, it also makes a fantastic place to hang those items that usually end up on the bedroom floor when you come through the door (coat, handbag, tie etc).
For more handy hacks check out my article on smart bedroom space-saving ideas.
Rails are your new best friend
9. Attach towel rails to store flat shoes
Buy a cheap towel rail and secure it to the inside of your wardrobe and slot your flat shoes into them. You can also double up and use them for scarves and belts, too. For more shoe storing tips check out my 32 incredibly clever ways to store shoes.
10. Hang your shoes and scarves from rails
Railings on the back of the door are the perfect addition to any tiny wardrobe. You can hang shoes with S clips, scarves and belts by looping them through, and necklaces by clasping them around the rail. Clever!
11. Double up on your clothes rails
If you're looking for easy wardrobe hacks that make a real difference, look no further.
Doubling up your rails is a no-brainer if you're looking to make the most of your wardrobe space. You can hang shorter items like tops, skirts and folded trousers on the bottom rail and longer items on the top.
12. Invest in an extendable wardrobe rod
Got a really tiny wardrobe? Triple your available hanging space with a simple and inexpensive extender rod! It can be adjusted to suit your wardrobe and the seasons. In the winter you're more likely to store longer coats and cardigans so you can simply adjust the height of the rod.
This Organise it All 'Closet Doubler' rod from Amazon is only £17.99 with free delivery. A great space-boosting solution for a small wardrobe!
Boost your tiny wardrobe with small but smart changes
13. Add an IKEA self-standing shelf
Need some additional shelving for your folded clothes?
If you're not the handiest of people don't, consider adding a wardrobe organiser in the form of this IKEA Kallax squared storage unit (£30). You can place it vertically or horizontally, depending on what fits best in your tiny wardrobe. You can store foldables, shoes, accessories and underwear in these roomy boxes.
14. Make use of the top of your wardrobe with storage baskets
All out of space?
The wardrobe pictured here may be huge, but you can take heed from the use of storage boxes above it. It's the perfect place to keep those out-of-season items out of your wardrobe, freeing up space for more important things.
Use the height to your benefit and invest in some pretty baskets or storage boxes to keep items you don't need every day.
15.Pick up a hanging organiser
This hanging wardrobe organiser (£13.99) hangs in your wardrobe and takes up the smallest amount of space. Ideally sized for underwear, socks, scarves, jewellery and belts, you can fit a surprising amount of items in it.
16. Add smart dividers to your wardrobe shelves
Shelves are great for storing foldable items of clothing but if you're anything like me it'll soon be a mess in no time. Order these shelf dividers from eBay (£9.85) and keep your clothes neat and tidy. Separate your clothes into different items of clothing and not only will your tiny wardrobe be super-organised, but it'll be a lot easier to pick out your clothes in the morning too!
17. Don't forget to use the space under your shelf too!
Still need more space?
If you're hanging shelves or have existing shelving, make sure you utilise the space underneath them. This cheap metal shelf from eBay (£4.49) can easily be used in your wardrobe to store accessories or more clothing like pyjamas and underwear.
Tiny wardrobe hacks that make a big difference
18. Store heel-to-toe to squeeze in extra shoe space
If you have an unholy amount of shoes, be sure to be storing them in this way to maximise your wardrobe space. You'll be shocked by how many more shoes you can line up (freeing you up to buy more)!
19. Make your hangers more efficient
This also works with hair ties. This little hack keeps your slippy clothes in place and can also enable you to double up and keep more clothes hanging on one hanger. Double or even triple up by hanging camisoles, dresses and other light items on just one hanger.
20. Hammer nails into your wardrobe to hang jewellery
Grab your hammer and some nails and bang them into the sides of your wardrobe. You can use the nails to hang jewellery like the photo above. With some S clips you could even hang larger accessories too!
If you don't fancy nailing into your wardrobe, you can create the same effect with old frames:
21. Use an old ladder to create even more hanging space
A ladder makes a fantastic addition to the inside or outside of your wardrobe. Just prop it up and hang clothes or accessories on it. One of the easiest wardrobe hacks and it looks pretty too!
Do you have any wardrobe hacks you'd like to share? Tell us how you maximise on space in your tiny wardrobe in the comments below!
Be careful that you don't pull the door off its hinges - or drag the rail off Just have less but better!
Thank you so much for those wonderful tips .
You're welcome Anne! I'm glad you're enjoying the tips.
Thank you for some great tips, I look forward to read some of the new ways to look at the problems we have sometimes . Here's another little tip for the space in your wardrobes, keep your old shoes boxes, they are not just for shoes,. I put my holiday gear in them or hide Christmas, birthday presents in them they do hold quite a bit, and if you get boot boxes you can put 2 pairs of shoes in them or presents or clothes. More idears please.
Some fab ideas there Ann thanks for sharing! I like to keep nail polishes, and jewellery boxes in my shoes boxes.
Some excellent ideas here! Thank you
No worries, I'm glad you like them!
I keep my shoes in a box under the bed - along with old soaps as i have unsavoury feet! I also keep unused handbags in an overnight bag to keep them dust free.
Great tips Lesley, thanks for sharing!
Thank you for such useful tips. I will reorganise my wardrobe this weekend.
Hi Phyllida. I hope your clearout went well and your wardrobe is now looking tidier than ever :)
Excellent ideas and many thanks! My wardrobe was transformed when I bought a clothes folder. I wasn't sure if I'd use it, but my wardrobe has gone from untidy piles to neat sections. I wear many more of my clothes now, as I can actually find them and see them!
Hi Cathy. We all use clothes folders at Expert Home Tips and absolutely LOVE them! I'm glad to hear you've made use of one too :)
I really like & will be using the suggestion of not putting shoes side by side but one facing outwards & the other inwards a good space saving tip, thank you
Hi Jean. Glad to hear you like Anushka's tips. Thanks for visiting :)
Very innovative and interesting indeed especially in today's world where we have to adjust to tiny bedrooms will definitely use some of the ideas which are simple to adopt
Hi Kuldip. We're glad you enjoyed our ideas! It's true that bedrooms can be very small these days, that's why it's so important to make the most of the space available to you. Thanks for stopping by,
I have tried the idea of the shower hooks on a hanger for tank tops, the only problem I have is they tend to slide to one end and tip and clump up. Any suggestions for this?
Hi April. If you put elastic bands between each hook, they should no longer slip. I hope this helps! :)
Vacuum storage bags are very useful. I also use hanging vac bags for out of season coats and jackets.
I haven't heard of hanging vac bags! They sound great.
Yes some ideas ! X
Glad you found it useful!