High shelves
Bins + seasonal storage above the rod.
How To Use Dead Space in Closet: 8 Steps to a Neat and Tidy Wardrobe
Aaron Riddle • January 14, 2026
Quick Summary / TL;DR
Most “messy closet” problems happen because dead space goes unused. Use this 8-step flow to declutter fast, map your wardrobe needs, and turn corners, doors, floors, and high shelves into clean, intentional storage.
1) Declutter + clean
2) Inventory items
3) Measure + map
4) Pick solutions
5) Go modular
6) Finish touches
7) Group + reset
8) Seasonal upkeep
Back of door
Hooks/racks for belts, scarves, hats.
Corners + gaps
Corner shelves/rods make awkward spaces useful.
Floor zone
Shoe racks, baskets, carts — no more “dumping ground.”
Best shortcut: measure first, then choose a system that matches your wardrobe (not the other way around).
Request a QuoteClosets are one of those make-or-break spaces in a home. When they’re organized, they simplify your day and inspire you to try new outfits and love the clothes you own.
When they’re cluttered and messy, the opposite is true. Finding what you need becomes a hassle, and getting dressed starts to feel like a chore.
One of the most common reasons closets get chaotic is that valuable “dead space” goes unused. Corners, high shelves, the backs of doors, and even the floor hold tons of storage potential that often gets overlooked.
Let’s walk through eight steps for how to use the dead space in your closet. That way, you can maximize organization, reduce stress, and make room for a wardrobe that truly works for you.
Step 1: Declutter and Clean Your Closet
While you may be tempted to start by shopping for closet organizing solutions or color coding, the first step in learning how to organize a closet is to sort through what you already have. This will help you get a better idea of your current wardrobe as well as how many of the items you actually wear.
Empty Your Closet and Tidy the Space
Before you can organize your closet (or make any decisions about where to add storage), you’ll need to start with a clean slate. That means pulling everything out (yes, everything) and laying it on your bed or another clean surface.
Once the closet is empty, give it a quick reset: dust shelves, wipe down rods, vacuum the floor, and freshen the space with a diffuser or air spray if you’d like.
Sort Your Clothes
Now comes the sorting. Create simple piles to declutter your closet without getting overwhelmed:
- Keep clothing you love that fits well and is worn regularly.
- Sell or donate clothing that is in good shape but no longer serves you.
- Throw away clothing with holes or stains. You can also look for a textile recycler so your thrown-away clothes don’t end up in a landfill.
- Try on clothing you haven’t worn in a while, or that may not fit. Come back to this pile after you’ve sorted everything, then decide to keep, sell, or toss the items you try on.
Take a deep breath, because the hardest part is over! Decluttering before overhauling your closet organization reduces decision fatigue later and makes it easier to see what you actually own. When you’re done, you’ll be left with a blank canvas ready for smarter storage solutions.
Step 2: Take Inventory of Your Clothes
Once your wardrobe is pared down, take a moment to understand what you’re working with. Begin with a simple wardrobe inventory of all the clothes that ended up in your “keep” pile:
- How many shirts, pants, dresses, and jackets do you own?
- Do you have long garments that need extra hanging height?
- Are sweaters better folded than hung?
- What about shoes, handbags, jewelry, or seasonal items?
These details matter when you’re planning your closet layout, as they’ll help you better understand what kind of storage solutions you may need to maximize closet space.
Step 3: Take Measurements and Identify Dead Space in Your Closet
This next step is where you’ll start to identify dead space (the underused areas that can help you maximize closet space without adding square footage). Take a closer look at the physical layout of your closet and ask yourself how you can better utilize it:
- Start by looking up. The vertical space above your hanging rod is prime real estate for extra shelving or bins. Is this an area you can put to better use?
- Then check the floor. The floor often becomes a catchall for anything and everything when it could be a home for shoe racks or baskets. How are you currently using it?
- Don’t forget corners and narrow gaps at the ends of closets. They’re awkward, but with the right storage, they can suddenly become useful. How might these areas be better put to use?
