Home Organizing Closet Organizing How to Organize Your Coat Closet in Under 20 Minutes, According to a Pro Try these tips from professional organizer Kendra Littlejohn. By Teddy Willson Teddy Willson Teddy Willson is a New York-based writer who covers culture, home and entertainment. Her favorite day is new music Friday and she considers Pinterest the ultimate life planner. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on February 14, 2023 In This Article View All In This Article Hold a Midseason Audit Do Some Rearranging Use Every Inch Try These Organizers Close Photo: PHOTO: JAMES RANSOM Odds are your coat closet is overstuffed and overworked. Whether you call it the hall, entry, utility, or coat closet, the space is invaluable. To get out the door quicker (and eliminate frustration), try these genius tips from professional organizer Kendra Littlejohn of Organized by Kendra. They'll help you give your jam-packed closet a cold send-off. Hold a Midseason Audit How many items in there do you really wear? Pull out anything that hasn’t seen the light of day in a while, and set it aside for donation to a shelter or thrift shop. Pieces that are ripped or stained should be mended or cleaned. Go to earth911.com to find a nearby recycling center for items that are past their prime. 11 Things You Can Purge From Your Closet Right Now Do Some Rearranging Give each family member a section on the rod and hang coats, by person, from shortest to longest. Everyone gets a set number of coats and has to stick to it. If space is tight, move lighter and off -season stuff to bedroom closets. On the floor, set up a rack or cubbies to corral shoes. Use Every Inch No, this doesn’t mean to shove in as much as you can; it means to take advantage of open space. Mount hooks on the closet’s side walls to hold small things, like masks, scarves, hats, and bags. An over-the-door hanger with pouches, baskets, or shelves can also create storage out of thin air. This Is Exactly How You Should Organize Your Linen Closet Try These Organization Tools Woven Water Hyacinth Milk Crate The top shelf of a closet can become the land of never-to-be-seen-again belongings. To avoid this, stash items in sturdy baskets like these. Label the baskets so you know where things go and can quickly find them again. Better Homes & Gardens 24-Pocket Over the Door Closet Shoe Organizer Over-the-door organizers: They’re not just for shoes! Use this one to store winter gear, like gloves and earmuffs. Each family member gets their own row. 2-Tier Bamboo Stackable Shoe Shelf Winter shoes track in a variety of fun messes, like sludge, salt, and snow. This bamboo shoe rack is durable and easy to wipe down. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit