A Pro Organized Helped Me Organize My “Chaotic” Closet

Although I’ve only lived in my current apartment for about seven months, my utility closet has become somewhat of a chaotic space. Throughout the move and months of everyday life, my husband and I use it as a space to store reusable grocery bags, our dog’s harness essentials, cleaning tools, and a few other rarely used items. Since this was also the closet where we keep bulky jackets, I figured that with cool weather around the corner, it might be time to tidy it up and make it a more accessible space. 

Despite my innate love for organizing and decluttering, I was overwhelmed tackling this project on my own. For some more clear guidance, I reached out to Heather Aiello, CEO and founder of The Organized You, who provided some helpful tips and recommendations to transform my closet and make it the functional storage space it’s supposed to be. Here’s what she had me do:

I first emptied the closet and then rearranged our jackets per Aiello’s advice. “Hang the coats and jackets so the longest is all the way to the left, working your way toward the center of the closet with the shorter ones,” she says. I’m not sure why I hadn’t thought of such a simple and seemingly obvious step, but already my closet was feeling more spacious. Aiello also explained that this would prevent the longer coats from getting in the way of my cleaning tools. 

One of the largest items in my utility closet is a box for a Comic-Con collectible that contains a Styrofoam mold and can’t be broken down. Aiello suggested I move this box under the jackets and place the foot massager on top, which is perfect since I’ve been wanting to use it but got lazy just thinking about digging it out of the messy closet. Additionally, I moved my tall picnic basket to the back left corner that worked as a shelf for a cooler bag — a perfect space for both now that summer is coming to a close. 

Most utility closets are meant to store cleaning supplies and tools, and I ultimately wanted it to be a space where I could grab my broom or vacuum with ease. Before organizing my closet, the broom would sometimes lean on a coat, and taking out the vacuum meant toppling over some bags and a mop. Aiello recommended the Command Broom and Mop Gripper which I put on the right wall to hold my broom. This freed up valuable floor real estate for my vacuum, spray mop, step stool, and carpet cleaner. The new placement for the collectible box and picnic basket also allowed me to uncover my yoga mat and doormat next to these cleaning tools without making everything feel squeezed in. 

My husband and I would regularly toss our reusable grocery bags into the closet after returning from the store, making it seem even messier than it was. Aiello recommended a metal back-of-the-door rack or a hanging shoe organizer for my bags and other smaller miscellaneous items. I opted for this hanging organizer that didn’t add extra weight to the door and neatly organized my grocery bags and a first aid kit (with this option, though, I can’t store anything too heavy). Since I don’t typically buy in bulk, I didn’t have to worry about finding room for my onetime purchase of Costco-size toilet paper and paper towels. Lastly, I put my dog’s tote (with items like her harness, wipes, and a small outdoor mat) on a hanger next to the coats and jackets. 

Before organizing my utility closet, just the act of opening it stressed me out. Now, I admire the neatness and the ease of taking whatever I need without worrying if something will fall over. Once I organize a room or a space, I’m pretty good about staying on track with its new look, functionality, and efficiency, so I’m hoping this utility closet is no different — all it took was a couple of organizing products, an hour of dedication, and useful tips from a professional organizer.