- Take a look at the back of your closet door. Do you have the ability to hang things on your door?
Next, grab a tape measure and jot down your closet’s width, depth, and height. Note the door swing, trim, and any vents or obstructions. When you know your measurements, you avoid buying storage that won’t fit or won’t work.
Dead Space Zones → Best Solutions
Use this as a quick “what goes where” guide.
Above the rod
Add a shelf, cubbies, or labeled bins for seasonal + seldom-used items.
Best for: seasonalSecond hanging area
Install a lower rod for shirts/skirts to instantly double hanging capacity.
Best for: short-hangBack of the door
Over-door hooks/racks for belts, scarves, hats, jewelry, small bags.
Best for: accessoriesCorners + narrow gaps
Corner shelves/rods or floating shelves turn awkward areas into storage.
Best for: folded itemsFloor zone
Shoe racks, baskets, rolling carts, or large bins keep things off the ground.
Best for: shoesHidden / pull-out storage
Pull-out belt racks, drawers, jewelry trays reduce clutter without adding bulk.
Best for: small itemsLighting upgrades
Motion LEDs make it easier to find items and keep the space intentional.
Best for: visibilityLaundry + hampers
Built-in hamper zones prevent piles and keep the closet “resettable.”
Best for: daily flowLuggage / rarely used items
Top shelf bins or dedicated cubbies keep bulky items contained.
Best for: bulkStep 4: Choose Solutions that Help You Use Dead Space in Your Closet
Now that you’ve identified where the gaps are, it’s time to put your closet space to work. There are dozens of clever ways to use dead space in your closet, and the right combination can completely change how your closet feels and functions. Here are a few ideas to try.
Closet Dead Space Solutions
Quick, high-impact upgrades you can mix and match.
Maximize Vertical Space
If you can make better use of the area above your hanging rod, add an extra shelf, install vertical cubbies, or use stackable clear boxes to keep seasonal items and accessories off the floor and out of your way while still being easy to access.
Add a Second Hanging Rod
If you mostly hang shirts, skirts, or kids’ clothes, consider installing a second rod below the first. This instantly doubles your usable space without requiring a bigger closet.
Put the Back of the Door to Use
The back of your closet door is prime real estate. Over-the-door racks, hooks, or even pegboards can hold items that tend to get lost in drawers, such as belts, scarves, jewelry, small bags, or hats.
Transform Corners into Storage
Corners can be tricky, but they don’t have to be wasted. Corner rods, rotating hangers, or floating corner shelves can make these awkward spaces surprisingly functional.
Optimize Floor Space
Instead of letting your closet floor become a dumping zone, add structure. Shoe racks, rolling carts, or large storage bins help keep items easy to reach but neatly out of the way.
Make Use of Narrow Gaps and Closet Ends
Those tiny slices of space at the ends of closets are perfect for custom or DIY shelving. Float a few shelves and suddenly that “dead” area becomes another area for ample storage.
Try Pull-Out and Hidden Storage
Pull-out racks for belts or ties, sliding drawers, jewelry trays, and even hidden safes maximize space without adding clutter.
Implement Lighting and Mood Enhancements
Good lighting changes everything (and can make it easier to locate all your belongings). Motion-sensor strips, LEDs, or upgraded fixtures make it easier to see what’s in your closet and create a space that feels intentional.
Step 5: Invest in a Modular Closet System That Grows With You
At some point, even the best DIY organizing tricks can only go so far. You don’t have to buy a bunch of disparate organizing solutions and hope they will all somehow work together.
We’re all aware that most builder-grade closets include a single rod and shelf, which means a lot of dead space goes untouched. But a modular closet system, like Victory Closets, can change that. Without one, you’ll likely end up with piles of extra clothes, overstuffed drawers and shelves, and wrinkled or damaged clothing.
