Guest room closet help?

I need inspiration on how to make this closet functional. Should I remove the doors altogether? Build up the partial step of 26" x 6" (made from being over the stairway underneath)? It's just a clutter closet right now. It's 43" deep and 65" wide with the partial 26" x 6" rise on the left side of the floor.

We currently have a closet organization system in place holding a 3 shelf unit and the usual hanging rod paraphernalia.

  16 answers
  • First, I would go through everything you can either toss, donate, etc. Then, I'd determine what you want this closet to store. I would guess maybe some clothing that isn't in season and some storage crates and possibly a vacuum? I would dedicate one side for clothing/shoes and then the other side have shelving for tubs, etc. IKEA may have some inexpensive storage solutions for you to organize the space better.

  • Vimarhonor Vimarhonor on Mar 16, 2021

    Hello. I have a difficult limited closet situation too. After purging I still run out of space. Trying Poshmark nowšŸ¤·ā€ā™€ļø I sometimes use space bags or under bed storage for certain items.

  • I would not remove the doors on a closet. My first step would be to remove everything from the closet, sort and purge. Once you see what is left, decide what is needed. A shoe rack might work well on that step and some baskets on the shelves will help contain clutter.

  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Mar 16, 2021

    The biggest thing I think that would help is change to flocked hangers. They allow your clothing to hang in a tighter space giving the appearance of more room.

    Next, utilize baskets on the shelves.

    The short shelf seems to be an odd placement. I would either utilize that area for long items like dresses & coats or add shelves the entire height with baskets.

    Leave the doors.

    Consider converting the 2 corners on the top shelf that meet into a turning corner that utilizes a curved rod that is continuous.

  • 17335038 17335038 on Mar 17, 2021

    I would Not remove the doors. Then everything that is inside the closet will constantly be on view. There will be no way to hide it. If the unattractiveness of the inside bothers you now, irregardless of what is inside, it will be much worse if there are no doors to close.


    Besides, the mirrored doors make the room look larger, and reflect light, which makes the room much brighter.

  • 17335038 17335038 on Mar 17, 2021

    Why do you think that it has become just a 'clutter closet'?

    Are you putting unused or unwanted stuff in there instead donating it, or giving it away to a 'better home' perhaps?


    As far as being more functional, would you like the space to be able to store more off-season clothing (that you know for sure that you will wear again) or more non-clothing items?

  • Connie Lyons Furmanek Connie Lyons Furmanek on Mar 17, 2021

    Thank you everyone for your insights and suggestions. Trying to do the purge thing and it is very difficult. Thankfully we are having some carpet restretched and are forced to move a lot of things in preparation so the purging has begun...baby steps.

  • Michelle Michelle on Mar 17, 2021

    You may consider using the "flocked hangers" Also, I have very tiny closets 43inches across in an older home. I contacted Rubbermaid- They have the configurations closet systems based on size. You have a lot of flexability with shelves, hanging rods etc. You can adjust as needed. Also , purge as others suggested

  • First of all your closet isn't bad at alll it just needs a little attention and we are all guilty of ignoring whats behind vlosed doors! I agree with the removal and purge first, it appears that all of your hanging items can go to the left on the taller rack that would make that neat and confined. Out of season things could go in tubs underneath and the rack space above on the left. Right Side, eliminate the hangers and use baskets to store foldable clothing and other stored items into shelves. Men's shirts could stay if you want but lower the rack that's now holding the clothing now and use as another full shelf for footwear or folded items, etc.

  • Amazing Grace ! Amazing Grace ! on Mar 22, 2021

    I would purge too, but I think that you need to throw away those hangars and get the ones that are felt covered. It keeps your closet tight, the clothing doesn't slip off the hangar, the only thing that you will need to get used to is it looks like your used to pulling whatever you need off the hangar which messes up the other stuff. With the felt-covered hangars (they break easily when pulled) you will need to remove whatever it is literally and remove it from the hangar. imho

  • Catherine Deirdre Rodden Catherine Deirdre Rodden on Mar 22, 2021

    I'm a huge fan of space bags. I like that I can take some clothes that are memorabilia (concert shirts, kids' old team uniforms, etc.) that no one is going to want as a donation and stick them into a bag, label it, and tuck it onto a high shelf or have a few stacked into a bin. I'm also a fan of seasonal clothing swaps. I find it easiest to have items that I keep in a specific drawer go into a specific bag or bin so I can do a full swap at various points of the year - jeans become shorts and vice versa. You can save quite a few hanger spaces by simply folding up an item you aren't going to wear for the next 4 months.


    Double points if you store your space bagged items inside the duffel or suitcases.

  • Marie Marie on Mar 23, 2021

    We took the doors off our closet and recycled the dressers. The mirror doors reflected light even from the streetlights at night. We had two book cases that we cut down and bought some Dollar Tree bins for our clothes. We purged the clothes we hadn't worn in a year and hung the button down shirts and blouses. Bins are hidden behind the wall and suitcases are on the shelf behind the curtain. Perhaps you can use our closet as inspiration to come up for ideas for yours.

  • Dee Dee on Mar 23, 2021

    Do Not remove your doors, all you will see is unwanted stuff. First take everything out and donate or give away what you no longer want. Purchase all one type of hanger. I hate those shelves made of wire. I actually put vinyl tile on top of mine to have an even playing field. Get clear storage boxes at Walmart and store things you no longer wear in them. Leave the step but take out the carpet and put in peel and stick tile to keep the area cleaner.

  • Cheryl A Cheryl A on Mar 31, 2021

    clean it out then use storage bins for items you can put on the shelves then only put items in there you will use - I think once you pull everything out and see how much space you have you can work with it better and I would not remove the doors you can paint over the mirrored doors if you want a new look

  • Deb K Deb K on Aug 05, 2021

    Hi Connie, you could just redo and redesign the closet organizer to me more functional, do some research on the internet and see all the wonderful ideas out there,

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RYmn4ECOYc