This small closet makeover has a little history behind it. A few months before Christmas, I was venting to my daughter about the state of my broom closet. It was narrow, dark, and completely inefficient. I had tried to organize it before, but nothing really worked.
She offered to help and suggested we turn the project into my Christmas gift. I happily agreed. Before any organizing could happen, we had to deal with the real issue. The shelves were not deep enough. The closet itself is very narrow, so every inch mattered. Her boyfriend built and installed new, deeper shelves, and they were painted on Christmas Day. It was simple, quiet, and honestly one of my favorite gifts. If you’re working with a small space like this, fixing the structure first makes all the difference.
This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure statement.
Small Closet Makeover Steps
1. Empty the Closet
The “before” picture was not pretty, but it was real life. The shelves were shallow, items were stacked in front of each other, and the door rack was overcrowded. I couldn’t see what I had, and I ended up buying duplicates. Emptying everything out made it easier to see what needed to stay and what could go.
2. Determine Categories for Items
For this small closet makeover to work long term, I needed to decide exactly what would live in this space. Defining these categories prevented random overflow from creeping back in.If you like practical organizing ideas, you might also enjoy my post on kitchen cabinet organization from our Sutton Place house. That space was small too, and thoughtful planning made it functional. Planning categories ahead of time helped me choose the right bins and shelf spacing. This closet now stores:
- Cleaning supplies (2 bins)
- Light bulbs
- Trash bags
- Tissues
- Sanitizer
- Batteries
- First aid
- Dental supplies
- Paper plates
- Napkins
3. Purchase Clear mDesign Bins and Labels
Once I knew what would be stored inside, I ordered clear mDesign bins in sizes that fit the new shelves perfectly. I’ve used these bins in our upstairs bathrooms, and they hold up beautifully. Clear containers make it easy to see what’s inside, even when the labels aren’t facing forward. I originally planned to make my own labels, but purchasing custom labels from Etsy was quicker and more cost effective. Sometimes the simplest choice is the best one.
4. Install Deeper Shelves and Paint
With the new shelves installed, the entire closet felt more usable immediately. The added depth allowed items to sit fully on the shelf without hanging over the edge. Fresh paint brightened the space and made everything feel clean and finished. Even a small closet benefits from that extra step.
5. Restore Order
- After the paint dried, I added the bins, attached the labels, and adjusted the shelves to fit each category. The adjustable shelving made it easy to create custom heights.
- The mops were moved to the garage to free up floor space.
- I drilled a hole in the end of a yardstick and hung it just inside the door so it’s always within reach.
- The closet was very dark, so I installed two small touch activated lights. They are battery operated and incredibly handy. Now I can actually see the labels and the contents of each bin.
Sometimes you live with an inefficient space for so long that it feels normal. That’s how I felt about this closet. After this small closet makeover, opening the door feels calm and manageable instead of frustrating. It’s a small change, but it made everyday life easier. And that’s always worth the effort.
Small Closet Makeover Sources
- Custom organization labels
- mDesign clear bins
- Elfa door rack (narrow baskets can be purchased separately)
- touch activated lights
If you’re working on a tight space in your own home, start with structure, define what belongs there, and then choose containers that truly fit. That simple order of steps can completely change how a small closet functions.
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love this! where can I sign up to keep up?!
Hi Rebecca! Fill out the form on this page: https://www.onsuttonplace.com/subscribe-to-on-sutton-place/ Thank you so much!
Where do you get the mDesign Bins? I noticed there wasn’t a link to them.
Hi Florence…the links are at the end of the post under the heading that says “Small Closet Makeover Sources.” If you still need help, let me know!
Great ideas here! Is this your former house or current house?
Hi Yvonne…this is our former house.
The clear bins are perfect! I have reorganized my closet countless times, but it keeps getting messy. The bins are the answer!
Could you explain how he deepened the shelves? I’m no understanding the back wall of the closet being deepened. Thanks
It appears the stationary shelves (resting on 1x3s nailed to the side walls) were removed and replaced with the adjustable shelving on which the newly cut shelves now rest. Cutting new shelves allowed her to make them deeper. (I have an exact type of closet and turned it into an appliance closet in my kitchen).
