A walk-in closet can be a throw away zone that is barely walk able. The key to making this space usable again is to use the right walk-in closet organizer. From understanding the walk-in closet organizer types to the 11 best options, this guide has you covered… so you can uncover the floors in your walk-in closet and maximize the potential of this area.
Once you organize your walk-in closet, head to the hallway closet and reclaim it!
What Types of Walk-in Closet Organizers Are There?
Shelves
Shelving is common in closets for stacking clothing between seasons or that ugly sweater your aunt gave you. They are also a good way to organize your clothes in piles to see what you have. Two different kinds of shelves can go almost anywhere in your closet.
Wall Shelves
Wall shelves are a more traditional way to keep your clothing and other items organized. You can have a long shelf running across the top of your clothing or multiple shelves stacked vertically around your closet to keep your clothing items separated and tidy. They also help with clothing rotation throughout the year as the seasons change.
Corner Shelves
Corner shelves are space savers. They go in the corner of your closet and can stack as you would like, and you can keep track of things you either need out of the way or the little things you will constantly be accessing. You can keep your nice watches or stack your fashionable gloves where they will be most convenient.
Hanging Bags
A hanging bag is one of the best ways to stay organized and keep similar items together. They will hold almost anything you can imagine and will hang in your closet like a regular piece of clothing. The hanging bags have pockets, drawers, and even shelves locked into their designs in which you can organize your odds, ends, and bits together. Some will even organize all your shoes.
Clothing Rod
A clothing rod is a more traditional way to hang your clothing. They are generally made of metal, wood, or plastic, and you can hand your clothing that will wrinkle if left folded or bunched up on your shelf or floor.
Valet Rods
Valet rods install around your walk-in closet and give you more space to hang your clothing. Most rods extend out form your closet up to ten inches as you retrieve your clothing. When you are done with it, it slides back seamlessly into your closet. They are an ideal space saver tool that puts itself away when you are done with it.
Shoe Boxes
There are specially designed boxes for your shoes that either run along the base of your closet or stack. They are an efficient way to keep your shoes together and in perfect condition for your next date or day at the office. They are easy to stack out of the way if they are not built into a premade frame for your closet.
Plastic and Fabric Bins
Even a small walk-in closet requires a few totes, either plastic or fabric, to hold those items you don’t wear all the time, such as your supply of Halloween costumes or those ugly Christmas sweaters you save for the holiday office party. Plastic or fabric bins are space savers as they are easy to slide to the back or sides of the closet or stack to provide access when you need them.
How to Choose the Right Walk-in Closet Organizer
Designing your dream closet is something everyone should do. There are multiple styles to look at and consider before you start to buy a walk-in closet organizer. Here are a few things to consider as you make your choices.
Take Inventory
How much do you need in your closet? Are you a person with a lot of shoes? These are questions you need to start asking yourself as you go through your closet. You should clean out what you do not need or want and start planning how you need your closet to work for you.
How Much Space Does Your Closet Have?
Your current closet only has so much space. While it would be nice to go with a large custom-made organizational structure, some may be too big for your closet or won’t work with the type of life you live in. You should take full measurements of your closet without anything in it so you know exactly what kind of space you have to work with and how big you can go.
Living with someone often means you will need to share not only your home but also your closet. You should consult your partner with your decision to organize your closet, as they will be affected as well. They will also want their side of the walk-in closet to match their needs so they may have some space saver ideas that will work for their side.
How Much Can You Afford to Spend?
Ultimate, your final choices will come down to how much money you can spend on your new closet. You should plan a budget and stick to it as you do your research. You might need to buy things in pieces or as one whole set, which can change the price and the tax you pay on it. Either way, sticking to a budget will keep your closet under control.
Type of Organizer
After you have your plan, your budget, and your layout ready for your closet, you can know what type of organizer or organizers to look for. Many are cost-saving in their design and functionality, so consider how you will use each type of organizer. They will surprise you with their versatility and provide your closet with a whole new look.
What are the Best Walk-in Closet Organizers?
Rubbermaid Configurations Deluxe Custom Closet Organizer System Kit
The Rubbermaid Configurations Deluxe Custom Closet Organizer System Kit is ready-made, assemble it yourself closet kit. The Rubbermaid closet is a series of shelves and racks made for hanging clothing or setting it out as you need. There are enough places to hang all your work and regular clothing.
| Pros | Cons |
| The Rubbermaid closet kit comes with multiple racks that can configure how you want them | The closet kit brackets can bend if you hang too many clothes on them |
| This closet kit has an epoxy finish, which is resistant to wear and damage | The closet kit might need extra hardware to make is secure |
| The closet kit comes ready to assemble |
ClosetMaid 22875 ShelfTrack 5ft. to 8ft. Adjustable Closet Organizer Kit
The ClosetMaid 22875 ShelfTrack 5ft. To 8ft. Adjustable Closet Organizer Kit is an all-in-one specialty kit. If you want a mixture of shelves, racks, and space-saving hangers, then the ClosetMaid kit has it. It even has space for a thirty-six-inch shoe rack to match the twelve-inch deep shelving for wide or walk-in closets.
| Pros | Cons |
| The ClosetMaid rack includes a thirty-six-inch shoe rack | The racks come with a maximum rating of sixty pounds |
| This closet kit is customizable for your closet | The closet kit can be difficult to install. |
| The ClosetMaid rack contains ninety percent of recycled materials |
Seville Classics Double-Rod Expandable Clothes Rack Closet Organizer System
The Seville Classics organizer is an expanding double rack for your clothes closet. It comes with five shelves, with one extending the entire length of the wrack and two rods to hang clothing on. The rack is an industrial-strength steel construction that is durable and long-lasting.
