The best closet organizers for 2025 — and the clever ways pros use them

Though Finkelstein often uses kits from Modular Closets for her clients, she says you can get plenty of good, more affordable options from The Home Depot. "Using all of your space's height and depth is essential. Your closet is the first place in your home aside from your kitchen you should spend a little money for organizing."

This ClosetMaid kit comes with a 25-inch-wide laminated wood tower and three hanging rods. It fits closets 7- to 10-feet wide and gets more than 1,600 five-star ratings from Home Depot shoppers.

Though they look more utilitarian than wood, wire shelves offer ventilation (just like you, your clothes need to breathe!), and they're often the budget-friendlier option. Tizzano likes this wire kit, which comes with eight shelves and four rods — and gets an impressive 3,700 five-star reviews on Amazon. 

Just check out this review from one fan, who called it the "best Amazon purchase ever": "Despite its compact size, it holds a surprising amount of clothes, and the shelves are sturdy enough for both hanging and folding. It was also really easy to assemble, which is always a win. If you need extra closet space but don’t want a bulky wardrobe taking up [space in] your room, this portable closet is a perfect solution. Stylish, functional and super affordable — what’s not to love?" 

Built-in handles and dipped sides mean these bins are easy to move around and rifle through. They're a top pick for Muhammad, who uses them alongside clear-lidded bins in her own home. 

You can get these in four sizes and four neutrals, plus clear and teal. Made from polypropylene, they're tough enough to hold toys and food, so you can always repurpose them if you don't need them for closet organization anymore. 

When shopping for storage bins, make sure to look for ones that have straight sides and squared-off corners to really maximize your space. Bestry likes these flexible fabric cubes for corralling "beach bags, scrappy little backpack purses and seasonal wear." Another tip? "If the shelf is very high, we'll turn the cube on its side so the owner can see the edge of the items peeking out," she explains.

These get an impressive 4.7 stars from more than 109,000(!) reviews and come in eight colors, including a classic gray-and-white stripe.

Gill considers this simple Shaker peg rail a go-to. "Affordable and timeless, this workhorse item is perfect for hanging coats, hats, scarves, belts, bags, jewelry, oven mitts, aprons, brooms and more!" she says.

Ashley Murphy, NEAT Method co-founder and author of The NEAT Method Organizing Recipe Book, is also a fan of a simple peg rail: She installs them in a home's entry and assigns a hook to each person in the house. "The simplicity of a hook means it’s more likely to be used than a hanger — which means less mess collecting by the door."

For something a bit sleeker, Mooney likes these individual hooks. Made from wood and metal, they're thick and sturdy, perfect for bigger, heavier items that may take up too much space on a hanging rod. 

"These hooks are fairly easy to install and add a modern twist to the closet space," she says. "I love them for hoodies or those items you have worn once but are not yet ready to relegate to the hamper."

Got lots of hanging space? Give your bags pride of place and display them from these hooks. "One of my must-have organizing products is purse hanger hooks. They are perfect for floppy bags that don't sit upright on a shelf," says Katrina Teeple, founder of Operation Organization.

Her pick can also do double and even triple duty: "They can be used in a coat closet for totes and sports bags. We even use them for organizing belts and scarves. Twelve hooks are $10, making these a major must-have!"

Robyn Reynolds, owner of Organize2Harmonize says these plastic shoe boxes are her "go-to for every room in the home." At about $1 apiece, can you blame her?

"Not only do I use them for shoes in a closet because they stack evenly and can hold more than sandals or flip-flops, but they're also great for small toys like Legos, figurines and cars, as well as craft supplies, office supplies, cookie cutters, tools in the garage, makeup and much, much more," she says. There's also a 16-quart version for $4 that can hold more than one pair of shoes or bulkier items like sweaters. 

Though these structured boxes are more expensive, Bestry says they're well worth it. "They're functional because they keep your shoes clean, dust-free, and safe from pets and pests; visually helpful because you can see the shoes inside [and] attractive because everything is uniform and balanced." 

