In any home, closets are a valuable storage resource. They allow us to either neatly store things, or to keep clutter and other visually unappealing things out of view. One complaint for many is having a lack of closet space. Luckily, in this article we’re going to show you several tricks and tips on how to maximize hanging space in a closet.
We’ve put together a list of several ways you can get the absolute most out of your closet space- big or small as well as a few products that can help you do so.
10 Tips on how to maximize hanging space in a closet
1. Add another hanging rod
Perhaps the best trick is to add another hanging rod to your closet if you have the space to do so. Hang one rod closer to the ceiling, and another one about half the distance between the floor and the ceiling. This essentially doubles your amount of hanging space.
The only problem with this option is that it can make hanging longer garments like dresses, gowns and long jackets difficult. If you have many long garments to hang, you could modify the lower hanging rod so that it does not reach across the entire width of your closet, leaving a gap for longer clothing items hung on the top rod to hang.
This option from Closet Maniac hangs from your existing closet rod making it a no-drill solution.
2. Utilize your door
Many people miss out on valuable hanging space because they don’t realize that their closet door is another surface to hang things from. You can purchase over the door hanging rods or hooks that slip over the top of your closet door with little to no installation required.
These over the door hanging rods or hooks are great for hanging things like coats and jackets so that you can grab them quickly and easily without needing to parse through your wardrobe.
3. Use a scarf hanger
If you live somewhere where it gets cold enough to need a scarf, then you may want to invest in a special scarf hanger. These specialized hangers have multiple loops to put your scarves through and allow you to hang several scarves using one hanger.
Alternatively, you can make your own makeshift scarf hanger by creating a chain out of shower curtain rings and passing your scarves through each loop.
4. Use pants hangers
If you are hanging each pair of pants on it’s own hanger, then you may be giving up valuable hanging space! There are hangers made specifically for hanging multiple pairs of pants on a single hanger which can free up a lot of area in your closet.
5. Try a specialized shirt hanger
There are hangers that have absolutely optimized the shirt hanging game! These hangers can hang several shirts on one, while allowing your shirts to hang flat and crease free. This option is especially helpful for someone who has multiple of the same or very similar shirts (dress shirts, uniform shirts, etc.) and wants to free up closet space for the rest of their wardrobe.
6. Try a magic hanger
These “magic hangers” are great space savers that can allow you to hang up to five hangers using only a single hook. They can be hung vertically or horizontally depending on your preference, however hanging them vertically will give you more space on your hanging rod.
7. Use vacuum seal bags
While it’s important to keep your everyday apparel and wardrobe easily accessible, you may have items in your closet that you only wear on special occasions or during certain seasons. If this is the case, try using hanging vacuum sealed bags to store those items.
There’s no reason that your winter coats should be taking up extra space during the summer, or that your summer wardrobe is cluttering up your closet in the winter. There are vacuum seal space saving bags made specifically for this reason! These bags also help to protect your clothes while not in use.
Hanging vacuum space saver bags
8. Hang your outfits together
If you have a shirt and pants combo that you normally wear, it’s a good idea to hang these pieces together. One easy DIY tip to do this is to use the pull tab from a soda can and two hangers. You’ll want to loop the pull tab over the hook of your first hanger, then you can hang your second hanger by using the second, unoccupied loop of the pull tab.
Not only does this free up space, but it will save you time by avoiding the need to dig through your closet to find the pieces to your favorite outfit.
9. Try a combination of shelves and hanging space
A combination approach that allows you to use a shelf and your typical hanging rod is a great way to diversify your space. Some people prefer to fold certain clothing items like sweaters or denim and hang their shirts. To get the absolute most out of your space, putting a shelf above your hanging rod (above the rod closer to the ceiling if you have two in your closet) can help to free up valuable space for hangers.
10. Use thinner hangers
Wooden hangers are great because they are durable and don’t tend to bend under the weight of a heavy jacket or sweater, but they tend to be fairly big and take up more space than you think. Using bulky hangers is a waste of space for lighter garments. These ultra thin hangers are said to increase hanging space by up to 50%!
Conclusion
Having a small closet doesn’t always equate to having little space to hang and store things. Sometimes it just takes a little bit of creativity and the use of a few handy products to get the most out of a small space! You will be shocked at how much more room you can free up in your closet by simply changing the hangers you use to installing another hanging rod.
