Easily Add a Closet to a Small Space
Ever caught yourself wishing for an extra closet in your home or apartment? Well today we’re diving into the oh-so-simple guide on how to easily add a closet to a small space, or any room size you’re working with!
Easily Add a Closet to a Small Space
We could all always use a little more storage and closet space in our homes, right? Especially in our apartments, dorms, and tiny houses!
Can I get an “amen”?
But, what if you just don’t have the DIY skills for power tools to build cabinets, or, dare I suggest, a closet with walls???
And then there’s the time and money!
The Dilemma – How Can I Add Closet Space to a Small Home?
The first glimpse of My Wee Abode happened while the previous tenant was still calling it home. Stepping into the bathroom, which was surprisingly more spacious than your typical apartment bathroom, I spotted a vacuum cleaner, broom, and dustpan tucked away in the corner.
It was actually THIS corner!
since I took this picture!
Storage tip: Easy and Affordable
Be sure to check out affordable storage solutions for small bathrooms to learn about the basket storage pictured above, and more!
In reality, there wasn’t any other spot to stash these essential tools. The loft had just one closet, and that was solely dedicated to holding all of the woman’s clothing. (Pardon the quality of the iPhone photo!)
Yep, I encountered my first hiccup even before settling in to my tiny studio apartment!
Having my vacuum cleaner out in the open in the bathroom? No way. I needed an extra closet, stat! Now, the million-dollar question: How on earth was I going to squeeze in another closet in this itty-bitty apartment?
The Solution: Create a Closet for Less Than $100 and No Power Tools
Navigating life in a small apartment or rental home throws some unique challenges your way.
One of the quirks is the inability to construct a permanent closet in a room. Plus, let’s face it – many homes come with either tiny closets or not enough of them!
And don’t even get me started on dorm rooms!
THIS solution is an absolute game-changer!
Did you know you can spend hours and hours on Google and Pinterest trying to figure out how to add a closet to a small room on-the-cheap and without using power tools? Well, you can!
Ask me how I know this.
Seriously… I searched for hours, and I found nothing! At least nothing that showed how to easily add a free-standing closet to a tiny house, or any size house!
And then… it came to me (actually in the middle of the night)!
Items You’ll Need to Easily Add a Closet
This post may contain affiliate links, at no additional cost to you. For more information, see my complete disclosure.
Just as a side note: Adding the optional items might be super helpful for a utility closet, or even additional clothing storage. But even with those add-ons, you’re looking at a cost that hovers just below or slightly above the $100 mark, depending on your specific needs!
How to Set-up a Makeshift Closet In Your Tiny Space
Okay… this is SO easy, a child can do it. No joke!
- Place your closet items where you would like to keep them.
- Remove the Legacy Panel Room Divider out of the box.
- Fold the room divider around your items.
Okay… well, it’s kind of a joke… But, voile! You have added a closet to your room!
Just a bit unique… maybe even brilliant?
How To Easily Add a Closet to an Apartment – Reveal
Alright, just a heads-up – this is how the corner of my bedroom looked before I brought in the free-standing closet to tackle this petite space. (Yep, you guessed it – another snapshot courtesy of my trusty iPhone.)
And here is the ‘easy-up’ closet in all its glory!
This room-divider closet is a super clever solution to create a closet in any room!
From the front…
Open this side and you can see the sweet farmhouse utility crate shelves used for storing towels and cleaning supplies, as well as the Home-it Mop and Broom Holder used to hold my mop, broom, and stick-vac.
The plastic storage cart was a purchase from the Container Store YEARS AGO! I cannot find it anywhere now. However, you can add any type of storage shelves or rolling cart to store hardware, tools, paint, or anything your heart desires.
By the way, if you want to use this instant closet space for your clothing, and you are into international brands, check out this post on top Korean fashion brands. They have some wonderful modest options in Korea.
And here is what it looks like when I open the side. There is an electrical outlet located on the wall in front of the vacuum, which makes it handy to keep plugged-in and use anytime!
These crate shelves were fun and easy to make (though I did hit a few bumps in the road… but, now YOU won’t!)
White towels are a new fave of mine! I use all white towels in my bathroom… they clean up wonderfully and always looks fresh!
