15 Smart Open Closet Ideas for Small Spaces
There are so many ways to handle your clothes storage, but one of my absolute favorite trends right now is the open closet.
In this article, I’m sharing some of my go-to ideas to inspire you and help you create the perfect open-concept wardrobe for yourself!
Statement Clothing Racks
Modern clothing racks can be so much more than just a place to hang things; they can be stunning furniture pieces all on their own. They’re available in so many stylish metallic finishes and unique shapes.
It’s actually super easy to make these look good, because you just need to arrange your clothes nicely. The design of the rack does all the heavy lifting. They also come in a whole range of styles.
So if you’re hoping for an industrial touch in your room, a rack made from tubes with some reclaimed wood shelves is the perfect solution.
And here’s a fun tip: you can totally transform a plain clothing rack with a simple can of metallic spray paint. I’ve seen some amazing DIYs, and rose gold and brass seem to be the most popular and absolutely beautiful finishes.
The Minimalist Approach
So many people don’t actually have enough clothes to justify a huge, full wardrobe. It usually ends up hiding other things, like extra bedding, gifts you don’t want, and a bunch of clothes that never see the light of day.
If you’re dreaming of a clean looking bedroom, it might be time to give your closet a complete overhaul and say goodbye to things you don’t need. A minimalist clothing rack can be a great way to keep your shopping habits under control.
When you don’t have a giant wardrobe to fill, you might think twice about those impulse buys. Plus, a beautifully arranged clothing rack can become a truly fashionable feature in your room.
The key is to display just a bare minimum of the pieces you truly need and love.
An Elegant Take
An open closet can absolutely look elegant. The setting is a huge part of making it happen. Just look at the interior below; can you tell me it isn’t incredibly sophisticated? I dare you.
That oversized mirror and tufted pouf definitely bring the drama, but it’s the molded door, light textured rug, and crystal chandelier that undeniably create that elegant tone. Another thing about open storage that you might see as a downside or a plus is that it really requires order and discipline from you.
To keep it looking good, it needs to be not just well styled but also kept tidy and pretty much picture perfect all the time.
Beyond the Rack
Since clothing racks are not perfect for storing every single clothing item, a few little helpers like floating shelves or cabinets can really make things easier. It was such a brilliant idea to repurpose old crates for shoe storage.
They look especially great paired with the industrial looking pipe racks. Old post office cabinets and school lockers are fantastic for stashing away underwear and casual clothes like T-shirts and jeans.
Floating shelves are just the best for items like handbags, jewelry boxes, and your fanciest shoes. Anything from cubbies to tall shelving units can help take some of the load off your clothing rack and keep everything more or less balanced.
Smart Closet Alternatives
Before we dive into the most popular method for storing clothes without a closet, which is of course a rack, let’s explore some of the other options that can help you keep your bedroom looking nice and tidy.
You can find storage boxes and cube storage, old suitcases and trunks, vintage metal lockers and floating shelves, and even good old Ikea shelving. But naturally, one of the most convenient ways to keep clothes almost perfectly straight and smooth is still a clothing rack.
A rack is great because it helps you keep the majority of your wardrobe all in one spot. It might also feature a shelf or two, which is perfect for shoes and accessories like bags.
I’ve even seen someone try hanging a real coat rack in their bedroom, which could totally work if you mostly wear casual clothes that don’t need to be on a hanger to look good.
Complete Open Wardrobes
Open organizers are pretty much the same idea, but they often come with extra elements like shelves and shoe racks. These are just perfect for anyone with a larger wardrobe and a good amount of bedroom space to play with.
Things just look so much more organized when you have a designated storage wall. The absolute best part about these open closet ideas is that you can use them to carve out a part of your bedroom and turn it into a real dressing room.
You also don’t have to worry quite as much about those impulse buys, since a closet like this can usually handle quite a few clothing items.
Styling Your Rack
When we talk about styling, you can’t just throw clothes onto a clothing rack and hope it looks like it belongs in a magazine. It’s all about how much volume the rack can really handle and how all of your different clothes look together, thinking about textures and, more importantly, colors.
If you have a crowd of very different items, you might want to carefully select what goes on the rack and what you’d rather keep tucked away in a storage box under your bed.
Honestly, storing tons of clothes on a rack isn’t very practical anyway, so just make sure you only keep what you actually wear out in the open. Then, you can start sorting it by color. This is a really solid strategy if you have lots of clothes in different colors.
You could also organize it by textures and fabrics, placing thicker items closer to each other. The whole idea is to bring a little bit of order to your diverse wardrobe when it’s all hanging on one rack.
Modern Closet Systems
Modern closet systems have pretty much kissed those heavy wooden doors goodbye. Now, it’s all about being space efficient. You will find that these closets that don’t look like closets are almost as convenient for storing clothes as the old fashioned grandma wardrobes were.
Take a look at the cool cage closet organizers. These modern designs are just so incredibly cool. They have no pretense and no nonsense, but they add a little shroud of mystery to your wardrobe instead of putting everything completely on display.
Rack systems with built in drawers and cabinets are basically perfect wardrobe skeletons that save on space but still give you everything you need to organize all your apparel.
