6 Best Closet Organizer Products to Keep Your Wardrobe Tidy
Updated: Feb. 07, 2023Create a picture-perfect space with the best closet organizer kits, systems and products on the market.
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The thought of organizing a closet can be overwhelming, especially if you’re someone who tends to accumulate shoes and clothes with each passing season. However, organizing tips and storage hacks can help make the job more manageable. Before deciding on the best closet organizer from our list below (or building your own DIY version!), here are five steps to a tidy closet:
- Empty the closet completely.
- Select items to donate. Think about quality over quantity and what fits your current sizing.
- Take an inventory of the clothes you’re keeping and categorize them by type: tops, pants, dresses, etc.
- Position the most used clothing front and center.
- Invest in slim, non-slip hangers to match decor and maximize space.
Whether you’re working with a spacious walk-in wardrobe or a small apartment closet, there’s a system to fit your space and organize any home. The best closet organizer makes your cluttered closet more functional, and helps you utilize every inch of space. The result is a beautiful and practical display—you’ll never dread getting dressed in the morning again!
Best Closet Organizer Overall
Elfa Classic Reach-In Closet
The highly-rated Elfa reach-in closet is one of the best closet organizer systems with seemingly endless configurations. This strong wall-mounted customizable design comes in different color and size options and promises to transform your closet. It also accommodates layout updates as wardrobes change, thanks to the adjustable hanging rods, drawers, shelves and additional sections. Devotees of Elfa closet systems have been known to take theirs with them when they move.
Pros
- Multiple sizes and colors with adjustable components
- Easy assembly: Horizontal top track is the only piece mounted to the wall
- Sections for hangers, shoes and more
- Durable epoxy-bonded steel construction
Cons
- Expensive
- Only available at The Container Store
Best Closet Organizer for Shoes
Four-Tier Shoe Rack
This shoe rack holds more than 12 pairs of shoes (more if they’re kid-size!) in just under 30 inches of floor space. The closet shoe organizer features a sturdy metal frame and an elegant wooden board in rustic brown or greige (a cross between gray and beige), so it’ll look nice by the entryway, too.
Each shelf is made of steel mesh, so you don’t have to worry about heels and boots slipping through any cracks. We like the idea of sprucing up the top wooden shelf with a plant, picture frame or stack of books. This shoe storage pick offers functionality and style all in one piece!
Pros
- Holds up to 12 pairs of shoes and 22 pounds
- Easy to assemble
- Wooden top adds style
Cons
- Open shelving doesn’t hide shoes from view, which may be a con if using near your entryway
Best Value Closet System
Rubbermaid Custom Closet Kit
The Rubbermaid Organizer Kit is one of the best DIY closet systems on the market. It offers wallet-friendly pricing and beginner-friendly instructions for the first-time installer. Each kit is available in starter, classic and deluxe options, which vary by the number of shelves and vertical configuration possibilities.
This all-in-one organizing problem-solver comes with easy-to-follow instructions and doesn’t require cutting. Telescoping rods and expanding shelves provide 10 feet of shelving space and 12 feet of hanging space. For larger closets, simply pick up extra configuration kits, which work seamlessly together. This organizing product is available in five sizes and two finishes to seamlessly fit in any closet.
Pros
- Won’t break the bank
- Available in five expandable sizes
- Constructed of durable metal
Cons
- Only sold as a bundled kit, shelves cannot be purchased separately
Best Closet Organizer for Hanging Clothes
Double Hanging Rod
The ClosetMaid double hanging rod is a game-changer for simple, smart design. The rod clips onto existing wire or wooden rods, and can be adjusted by height and width to fit a variety of spaces. It not only doubles the closet space for blouses, jackets and folded pants, but it creates more space for longer items such as suits or dresses.
Pros
- Weighs less than one pound, but holds up to 25 pounds
- Simply clips on existing rods
- Adjustable height and width
- Affordable
Cons
- Only one color option
- May be flimsy with heavier clothing
Best Organizer for Large Closets
Expandable Closet Organizer System
Expandability is the first advantage of this Seville closet system, a top-rated closet organizer. The unit expands from 5 to 7 feet, with the double telescoping hanging rods connecting each tower and adjusting from 58 to 83 inches to custom-fit any space. Plus, it’s freestanding, meaning it’s portable and easy to move to another closet, and also renter-friendly.
