How to: Make the most of a small space (on a small budget)

As much as I would love to have a walk in closet (room) similar to Pink Peonies, clearly that is not my reality. It would be amazing to wear designer everything + have rows and rows and rows (and rows) of shoes, but instead I’ll settle for Gap jeans + a few Target bookshelves of shoes. Since moving into our house in July I have been working to find a solution for all my…things. Purses, shoes, necklaces, clothes, etc. (all the things I don’t need but love to have anyways). I’ve struggled to find affordable and easy solutions, but I think it’s finally starting to come together. This post is for all my apartment living, non walk-in closet ladies. I’ve shared 5 tips to improve your small space + make it feel cozy.

And if have any brilliant organizing tricks let me know! I tend to organize when I’m avoiding other things…like studying for exams…aka what I’m doing right now.

Enjoy!

-M

Tip #1 – Bulletin Boards are a great (+ inexpensive) way to hang necklaces (and other jewelry)! I picked mine up at Michael’s for $7.99 + a pack of clear push pins for $2.29. They can hold a lot more weight when leaning against the wall and I was able to fit 19 necklaces on there. I find that if my options are not displayed clearly then I forget about what I have. This way my favorites are all easily accessible.

Tip #2 – Work vertical. Similar to skyscrapers in Chicago, my shoes must be stacked or I would have no where to walk. I found these bookshelves at Target on sale for $18 a piece. They are super simple to put together and come in other colors as well.  I would recommend stacking shoes for flats + sneakers, but leaving the heels to a single row.

Tip #3 – Add little touches. This pearl M was in the $1.00 section as Michael’s…a section which I should never be allowed in. But I thought it was the perfect way to add a little something to my otherwise boring mirror.

Tip #4 Rolling racks (with bottom shelves) are a beautiful thing. I hate to say it, but my closet sucks. To combat this I shoved my dresser in there and bought these two rolling racks from Meijer. ($19.99/piece). Each end has extenders, and they have shelves on the bottom where my purses and boots are currently living. Similar to the necklaces, if my clothing is hiding deep in my closet I often forget it is there. These racks make it easy to look at all my options (+ for my roommates to see what they want to borrow!) I still keep jeans/tees/sweats/workout clothes + such folded in my dresser, but the racks are good for other clothing.

Tip #5 – Use the back of your door! I had this (not so cute) necklace holder from Urban Outfitters and decided to repurpose it by hanging my lightweight scarves and belts (which are hidden under the scarves). The scarves and belts are still out of the way but easily accessible.