22 Small Walk-In Closet Ideas to Maximize Your Storage Space (2024)

Room Design

Bedrooms

• 01 of 22

  Set Up a Vanity Table

  

  If your small closet has a window, set up a small vanity table in front of it to provide a place to prepare yourself to face the world. Studio Peake paired a small wooden vanity table with an integrated mirror and an upholstered ottoman that tucks underneath when not in use.

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• 02 of 22

  Add Floor-to-Ceiling Storage

  

  Optimize every inch of available space in a small walk-in closet by installing floor-to-ceiling storage. Finding Lovely combined open shelving and glass-front cabinets with hanging rods at various heights to tailor the space.

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• 03 of 22

  Hang a Sparkly Chandelier

  

  Make a small walk-in closet feel more glamorous by hanging a sparkly chandelier. Blogger Ursula Carmona of Home Made By Carmona chose a gold and crystal chandelier that puts a finishing touch on this DIY primary bedroom space.

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• 04 of 22

  Paint It Dark

  

  Give a small walk-in closet a moody feel with dark paint. This space from Fantastic Frank is drench in midnight blue, making it feel larger by erasing the perception of where the walls begin or end.

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• 05 of 22

  Put Down an Area Rug

  

  Decorate your small walk-in closet with an area rug. Studio Peake added color and pattern with a multi-colored rug in a diagonal pattern that points toward the window, adding movement that makes the compact space feel larger.

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• 06 of 22

  Double Space With Mirrors

  

  If you collect shoes and handbags, transform a small closet into a walk-in accessories closet to give your home the feel of a boutique. Interior designer Maite Granda made this space feel larger with large mirror panels on the walls and glass doors and integrated lighting for a seamless feel.

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• 07 of 22

  Try a U-Shaped Layout

  

  Maximize storage in a small walk-in closet with a U-shaped layout. Michelle Berwick Design mixed open and closed storage in this well-organized space that is painted in a moody shade of green.

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• 08 of 22

  Add Simple Seating

  

  Add a lightweight chair to make a small walk-in closet more functional. Casa Watkins Living chose a woven chair in this boho-style bedroom closet that makes it a space you want to stay in for awhile. It can be easily moved to access lower shelves.

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• 09 of 22

  Line a Wall With Built-Ins

  

  A wall of built-ins with mirrored doors will keep your small walk-in closet looking tidy while bouncing around natural light. Erin Williamson Design added a wallpaper accent wall on the other side of the doors that adds color and a small bench for putting on and taking off shoes.

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• 10 of 22

  Install a Sliding Glass Door

  

  Use a space-saving sliding, barn, or pocket door on the outside of a small walk-in closet for a seamless feel. This small apartment walk-in closet from Fantastic Frank has a neutral palette of white and gray, and a white pane glass door that keeps light flowing into the windowless space.

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• 11 of 22

  Hang Removable Wallpaper

  

  Hang wallpaper on the inside of a small walk-in closet to add mood-boosting color and pattern. Casa Watkins Living chose bright orange-and-pink ikat patterned removable peel-and-stick wallpaper for this kids's room closet.

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• 12 of 22

  Remove the Doors

  

  If you have the discipline to hang up your clothes and return your shoes to the rack at the end of the day, consider removing the doors. The lack of doors on this small open closet from Emily Bowser for Emily Henderson Design makes room for a dresser and banquette with built-in storage just outside to maximize space.

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• 13 of 22

  Maximize a Narrow Closet

  

  Make a narrow closet feel larger with an all-white palette and a range of storage. This minimalist space from Fantastic Frank maximizes vertical space with a mix of drawers, open shelves, and open hanging rods.

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• 14 of 22

  Add a Floor Mirror

  

  Place a floor mirror inside of a small walk-in closet that will allow you to check your outfit while doubling the perception of space. A Beautiful Mess chose an arched mirror in this closet outfitted with DIY cubbies and boho-style touches like a Moroccan pouf and a vintage rug.

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• 15 of 22

  Build Around a Window

  

  Build custom shelving around an existing window to optimize space in a smaller walk-in closet. Marie Flanigan Interiors added a small banquette with built-in storage to create a space to take your shoes off.

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• 16 of 22

  Add Mood Lighting

  

  Use shelving to create a dedicated spot to store smaller items like jewelry, fragrance, or accessories. Back it with wallpaper, hang some art, then add mood lighting with a portable LED lamp, like this cozy walk-in closet from Most Lovely Things.
  

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• 17 of 22

  Paint the Floor

  

  Paint the floor of a narrow, deep walk-in closet in a bold and vibrant color. Add stimulating color to a small, deep walk-in closet by painting the floor.

  This closet from Fantastic Frank has neon yellow paint on the floor, walls outfitted with hooks and a floor-length mirror, and a wall-mounted shelving and pull-out drawer unit mounted to the back wall.

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• 18 of 22

  Add Decorative Trim

  

  Use removable wallpaper to add decorative trim to a small walk-in closet in a kids' bedroom, like this space from Casa Watkins Living.

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• 19 of 22

  Try an Ottoman

  

  Add seating to a small walk-in closet with an ottoman. Becca Interiors added color and pattern with a small ottoman that doesn't take up much space and is easy to maneuver around.

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• 20 of 22

  Use Standalone Shelving

  

  Outfit a smaller walk-in closet with standalone shelving rather than built-ins for a budget-friendly option. Casa Watkins Living organized a colorful wardrobe around this slim white shelving unit with a mix of open and closed storage.

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• 21 of 22

  Maximize Every Inch

  

  If your small walk-in closet is outfitted with prefab storage units, you may be left with small gaps. Add hooks, open shelves, or a tall and narrow bookcase for storing accessories to maximize every last inch of space, like this closet from Laura Cattano Organizational Design.

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• 22 of 22

  Bring in a Dresser

  

  Bring in standalone furniture like a dresser to create storage in a smaller walk-in closet. Leanne Ford Interiors used a simple dresser under the windows of this deep narrow walk-in space, with L-shaped clothing rods on the other two walls.