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Seriously Useful Apartment-Friendly Closet Organization Ideas for Renters

by on May 22, 2024

With these rental friendly closet ideas, you’ll have a beautifully organized closet that blends seamlessly with your home decor.

Living in an apartment often means finding creative ways to make the most of your space, especially when it comes to closet organization.

Whether you have an open closet or a small bathroom that needs extra storage, the right solutions can make a huge difference.

Shelf dividers, drawers, and clever home decor hacks can help you maximize every inch of your space.

Think about using bookcases to store shoes and accessories or adding curtains to keep your belongings out of sight.

To keep your space tidy, remember to include a hamper for dirty clothes.

Most beautifully organized closets have one thing in common – built-ins.

Whether it be custom shelving or even IKEA installations, a little (or a lot) of construction is needed. But what if you’re a renter, and you can’t make any permanent changes to your closet?

Are you doomed to a single hanger rod and basically a hot mess?

Luckily we have some solutions that don’t require a power drill.

Read on for renter-friendly ideas that will keep your closet nice and tidy.

Renter Friendly Closet Organization Tips For Apartment Living

Use mix and match closet organizers

Closet organizers have advanced greatly in recent years. The key to using these pieces for maximum functionality and keeping them aesthetically pleasing is to fill the whole closet from top to bottom.

Measure your closet before you shop so you know exactly how everything will fit. Choose a combination of stand-alone items on the floor, hanging shelves, and over-the-door tools to utilize every square inch. 

A black and white curtained tied back revealing a neat closet with clothes hung by color over shoes lined atop a white dresser.
Photo: Decor Pad
DIY open closet using a dresser from Alicia Fashionista.
DIY open closet using a dresser from Alicia Fashionista.
Closet dresser from Refinery29.
Simple closet IKEA dresser from Refinery29.

Place a dresser in the closet

This is such an easy solution that adds loads of storage. Simply place a dresser in your closet underneath the hanging clothes.

It can store shoes, folded sweaters, or underwear and socks.

It’s great because it provides closed-door storage that always looks great and doesn’t require a single modification to your closet. 

Use a bookshelf

This linen closet is super-organized, thanks to a single bookshelf.

This cubby shelf holds bins, paper towels, and other linens and looks like it was custom-made for the space.

Want to make your closet really shine? Add some temporary wallpaper for an extra chic look.

Never underestimate the power of matching baskets

This closet uses a combination of a cubby shelf, labeled hampers, and matching baskets.

Loading the top shelf of a closet with matching baskets or bins, as opposed to just random piles of belongings, makes a huge difference. 

Clothing and jewelry hanging in a closet.
Photo: Paint Yourself a Smile

Use Command hooks

For smaller items like neckties and jewelry, use non-permanent sticky hooks.

Placed on the wall or the inside of a closet door, they can add function and organization without damaging any surfaces.

Achieving an organized and stylish wardrobe in an apartment is entirely possible with a few smart strategies. Whether you’re working with a small closet or a spacious walk-in closet, maximizing your storage space is key.

Use wooden hangers to keep your clothes neatly hung and wrinkle-free, and consider adding extra shelves or drawers to make the most of your vertical space.

For those with apartment closets that seem never to have enough space, creative solutions like shelf dividers and multipurpose furniture can be game-changers. By thoughtfully arranging your closet space, you can ensure that every item has its place, making your daily routine smoother and more efficient.

No matter the size of your closet, transforming it into a well-organized haven is within reach. With a bit of planning and some practical tips, you’ll turn your wardrobe into a functional and stylish part of your home. Here’s to making your closet a space that truly works for you!

Check out more great closet and organization ideas from Curbly:

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2 Comments

  1. I buy 3 seven ft high 1 x 6 boards as pole supports for open closets. Measure & mount pole supports on boards. Put one board against each outside wall and one in center. Mount your closet poles. 2 and 1 or 2 and 2. Lets me configure the closet with no holes in the walls. When I leave I stack my 3 boards and several poles ready to put up in the next place.