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When homeowners think about renovation priorities, closets don’t always top the list. But according to professional organizer Lori Bailey, founder and owner of Miss Organized in the New York/New Jersey area, upgrading closet space can dramatically improve daily routines and boost how well a home functions overall.
With nearly 15 years of experience designing tailored storage systems for clients, Bailey has transformed countless cluttered spaces. Still, one project stands out: “My favorite project was a master bedroom/closet renovation,” Bailey says. “The bedroom was massive, yet the original closet was too small.”
Here’s how the primary bedroom closet project came together and the practical organizing lessons homeowners can borrow when planning their own closet upgrades.
We fixed poor closet proportions during the renovation.
When Bailey’s longtime clients purchased a new home, they quickly realized their primary suite had a major design imbalance. The spacious bedroom contained an unusually small closet. Rather than settling for limited storage, they chose to rework the layout. “They had their contractor knock the wall down and then push it all the way into the bedroom so the tiny closet became a massive closet,” Bailey explains.
She encouraged the homeowners to maximize the opportunity while construction was already underway. “I kept saying, go bigger, go bigger, go bigger,” she recalls. They thought it was going to be too large, but that didn’t end up being the case, and they were grateful for her advice.
If you’re renovating a primary suite, evaluate whether the closet size matches the bedroom’s scale. Expanding storage during construction is typically easier and more cost-effective than trying to retrofit the closet later or minimize because you lack storage space.
I designed storage around how my clients actually dress.
Once the structural renovation was complete, Bailey worked alongside a closet designer to customize the interior layout. Instead of focusing solely on aesthetics, she prioritized how the homeowners used their wardrobes.
“Every single person has a different way of storing their belongings,” Bailey says. “Do you hang your jeans? Do you fold your sweaters? How many shoes do you have? How many pocketbooks do you have?” Because Bailey knew her clients well, she could designate storage zones that matched their habits. For example, this homeowner needed significant vertical storage for more than 50 dresses. “I was able to design the closet perfectly since she needed more long space versus double hanging,” she explains.
The finished design included separate zones for each partner and a large central island for accessories and additional storage. “They share the closet, so there is ‘his and hers’ on separate sides. It’s truly magical.”
When reorganizing or designing a bedroom closet, assess your needs and take an inventory of your entire wardrobe before installing shelves and rods or buying any closet accessories like baskets and hooks. Count long garments, folded items, shoes, hats, belts, handbags, and other items to ensure your closet layout reflects your storage requirements.
We incorporated retail-style storage features.
Beyond built-in cabinetry, Bailey layered in organizing accessories to improve visibility and accessibility, which helps maintain long-term organization. “I brought in drawer dividers for all the drawers, and I brought in hat racks,” she says. To prevent items from being hidden on deep shelves, she often uses display-enhancing tools. “I like acrylic risers so when you have a shelf, you’re raising up the items behind so that you can see everything,” she explains.
Inside drawers, Bailey relies on flexible compartment systems that keep smaller clothing items contained. “I use fabric dividers for lingerie or I use honeycombs. You put your undies or socks in each one and it divides it out within the drawer,” she says. She also recommends shelf dividers for folded garments such as sweaters, which can easily topple into cluttered stacks. “Acrylic dividers that you clip onto the shelf keep everything neatly divided,” Bailey says.
Incorporating clever accessories like dividers, risers, and drawer organizers can significantly improve closet function without requiring major renovation work.
Adding a perk made the space enjoyable.
One of Bailey’s signature design elements is something she calls a “happy place”—a small designated area that blends function with personal comfort. “This is something I always do in my clients’ closets,” Bailey says. “I create something called a happy place. These areas often include everyday essentials or meaningful decorative items to bring a smile to her clients’ day. “A mirrored tray with a beautiful frame of their kids and a candle or a diffuser, or for a man, a watch box,” she notes. “It becomes their sanctuary that no one else can touch.”
Bailey says clients consistently appreciate this small but thoughtful feature and thank her for giving them their happy place. A closet isn’t just a storage space, so consider following Bailey’s lead and adding small personal touches to brighten your day and make it more enjoyable to maintain.
Staying involved from start to finish was satisfying.
Bailey says this renovation was especially rewarding for her because she participated in every stage, from construction planning to final styling. “I’ve been doing this for almost 15 years, and that was probably my favorite project because I saw it from the beginning all the way through to the end,” she says. Usually, she is called in to clean up a mess, not to help design a space from the start.
The completed closet demonstrates Bailey’s overall philosophy to combine beauty, practicality, and personalized design to create spaces that support everyday living. As she puts it, her goal is helping clients “transform their living space into a peaceful sanctuary of elegance and order.”
