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Best Shelving Options for a Small Closet

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Do you have a closet that needs some organization?  Let’s look at the best shelving options for a small closet!

best shelving small closet vacuum and shelves in corner of room with room divider

Small closets just ‘cry-out’ for organization, don’t you agree?

After sharing how to easily add a closet to a small space, I started thinking that it might be helpful to offer some storage options, too. Specifically, shelving options that would work in a freestanding closet, small closet, or any size closet.

BEST SHELVING OPTIONS FOR A SMALL CLOSET

We’ve already looked at the best drawer organizers for small spaces.

And we’ve seen the best cabinet organizers for small homes, too!

Well then, it stands to reason we should look at some best shelving options for small closets, right?

That’s what I thought, too!

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For more information, see my complete disclosure HERE.

Shelving Units

If you take a look inside my ’tilt-up closet’, you can see (beyond the vacuum) that there is an enclosed rolling ‘cart’ that consists of three stackable tiers which work like a cart/shelving unit all in one.  This cart is perfect for holding paints/chemicals and DIY tools because it is made of heavy-duty plastic.

best shelving options small closet vacuum shelves and cart behind room divider

It’s also sealed, therefore, no odors from the chemicals escape.  However, it is quite small and a bit cumbersome to get things out. (Side note: I’ve had this cart for years, and can’t find it anywhere online, nor anything like it.  If you can find it, let me know in the comments.)

So, here are some items that I’m thinking might work even better!

1. AmazonBasics 3-Shelf Shelving Unit on Wheels

This rolling shelf unit comes in chrome and black. It’s portable (includes casters) and the size is perfect for a small closet.  You can place cans, boxes, baskets, and even stack pillows on it. Though it’s not sealed, you could store a plastic container that holds paints/chemicals on this unit, too!

  • Pros: Portable, sturdy, versatile storage (you can add sealed containers)
  • Cons: Sealed containers may take up too much space

2. Neu Home Espresso 3 Tier Wide Free Standing Storage Shelf

With shelves made from resin, this may not be the sturdiest shelving unit for paints or power tools, however, it would be great for craft items, pillows, floral stems, yarns, even vinyl cutting supplies.

  • Pros: Versatile storage, great for organizing craft items in storage boxes
  • Cons: Not portable, resin shelves may not hold much weight

3. Seville Classics 3-Tier Iron Slat Tower Shelving

Three tiers of iron make for a sturdy shelf unit.  What’s even better about this iron shelving unit is its versatility when used with its ‘brother’.  You can even move the shelves around! See item #4. 😉

  • Pros: Sturdy, SUPER versatile storage with semi-adjustable shelves (you can add sealed containers), can be paired with additional units.
  • Cons: Not portable, sealed containers may take up too much space

4. Seville Classics 4-Tier Iron Square Tower Shelving

The ‘brother’ to the 3-tier unit shown above, this 4-tier shelving can add about another foot of storage room to its shorter version.  If you click on all the photos in the link, you will see how the shelves can be adjusted on these… maybe not in a small closet, but you might like these for other uses.

  • Pros: Sturdy, SUPER versatile storage with semi-adjustable shelves (you can add sealed containers), can be paired with additional units.
  • Cons: Not portable, sealed containers may take up too much space

5. Furinno (99557EX/BK) Turn-N-Tube 4-Tier Multipurpose Shelf Display Rack

This affordable unit is made of resin and, again, might be best suited for lightweight items.

  • Pros: Versatile storage, best for lightweight items, economical
  • Cons: Not portable, resin shelves may not hold much weight, not suitable for paint cans/chemical storage

6. Mind Reader Charm 3 Tier Wood/Metal Utility Cart

A smaller portable shelving unit, but this rustic look may be just what you’re looking for.  Made of wood and metal, this would look great in almost any style home!

  • Pros: Portable storage, 30 lb shelf capacity, stylish
  • Cons: No sealable storage, on the small side, a bit more expensive

Rolling Carts

Though most of the shelving units shown are portable, these rolling carts come with drawers.  You may not need/want shelves… a rolling set of drawers may be perfect for your closet!

7. Honey-Can-Do Rolling Storage Cart and Organizer with 12 Plastic Drawers

LOTS of drawers, with a work surface, too?! Yes, please! This rolling cart may just be the ticket for a ‘craft closet’!

  • Pros: Portable storage, transparent drawers, work surface, several drawer sizes
  • Cons: No sealable storage, probably not best for DIY storage (power tools, etc)

8. Seville Classics 15-Drawer Organizer Cart 

With more drawers than the Honey-Can-Do brand, this rolling drawer cart has additional height, as well.

  • Pros: Portable storage, work surface, several drawer sizes
  • Cons: No sealable storage, probably not best for DIY storage (power tools, etc)

9. Seville Classics 8-Drawer Storage Bin Organizer Cart

A slimmer version of the carts listed above, you could use this in a closet for craft supplies AND add a shelving unit.  The best of both worlds! Woot!