| Pros | Cons |
| The Seville Classics Organizer can adjust in one-inch increments | The rack is not easy to assemble |
| The Organizer has zinc plating to help protect the steel | The rack could be taller |
| The kit comes with additional liners for your shelving |
ClosetMaid 24869 SuiteSymphony 25-Inch Starter Tower Kit
The ClosetMaid 24869 SuiteSymphony 25-Inch Starter Tower Kit is multiple kits for your closet needs. The kits come in specific sizes and configurations so you can make your closet look and function the way you want it to. Kits can be mixed and matched to fit every wall of your closet.
| Pros | Cons |
| The ClosetMaid kit starts as a starter kit that you can build on | The ClosetMaid Kit may require extra hardware to make the kit stable |
| This closet kit has multiple accessories you can order to the size of your closet | The closet kit shelves can chip |
| The closet kit is compliant for the State of California |
EZ Shelf EZS-K-SCRW72-5-4 Walk-in Closet Kit Hanging and Shelf Space
The EZ Shelf EZS-K-SCRW72-5-4 Walk-in Closet Kit Hanging and Shelf Space are adjustable for a reach-in or walk-in closet. The closet kit is for more than just organizing your clothes. The kit can help you organize your laundry room, your mudroom, a basement room, or your garage or home office.
| Pros | Cons |
| The EZ Shelf kit is easy to assemble | The EZ Shelf may require extra hardware for stability |
| This closet kit comes with added center support rods to keep the racks from bending | The closet kit may require additional help for installation |
| The closet kit can customize most spaces you need to organize |
ClosetMaid SuiteSymphony Closet Organizer with Shelves and 2 Drawers
The ClosetMaid SuiteSymphony Closet Organizer with Shelves and 2 Drawers allows you to customize it with multiple drawers and cubby holes for storing your clothing. The basic starter kit comes with shelves in a tower, three rods for hanging clothes, two ten-inch drawers, and three shelves to run along the frame of the tower.
| Pros | Cons |
| The ClosetMaid kit is customizable for the shape of your closet | The paint on the shelves can chip |
| This kit has multiple rods for hanging clothes around your closet | The top shelves have no added supports |
| The kit has expanding rods so you can adjust your wardrobe and the roods for new clothes |
ClosetMaid Closet Shelf Organizer
The ClosetMaid Closet Shelf Organizer is a perfect addition for your walk-in closet for added storage space. The shelf organizer can install above or below your hanging clothing to provide storage space for hats, scarves and gloves or shoes, and winter sweaters. The shelving design complements other ClosetMaid products or can stand-alone in your already established closet system.
| Pros | Cons |
| The shelves are stand-alone or can match with other Closet organizational products | The shelves require wood glue for assembly |
| This ClosetMaid Shelf Organizer comes with four cubby holes to help organize your clutter | The shelves are not easy to assemble |
| The shelves are compliant with California’s TSCA Title VI regulation |
KOUSI Portable Shoe Rack Organizer 48 Pair Tower Shelf Storage Cabinet Stand
The KOUSI Portable Shoe Rack Organizer 48 Pair Tower Shelf Storage Cabinet is a multi-level storage system made for shoes. The rack has seven rows of specially designed cubby holes for shoes and boots with doors that will keep the footwear dust-free and organized.
| Pros | Cons |
| The Kousi Portable Shoe rack has doors to keep out the dust | The doors can have trouble closing |
| Shelves are arranged to have your largest shoes on the bottom | The shelves do not come ready to bolt to the wall |
| The shelves can hold two different pairs of shoes per cubby hole |
ClosetMaid 4561 Modular Closet Storage Stackable Unit with 4-Drawers
The ClosetMaid 4561 Modular Closet Storage Stackable Unit with 4-Drawers is a customizable closet piece. It will keep your clothing hidden in a fully functional drawer system that can expand to a full closet storage system with rods and doors.
| Pros | Cons |
| The ClosetMaid Kit is customizable for extra drawers and storage | The rails included for the drawers can cause them to slide open |
| Drawers come with a hidden front panel | The backing could be thicker |
| The kit is easy to assemble |
Seville Classics Expandable Double-Rod Clothes Rack Closet Organizer System
The Seville Classics Expandable Double-Rod Clothes Rack Closet Organizer System is an expanding rack system that sets up in your walk-in closet with four shelves on each side and a large connecting shelf across the top. The shelf also comes with sturdy hanging rods in the middle so you can hang clothing.
| Pros | Cons |
| The Seville clothing organizer can expand up to seven feet to fit your closet | The shelving can be difficult to assemble and modify |
| The clothing organizer is heavy-duty steel construction | The shelving is heavy |
| The clothing organizer is adjustable for your needs |
SONGMICS 59 Inch Closet Organizer Wardrobe Closet Portable Closet Shelves
The SONGMICS 59 Inch Closet Organizer is a fold-out cloth closet organizer. It comes ready with shelves and hanging space for all your clothes. The racks are a non-woven fabric that is waterproof, durable, and reinforced with steel tubing. The wrack is dustproof and resistant to wear.
| Pros | Cons |
| The Song organizer is made of durable fabric | The steel bars can slip out of the holders |
| The organizer has steel framing reinforcing the fabric | The zipper door can break |
| The song organizer is easy to assemble |
Conclusion
With the right walk-in closet organizer, you should be able to reclaim this space. Check out the walk-in closet ideas guide if you are looking for more ideas to maximize your walk-in closet. Once you conquer the walk-in, consider tackling the hallway closet or checking out the room by room storage guide to help you get organized.