A closet can be a focal point in the home if it's laid out well and tidy. All too often, closets become catch-alls for clothing and accessories, but there is something to be said about introducing a uniform system that keeps items accessible and visually appealing.
When considering how to aesthetically organize a closet, I'm taking notes from Sarah Michelle Gellar, who recently showed off her custom cubby system on Instagram. After writing about celebrity homes for over a year, I can say it's one of the most organized spaces I've seen.
Neat rows of shelves are housed behind glass doors, turning the closet into a display space for shoes and accessories. It's a move designers approve of, and one we can certainly get behind.
Shop the wardrobe organization edit
Every closet needs a shoe rack, and this wood one is a great size for sneakers or slippers, with a base level bench.
These collapsible storage cubes are perfect for organizing any small items, while keeping clutter at bay.
Keep clothing organized with these classic, thin velvet hangers.
According to experts, Sarah Michelle's strategy of putting shoes in shelves behind a glass door is a fantastic way to not only highlight her belongings, but allow for easy acces.
'For closet systems, consider adjustable shelves for flexibility,' says Barbara Brock, professional organizer at Barbara Brock Inc.
'Use bins or baskets for accessories. For shoe storage, use shelves with clear containers. Group shoes by type to easily locate pairs. When considering shoe storage, traditional thinking is shelves and cubbies. Shelves only need 7" between shelves for most shoes, whether men’s or women’s. Cubbies are usually 5'W x 5-1/2"H x 12"D. There are also individual shoe box drawers which can be stacked on top of each other.'
Beyond shoes, Barbara says that accessories and specific clothing items are perfect for keeping on shelves like Sarah Michelle's (and while there is clothing you should always hang up, some pieces are actually better on shelves).
'A narrow shelf or shelves attached to a wall will also have visual appeal to display sunglasses,' she says.
'Some clothing items are best located on a shelf. For example, sweaters are better folded on a shelf versus hanging them because that method may destroy their shape. Purses are another category that comes to mind, which are best organized on a shelf. Other types of clothing, such as scarves or belts, can be hung in a vertical bag attached to a wall.'
However, Barbara advises that you be economical when placing items in shelves as to avoid a cluttered appearance.
'One piece of caution when using closet shelving – don’t over-stack items,' she says. 'If you pack each shelf tightly, even in an organized way, you might not be able to get at the items in the back without first taking everything out.'
If you're looking to create a movie-worthy closet, strategic shelving and display cases are the way to go.
