A walk-in closet fills up fast with jewelry, belts, scarves, and all those little extras you want to keep handy. When accessories start piling up on shelves and in drawers, finding the right piece can turn into a daily headache.
Remember to repin your favorite images!
The trick to organizing accessories in a walk-in closet? Set up specific zones for each item category and use storage solutions that keep everything easy to spot and grab.
Most folks pay attention to their clothes but forget about their accessories. These often end up stuffed in drawers or hanging randomly on hooks. That wastes space and makes it tough to see what you actually have.
If you organize accessories smartly, you’ll turn chaos into order and protect your favorite pieces.
When you plan carefully and pick the right organizational tools, you can build a storage system that fits your lifestyle and your closet—big or small. The main idea stays the same: look at what you have, group similar things together, and pick storage that uses space well and keeps things visible.
Assessing and Preparing Your Walk-In Closet
You need to start with a solid assessment of your space and accessories. This prep step means measuring your closet, sorting through what you own, and figuring out your goals.
Evaluate Current Space and Storage Needs
First, grab a tape measure and jot down your closet’s height, width, and depth. Keep these numbers handy when you shop for storage.
Look at what’s already built in—shelves, rods, drawers. These details will shape your accessory storage choices.
Check out the lighting in your closet. Dim lighting makes it hard to find small stuff, especially jewelry.
Key measurements to note:
- Wall size (height x width)
- Shelf depth and spacing
- Floor space available
- Door clearance
Count your accessories by category—belts, jewelry, scarves, bags, and anything else you need to store.
Spot the trouble zones where accessories pile up or disappear. These areas usually show where your current system falls short.
Think about your routine and which accessories you use the most. Put those in the easiest-to-reach spots.
Declutter and Sort Accessories
Take every accessory out of your closet and move them to a well-lit spot. Seeing everything at once helps you know what you’re working with.
Sort items into piles: jewelry, belts, scarves, bags, hats, and anything seasonal. Use bins or boxes to keep things separated.
Sorting categories:
- Keep: What you love and wear often
- Donate: Good stuff you don’t use anymore
- Repair: Damaged but fixable
- Discard: Broken or worn-out
Be honest—if you haven’t worn something in a year, maybe it’s time to let it go.
Check for doubles in each pile. Sometimes you’ll find you own three nearly identical belts.
If there’s enough space, stash seasonal accessories separately. You don’t need winter scarves taking up space in July.
Set Organization Goals
Decide what you want from your accessory organization. Maybe it’s “find any belt in 30 seconds” or “no more tangled jewelry.”
Give your most-used items the best spots—eye-level, easy to reach.
Some common goals:
- See everything at a glance
- Keep items safe and untangled
- Use space efficiently
- Make it easy to tidy up
Set a budget for storage solutions. You can go fancy or keep it simple—both work if you’re thoughtful.
Leave a little extra room for future purchases. That way, your system won’t overflow next time you go shopping.
Think about your lifestyle. If you travel a lot, your needs are different from someone who works from home.
Categorizing and Grouping Accessories
When you organize by category, your collection goes from messy to manageable. Grouping by type, frequency, and occasion makes it easier to find what you need.
Group Accessories by Type
Divide everything by category first. Make separate zones for jewelry, bags, scarves, belts, hats, and shoes.
Break jewelry down further:
- Necklaces
- Earrings
- Bracelets
- Rings
- Watches
Keep each type in its own spot. Use drawer dividers for small things like earrings and rings. Hang necklaces on hooks to avoid tangling.
Bag organization works best by size:
- Clutches and small purses
- Medium everyday bags
- Large totes and work bags
- Special occasion purses
Store bags of similar size together. Use shelf dividers or hanging organizers to keep them upright and easy to grab.
Put hair accessories, sunglasses, and seasonal items in their own containers. Label everything so you know where it goes.
Organize by Frequency of Use
Put your daily accessories at eye level and within reach. The things you use all the time deserve the best spots.
High-frequency (eye level):
- Everyday jewelry
- Work bags
- Basic belts
- Regular sunglasses
Medium-frequency (upper/lower shelves):
- Weekend bags
- Seasonal scarves
- Statement jewelry
- Specialty belts
Low-frequency (top shelves/boxes):
- Evening clutches
- Holiday jewelry
- Winter accessories
- Special occasion items
This setup means you won’t waste time searching. Stash rarely used stuff in clear boxes on high shelves or in labeled containers.
Sort by Occasion or Style
Group accessories by when and how you wear them. That way, you can build outfits faster.
