6 Expert-Approved Tips for Organizing a Deep Closet

When it comes to your home's storage opportunities, we're sure you land on the "bigger is always better" side of things. But if you have a deep closet, you may find yourself struggling to optimize all the space that's out of arm's reach. Instead of using the back of your closet to keep things you no longer use, optimize your space by implementing a few smart storage solutions.

Take Stock Everything Out of Your Closet

The first step of any home organizing project is to take stock of what you have. Start by removing everything from your closet and assess the pieces you no longer want, whether it's because you've outgrown them or they've been so loved, they're no longer usable. Donate the items that are still in good condition and toss the rest. When you put everything that remains back into your closet, you'll know it's filled with items you absolutely need—rather than stuff you haven't touched in years.

Organize By Frequency of Use

If deep closets have made it impossible to access items further back, try using that to your advantage. In other words, store what you don't use as often in the back and keep more day-to-day items up front. "The clothes you wear the most should be the most accessible and organized by season," says Kendra Stanley of Healthy Organizing, a personalized organizing service. "Special occasion items can also be stored deeper back."

You can also rotate items by need in kids' closets, depending on their age and what toys or clothing they've outgrown or are not yet ready for. "As far as clothing goes, only the size they are currently wearing should be accessible," says Stanley. "The rest can go into clear plastic bins, labeled by age or size, and stored either deeper in the closet or on top of a high shelf."

Keep the Floor Clean

It may be tempting to store less frequently utilized items, like shoes and bags, on your closet floor, but this will only make it harder to access the pieces you do use. "Keeping the floor clear is key to being able to walk into the closet freely," says Cynthia Kienzle of The Clutter Whisperer. "Plus, it will make the closet feel a lot more welcoming when the floor is not jammed with stuff." Items on the floor are not only harder to see and access but they'll quickly collect dust.

Use Labeled Bins

Clearly labeled storage bins are your best friend when it comes to decluttering and maximizing space in a deep closet. "It is crucial to be able to see what items are where," Stanley says. Use bins to store batches of extra toiletries and beauty products, old baby necessities, stacks of winter sweaters, and seasonal shoes. When using bins, consider options that comes with lids, which make for easy stacking and moving.

Use Your Closet Door for Extra Space

Your closet door isn't just for hiding storage. Instead, think of it as an extra wall for hooks and other hanging organizers. "It's valuable real estate which is often overlooked," says Kienzle. While many people may default to hanging a 16-pocket shoe organizer on the door, this can quickly look messy, Kienzle says. Instead, use this space to hang an organizer that can stow away miscellaneous items, like sunglasses, small purses, belts, hats, gloves, scarves, and more.

Use a Stool for Easier Access

One of the biggest pain points about a deep closet is how difficult things can be to reach. To avoid straining on your tippy toes to reach a bin higher up, consider keeping a small step stool handy. "It's a small investment that will make higher shelves easier to access and you can keep shelves neater when you can reach them," says Kienzle.