--- title: "What to Do When Your Home Has No Closets" description: "Many older homes have little or no closet space, but there are ways to maximize the space you have and create more." date: "2023-05-03" modified: "2023-05-03" authors: - name: "Jahleen Turnbull-Sousa" job_title: "Contributing Writer and Editor" link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/jahleen-turnbull-sousa/" url: "https://www.bobvila.com/articles/no-closets/" categories: - "Interior" --- # What to Do When Your Home Has No Closets ![a-messy-pile-of-folded-clothes-sits-on-a-white-bench-at-the-end-of-a-bed-with-a-beige-headboard-and-bedside-table]() *Photo: istockphoto.com* There’s a lot to love about old houses. Their character, architectural features, and craftsmanship can tell a story of bygone days—a time when most people had far fewer clothes and household items than we do now. If you’ve fallen in love with a century home but are dismayed to discover it has a dearth of closet space, don’t despair. Here are 10 ideas on how to fit a modern life into a home with no closets. **RELATED: [10 Steps to Turn Twin Closets into One Dream Closet]()** ## 1. Go old school with traditional armoires. ![a-modern-apartment-with-desk-and-bed-and-wooden-armoire-along-with-floor-to-ceiling-windows-to-a-balcony]() *Photo: istockphoto.com* Lean into the historic feel of an old home by filling it with the types of furnishings your predecessors used. Armoires, chifferobes, chests of drawers, and other large-scale storage furniture can be beautiful statement pieces that provide the storage space you need while setting the character of the room. Wardrobes can take up a lot of real estate, however, so they are often best for larger rooms. **RELATED: [These 14 Ideas Are the Next Best Thing to a Mudroom]()** ## 2. Use hooks everywhere. ![Clothes and accessories hanging from Dseap Wall Mounted Metal Coat Hooks]() *Photo: Amazon.com* Hooks are a fast and affordable method for hanging clothes and other items. Older homes often lack storage in entryways, so affixing an attractive row of hooks above a bench with a shoe rack underneath can be a quick and easy way to[ transform an entrance]() dumping zone into an organized and welcoming space. Hooks are versatile and can hang on almost any vertical surface, including the backs of doors and inside cabinets. We like the [Dseap Wall Mounted Metal Coat Hook Rail]() at Amazon, a top pick in our list of [best coat racks]() for your entryway. **RELATED: [This Is Where to Store Your Stuff When You Run Out of Closet Space]()** ## 3. Build a closet. ![Mature man is building a wardrobe in the bedroom of his new home.]() *Photo: istockphoto.com* If you’re a handy DIYer who loves a weekend project, you may choose to[ build a closet]() in an underused space like an unused corner. If you want to take your new closet to the next level, make it partly or all-the-way recessed into a wall. Building a closet that takes advantage of the area inside a stud wall or under a stair can be an excellent way to maximize space while minimizing its footprint. **RELATED: [Adding a Closet Where There Is None]()** ## 4. Repurpose a room. ![an-open-clothes-closet-on-the-right-and-floor-to-ceiling-windows-with-white-curtains-on-the-left-around-a-white-dressing-tabel-and-mirror-in-the-center]() *Photo: istockphoto.com* Many older homes are a collection of small rooms, some of which no longer serve their original purpose. (For example: Does anyone have a fainting room anymore?) If you have a spare room that has no clear purpose, don’t let it turn into a closed-door dumping ground of all the stuff you can’t fit elsewhere. Consider [repurposing it]() into a closet room. Customizable closet systems, such as the [Rubbermaid Configurations Custom Metal Closet System]() at Home Depot, can make it a breeze to turn a spare room into a personalized walk-in closet or dressing room. **RELATED: [17 Closet Cures That Cost Less Than $100]()** ## 5. Turn a wall into a closet space. ![Empty Modular Style Wire Frame Closet]() *Photo: containerstore.com* If you don’t mind your closet items being on display, consider using a wall as your closet space by installing a modular or wire track system along one end of a room. Freestanding closet systems, like the [ClosetMaid Style Floor Mount 6-Shelf Closet Kit]() at Amazon, are affordable and easy to install. For storage that requires a sturdier option that takes up less space, we like the [Elfa Décor 6-Foot Reach-In Closet]() at the Container Store. **RELATED: [25 Closet Organization Ideas for Saving Space and Sanity]()** ## 6. Find space in unexpected places. ![Storage space beneath stairs]() *Photo: istockphoto.com* Use space[ wherever you can find it](). Store shoes and out-of-season clothes in bins under your bed or couch. Put storage baskets on top of cabinets and bookcases. Install shelves and cabinets in the nooks and crannies of under-stair spaces. And invest in dual-function furniture like couches, side tables, and ottomans that include extra storage space. **RELATED: [This Is Where to Store Your Stuff When You Run Out of Closet Space]()** ## 7. Store seasonal items outside the home. ![green-and-blue-and-yellow-plastic-storage-boxes-with-lids-on-a-metal-shelving-unit-in-a-basement]() *Photo: istockphoto.com* If you save room by rotating your clothes by season but can’t find enough space inside to store them, consider storing off-season clothes in bins elsewhere on your property, such as the garage or a waterproof shed. Invest in good-quality storage bins that will keep moisture and pests out and keep your items safe until their seasonal turn rolls around again. **RELATED: [The 21 Sneakiest Storage Spots We’ve Ever Seen]()** ## 8. Get a portable closet. ![Portable Closet in Bedroom filled with clothes and shoes]() *Photo: amazon.com* A portable closet can be a flexible, low-cost option for renters or homeowners who want a temporary closet space solution.[ Portable closets]() are easy to put up and take down, and many of them can store impressive amounts of shoes and clothing, like this [Songmics 59-Inch Portable Clothes Closet Wardrobe]() at Amazon. They are also easy to move, enabling you to reconfigure the layout of the room as needed. ## 9. Be smart with the closet space you have. ![a-man-in-striped-sweater-and-grey-pants-looks-into-an-empty-bedroom-closet-against-a-white-wall]() *Photo: istockphoto.com* If your home has any existing closet space at all—no matter how tiny—use it wisely and waste none of it.[ Maximize whatever space you have]() by installing a second rod to double hanging capacity, hanging a wire organizer on the back of the door for shoes and accessories, and making use of vertical space by installing shelves above the top rod or even above the door. **RELATED: [Solved! This Is the Perfect Height for a Closet Rod]()** ## 10. Keep a lid on how much you own. ![Mother and son sorting clothes for donation at home]() *Photo: istockphoto.com* While there’s a lot you can do to fit a modern lifestyle into an old house that has no closets, whatever space you can find is still finite. Keep on top of overload and clutter by doing regular clothing and [clutter purges](), and say goodbye to things you don’t use. ## Author Jahleen is a freelance writer-editor with over 15 years in the field and decades of real-world DIY experience. She specializes in gardening, home improvement, and health and safety topics that help homeowners tackle projects confidently and safely. She has been contributing to BobVila.com since 2020. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()