She also touts their ease of use since "you don't have to reposition the boxes to get what you need. Just open the clear front of the box to reach in to get the shoes; do the same to return them when you're done. Easy peasy Jimmy Choo squeezy!"

If you're going to go with a shoe rack, most of the organizers we spoke to say to stick with one that has a solid bottom because they're sturdier than versions that have rods to rest your shoes on.

Finkelstein likes this three-tiered option, which has shelves made from thick fabric that easily wipes clean. It can also be stacked if you're trying to make the most of your vertical space.

Admittedly, these are a bit of a splurge, but I've owned them for years and can attest they work wonderfully for everything from heavyweight wool jackets to thin, silky tank tops. (And, as Bestry says, "If you're going to use slimline hangers, they don't have to be luxury level, but go for the premium kind.") These are coated in a matte rubber that grips onto all fabrics, and the brass hooks give them a polished look that makes even sweatshirts look fancy.

"Switching over to a matching set of hangers is a simple way to elevate the overall visual of your closet," says Marissa Hagmeyer, Murphy's co-founder and author of The NEAT Method Organizing Recipe Book.

Experts including Tizzano like velvet or flocking because it grips onto slinky fabrics and is gentle on clothing. A Yahoo editor favorite, these hangers can hold up to 18 pounds, making them some of the sturdiest around.  

They have lots of other fans, too: More than 22,100 five-star reviewers, who praise them for their light weight, durability and, well, downright pretty look. "Change your wardrobe forever," wrote one clotheshorse; "Perfect for larger clothing," noted another shopper.

Bestry admits this is a hot take among professional organizers, but she's a fan of tubular hangers. "They're inexpensive but sturdy, so you can buy dozens at a time without breaking the bank. There are 'fat' tubular hangers and 'thin' ones, and for my tastes, the thin ones are strong enough to hold anything except heavy coats or suits; just make sure they are smooth, as dollar-store tubular hangers are often of inferior quality."

She buys hers in Target or Walmart and prefers "the kind with the inch-long notches cut out of the top of the hanger versus those with curly little hooks underneath. The notches let you hang tank tops, camisoles, bras, etc. without squishing delicate material or risking them sliding/falling off."

Affordable? Check. Durable? Check. Muhammad likes these hangers because of how sturdy they feel.

Wooden hangers especially come in handy if you're hanging something heavy, like a winter coat or rain jacket, or a suit (particularly a men's suit, with a jacket and trousers), says Bestry. "The last thing you want is something to slide off the hanger because the weight is just too heavy."

To corral stacks of sweaters and bags, shelf dividers are must, says Tizzano, who recommends this six-pack from Amazon. Plus, she notes, "They can elevate a space and make you feel like you're shopping in the store when really you're just browsing your own closet."

Bestry adds that acrylic dividers work best when you have solid wood shelves, and she also uses them for purses. "Store them upright, sometimes stuffed with tissue paper to keep them from flopping over, and depending on the client's wishes, we either organize them by color or by size within three categories: winter purses, summer purses and evening bags," she says. 

"Everyone has baseball caps, but could they be better organized?" asks Teeple. The answer is yes. 

"They're usually found on a shelf, stacked so high they look like the Leaning Tower of Pisa," but this storage solution is a "game-changer," she says. "They hold up to seven hats each. Better yet, they come in a pack of two, so you can fit 14 hats for only a $14 investment! They are acrylic, hold hats by the bill, and make your baseball hat collection look chic, all while saving space!" 

Create a little dressing corner by hanging a jewelry organizer along with a mirror in a nook of your closet. Mooney says this pick, which has a built-in shelf you can use for sunglasses or perfume, is "a fabulous addition to that small walk-in closet that lacks a jewelry drawer or safe. It is perfect for keeping those necklaces and bracelets in sight and ready for use."

Looking to dress up your space even more? This organizer also comes in natural wood grain, gray and a pretty turquoise for a pop of color.