A Couples' Guide To A Perfectly Organized Shared Closet

While bathrooms are the obvious culprit when it comes to areas of the home that can cause friction in relationships, an often overlooked but equally contentious space is the closet. As clothes accumulate over time, closets can become chaotic, and there's always the question of who gets the prime hanger space. What about the top drawer? However, with the right organizational approach, communal closeting can be pain — and disagreement — free.

The first thing you need to do is evaluate your space and declutter. To do this effectively, you need to follow a key closet decluttering tip: Empty every shelf and drawer to truly take stock of what you have. According to the National Association of Professional Organizers, pick out the 20% of clothes you wear 80% of the time. That may sound like shockingly few clothes, but it isn't really that surprising when you think about what you actually wear. This is all to say, before any organizing begins, you need to get rid of what you don't need. For those who struggle with this, consider leaning into the Marie Kondo method. Once you've narrowed down your wardrobe, the organizing can begin.

First, you will need to divide the closet space — not necessarily 50/50 — but whatever makes the most sense given respective wardrobe size. Once that's agreed upon, maximize every square inch of space. Out-of-season clothing should be stored in clearly labeled containers on the highest shelf. If your closet doesn't come with a double hanging rod, you can order a secondary one, like this one from Amazon ($29.99), which is adjustable, for additional hanging space. Additionally, use matching hangers for a more orderly look. Make sure the back of the door is serving a purpose, whether with hooks or something like this 24-pocket over-the-door shoe organizer from The Container Store ($35.99).

Once you're organized, consider if you will need any additional lighting or mirrors, and decide where dirty laundry will be stored. For couples with different laundry needs, make sure you have a hamper with two compartments.

And don't forget — having a shared closet is not a one-and-done kind of thing; it requires ongoing maintenance and conversations about expectations. You and your partner should, several times a year, go through your wardrobes and get rid of anything you no longer wear. Lastly, it's important to respect each other's designated spaces — no clothing overflow!