15 best closet organizers of 2023, plus tips from Marie Kondo

One note of importance: you don’t have to wait until spring to whip out cleaning products and get tackling that closet of yours.

We love a good Sunday deep clean (vacuum and all). More importantly, we love when our spaces are pristine and organized to perfection — or, close to it.

Naturally, we pulled the 15 best closet organizers of 2023 that you can snag from Amazon, Target, Walmart and more. Not only that, but we got the 411 on all things organizing from the one and only Marie Kondo, tidying expert, author, founder of The KonMari Method and host of the Netflix-popular Tidying Up.

“A well-organized closet not only looks great and is easy to navigate, but more importantly, it should remind you each morning that a tidy space can create joy in your life, which can lead to a calm and motivated mindset throughout the day, Kondo told the New York Post in an exclusive interview. “Closet organization is important because it can help you look forward to entering a highly functional area every time you have an outfit change.”

Whether big or small, closets should be organized so that all of the space available is utilized well and every item has a specific home, according to Kondo. “When you walk into your closet, you should have a complete understanding of where items are located,” she adds. (Related: best gifts that spark joy, per Marie Kondo).

Kondo further explains how The KonMari Method can be used for long-lasting results in her book, “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up.” She also provides helpful tips and tricks, but you can jump to shop our best picks below:

Marie Kondo’s Step-by-Step Closet-Organizing Routine

Ahead, Kondo highlights an exclusive process of “intentional steps” just for The Post readers:

• Take everything out: The KonMari Method organizes by category, not by location. For example, if you have coats that live in the closet downstairs or sweaters in the garage, pull these items out so that you can see your full inventory. Don’t panic if you’re surprised by the amount of clothes — that’s not uncommon! The next steps will help you tackle everything with ease.
• Keep only items that spark joy: Many closets tend to hold onto clothing, shoes or other miscellaneous items that are no longer in use or enjoyed. In this next phase of the process, I urge people to assess their items and only hold onto items that spark joy for them. Keeping only the items that serve a true purpose will help you feel surrounded by joy and achieve your ideal life.
• Tidy by category: Because all closets vary in size, it would be helpful to visualize your ideal set-up before putting items away. How much hanging space do you have for items that need to be hung? Do you share this space with your significant other and need to be mindful of splitting the area? Is there a convenient place for a shoe rack and a laundry hamper? If you’re struggling to visualize, write it down on paper. Sketch a few different options for setting up until you discover what feels right and sparks joy for you.
• When in doubt, fold: Folding and storing clothing the KonMari way will help save space, keep favorite items tidy and make it a joy to get dressed each day. Folding according to The KonMari Method also offers great visibility into the items you have. If you have drawers or a dresser in your closet, make sure items within are neatly folded, so you can get the most out of this space. If you use a variety of storage bins within your closet, the KonMari Method of folding should be applied within these bins to remain organized.
• Make the most of vertical space: Take advantage of every inch of space in your closet by thinking vertically, as well as horizontally. Place items you’ll use the least at the top of the closet — such as clothing that is not in season — then work your way down. And don’t forget to label boxes, so you can easily see where everything is.

How often should I clean my closet?

While some wait for a full-on deep clean each spring, Kondo advises paying close attention to the contents of your wardrobe year-round.

“How frequently you tidy your closet depends on you as a person and how often you accumulate new items,” she says. “I find that tidying my closet once a year during the spring season works best for me when I am switching out my seasonal clothing. This time helps me reset and allows me to clean and organize other areas of the home, too.”

However, others may find that they like to do their yearly closet tidying session during the season change of summer to fall. Regardless of when you decide to clear your closet, “make sure you’re doing it with intention and gratitude each time,” she notes.

The different types of closet organizers, explained

Bins, boxes and hangers, oh my! Kondo gives us the run-down of the different storage options available to you, as well as how to use each one to its fullest potential.

“My collection with The Container Store offers a lot of useful closet storage enhancements,” she highlights. “This 2-Tier Bamboo Stackable Shoe Shelf makes for a great stackable shoe rack option that can hold various pairs of shoes and fit conveniently tucked away into your closet. The Bamboo Storage Bin, Bamboo Storage Cube and Bamboo Hamper help to make the most of smaller closet spaces — these all-purpose bins with a coated cotton liner you can wipe clean, are perfect for neatly storing clothing items or other accessories and as a plus, look great on display!”

The Rattan Bins (large, medium and small) also make for great storage options for undergarments or t-shirts, too. “If you don’t have much hanging space in your closet, think creatively about ways that you can incorporate bins or additional shelving to fold and store items that way,” she advises.

How to lessen the amount of items in your closet, per Kondo

Below, Kondo explains a step-by-step cadence to help you live more minimally and clean out clutter:

• Re-home or Repurpose: The best way to show our belongings the care and respect they deserve – even after you decide to part ways — is to re-home or repurpose them joyfully. Start by asking family members, friends and community members if what you’re discarding sparks joy for them. 
• Resell: There are many resale platforms that ease the process of finding new homes for items. By listing clothing, shoes and accessories for sale, it allows them to spark joy for someone else. 
• Donate: Donate to a cause of your choice. Check your local thrift stores to see which clothing items they currently accept. During the holiday season, this is an especially great option to donate old clothing to shelters in need.
• Recycle: If you have old, tattered clothes or shoes that can no longer be donated, it may be time to recycle them instead. Many organizations have established textile recycling programs that you can drop off or send your old clothing items to.