Work section:
- Professional bags
- Classic jewelry
- Work scarves
- Dress belts
Casual weekend section:
- Crossbody bags
- Fun jewelry
- Baseball caps
- Casual belts
Special event section:
- Evening bags
- Statement jewelry
- Dressy scarves
- Formal belts
If you can, color-coordinate each group. Keeping similar tones together makes it easier to match outfits. Clear bins or open shelves help you see all your options at once.
This setup lets you grab what you need for any occasion without digging through everything.
Maximizing Storage with Smart Solutions
The right storage solutions can turn your walk-in closet into a space where every accessory has a home. These tips help you use every inch while keeping things organized and within reach.
Utilize Vertical Space
Closet walls are gold for storage but often ignored. Add hooks at different heights for necklaces, belts, and scarves—no more tangles.
Mount jewelry organizers on the wall for earrings and bracelets. Stick these at eye level so you can see everything.
Stackable shelves let you use the space from floor to ceiling, creating layers for storage.
Over-the-door organizers give you extra storage without using up floor space. They’re great for sunglasses, hair stuff, and small bags.
Add a second rod below your hanging clothes. This gives you two levels of storage in the same spot. Hang longer pieces up top and shorter ones below.
Divide the Space Efficiently
Set up clear zones in your closet for different things. Give jewelry, bags, and seasonal accessories their own areas.
Use adjustable dividers in drawers to make custom compartments. This keeps small items from mixing together. Drawer dividers are perfect for watches, rings, and cufflinks.
Install pull-out bins at different heights. Put things you use a lot at waist level, and stash seasonal stuff higher up.
If you share the closet, mark out separate areas for each person. Colored bins or labels work well. That way, stuff doesn’t get mixed up and it’s easier to keep things neat.
Employ Storage Boxes and Containers
Clear storage boxes let you see what’s inside and keep dust away. Pick boxes with lids for delicate jewelry.
Stackable containers save vertical space and look tidy. Label each box so you don’t have to open them all to find something.
Use special containers for certain items. Jewelry boxes with compartments prevent tangles and scratches. Hat boxes keep hats in shape.
Fabric bins are great for soft accessories like scarves and gloves. They’re light, come in different sizes, and fit shelves easily.
Selecting and Installing Closet Organizers
The right organizers can turn a cluttered closet into a smooth system. Good drawer dividers, shoe racks, and wire shelves help keep things visible and easy to grab.
Drawer Dividers for Small Items
Drawer dividers keep jewelry, watches, belts, and other small accessories from getting jumbled. Go for adjustable dividers that fit your drawers snugly.
Bamboo dividers resist moisture and look sharp in any closet. Acrylic dividers are see-through, so you spot things fast. Both types clean up with just a damp cloth.
Spring-loaded dividers stretch from 12 to 24 inches and don’t need tools. Just put them in and expand. Interlocking dividers let you make custom sections for weirdly shaped stuff like hair accessories.
Velvet-lined trays protect delicate jewelry from scratches. Pick trays with different compartment sizes—small ones for earrings, longer ones for bracelets.
Measure your drawer depth before shopping. Most dividers fit drawers 2-6 inches deep. Put dividers in before adding your items for clean, tidy sections.
Shoe Racks and Shelving Options
A shoe rack keeps shoes organized and stops them from getting crushed. Angled shelves show off shoes and use little space.
Wire racks let air flow, so shoes stay fresh. Most hold 2-3 pairs per shelf and stack up for more storage. Solid wood shelves are strong enough for boots.
Pull-out shoe drawers keep expensive shoes dust-free. These usually hold 6-8 pairs and slide out smoothly.
Install shoe racks on the floor or mount them about 6 inches up for easy cleaning. Space shelves 6-8 inches apart for regular shoes, or 10-12 inches for boots.
Over-the-door organizers work wonders in small closets. Pick clear pockets so you can see your shoes right away.
Hooks, Rods, and Wire Shelves
Wire shelves are super versatile for folded accessories, bags, and seasonal stuff. Vinyl-coated wire prevents snags and rust.
Install wire shelves 12-16 inches deep for accessories and bags. Mount them 14-18 inches apart to fit different items.
Double-hang rods give you two levels for hanging scarves, ties, and belts. Set the top rod 80-84 inches up, the bottom one at 40-42 inches.
Pull-down rods bring high-up storage within easy reach. They’re handy for accessories you don’t use every day.
Wall hooks make use of vertical space for handbags, hats, or what you want to wear tomorrow. Go for sturdy hooks that hold 10-15 pounds. Space them 6-8 inches apart so things don’t get crowded.
