The versatile, durable, and stylish benefits of an island don't need a long introduction – so why limit them to just one room? While the kitchen is the natural setting, islands (of all sizes) can transform how we store goods in the most unexpected of spaces, starting with your closet, as Jennifer Garner demonstrates.
The actress recently shared a tour of her walk-in closet, which is a maze of exemplary storage ideas, including vertical cabinets stretching from floor to ceiling. It is the island, tucked in the center of the space, however, that professional organizers love the most.
'Bedroom island units are fast becoming one of the must-have storage pieces. More and more people with a bedroom to spare (of any size) are choosing to dedicate it to clothes storage,' comments Megan Baker, a storage expert from My Fitted Bedroom.
Whether it's a small, transportable kitchen island, like the one designed by Drew Barrymore (at Walmart), or simply an incentive to swap our open shelves for more discreet drawers, this island is a lesson to us all.
Shop the closet organization edit
Featuring a sturdy black metal frame with sleek gold accents, this stylish island table transforms the way we organize and store items in both the kitchen and the closet.
Every closet needs a shoe rack, and this wood one is a great size for sneakers or slippers, with a base level bench for comfort.
Keep your wardrobe neatly arranged with these timeless, slim velvet hangers. They are perfect for any closet, whether you have an island or not.
Made from thick, crystal-clear acrylic, this organizer has a stackable four-section design that keeps items upright, maintains their shape, and makes them easy to access.
These shoe slot organizers help keep my shoe closet neat and orderly while making it easy to find my shoes quickly in the morning.
These collapsible storage cubes are ideal for organizing small items and keeping clutter under control. I love how they look stacked along the top shelves, making them perfect for storing accessories
Just as bringing an island to the center of our kitchen turns unused space into storage (and more), the same ideology stands in the closet. Naturally, the unit gives Jennifer a place to store (as we see via the numerous drawers), but it's also a space to lay out potential outfits and accessories – making dressing a little bit more seamless. These benefits haven't gone unnoticed by Baker, who encourages us to take things further with an easily transportable alternative.
'Bedroom island units can really help to bring the look and feel of a dressing room together – filling the empty space in the center of the room. They offer additional drawer space, as well as a tabletop for displaying perfume and cosmetics or other finishing touches,' she emphasizes.
'When mounted on wheels, they can be easily moved around the room for the ultimate in flexibility.'
As mentioned, the drawers are a stand-out feature on Garner's 'kitchen island' – offering ample room for the actress to hide away clothing in a way that isn't possible with open shelves and rails. 'Internal drawers versus shelving are increasingly popular. Again, this is because of the extra storage capacity – and inspiration taken from the folding techniques of storage influencers,' Baker says.
'Open shelving is great if you have lots of space to play with, but in most modern bedrooms, storage is about making items accessible and neatly stored. Drawers help to translate that zen-like feeling that everything has its place to the inside of the wardrobe. After all, there is no point having a beautiful wardrobe on the outside if everything is a mess or falling out as soon as you open the doors.'
We can all draw inspiration from Garner's space, no matter the size of our closet. As we move toward the colder, darker months, keeping your wardrobe organized and accessible is key – think about how an island could help you arrange those fall layering pieces or plan your holiday ensembles.