This best closet organizer is made of industrial-strength steel; the extended hanging rod accommodates 50 pounds, and each shelf holds up to 100 pounds. All eight shelves adjust in 1-inch increments with flat, smooth shelf liners included. Amazon reviewers love the simple assembly with no expert tools or installation required.
Pros
- Expandable with customizable heights
- Heavy weight capacity
- Easy screw-together assembly
Cons
- No option for wheels, only flat non-slip grip feet
Best Closet Organizer for Tight Spaces
Hanging Canvas Shelves
For versatility in storing your clothing, this StorageWorks closet organizer with six shelves fits the bill. You may think this looks like every other hanging organizer, but this is truly a standout product. Made of quality fabric and fiberboard, this organizer holds up to 60 pounds of clothing, rolled T-shirts and accessories. Two hanging methods fit on most rods, and the handy mesh side pockets keep items in full view. Plus, it’s affordable and boasts more than 4,000 five-star reviews on Amazon.
Pros
- Vertical design with side pockets fits in small closets
- Weighs less than four pounds, but holds up to 60 pounds
- Available in various collapsible sizes and three colors
- Folds flat for convenient storage when not in use
Cons
- Not suited for bulky items
What to Consider When Buying the Best Closet Organizer
The most important thing to consider before buying a closet organizer is the size of your closet. Take detailed measurements including the height, length and depth. Factor in the types of clothing and shoes you own. Do you have a lot of folded sweaters? Do you need room to hang long dresses? What about a space to stash socks or scarves?
Once you’ve measured the closet and taken an inventory of your clothes, you can determine the types of features you’ll need, like hanging rods, shelves, baskets, drawers, wall hooks and shoe organizers.
Types of Closet Organizers
- Wire Closet Organizer: This is the most affordable type of closet organizer, with powder-coated wire shelves and metal hanging rods. It gets the job done, but doesn’t have a high-end look.
- Wood Closet Organizer: These kits are made from solid wood or laminate, and include closet rods, drawers and other accessories. You can find them in a variety of finishes for a custom look, but they’re a little more difficult to install than wire systems.
- DIY Closet Organizer: If you can’t find a closet organizer kit to fit all your needs, you can go the DIY route. Build your own DIY home storage solutions from scratch if you have carpentry skills. Another option is to combine separate closet accessories—like shoe organizers, hanging fabric sorters or a small dresser—to make your own custom layout.
How We Chose the Best Closet Organizer
As shopping experts, our only job is to help you find a winning product. We start with the research and reporting basics—what products are made of, what they look like and how much they cost—to ensure that we’re only recommending the buys that are worth your time and money. Then, we research the features that speak to the product’s quality, taking advice from industry insiders and subject matter experts on what makes a product a smart value (or worthy of a splurge). Finally, we do the work of combing through user reviews to see how real people interact with the product, and if it stands up to the test.
FAQ
What’s the most effective way to organize your closet?
The most effective way to organize a closet is to ensure you’re only keeping what you need. An overstuffed closet full of clothes you never wear is never going to be fully organized. The first and most important step is to purge and declutter. Get rid of anything that’s damaged or that you haven’t worn in the past year. Once that’s done, move on to choosing the best closet organizer to fit your needs.
Are closet organizers worth it?
Yes! A closet organizer transforms even the smallest closet into efficient storage space by utilizing every square inch. Although it’s true that custom closet organizers are expensive, there are plenty of budget-friendly storage systems that are just as effective.
Is there an app that organizes your closet?
Closet Planner 3D (available on Google Play) allows you to design your own closet with 3D software. You can also choose room, floor and wall color settings so you can better visualize the details of your closet. It’s fun to play with, but you’ll need the paid pro version to adjust actual measurements.
It’s not an app, but you can design a closet down to the smallest details on EasyClosets.com. Their free online design tool is easy to use and allows you to enter the specific dimensions of your closet and then choose the best rod, shelf and drawer options to fit the space.
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