Adhesive hooks are handy for lightweight scarves and jewelry, no drilling needed. Make sure the hook can hold the weight.
Ideas for Accessory Storage in Small Walk-In Closets
Small walk-in closets call for clever storage tricks that use every inch while keeping things visible and handy. Custom features, creative hacks, and shared systems make a big difference.
Custom Solutions for Limited Space
Vertical wall storage turns bare walls into accessory displays. Hang narrow floating shelves at different heights for watches, jewelry, or small bags.
Try a built-in accessory tower that goes from floor to ceiling. You can include:
- Jewelry drawers with velvet dividers
- Pull-out racks for belts and ties
- Small cubbies for watches or sunglasses
- Hooks for necklaces and scarves
Corner spaces often get ignored. A rotating corner unit stores lots of accessories in just a few feet. Spin it to reach everything without moving other items.
Pull-out trays under hanging clothes give you hidden storage. These shallow drawers are perfect for rings, earrings, and small pieces that need dust protection.
Magnetic strips on the wall hold metal jewelry or small items. They don’t use any floor space and keep things visible and tangle-free.
Creative Organization Hacks
Pegboard walls give you flexible storage that adapts as your collection grows or changes. You can add hooks, baskets, and little shelves, then move them around whenever you want.
Try using clear acrylic boxes stacked on shelves to sort accessories by category. Since they’re transparent, you can see what’s inside while keeping dust and damage away.
Over-door organizers turn closet doors into bonus storage space. Go for slim ones that hold jewelry, scarves, and belts without making things feel crowded.
Repurposed items can solve storage problems in unexpected ways.
| Item | Best For | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Ice cube trays | Earrings and rings | Perfect-sized compartments |
| Egg cartons | Small jewelry pieces | Natural dividers |
| Wine racks | Rolled scarves | Keeps scarves wrinkle-free |
Tiered drawer organizers let you use all the space in your drawers. These systems create multiple levels, so you can separate different kinds of accessories.
Hanging jewelry organizers with clear pockets keep a bunch of pieces in a small area. Just hang them from closet rods or hooks, and you’re set.
Optimizing Shared Closets
Color-coded storage makes it easier for several people to stay organized. Give everyone their own color for accessory containers and labels.
Designated zones help avoid mix-ups in shared closets.
Set up separate areas for each person’s daily accessories. Shared items like belts or scarves can go in their own spot too.
Stackable bins with labels work well for couples sharing closet space. Each person gets a set, and everything stays neat.
Double-duty furniture works wonders in shared closets. A small bench with storage inside gives you a place to sit and hides accessories both people use.
Height-based organization makes use of vertical space. Keep things you use often at eye level, and stash seasonal stuff up higher.
Drawer dividers give everyone their own section in shared drawers. This keeps accessories from mixing together and helps you use every inch of space.
Maintaining Organization and Style
You need to keep up with your accessory system if you want it to stay organized and stylish. Regular maintenance stops clutter from piling up, and seasonal refreshes help your walk-in closet match your current style.
Establish an Organization Routine
Set aside ten minutes each week to tidy up your accessories. Try to put things back in their spots right after you use them.
Check your jewelry trays, belt hooks, and scarf organizers at least once a week. Pull out anything that doesn’t belong and straighten up what’s left.
Monthly deep cleaning tasks:
- Wipe down all storage containers and surfaces
- Check for damaged accessories that need repair or tossing
- Reorganize any messy spots
- Update labels if your storage needs have changed
Keep a small basket near your accessory area for things that need to be put away. Empty this basket every day so nothing piles up.
Swap out worn storage solutions before they stop working. If drawer dividers or hooks break, fix or replace them quickly so your system stays on track.
Refresh Accessories Seasonally
Take a look at your accessory collection twice a year. That way, you’ll keep your walk-in closet organized without much hassle.
When spring rolls around, pack away heavy scarves and other winter accessories. Once fall hits, stash your lightweight jewelry somewhere safe until you need it again.
Seasonal rotation process:
- Pull out accessories you haven’t touched in over six months.
- Toss off-season items into labeled bins and slide them onto high shelves.
- Move current season pieces down to eye-level storage.
- Give away accessories you just don’t wear anymore.
Swap out display pieces on open shelving every season. Maybe you’ll show off statement necklaces in the summer, or rotate in designer bags and bright scarves as the weather changes.
If your accessory needs have shifted, update your storage zones. You might suddenly need more space for work accessories in the fall, or extra room for vacation jewelry in the summer.
Before you store accessories for a while, give them a good cleaning. That’ll help prevent any damage or weird smells later.