--- title: "14 Solutions for Homes That Have Little or No Closet Space" description: "When your home has a shortage of closets, you have to get creative about where to store your things: Think vertically, and use every available surface." date: "2026-09-10" modified: "2026-09-10" authors: - name: "Jamie Birdwell-Branson" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/jamie-birdwell-branson-2.md" - name: "Michelle Ullman" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/michelle-ullman.md" url: "https://www.bobvila.com/interior/home-with-no-closets/" categories: - "Interior" - "Storage" tags: - "bedrooms" - "News" - "storage" --- # 14 Solutions for Homes That Have Little or No Closet Space ![A set of matching clothes hanging next to each other in a closet.]() *Photo: Maryna Terletska via Getty Images* 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 it has a dearth of closet space, don’t despair. You have options for all storing the stuff that might otherwise have gone into a spacious, walk-in closet. ## 1. Go old school with a traditional armoire. ![View of dark clothing armoire in a bedroom with decorative vases on top, a four-poster bed in the foreground.]() *Photo: Lisa Turay via Adobe Stock* 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. ## 2. Hang hooks everywhere. ![Clothing hanging on brass clothing hooks on a wood wall or closet.]() *Photo: schankz via Adobe Stock* 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, which is made of stainless steel and comes in a dozen colors. ## 3. Build a closet. ![Mature man is building a wardrobe in the bedroom of his new home.]() *Photo: iStock* If you’re a handy DIYer who loves a weekend project, you may choose to [add 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. ## 4. Repurpose a room. ![Large organized closet with bamboo-like shelving and a sunny window at top.]() *Photo: hue via Adobe Stock* Many older homes are a collection of small rooms, some of which no longer serve their original purpose. If you have a [spare bedroom]() without a clear purpose, turn it into a closet room. Customizable closet systems, such as the [Rubbermaid Configurations Deluxe Custom Metal Closet System](), can make it a breeze to turn a spare room into a personalized walk-in closet or dressing room. ## 5. Turn a wall into a closet space. ![Modern bedroom divided by a white wall with a closet setup on one side and a bedroom on the other.]() *Photo: Alexandre Zveiger via Adobe Stock* 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](), are affordable and easy to install. **RELATED: [25 Closet Organization Ideas for Saving Space and Sanity]()** ## 6. Find space in unexpected places. ![Storage space beneath stairs]() *Photo: iStock* Borrow [storage 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. ## 7. Store seasonal items in garages or outbuildings. ![Very clean and organized garage with neatly stacked bins and shelves.]() *Photo: Allison via Adobe Stock* 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. ## 8. Set up a portable closet. ![Portable Closet in Bedroom filled with clothes and shoes]() *Photo: Amazon* A portable closet is 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 [Songmics' 59-inch portable clothes]() [wardrobe](). They are also easy to move, enabling you to reconfigure the layout of the room as needed. ## 9. Be smart about the closet space you have. ![Man searching for clothes in bedroom closet.]() *Photo: Alfian Muzaki via Adobe Stock* If your home has any existing closet space at all, no matter how small, [use that closet space 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 [closet rod]() or even above the door. ## 10. Pare down your closet inventory. ![Mother and son sorting clothes for donation at home.]() *Photo: iStock* 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 get rid of things you don’t use. ## 11. Build over-the-door shelving. ![Light brown baskets rest on three high built-in shelves over door frame.]() *Photo: A Beautiful Mess* Rarely do we think about the wall space above a door but we should—it can be a surprisingly useful and attractive spot for a shelf, as [the bloggers at A Beautiful Mess]() discovered. Because you’ll probably need a stepladder to reach it, use this shelf is best for items that you use only occasionally or seasonally. ## 12. Tidy up your closet floor. ![Wardrobe with a messy pile of clothes under hanging clothes.]() *Photo: Africa Studio via Adobe Stock* If the floor of your closet is a jumble of shoes and dirty laundry, you aren’t making effective use of the space. Tidy this prime real estate with a shoe organizer like the [Simple Housewares 3-tier stackable organizer](), and neatly pair up your shoes. Purchase a small laundry basket to corral dirty clothing, and you’ll make excellent use of the small floor footprint. ## 13. Cart your stuff around. ![Wheeled utility cart with multiple drawers houses baby clothing and care items in a nursery.]() *Photo: Wayfair* Utility carts are having a design moment right now, and they’re far from the bulky, unattractive storage units they once were. Tuck a nice-looking utility cart, like the [Rebrilliant 10-drawer cart]() (above) in an underused corner, or even inside a closet, to store shoes, accessories, or off-season clothing. ## 14. Make use of the back of the door. ![clothes hanging behind the door in the room]() *Photo: rudysumantrise via Adobe Stock* The back of a closet or bedroom door offers valuable real estate that you can put to use with a hanging organizer to hold scarves, jackets, or even shoes. To save space, opt for a soft organizer with clear plastic pockets over a rigid [metal organizer](), which requires more clearance. ## Author Jamie Birdwell-Branson is a lifestyle writer who specializes in real estate, home decor, DIY, and travel. Her writing has appeared in numerous publications, including [Zillow.com](), [Elle Decor.com](), [Livability.com](), [Canadian Florist Magazine](), and more. She is an avid antiquer and likes to fill her vintage home with the treasures that she finds. ### Author social links [Twitter]() [Instagram]()