So many homes across the U.S. have reach-in closets, and it’s common for these closets to become a messy, confused jumble – especially in Winter when you might be trying to store bulky sweaters and coats on top of your warmer weather clothes. 

Closet organization is key to an efficient, stress-free daily routine. But when you have a smaller closet, it’s especially important to make smart use of the available space you have. Here at Modular Closets, we love creating home organization strategies and storage solutions for our clients with both walk-in and reach-in closets – because everyone can benefit from organized home life.

If you’d like to make sure you’re reach-in closet is optimized for Winter, here are 7 steps to help you get organized:

1. Make a Decision About Everything Currently in Your Closet

The first step to organizing your closets is to make a decision about each and every single item that’s currently there. 

Can you streamline your wardrobe by selling, donating, or trashing old items?

Once you know what you’re keeping, it’s time to figure out what should stay on hand in the closet.

2. Store Coats and Accessories Elsewhere

Even though during Winter you want your coats, hats, gloves, boots, etc. within easy access, if you have a reach-in closet, it’s probably best to store your winter outerwear someplace else.

Sometimes homeowners have a hallway closet or a spare room closet to serve this purpose. If not, maybe you can add a coat rack and/or install some hooks, ideally close to the door you use most to go in and out.

3. Fold Sweater and Knits

One way to start making the most of your available reach-in closet space is to fold all your sweaters and knits. 

Maybe you can add some extra shelving along the wall for all your folded clothes, freeing up space on the closet hanging rod.  

4. Organize Hanging Clothes

You should now have fewer items to hang up in the closet.

In order to improve your daily routine, think about how you can organize what’s hanging so that it’s easy to find everything and so that it looks aesthetically pleasing too. 

For example, maybe you can sort by type of clothing and then arrange by color?

5. Use Hooks for Accessories

Another way to create more space in the closet is to use hooks for your accessories. 

Sometimes you can make use of otherwise empty wall space within the closet to hang up hooks and store any belts, ties, scarves, etc.

6. Use Cubbies to Stow Away Warm Weather Shoes

A further way to make use of otherwise empty wall space is to install cubbies for shoes.

Instead of letting your shoes fall into a cluttered pile on the floor, you can sort and easily see each pair you have by creating enough cubbies to hold each pair of shoes you own.

7. Let There Be (More) Light!

Winter days are dark and short. Maybe you even have to dress/undress when it’s dark.

That’s why it’s great to add extra lighting to your closet. A rechargeable LED light can make a great quick addition to bring extra illumination. Now you should be able to see clearly, even all the way to the back of the closet!

With extra space and light, you can beat back the winter doldrums and enjoy your reach-in closet, making the most of the closet capacity you have.

To find out more about a custom closet solution for your reach-in closet and get a FREE design customized for you.