Ahead, find our top picks that you can order online now, following Kondo’s tips all the while. After all, cleaning sparks joy.

Best Closet Organizers

1. Youdenova Hanging Closet Organizer, $19, original price: $22

As an Amazon best-seller, the Youdenova Hanging Closet Organizer is a great way to take advantage of vertical space, as Kondo mentions. Not only does this six-slotted organizer have more than 7,000 reviews, but it comes in a few colors to best match your closet.

2. Granny Says Hanging Closet Organizer, $10

If you want to save space at the floor of your closet, there’s no better option than the Granny Says Hanging Closet Organizer. For less than $20, it helps save space, many thanks to the ability to stack many pairs of jeans or wide-leg pants on top of each other.

3. Budding Joy Large Storage Bags (6-Pack), $23, original price: $45

What’s great about the Budding Joy Large Storage Bags isn’t just that they come in a six-pack, but also because they double as organization for your holiday decor and little odds and ends in your closet. With a protective zipper closure, you won’t have to worry about dust or debris making their way into your finest cashmere.

4. Rubbermaid Classic Custom Shelving Kit, $134, original price: $161

If you love the look of California-style closets, this is the closest you’re going to get on a budget. For less than $120, the Rubbermaid Classic Custom Shelving Kit works in virtually every closet, has a healthy mix of racks and storage shelves and looks pristine when you begin hanging cocktail dresses and sports coats on its wall-mounted system. It’s a steal, too.

5. VIPEK V7 Wire Garment Rack Wardrobe Organizer, $129

Similarly, the VIPEK V7 Wire Garment Rack Wardrobe Organizer is great for those who love makeshift “walls” to separate their items. It’s just enough for a small space (pro tip: buy multiple to have a continuous organization system for less than $150 each).

6. iSPECLE Wire Storage Baskets (4-Pack), $40, original price: $50

We love versatility, and the iSPECLE Wire Storage Baskets are where it’s at. This four-pack of bins comes with handles for extra convenience when organizing and taking out your crates of scarves and clutches out of your closet. Plus, you can see exactly what you’re looking for, much ado to its open-wired structure.

Plus, this purchase doubles as kitchen storage organization.

7. Raybee 77″ Clothes Rack, $100

The Raybee 77″ Clothes Rack is apt for larger closets and even has a bottom storage section that’s great for storing all your luggage and carry-on suitcases. If you’re someone who has a rotisserie of dress pants and blazers, this all-in-one unit is 100% worth it for just $100.

8. AoHao Clear Hanging Garment Bags, $9

Now, this is genius. The AoHao Clear Hanging Garment Bags are $9 each but are extra-wide to fit multiple suits and dresses. Not only that, but it makes traveling easier; simply transport the organizer with you and hang it in your car. Oh, and it makes life much easier if you need a system to distinguish where all of your formal clothes live.

9. KZKR Hat Organizer Hanger, $11

As soon as we saw the KZKR Hat Organizer Hanger, we knew Kondo would be proud. If you constantly find hats scattered all over your closet — fear no more. This all-in-one hanger is less than $15 and has storage for up to 10 headpieces, from baseball caps and winter pom-pom hats to head scarves.

10. HanaMya Folding & Stackable Storage Shelf, $58, original price: $66

The easiest way to transform your space into a Better Homes & Gardens magazine is by purchasing the HanaMya Folding & Stackable Storage Shelf. It’s like a built-in, but customizable to your space (in short, you can stack as many as can fit in your closet space) and it’s a great solution for bath towels and throw blankets, too.

11. ClosetMaid Modular Storage Unit, $175, original price: $255

Enter one of our favorite Amazon best-sellers: the ClosetMaid Modular Storage Unit. Inside, you’ll have four shelves to store anything and everything, from seasonal shackets and bodysuits to work pants and even your duvet. It’s quite magical, if we’re being honest.

12. A Rainbow Hanging Purse Organizer, $13

Some of us don’t have room for wall-mounted closet shelves — and that’s OK, especially when the A Rainbow Hanging Purse Organizer exists. We can’t believe it’s less than $15 on Amazon (can someone say hidden gem!) and it has storage for up to eight mini bags.

13. Simple Housewares 3-Tier Shoe Rack, $19, original price: $28

This guide would be incomplete without a mention of a durable, large-capacity shoe rack. This one from Simple Housewares is one of the best values we’ve seen (and one Kondo would approve of). From storing your white sneakers to most comfortable heels, it’s a game-changer.

14. SeeSpring Shoe Storage Boxes (12-Pack), $40, original price: $55

Clear and concise, the SeeSpring Shoe Storage Boxes, impressively, come in a 12-pack that makes storing shoes (and other belongings, TBH) much more organized. They’re also one of the best closet organizers to buy if you love the look of stacking units atop each other. Or, simply put, if you want to save even more space.

15. Hanging 7-Shelf Closet Organizer, $55

Keep your items open and easy-to-reach-for with the Hanging 5-Tier Closet Organizer. Not only does it look prim and modern in your wardrobe, but each of its slots are deep, so rest assured you’ll be able to store many of the items you want to keep on hand.

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