  • Pros: Portable storage, small work surface, several drawer sizes, can be used WITH shelving unit, stylish gradient colors
  • Cons: No sealable storage, probably not best for DIY storage (power tools, etc)

Wall Mounted Storage

Another item you can see in my free-standing closet is the cute little farmhouse crate shelves on the wall.  These shelves were easy to make and have been quite useful.  However, you may want to simply purchase some additional wall storage that you can quickly add yourself… Here are a few ideas!

10. Smart Design Over The Door/Wall Mount Adjustable Organizer Rack

This rack can be hung over a door, but it can also be mounted to a wall.  If you have a small wall space that can be utilized for more storage… this just might be the ticket!

  • Pros: Utilizes vertical surface, adjustable baskets, wall or door mount
  • Cons: Width is not adjustable (be sure the whole rack can fit all the way down the wall)

11. ClosetMaid 1231 Adjustable 8-Tier Wall and Door Rack

(Amazon’s photos are tiny… but this is ridiculous! Sorry!)

A more narrow version of the rack shown above, this organizing product can fit a 12″ wall width.  You can also have it cut down to a shorter version.  With my freestanding closet, I would have to cut it down in order for it not to peek over the room divider.

  • Pros: Utilizes vertical surface, adjustable baskets, wall or door mount, can be cut to shorter height
  • Cons: Width is not adjustable (be sure the whole rack can fit all the way down the wall)

12. White Elfa Utility Bathroom Door & Wall Rack 

My sweet friend, Michelle from Thistle Key Lane, featured this wall rack in her craft storage solutions post, and I just couldn’t resist sharing it with you.  Easy one-strip mount and adjustable baskets, I SO want to add this to my little closet area!

  • Pros: Utilizes vertical surface, adjustable baskets, wall or door mount, can be cut to shorter height, additional baskets available
  • Cons: Width is not adjustable (be sure the whole rack can fit all the way down the wall)

best shelving options small closet

13. Spectrum Diversified Vintage Wall Mount Storage Basket

I love these baskets because they come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors (just search “Spectrum Wall Storage Basket” on Amazon and you’ll see what I mean).  They are ‘adjustable’ because you can space them on a wall in whatever configuration you choose!  The farmhouse look is also pretty sweet. 😉

  • Pros: Utilizes vertical surface, “adjustable” baskets, wall mount, variety of sizes and shapes
  • Cons: Not sure there is any!

It’s Your Turn to Share

So, there you have it!  A plethora of the best shelving options for a small closet.  I’m thinking I might add #1 and a few of #13 to my tiny closet.  What about you? Tell me in the comments below which are your favorites and where you might use them!

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30 Comments

    1. I am so sorry for taking a few days to reply. You can see the tutorial HERE . Thanks for coming by, Helen! Hugs and hearts!

    1. Oh, I DO hope these help out, Angie. Thank you so much for the sweet comments, and for dropping in. 😉 Hugs and hearts!

  1. My Mr. had several of those chrome shelves in the first picture at his house before we married. He had a whole chrome thing going on and it was really cool. Those shelves are now in our basement and i still like them. Great options.
    🙂 gwingal

    1. Thanks, Nikki… I wouldn’t want them out in the open, but they are a nice storage option for closets… and basements! 😉 Thanks for coming by, sweet friend!

  2. These types of shelves are super handy because you can move them anywhere you need them. Or hide them most of the time and bring them out if you have a particular project going on that you need them for.

    Thanks for the various ideas.

  3. I have a narrow closet in my house like this and I really don’t like the metal shelves in it or the layout. Some of these products have gotten me thinking about some ideas for it. I love how you added a pro and con for everything! That helps!

    Carrie
    curlycraftymom.com

  4. These are all really great solutions for a small closet Julie. I’ll have to look some more into them, either that or get rid of my things.

  5. Great suggestions for small closets and storage spaces, Julie! I have been looking into storage solutions for all of my blog decor stored in our upstairs attic. I’ll have to look at some of these more in depth when I have more time. Pinned!

  6. Since we are in the apartment, I’m having so much trouble with the master closet. The wire shelving is placed in such odd ways and the brackets are in inconvenient places. I think I will look at some of these shelves.

  7. Wow. You have some great suggestions here and you may have helped me solve my shoe storage. Although I have no place for them, those crates on the wall in the nook are simply adorable. If I had space, they would certainly be on my list of projects. TFS

    1. Thanks, Clearissa… that means a lot coming from an organization ‘junkie’. 😉 Hope you have a wonderful week!

  8. Don’t know how I missed this before, Julie, but what a great round up of storage options! I love those spectrum baskets – I am looking for wire baskets to add to the interior of my pantry door for onions and potatoes and these look promising!

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