If you’ve ever lived in an apartment that was lacking in storage space, you’ll never again take closets for granted. Trying to fit all of your possessions into small closets (or no closets at all) is difficult and frustrating, especially for those who like their living spaces neat, clean and well-organized.
Not having a bedroom closet is perhaps the most challenging storage situation. I once lived with two others in a two-bedroom apartment that also had a large office, which was my bedroom. Lucky for me, the office had its own bathroom attached. Not so lucky: the closet was nonexistent.
If you’re living in a bedroom that doesn’t have a closet, it can seem inconvenient at best, but you do have options. Take a look at this survival guide for creating clothes storage when you don’t have a closet:
An Armoire or Dresser
One of the most obvious solutions is to buy a large armoire or dresser to store clothes in. What’s great about armoires over dressers is that they offer a place to hang any clothing that you’d rather not fold.
Dresses, blouses, and easily wrinkled items won’t have to be shoved into a dresser drawer, which could potentially save you from having to pull out the iron every day before work.
Dressers, on the other hand, are great for people with a lot of foldable clothes. Either piece of furniture comes in various sizes, so those who live in a small space will be able to easily find something that fits their room.
A Clothing Rack
Stores like Target and Ikea sell clothing racks of all different shapes and sizes. You’ll easily be able to find smaller standing clothing racks that have a single bar on which to hang your clothes.
There are also full closet organizers that you can mount to a wall with multiple shelves and rods great for holding an entire wardrobe. Though not as affordable, these are a one-and-done solution to not having a closet, and they’re pretty easy to install on the wall.
Bookcases
The variety of bookshelves available in stores and online is truly amazing, so they’re a great organization option for bedrooms with nonexistent closets. The bookshelves with cube-shaped cubbies are particularly useful for organizing different types of clothing and accessories.
If you’re planning on using bookshelves in place of a closet, be sure to buy plenty of baskets and bins that will help you keep the shelves neat and uncluttered.
Floating Shelves
Floating shelves are another useful storage option, and they’re especially great because they can fit onto walls of any size. Hang floating shelves across the width of an entire wall, or stack them from floor to ceiling. You can even install dividers on your shelves to keep all of your clothing items separated.
Under the Bed
Installing drawers under the bed is both practical and unobtrusive, so it’s a perfect solution for people who live in a small space. You can also inexpensively lift your bed to create even more storage space under it, using store-bought bed risers.
Consider storing shoes, handbags, and other less-often-used items under the bed so you don’t have to get down on the floor every time you change clothes.
A Trunk
For a storage solution that’s part decorative and part amazingly effective, find an antique or vintage trunk to keep at the foot of your bed.
Trunks are very spacious, so you’ll be able to store a lot of your wardrobe in it. Use it for bulky items like sweaters, sweatshirts, and sweatpants that don’t stack as easily on shelves.
Create Pretty Decor
Some of the prettiest and most colorful items in a person’s apartment can be found in their closet, like shoes, handbags, scarves, and jewelry. Instead of tucking those items away into storage, find creative ways to display them around the room and apartment.
Buy a small coat rack just for your scarves and hang them by the front door. Line pretty high heels and handbags along the bookshelves in your living room or entryway. Hang your statement necklaces from pretty hooks on the wall above your toilet, rather than using that space for a piece of art.
Use a Curtain
Many of the solutions in this survival guide leave your clothing out in the open or on display, but simply hanging a curtain can help you tuck your wardrobe out of sight. Attach it to your bookshelves or simply hang one from the ceiling in front of your shelves to hide your clothing.
Mix and Match
If you have one particular wall that would work well for a “closet,” mix and match the ideas to create exactly what you need for storing your own personal belongings. Hang floating shelves across the entire wall, then attach a closet rod to the wall beneath them. Or, find two small armoires and put them on either side of a short bookshelf.
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Source: apartmentguide.com