What are your thoughts on white towels?
A cotton rope basket is home to pillows and a throw. The basket was a $19-clearance-find at HomeGoods. The rope on the handle had been pulled off but was still attached. I simply glued it back on. Easy!
Some flowers in mason jars add a touch of freshness to the windowsill beside the closet. Use fresh or faux… they are both GREAT options!
And one last look at the reveal!
Final Thoughts on Adding a Closet to a Small Space
Does this inspire you to easily add a closet in your home?
I think this tricky little closet hack is the perfect solution for closet space in any size room, but it is especially a great closet solver for apartments, small homes, and rental spaces!
What would YOU store in your easy DIY closet?
Your closet hack is brilliant. I never would have guessed how you put it together.
When we downsized to our patio home five years ago, I switched to white towels. I love them.
Congratulations to your winner.
Thank you so much… I think it was a pretty smart idea, too! I’m trying to ‘get it out there’ so it will help others! I’m loving my white towels. What is a patio home?
I just love your closet space, it’s a genius hack! And that lucky Peggy! So happy for her. Great job Julie!
Thanks, Melan! I hope others find it helpful, too! Hugs (and coffee soon!)
The screened-in closet is a great idea. If shelf space was needed rather than floor space, an inexpensive narrow wire shelf unit would fit in a corner behind a screen very easily. Also, love white towels. They go with everything and, if necessary, can be bleached to look like new. Same with my bedsheets. Since they’re white, I can sanitize in the laundry with bleach without ruining the color.
I agree about the shelving, Pat. I’m actually going to be doing a post for different types of shelving that can be used in this closet and others. 😉 Great minds! Fun that people understand my love for white towels! Hugs!
This is brilliant Julie! I am going to keep this in mind when my wee ones head off to college (one in the fall!!) and I am totally gonna share this with my sister…she has small spaces and will love this idea. Good stuff, girl!
Thanks so much, Holly! Congrats on being a permanent hostess for the tablescape group on IG (sorry, can’t remember the hashtag right now). 😉
Great idea, Julie! Your screened closet looks great!
Thanks so much, Lauren! Hope you are having a great weekend!
This was brilliant, Julie. It looks so good. Love your blog. God bless.
Thanks, Wendy! I love it! 😉
Oh wow, what a genius idea!! That is so simple and looks great!
Thanks, sweet friend! You are always so kind! Hugs and hearts.
You’re welcome!! I’ve featured it today at Thursday Favorite Things. Hugs and hearts back at you!
Hello Julie,
I know you spoke of this closet before and I loved it then and still do! It’s a great idea and one I may be using soon… 😉 Our new house is only a 3-bedroom and has bedroom closets but it always seems we need more storage no matter what size home we have. Happily pinned! <3
Have a fun week and I wish you lived closer to Murrieta… I'll only be there for a few days while the movers get things going. Hoping to be there next week, around March 4-7th.
Hugs,
Barb 🙂
Yes, I totally shared this during my ‘earlier’ blogging days, but wanted to update with more content, different photos, and never-before-seen photos! So excited about your new home!
So smart and practical Julie. The divider is so pretty too. Pinning for future downsizing plans.
Thanks, Patti! Hope it comes in handy for you! 😉
How do you keep the divider from falling
It balances on its own in order to stand up… you arrange the doors according style to achieve this. Makes it easy to access items behind it, as well. You can also lean one of the end doors against the wall. Thanks for asking!
Great idea Julie! My sister has a free standing room divider in her bathroom and I have been looking for one ever since. You found the perfect solution and I love the way you made it so practical.
🙂 gwingal
Nikki, does she us the divider as a closet in her bathroom, or simply decor? Always love hearing about new ideas! Thanks for your sweet words!
This is a great idea. I have a hanging clothes rack that needs a closet around it!
Ooooo, you let me know if you end up using this idea, okay? Thanks, Susan!
I love your hack, and your photography is getting so good, Julie! There are so many people who need creative storage options like this. Great post!
Okay… your photography comment made my day… heck, my week! Thanks, Crissy. I’m hoping this closet solution will help a lot of people.
Very clever solution Julie. Those screens are so pretty and get the job done!
Thanks, Mary! You and I both like simple and pretty solutions. 😉 Hugs!
