DIY Small Closet Makeover with mDesign Bins

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.

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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
  • 14.5 x 8 x 6
  • 16 x 6 x 5
  • 12 x 10 x 8
• 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.