A hallway closet can feel like a tiny black hole where coats and clutter go to disappear. I’ve organized a lot of awkward, narrow closets (including my own), and a few smart tweaks can make yours work twice as hard without looking stuffed. Add a Double Hanging Rod Add a double hanging rod to double coat space—perfect for short jackets and kids’ layers. In my own hallway coat closet, adding a second rod instantly doubled…

A coat closet can go from “black hole of stuff” to the smoothest part of your day with a few smart zones and some vertical thinking. I’ve organized more tiny coat closets than I can count (including my own), and these ideas are the ones that actually keep the chaos from creeping back. Convert Part of It Into a Mini Bench Turn your coat closet into a mini mudroom—add a simple bench shelf and store…

A hallway laundry closet can be a total game-changer when you don’t have room for a full laundry space. I’ve set up a few in tight apartments, and the key is making it feel intentional, tidy, and easy to use—without turning your hallway into a utility zone. Pocket Door to Save Hallway Space A sleek pocket door keeps the hallway clear—laundry storage disappears in seconds. A pocket door was my favorite “small-space luxury” because the…

Closet curtains are my favorite small-space swap because they ditch bulky doors and instantly make a room feel softer and more finished. Two-Panel Curtains for Easy Daily Use Two-panel linen closet curtains—open one side in a snap, keep the room calm and chic. I always prefer two curtain panels for closets because I can open just one side while I’m getting dressed. In my morning routine, it’s the difference between “effortless” and “why is this…

My hallway linen closet has been everything from a tidy little “spa cabinet” to a full-on towel avalanche, so I get the struggle. The good news is that a few smart tweaks can make even the narrowest closet feel roomy, calm, and ridiculously easy to use. Add Motion-Sensor Lighting Inside Tiny motion-sensor puck light turns a dim hallway linen closet into a custom-looking space. The most unexpectedly life-changing upgrade in my hallway linen closet was…

A great closet isn’t about having more space—it’s about having a smarter system that fits your real life. Mix Hanging, Shelves, and Drawers Combo closet wall: short-hang, open shelves + slim drawers for tidy small-space storage. My go-to custom closet idea is a “combo wall” with short-hang, a few open shelves, and a slim drawer stack so every item type has a home. I used to do all-hanging space, and it made my sweaters and…

If your mirrored closet doors feel a little dated, an overlay is my favorite “big impact, small-space-friendly” fix. I’ve used these tricks in my own tiny apartments to make builder-basic mirrors look custom without giving up that light-bouncing magic. Frosted Film Under an Overlay Frosted film under a simple wood overlay: soft glow, less mirror glare, still bright. Layering frosted film under a simple overlay pattern is my favorite combo for soft light and less…

Small closets can feel like a game of storage Tetris, especially in apartments. Slide In a Narrow Shelf Tower A slim shelf tower adds instant compartments to a reach-in closet—clean, calm, and no remodel. I’ve tucked a slim shelf unit into the center of a reach-in closet to create a “spine” for folded clothes and bins. It’s such a clean way to add compartmentalization without needing a full remodel. Explore these options: Tall Narrow Bookshelf:…

Kids grow fast, and their closets somehow get messy even faster. In my small-space home and with my clients, I’ve found a kids closet stays calm when it’s easy to reach, easy to reset, and built to change with them. Add a Center Shelf Tower Center shelf tower turns a narrow kids closet into two tidy zones for folds and bins. A center shelf tower (shelves or a slim drawer stack) gives the closet a…

A built-in closet can turn even the tiniest bedroom into a space that feels calm, polished, and actually easy to live in. I’ve learned in my own small apartments that the best built-ins aren’t just pretty—they’re designed around your real wardrobe and your real routines. Built-In Closet With a Mini Vanity Shelf A built-in closet mini vanity shelf that keeps small-space mornings calm and beautifully organized. If you don’t have room for a vanity, tuck…