Smart clothes storage

How should I arrange my wardrobe?

Is your wardrobe overflowing and stuffed full of clothes you never wear? We all know that feeling of “nothing to wear”, which often leads to unnecessary impulsive buying. It is also important to think long-term and choose quality rather than quantity when it comes to clothes and how you store them. You can see what you have at a glance with a storage system for hanging clothes rather than storing them in drawers. To keep your wardrobe well organised and clothes neatly arranged, it is important to have a smart clothes storage system.

Let the following tips inspire you to create smart, sustainable clothes storage in your home:

THINK “FLEXIBLE” when buying storage. Choose a solution that is simple to rearrange and expand on when changes are needed.
QUALITY AND TIMELESSNESS is preferred over buying cheap, poor-quality items. This goes both for the closet itself as well as the clothes in it.
PLAN FOR SUSTAINABLE HABITS by sorting out clothes when the seasons change. Choose fixtures that allow for a good overview of your clothes. That way you can easily see which clothes you’ve used and those you haven’t. Donate, sell or swap with a friend those items you no longer use.
EXTEND THE LIFE OF YOUR GARMENTS by storing them properly. Ventilated shelves and unique fixtures for trousers and shoes keep your clothes separated and fresh.

Smarter clothes storage

Various methods can be used for storing clothes in smart ways. Drawers are excellent for keeping socks and small items of clothing organised, while hanging storage is ideal for dresses, coats and other long pieces. It is important to choose storage solutions that suit your particular needs and space. The right type of clothes storage system can make it easier to find what you’re looking for and keep your clothes in good condition for longer.

Smart clothes storage systems

Organised wardrobe

Having an organised clothes storage system is the key to having an efficient and stress-free wardrobe. In order to create an organised wardrobe, it is important to have the right kind of storage solutions, like shelves, drawers and hanging racks, that meet your needs. Arranging your clothes by type and colour can also make it easier to find what you are looking for. Keeping your clothes stored in an organised fashion can save you time and help you avoid unnecessary stress when it’s time to pick out an outfit.

Clothes storage accessories

Tips for planning your wardrobe

Here are some smart tips for planning a practical wardrobe that will allow you to maximise the use of space but still provide airy storage with a full view of your clothes.

Measurement and planning guides

1. We recommend leaving 20-40 cm between the shelves for your folded clothes. That allows sufficient space for keeping piles of clothes neat and tidy. Shelf depth should be no more than 30 cm for efficient storage.

2. Knitted sweaters can lose their shape on a hanger, so use mesh drawers with dividers to keep them fresh and neatly organised.

3. Plan the space so there is room to hang both long and short garments. You can hang up to 40 shirts and blouses on a 60 cm clothes rail. Men’s shirts need up to 90 cm for them to hang freely.

4. Trouser hangers are ideal for keeping trousers and skirts wrinkle-free. It is possible to place two pairs of trousers on each hanger. Jeans can be folded and stored in wire drawers or on shelves as they don’t wrinkle easily.

Planning tool

With the help of Elfa Planning tool you can design your storage solution according to your specific needs. With easy to use drag and drop function you can plan everything from a small shelving system to a full-scale wardrobe solution - complete with interior.

Start planning

Make room for your workout clothes

Does your family have a lot of training gear? Give each person their own storage space: in the wardrobe, hallway, laundry room or whatever works best for you. Visualise your gym bag hanging proudly on a hook in the closet instead of the floor. Now, imagine that your jumper finds its way back to its place in the wardrobe instead of the back of a chair before it goes in the laundry. The dirty laundry doesn’t get mixed in with clean clothes. Wouldn’t that be lovely? Locate where the mess starts and adapt your storage to your clothes’ movement throughout your home.

Clothes storage accessories

Our storage expert Christine Dalman shares her top tips for organising a wardrobe so that it stays tidy for longer.

Top four tips for organised clothes storage from our experts

Getting started is half the job as the saying goes. That is also true when it comes to planning you clothing storage. We think designing a well-organised closet can be a lot of fun. However, before you get started planning for how many shelves, drawers, hooks, shoe racks, etc. you will need, we have a few step-by-step tips we’d like to share with you.

1. TAKE A BEFORE PICTURE, it’s a good idea to take a picture before you get started and bring it along with you when planning with a retailer. Furthermore, you’ll have something to compare with the before and after results.

2. WRITE DOWN THE DIMENSIONS, take note of the height and width of the room and write down the measurements – remember to include all doors, window, radiators, etc. Make a sketch, too and bring that with you.

3. SORT OUT UNUSED CLOTHES, can you sell, swap with friends or donate to charity? Catalogue your clothes by taking an inventory and write down how many blouses, shirts, trousers, skirts, dresses and shoes you have. This will make planning of your storage easier.

4. NOW YOU ARE READY TO PLAN! Choose from our range of ready-made solutions, design it on our online panning tool or book an appointment with your nearest Elfa dealer, who will gladly help you design your storage solution.