Is there anything more satisfying than opening your closet doors to find everything neatly organized and easily accessible? These DIY closet organizers not only make your mornings smoother but also help maintain a sense of calm in your home. Whether you have a tiny closet or a spacious walk-in, there are plenty of creative ways to make the most of your storage space. Let's dive into some closet organization ideas that will leave you feeling organized and stress-free.
There’s nothing worse than a messy closet! Having an organized closet isn’t just about aesthetics—it can genuinely simplify your life!
No more frantic mornings spent searching for that elusive pair of socks or digging through piles of clothes to find your favorite shirt. With everything neatly sorted and easily accessible, you’ll save time and reduce stress.
And here’s the best part: achieving a clutter-free closet doesn’t have to break the bank!
From projects using repurposed items around the home to savvy shopping for budget-friendly storage solutions and even building your own organizers from scratch, there are plenty of wallet-friendly ways to transform chaos into order.
19+ DIY Closet System Ideas
Ready to make your own DIY closet organizer? At the links below, you can find everything from a shopping list to a cut list with step-by-step instructions to give your entire closet a makeover.
Some of these step-by-step tutorials include additional solutions such as shoe shelves, closet rods, items for the top shelf, bottom shelf, and more.
Don’t forget about door storage!
In this very small kid’s closet, wire shelves were traded in for a complete closet overhaul. A handy door rack was added to store hats, shoes, books, and more.
Eliminate entryway chaos.
Make your closet 100% yours! Since the traditional closet systems weren’t working for this family, they built their own. Don’t be afraid to make it cute with wallpaper and a coat of paint. Now, this family has the right amount of space with a small hanging space and shelves.
Cleaning Closet Organization
This closet went from chaos to clean with a few shelving additions and matching baskets. This tutorial actually combined and condensed several areas of her home into one comprehensive closet space.
Organize Your Linen Closet
Linen closets tend to be an overstuffed mess! Maximize the space with store-bought storage solutions! No building is necessary for this organizational overhaul! This post features bins, baskets, and more tricks to transform your chaotic linen closet into an organized beauty.
Boost Storage in Reach-In Closets
You might not think of reach-in closets as having a lot of storage space, but this DIY shelving and dresser addition maxes out all the space needed!
Add Shelves to Any Closet in Your Home
Who couldn’t use more shelves? These shelves are inexpensive to make and easy to customize for linen closets, craft closets, bedroom closets, and any other space you need extra shelving.
A Plywood Closet Organizer
This beautiful custom closet organizer was made all from plywood pieces! With the addition of pull-out wire baskets and pull out pants hangers, this super affordable organizer was the perfect custom closet build.
Budget Friendly Custom Closet….with shoe storage!
This custom closet system is the perfect way to customize your small closet space, and has tons of shoe storage!
Custom Closet Organizer with Shelving and Drawers
This cabinet organizer, complete with drawers, is a fantastic way to create a closet sanctuary. This custom closet has sneaky storage solutions like shoe storage in the toe kick area. This tutorial is fully customizable and can be built in sections for your needs.
Kid’s Closet Organization with Drawers
This simple closet organizer, complete with 4 drawers and an open storage space was a great addition to this little girl’s closet space. By using a basic cabinet face, the closet organizer gets a nicely finished look and is still a great budget option for organizing your closets!
Maximize the Space in a Tiny Closet
Stacking hanging shelves, using a small dresser for folded clothes, shelving, baskets, wall hooks, and so many more great ideas for small closet organization! The space for clothing was doubled after these hacks!
Utilize Ignored Space.
Level up your small closet with a closet Ikea hack. A built-in laundry hamper and door organizer were also included.. for under $250! Turn your closet into a beautiful and functional space with these tips, full tutorial, and inexpensive supplies.
Bookshelves as Organizers
Using bookshelves is a great way to add a few organizational features to your closet. This tutorial includes the Billy bookshelf from IKEA, but any bookshelf unit would likely work too.
How to DIY a Simple Closet Organizer
This simple closet organizer is super affordable and easy to put together. All the plans and step-by step instructions are included in this post.
Custom DIY Closet with the Brilliant Box System
This modular closet system is super cool! All in the same size and shape, you can create a custom closet system that is functional, beautiful, and affordable.
EasyClosets as an IKEA Alternative
A quick installation process and a custom closet system! This is another great way to create an organized closet without building from scratch.
Drawers in Closets are a Must!
