If you share a bedroom closet with someone - whether that's a significant other, kid, parent, or roommate - then you know that even a decent-sized closet can become overwhelmed with clothing and accessories pretty quickly. This is especially true if you or your partner likes to collect shoes.
Why Drawer Dividers for Bedroom Clothing Storage Are Worth Considering
The staff at Space Savers, a company that makes drawer organizers - told us that a cluttered drawer can slow you down and break your focus, with small interruptions adding up over time. We found several different ways to divide a dresser drawer or closet shelf to keep jewelry, socks, underwear, T-shirts - sweaters, shoes, and everything else in its place.
Modular drawer inserts, rigid dividers that subdivide a shelf or drawer into fixed-size compartments, are finally starting to solve this problem. Two favorite closet systems mentioned by organizers are IKEA's PAX system and The Container Store's Elfa system. Both are expensive but offer a wide variety of parts that allow you to build out a customized closet system from floor to ceiling.
These inserts are now widely available in a range of materials and sizes that actually fit standard closet shelves - not just IKEA-specific drawer cabinets. We found that drawer dividers, which used to be flimsy, flimsy plastic, are now much higher quality. They're light yet strong, attractive - and durable.
Dividing Shared Spaces With Adjustable Divider Systems
Adjustable divider systems allow you to claim your own section of the closet or dresser drawer and prevent your stuff from turning into a jumble. They also make it easier to see what you have, which may reduce the urge to shop since you'll always know what you have. They also prevent you from misplacing items since everything stays in a particular spot. We found dresser drawers to be the most frustrating type of storage system since they tend to encourage a pile of clothes that spills out onto the floor when you're looking for one specific item.
Adjustable drawer divider systems can help prevent clutter from spreading, reduce distractions, make better use of drawer space, and create a repeatable organization system. Some models allow you to configure your shelving into a grid of compartments sized precisely for folded T-shirts - sweaters, or denim.
Bedroom Linens and Storage Solutions
The Census Bureau includes the following items under the "bedroom linens" category: baby blankets, bedspreads, blankets, comforters - duvets, electric blankets, mattress pads, pillowcases, pillows - quilts, and sheets. Depending on how often you wash your bedding, you might want to keep an extra set on hand. The small space experts at NewSpace suggest clear vacuum bags to store bedding such as comforters, pillows, blankets - and quilts.
They slip easily under the bed or into a closet. In a small closet, we like the idea of using a slim tote or bag to store bedding such as extra pillowcases and sheet sets. The space experts at Space Savers recommend using a larger expandable tote for bedding such as comforters.
Managing Shoes, Jewelry, and Accessories in a Shared Closet
In a perfect world, everyone would have a dedicated shoe cabinet - but most closets lack that luxury. Small closets may only have a couple moments of wall space to dedicate to shoes. Even if you don't have room for a shoe rack, you can still keep shoes stored off the floor and within reach by sliding them into sweater bags, which are typically made out of breathable mesh. Small closets might only have room for a single dresser, and if that dresser is shared, you need to find a way to keep jewelry - socks, underwear, and other small items organized. Stripping out one or two bottom drawers and replacing them with a single large drawer is a common hack.
Though clever, it also creates a cavernous space perfect for encouraging disorganized stashing. A low-profile divider kit with shallow compartments and included organizers is a more effective solution. The mesh allows you to see what's inside while the drawers keep everything contained.
Underbed Storage Options for Maximum Closet Efficiency
In small spaces, the area underneath the bed is begging to be utilized. Underbed storage isn't just for storing seasonal clothes or extra bedding. It can also serve as expanded closet space. We like underbed storage that ventilates - which means you can stash sweaters, jackets, and other clothes that you're not wearing at the moment but may need access to throughout the season. Breathable mesh reduces the risk of odor and mildew.
We found three underbed options that belong at the top of your consideration list: Peva Sweater Bags, which are made out of breathable mesh and come in four colors; an Underbed Fabric Bin, which is made out of heavy-duty fabric and ventilated for airflow; and a Long Underbed Box with Wheels - which is easy to slide in and out of position. If maximizing closet efficiency is your ultimate goal, consider teaming up platform beds frames storage options to free up even more storage.
Keeping Sweaters Neat on Closet Shelves
Sweaters are notoriously difficult to organize. Made out of loosely woven yarns, they collapse into ungainly shapes, making them hard to stack. They also attract static, which makes them hard to corral. We found shelf dividers that work wonders on sweaters - keeping them neatly in place.
They're also deep enough to accommodate stacked shoes and can be used in combination with sweater bags for simple, stylish shoe storage.