Your closet looks great! I have a question about your surface mounted drum light fixture in the hallway before the kitchen. Where did you find it? Brand name & number would be appreciated. You’re so great about sharing where you find things. Just thought I’d ask.
Thanks so much,
Dee
Hi Dee…here’s the link to the light! https://www.build.com/capital-lighting-2015/s112587?uid=1172676
That’s great Ann! Thanks so much!❤
Your closet looks great, Ann! Sometimes those small projects are just as satisfying as the big ones….sometimes even more! I love the plastic bins, too. I use them in some of my kitchen cupboards and in the bathroom. Thanks for sharing this!
Ann,
Thanks for sharing. Your closet looks fantastic and very inspiring. I have one of those little lights in one of my closets – which needs some organizing, by the way – and it has worked great. And, I have had the light quite a while – probably a couple of years.
So neat and tidy!! Your organized vacuum cleaner bags caught my eye…mine are in the bag from the store and hard to get out when I need one!! So, may I ask, where do you store the vacuum cleaner? I keep mine in the closet like yours that you just organized.
Thanks for some great ideas!
June
Thanks for sharing this practical and pretty closet makeover. It motivates me to think of doing something similar in our closets!
Hi Ann, Thank you for inspiring us to get busy organizing our storage space! Going to incorporate your ideas for my back closet cleaning supplies and linen closet. I have bought your suggested container ideas in the past for under my kitchen sink storage. You’re the best!! 💖 I always look forward to your daily/weekly postings! Love the Wednesday ideas!
Very nice & neat!
Love that
I am so going to do this. I noticed you gave three sizes. Which size did you use for the Sanitizing?
Thanks
I am desperate for organization ideas so I thank you! Your closet now looks fantastic and everything is visible! Wonderful!
Ann, I have a closet similar to your before picture but mine is so deep. It seems things are lost or forgotten. Having seen your solutions, it’s back to the rethinking board.
The deeper, adjustable shelves made a huge difference in your closets functionality!!! I looks great. I have found that putting a plastic bottom in those wire shelves is very helpful. Things don’t fall over as easily. I purchase 2pk clear, plastic cutting boards at the Dollar Tree & cut them to fit the bottoms.
Can’t wait to see your next makeover.
What a lovely gift, Ann! Those clear bins and labels are great!
I’ve been putting off organizing my pantry because I just didn’t know where to start. I’m going to use your idea of creating categories first, then I believe I can get my project off and running. Thank you so much for your great ideas!
Hi I love to organize, and the closet looks great. The only thing I would do different is move the cleaning products up since you use them more often, and swap for the light bulbs which are needed depending on the bulbs every 9 years. Just kidding , but you get what I mean.
Do those stick up lights last for you? I’ve had some but I’d have to put new batteries in like every other day.
I’ve only used them a few times so far. The lights will be on for just a few seconds if we need to see something. Hopefully they will work out!
It is the little things that can bring a smile to our lives. Love what has been done n this might be your best Christmas present ever! Lol
I love when you share your organizational posts. I have discovered organizing is my happy place and have followed along with you as you have tackled your projects. One good thing that has come out of the pandemic for me is finally the time to do the organizing I haven’t had time for in the past. I did my kitchen along with with you (can’t thank you enough for the turntable inspiration. It’s a real game changer in my angled corner kitchen cabinet). It makes a world of difference to have an organized home.
I have two of these closets. One I ended up making better the other I ruined by taking my large wooden shelves out and put in wire shelving. Oh well, we live and learn! Yours look gorgeous! God bless you!
Thanks for the wonderful organizing ideas! I have some work to do on my front/coat closet. Currently, there are coats, a brown bag full of hats and scarves, table pads for the dining room and the extra leaf for the table, a vacuum, a bin on the top shelf with gloves, vacuum bags, and lots of games (on the top shelf). The games probably need a new home.