This simple built-in closet organizer with drawers is a dream come true for all pro organizers! Drawers are a great option for storing jewelry, seasonal pieces, hats, small clothing pieces, and more.
IKEA Solution that Looks Custom
Make your IKEA Pax Wardrobe look like a custom built-in for a complete closet makeover. Create a fully customized design for whatever type of closet you need. I love how you can gather additional organizational ideas as you create your own IKEA design.
Budget-friendly Craft Closet Shelves
Organize your craft supplies (and anything else) with these custom adjustable shelves. This helps utilize vertical space in any small closet, so you are making the most of what you have.
This DIY closet organizer ideas roundup contains affiliate links, but nothing that I wouldn’t wholeheartedly recommend anyway! Read my full disclosure here.
Tools You May Need to Build Your Own Closet Organizer
Having the right tools can make all the difference. Here’s a list of essential tools you may need:
- Drill
- Level
- Saw (hand saw, table saw, circular saw)
- Pocket Hole Jig
- Sheets of Plywood
- Tape measure
- Screwdriver set
- Stud finder (for secure installations)
- Wood Glue
- Paint
Closet Organization Tips
Closets become cluttered spaces, swallowing our belongings whole and leaving us frustrated and frazzled. With a few simple organizational tips, your closet can be transformed into a space of calm and efficiency, where finding that perfect outfit is a joy rather than a chore.
Decluttering
First and foremost, decluttering is key. Marie Kondo famously advocates for keeping only those items that “spark joy,” and this sentiment rings true for closet organization.
Take the time to go through your clothes, shoes, and accessories, and be ruthless in letting go of items that no longer serve you. Donate, sell, or repurpose these items to free up valuable space and create a closet filled only with things you truly love and use.
Maximize space
Once the decluttering process is complete, it’s time to maximize the space within your closet. Utilize vertical space by installing shelves or hanging organizers to store items like sweaters, handbags, and hats. Invest in slimline hangers to save space and prevent clothes from slipping off, and consider adding extra hanging rods to double up on your closet’s hanging space.
By making the most of every inch of available space, you can ensure that nothing goes to waste and that everything has its rightful place.
Organize your things
Organization within the closet is equally important. Group similar items together, whether it’s by color, style, or season, to make it easier to find what you’re looking for.
Use labeled fabric bins or baskets to corral smaller items like socks, scarves, and accessories, and consider installing drawer dividers to keep underwear and other essentials neatly separated.
By creating designated zones for different categories of items, you’ll not only keep your closet tidy but also streamline your daily routine.
Pre-built Closet Systems: IKEA and Beyond
When we tackled our master bedroom closet, I took a lot of time doing tons of research looking at different closet systems. I considered everything from a DIY closet build from scratch, IKEA closets like this, custom closet systems like this, and premade closet kits.
The size of our walk-in closet wasn’t necessarily “standard,” so a lot of the premade closet organizers didn’t fit.
We landed on a brand called Closet Evolution, which is sold at The Home Depot. They have a great website where we were able to easily design our closet so it feels custom and is exactly what we wanted … but at budget-friendly prices. See how our walk-in closet turned out here!
Here’s all of the closet systems that The Home Depot offers. You can find a link to Closet Evolution’s design tool on this page…along with other closet brands that you can explore to see what works best for you.
Pre-built closet systems offer convenience and versatility. IKEA, for example, offers a range of customizable options, like the PAX wardrobe system, allowing you to mix and match components to suit your needs and space.
Beyond IKEA, many home improvement stores and online retailers offer pre-built closet systems in various styles and price points. These systems typically include shelves, hanging rods, and drawers, making it easy to achieve a well-organized closet with minimal effort.
Budget-friendly Ways to Organize a Closet
Organizing your closet doesn’t have to break the bank. Here are a few budget-friendly tips to help you get started:
- Repurpose Household Items: Get creative and repurpose items you already have around the house, like baskets, bins, and shoeboxes, to corral smaller items and keep them organized.
- DIY Solutions: As mentioned earlier, DIY projects can be cost-effective and allow you to customize your closet to your liking without spending a fortune on pre-built systems.
- Shop Secondhand: Look for gently used storage solutions at thrift stores, garage sales, or online marketplaces. You’d be surprised at the quality items that you can find at a fraction of the cost.
Whether you prefer to tackle DIY projects or opt for pre-built solutions, there’s no shortage of closet organization ideas to help you make the most of your space. With a little creativity and effort, you can transform your closet into a functional and stylish storage oasis.
Want to see more organizing and cleaning ideas?
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