I live in an old house, so tiny closets are the name of the game. I thank my lucky stars daily that this 130-year-old home does actually have closets, but these aren’t 2025 closets. Full-size hangers? They fit only in certain designated sections. Room to install a modern organization system? That will remain a pipe dream.
That’s why I’ve had to come up with my own space-saving hacks to make these petite closets work for me. From simple tricks like adding extra rods to using smaller hangers, I’ve made the most of these small spaces. But, in my linen closet, I found one space-saving gem that totally changed the way I used the closet. Each one cost less than $10 and they totally transformed the space.
Here’s what you need to know if you’re also struggling with the challenges of small space organization.
This organization trick leveled up a small closet.
My linen closet is more than just a linen closet. It also functions as a medicine cabinet, storage for toiletries, and where I keep all of my skincare, makeup, and hair accessories. It’s a catchall space — like many tiny closets are. But figuring out how to organize it seemed like an impossible challenge. Any open storage box I used in the closet made it nearly impossible to actually see what was inside, and within a few days, the box would turn into a black hole of random items, each tossed back into its depths as I hurriedly tried to remember where everything was intentionally placed.
That is, until I found these $9 game-changing open-storage containers. Appropriately called “easy access,” these storage bins make it easy to see everything in its place — no more pulling out the container just to see what might be hiding inside. I can keep all of my various items neatly lined up within their assigned boxes, then take them out and put them back in without worrying about whether I’ve picked the right container. It’s all easily visible and, most of all, incredibly accessible.
Then I made my tiny closet even more functional.
But there’s one thing that elevates my tiny closet organization even more. Not surprisingly, my closet doesn’t have lighting. This isn’t a modern walk-in closet with recessed lighting perfectly placed above each shelf or even the type of space where I could install lighting within the closet itself.
What I can do, however, is stick a battery-operated sconce on the wall to shine a light exactly where I need it — one on the bottom of the shelf above my makeup, another above my skincare, and one on the wall directly next to my sheets and linens.
Dusty Rose Poplight
$99.00
Rechargeable, stick on wall lighting ⏱ Instant Installation: Stick on in seconds—no tools needed! Transform any space with Poplight's effortless setup. 👉 Customizable Lighting: Enjoy perfect ambiance with dimmable settings and three color temperatures to match any mood or occasion. Simply… read more
These carefully placed lights give off enough light for me to easily distinguish between two sets of sheets or a pink blush and a coral blush, even when I’m rummaging around in the closet late at night. It gives the closet a custom feel, as if I’d brought in an electrician to install the perfect lighting plan.
But the beauty of it all is I didn’t have to hire an electrician. I didn’t have to get a custom closet quote. And I still made the most of my tiny closet, all while using the easiest DIY methods.