Great! You have inspired me to re-do my tiny pantry!
The broom closet makeover is lovely! And to have such a thoughtful daughter is a blessing. I’m ordering all of it for my equally thoughtful daughter. ❤️
Happy Valentine’s Day.
Love the clear bins! Please share the label categories.
Hi Liza…I added them to the post. Thank you for the suggestion!
Wonderful…love to be organized! I love the fact that older homes built in lots of closets and storage areas in their houses. Unfortunately I don’t have it. But love how you solved your problem. Cheers to a wonderful “boyfriend”! He’s a keeper! 💖
Great job. The only suggestion I have is to add another shelf to take up all of that dead “head” space you have. Allocate one shelf for taller items, but use that extra space that is doing nothing. The shelving looks adjustable, so easy to do. Voila, more storage.
Darren is bringing me another shelf next weekend! We knew we needed another one when they were installed.
Looks fantastic Ann! Everything in place and the labeling is perfect.
Your closet came out great.You are right about living with something for so long it becomes normal until you upgrade.Amazing how organization brings the stress level down.Enjoy your Christmas gift !!
Ps where did you get the shelves? Thanks!
Elizabeth’s boyfriend, Darren, made them. He is a maker and a fixer!
Awesome lucky you. 😊
What a wonderful Christmas present!
Your tip about deciding what’s going back in so you know the sizes for the bins and baskets is great. I think I sometimes leave that step out.
I want to reorganize my kitchen. The top shelf of my cabinets is very high and I’m not short.(5’8”). That’s fine if my husband is around.😀 But at age 75 I don’t need to be climbing on a stool!
Your blog is one of my favorites.
Hi Nancy! I have two words for your top shelf. Lazy Susans. They changed my life when I put them on the top shelf of our pantry cupboard!
Looks great! What kind of system did he use to hang the shelves inside of the closet?
Thanks!
Where did the brooms go?
Love this Ann! It looks amazing. Nothing better than a reorganization project to lift your spirits. 😉
Aren’t Daughters wonderful !! Your closet looks wonderful and very organized. I love opening my linen closet and everything looks so pretty and organized with my rattan baskets. SIGH!!! Yes, being organized is a wonderful thing but you have to figure out how to do it and that takes time and thought. I laughed when I saw your post and thought ..Ann, your cupboards, cabinets are getting organized one at a time…great feeling isnt it?
Great job on the closet organization and I love the labels! During the past year, we have definitely had the time to reorganize and do those items on our “to do” list that we never got to …. and along the way we have learned new things and become more creative (which is a good thing 😉)! While organizing the pantry, I have now attached 1 inch label dots , on which I have written expiration dates, on cans, boxes and jars to make sure that pantry items are used before their expiration dates. My labels are handy after every shopping trip or delivery! Your closet rehab gift was definitely one of love and one you will cherish everyday….stay safe and stay well 💕
It looks nice and I love bins and organization. But what happened to the mops and brooms? Did the closet witch fly away on them? LOL or do we have another closet to organize?
What a wonderful makeover! It makes such a difference to be able to sort and see what you have in an efficient and neat organized closet. I will utilize this for myself. Thank you!
Looks great! I’ve often used the cheap clear plastic shoe boxes for these things too. Thank you for the closet organization inspiration! :)
Such a lovely gift! My Molly and her family do similar treats for us! It’s amazing how a project can lift one’s spirits. This is a Christmas gift to treasure a long time. I would share that I am a big labeler. I label everything from opened brown sugar to containers of soup before refrigerating them. It really helps because I don’t realize how fast time passes by on that leftover chicken stock!
Super job! You could even add another shelf to utilize that empty space above the shelf holding the Sanitizer bin. I highly recommend a long grabber so you can use it to reach the items on the top shelf so you don’t need a step stool. I love my grabber!!
Wow, what a great closet now. There are a number of cabinets that are dark for me so I found battery motion detector lights that I installed with velcro tape on the back to light my cabinets. All I have to do is wave my hand in front of them and they come on. Check Lowes or Home Depot for similar items.