When investing in a modular closet system, look for an option that includes:
- Shelving
- Drawers
- Baskets
- Hanging rods
- Hooks
- Storage for small pieces like jewelry
- Belt, scarf, and tie racks
- Purse and handbag storage
- Valet rods
- Hampers and other laundry solutions
- Space for less-used items like luggage
With a modular system like Victory Closets, you’ll be able to choose the closet storage solutions that are most relevant to your wardrobe. You’ll also have the ability to adjust your closet seasonally or whenever your needs change. And, unlike many store-bought options, custom closet systems can be easily updated as your wardrobe evolves without any tools or difficult labor.
You’ll also be able to choose the style, color, and finish of your closet system to match the rest of your master suite or home. If you’re not sure where to get started, some companies will even send out an expert for a free in-home consultation.
Step 6: Add Finishing Touches for Beauty and Function
As you prepare for the installation of your custom closet system, take a look at your empty closet space and consider any updates you may want to make. In addition to a place to store your clothes, your closet should be an inspiring place you look forward to visiting each morning.
We’ve seen several transformative finishing touches over the years, including:
- Installing a unique lighting fixture
- Painting or adding wallpaper to the walls or ceiling
- Adding decorative pieces to the walls, like mirrors and artwork
- Including a sitting area with an accent chair or bench for putting on shoes
- Adding an area rug or carpeting
Adding these finishing touches will make your closet an exciting escape from the monotony of getting dressed each morning and will encourage you to keep the space tidy and clean. And, if you find yourself dreaming of a larger
renovation for your closet, a
home remodel company like KBE Design Build can help plan and execute your vision.
Step 7: Group Your Items and Add Them Back into Your Closet
Once your closet storage solution is installed and you’ve added your finishing touches, you can return your clothes to their new organizational system. Before you do so, consider how you’d like your clothing to be grouped. There are many ways to organize clothes in your closet, and there is no right or wrong answer, as long as the solution serves you.
Here are some of the organization groupings we’ve seen over the year:
- By color
- By type
- By warmth or season
- By occasion
- By purpose
If you live in an area with highly variable weather, organizing by warmth or season might make the most sense. If you dress formally at work but casually at home, organizing by purpose might be best. Whichever organizational system you choose, it should make getting dressed each day simple and enjoyable.
Step 8: Maintain and Reassess Your Closet Seasonally
Once you’ve learned how to organize a closet and built your perfect wardrobe, you’ll want to keep it tidy and clean! In addition to dusting and vacuuming regularly, you’ll also want to reassess your wardrobe at the end of every season. While you don’t need to do a complete overhaul, a quick look through your closet can help you remove unworn pieces and create a shopping list to fill any gaps in your wardrobe.
If you opt for a modular closet system, you’ll also be able to reconfigure your space each season to best fit your wardrobe. For example, you can make more room for long dresses in the summer or add shelving to house extra sweaters and knits in the winter. Many custom closet systems don’t even require tools, making these seasonal updates even easier to accomplish.
Transform Every Closet Space in Your Lancaster Area Home
Learning how to maximize closet space requires us to focus on how we can make everyday routines easier and more enjoyable (and then finding storage solutions and systems to make that reality). When dead space in your closet is put to work, your wardrobe feels more functional and far less frustrating.
Whether you’re making small updates or considering a full custom closet system,
thoughtful design makes all the difference.
Looking for more information on a modular closet system built with your wardrobe in mind or a mudroom ? Request a free quote today!
KBE's Closet Organization FAQs
What counts as “dead space” in a closet?
Think vertical space above rods, corners, narrow end gaps, the back of the door, and floor zones that aren’t assigned a purpose.
What should I do before buying organizers?
Declutter first, then inventory what you keep, then measure. That order prevents wasted purchases and “solutions” that don’t fit.
Is a second hanging rod worth it?
Yes—if most of your hanging items are short-hang (shirts, skirts). It can nearly double hanging capacity in builder-grade closets.
How often should I re-check my closet setup?
Seasonally is ideal: rotate wardrobe, remove unworn pieces, and adjust storage to match what you’re actually using.
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