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No one is immune to storage challenges—we’ve talked to plenty of people with three- or four-plus bedroom homes about their organization woes. But there is a group who, without a doubt, have it harder than the rest of us, and that’s people with little to no closets.
Velvet hangers and shelf dividers can’t help you now: For a closet-less home, you’ll have to get creative. These six solutions, ranging from custom cubbies to big-box products, offer a neat place to store stuff out of sight.
An Antique Armoire
A free-standing wardrobe is the best answer to a closet-free bedroom. If you can find a deep and tall one at an antique store, it’ll add character to your space (so much so, you might forget about the precious square footage it’s taking up). Peep editor Hudson Moore’s studio for proof. We found a similar looking option on Charish for under $1,500
Out in the Open
When stylist Julia Stevens lived with roommates, there wasn’t a single closet to be found in their entire apartment. So, the threesome took to transforming the entryway into what they affectionately called the “walk-in closet.” IKEA’s Mulig clothes bars transformed the hall into a showroom-like setting for $36.
In the Media Cabinet
When Stevens moved into her own studio apartment, she once again had very little storage space. One of her clever solutions was to reuse her IVAR cabinets as a media credenza-slash-catchall. The raised cupboards (she lifted them up on wooden legs from Amazon) spans 95 inches wide and holds everything from winter hats and handbags to emergency gifts and liquor.
Below the Bed
Stevens’ bulkier items live underneath her clever Malm storage bed, which is a breeze to access thanks to the lift-up mechanism. It’s here that she stashes towels, extra bedding, books, and winter coats.
Underneath the Stairs
London-based designer Louise Glynn went the custom route in her tiny 430 square foot home. Relying on simple plywood, she had an extra-long sideboard crafted in the dining area to stash table linens (plus it hides the radiator and doubles as a bench). She also had her carpenter create a small, elevated landing to separate the entryway from the sunken living area. Underneath the step she conceived a pull-out drawer so shoes can be stowed out of sight.
Within a Bench
A coat closet can be a recipe for messy shoe piles, but rows of drawers keep things tidy, as we learned from this New York City apartment designed by Rachel Sloane Sherman of Rachel Sloane Interiors. Each of the nooks is customized with shoe slots and the bench cushions are finished in funky fabric from The Lawns. “It was a great way to make it functional but really fun to look at when you walk in the door,” says Sherman. A closet could never.