The Best Way To Keep A Closet Organized Is By Not Having One - Here's How

A disorganized closet only leads to mess and stress. Sweaters toppling off shelves, button-ups falling off the hanger, jewelry and socks in the same drawer — it's disastrous. When your closet is cluttered, you might think a bigger space is the answer. You dream of a walk-in closet with built-in drawers and a drop chute straight to the laundry room. But what if we told you the solution is just the opposite — not having a closet. We're not saying bar off your storage space, but instead, trade the closed-door system for an open one with a clothing rack and/or floating shelves. This can help increase organization, decrease clutter, and create visual appeal.

In an exclusive House Digest interview, we spoke to Maria Baer, founder of The Baer Minimalist, to get her expert insight on the closetless closet. According to the professional organizer, "The completed project will look intentional and maximize available space on a wall or within a room." Gone will be the days of stuffing everything in your closet and shutting the door as if that will make the mess go away. Open storage will force you to minimize your wardrobe and stay organized for a perfectly decluttered closet. Baer shared her expert tips for creating an open closet and turning it into a neat fashion statement for your room.

The whole idea behind an open closet is to limit the pieces in your wardrobe and have all your items visible. Your garments and accessories become a part of the room's organization and not a separate junction to upkeep. "We take a small collection of clothing and have the luxury of seeing it all in front of us in the closet or on a garment rack," Maria Baer exclusively told House Digest. She compared it to how we manage our wardrobe on vacation — you have a limited selection but still have everything you need, from pajamas to formal wear. "The less you have, the more organized the space will look," Baer explained. 

It is similar to the backward decluttering method, where you create a curated wardrobe with a closet full of essentials and beloved pieces. Then, all the garbs for special occasions or blue moons go into storage elsewhere. However, now there's the added step of putting your curated wardrobe on display, reminiscent of a chic boutique.

Whether you prefer to DIY a clothing rack, buy open shelves, or simply remove the door from your closet, properly storing your items is key to keeping it organized. Baer suggested, "Once you've edited down your wardrobe, consider recycling cardboard shoe boxes and displaying the shoes you have." Arranging pieces by color, texture, and length also helps with the aesthetic appeal. Further, "Make a small investment in matching hangers to provide visual consistency with your hanging items," Baer added. Then, your organized closet will be transformed into a stunning focal point. If only the same could be done with the supply closet.