What a genius idea! Closet space is at a premium in our little home and I can see this solving a storage problem or two!
Yay! Let me know if you use the hack! Always fun to know a post has helped someone, as you know! Hugs and hearts, Maureen!
Very pretty! Love how this turned out. We live in an old house and closet space is at a premium for sure.
Thank you so much, Brooke! It was such a big help for me in my wee place, I hope it’s helpful for others! 😉
This is brilliant Julie!! I love all the little touches you added like the crates on the wall and especially the masons with the florals added to them! The closet could be used in anyone’s home to hide things we don’t want to look at! Way to be creative!!
Thanks, Cindy… it is by far one of my most fave things in MWA. It’s is such a help to have a freestanding closet! Hugs, sweet friend!
Such a very nicely done post. When I saw the featured picture I thought it was a post about the gorgeous basket. You did a marvelous job of hiding a bunch of required stuff behind that pretty room divider. Perfect closet solution and everyone needs more storage even to hide a big ugly treadmill etc.
Oh, that’s a great idea to hide a treadmill with the divider! 😉 (I really love my ‘closet’.)
This is such a great way to utilize all of your space! Thank you for linking up and sharing with us this week! Xoxo
Thanks, Kristi! It’s a wonderful option for apartments and small spaces! I enjoy your party! Feel free to link up with Homestyle Gathering on Tuesdays!
Julie I love this small space storage solution. I have been looking for ideas like this for my daughters dorm that she will be living in this fall. Saving this for later friend.
Yay! You are the second person that has said something about a dorm… I need to add that to the post! 😉
Great idea!
Thank you, Amber! 😉
Thank you for sharing at #ThursdayFavoriteThings. Pinned and shared.
Thanks so much, Marilyn!
Great idea Julie! I have a small log cabin in the Shuswap, and I’m always looking for ways to add more storage. Using a divider in the corner of the bedroom will help me to create a small closet. Thank you!
Oh, so glad this will help you. It’s by far the most simple but BEST home improvement project I’ve done. It’s extremely helpful! Thanks for dropping in AND sharing! Off to visit your blog now, again. 😉
This is a cute and clever idea, Julie. Your blog is adorable and I can certainly relate to the challenges of a small home. I’m glad you stopped by my blog not long ago to let me know about turnabout Tuesdays, I’ll take a look. Also glad you can join my Farmhouse Style group board on Pinterest!
Let me know if you know other bloggers who would be a good fit to contribute.
Thanks!
Thanks for stopping in, Susan… and thanks for the invite to the board! Your blog is lovely, as well, and I hope we get to see your projects at TTA each week! We’d love to have you join us!
Making a closet using screens is a great idea for a small home with little closet space. I like how you have all of your cleaning supplies in one spot, ready to be used. My grandmother use screens like this in her bedroom. She had small closets and the screens hid “stuff” that she had no other place to put.
Thanks, Paula… yes, this is SO helpful when you don’t have a utility closet! I still have thoughts and ideas on how to make it better! Hugs, sweet friend!
How easy and convenient was that! At first glance I thought you had built in one of those Ikea closets, but no, this was brilliant! You do make the most of small space living! I love that you keep saying, “without power tools”. You sound like me! I am always looking for a way to accomplish what I want without having to use power tools!
Yep… super easy, and pretty, too! I love my little closet! 😉 Thanks for popping in, Chloe!
Totally brilliant Julie! I love how your closet looks, and how smart to add the organizers to the walls! I’m definitely keeping this in mind – thanks as always for the inspiration!
Thank you so much, Barbara! You are always so sweet!
What a great idea! I have plenty of closets in my house–it had one when I moved in–and now they are all overflowing! I need to screen off an entire room!!!! Someday I will get organized. I love your solution!
I totally get that, Kathy! I’m wondering if I will need to recreate this closet in the new My Wee Abode!
I love your ideas! Thanks for sharing. God bless
Awww, thanks so much, Josee! Hugs!
That is a great idea. I never would have thought of that. I do need extra closet space. Bookmarking so I can reference this later.
Visiting today from Grace At Home #120
It’s a super easy and pretty way to create more closet space… with no power tools! Thanks for stopping by, Paula!