This post: 26 Cheap Ways to Organize Your Teen’s Closet (Post updated 5/2023)
These simple closet organization ideas will help your teen tidy up their clothes (and the rest of their stuff) so they can see what they’re looking for and get dressed and out the door quickly. (And, with everything neat and organized, maybe they’ll be inspired to keep it that way!)
If you’re like most parents of teens, your teenager’s bedroom and closet are nothing short of a disaster. Clothes scattered all over the floor, shoes piled in a corner, and their hoodies and t-shirts are hanging out of their dresser drawers. The good news is, it’s pretty normal behavior. (Nope, you’re not alone!) The bad news is, it probably drives you a little nuts!
That’s why we decided to gather up a few ideas to help your teen organize their closet once and for all. Most of the ideas here are inexpensive (or downright dirt cheap); others might cost a few bucks. Whether you spend $5 or $50 on your teen’s closet organization – consider it an investment because when everything has its own place, your kids are a tad more likely to put things away and keep their bedrooms somewhat organized. (At least we can all hope, right!?)
Here are a few inexpensive (or downright cheap) ways to organize your teen’s closet.
26 Cheap Ways to Organize Your Teen’s Closet
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Max Out Inexpensive Organization Storage
Because teenagers have a ton of stuff, it’s important to give them plenty of shelves and cubby holes to put all their things. Inexpensive hanging storage accessories like these are great to keep hats, jeans, sweaters, t-shirts, and shoes completely organized. For more closet organization ideas, visit Home Stories A to Z
Image: Home Stories A to Z
Clips to Hang Jeans
We’re loving this clever idea! The hooks shown here are actually curtain rod clips, but you can also use simple “S” hooks which are easy to find and inexpensive. Heads up, “S” hooks ALSO work awesome to hang jeans!
Image: Pinterest
Over-the-Door Multi-Functional Hooks
Everything from Jackets and purses to hoodies and backpacks can be hung on this multi-functional over-the-door unit. Just hang it on the inside of their closet door so they’ll have a go-to place to hang their jacket and backpack after school.
Wire Mesh Baskets
Something as simple as adding a few wire mesh baskets can do wonders to free up space in drawers and keep all the items they wear regularly like hoodies, leggings, PJs, and even underwear right within arm’s reach.
Image: Pinterest
Vanity with Jewelry Storage
What teen girl wouldn’t love having her very own vanity with jewelry storage in her closet? And, the best part is, this idea is easy enough to recreate yourself.
Image: View Along the Way
Shower Curtain Hooks to Organize Belts, Scarves, Hats, or Tank Tops
When it comes to cheap ways to organize your teen’s closet, this idea is about as inexpensive as it gets. You can purchase shower curtain rings at just about any Dollar Store and they work great to help consolidate belts, scarves, or tank tops on one hanger.
Image: blog.ahrn
Add Another Hanging Shelf to Double Your Hanging Space
Teenagers are notorious (especially girls) for having a lot of stuff! Double your hanging space and keep everything neat simply by adding another hanging shelf. (Be sure to leave an area in the closet for longer items like coats and dresses.)
Image: School of Decorating
Keep Clothes From Falling Off the Hangers
Why pay a premium for non-slip hangers when you can make them at home for free? Good old-fashioned pipe cleaners or rubber bands can transform any hanger into a non-slip hanger. Or, simply take your glue gun and create a zigzag pattern near the end of the hanger to keep clothes from slipping off. No brainer!
Image: One Good Thing by Jillee
Open Shelving Makes Folded Items Easy to See
Items such as hoodies, jeans, t-shirts, and sweats can be folded on an inexpensive open shelving unit to make them easy to see, easy to reach and easy to put away. (You can purchase an inexpensive bookcase at Walmart, Target, or on Amazon.)
Image: Curls and Cashmere
Make Use of Door Space
Keep all those belts, scarves, and hair ties in one place by using hanging wire baskets (you can use Command Hooks to hang baskets) and attaching dowels to the closet door. Make every inch of space count!
Image: Apartment Therapy
Pockets Keep Everything Organized
An over-the-door pocket organizer like this one (available at Wal-Mart) makes keeping socks, ties, sunglasses, and so much a breeze.
Image: Home Stories A to Z
Vary Shelving Height
Organizing closets can be tricky, especially when you’re working in a tight space. One of the best ways to max out space and give everything in your teen’s closet a “home,” is to vary the height of additional smaller shelves to accommodate all their needs. ‘
To see this closet organized five different ways, visit Lela Burris.
Image: Lela Burris
Get Creative and Do It Yourself
It’s amazing what you can accomplish with a little creativity! This DIY blogger transformed her closet space using an Ikea dresser and two bookshelves to streamline her clothing space. While this closet makeover may cost a bit more than some of the other ideas, with a little handy work you can build your own.
Image: Homemade by Carmona
Jewelry Organization with Chain and Trim Board
How is it we never thought of these simple ideas to keep jewelry organized? Just hang a chain or use trim board with hooks to keep all her bracelets, necklaces, and earrings organized and neat.
For the easy how-to, visit Sugar Bee Crafts
5-Compartment Organizer Tray
Keep everything organized on shelves with this handy 5-compartment organizer tray. It’s great for storing all the little stuff like smaller purses, wallets, and even notebooks.
Add a Rolling Cart for Extra Storage Space
I love rolling carts! They’re great for bathrooms, bedrooms, and closets! All the items you need and use every single day can easily be stored and rolled out when needed.
Use Bookshelves to Organize Accessories
Inexpensive bookshelves are a great way to organize just about anything in your teen’s closet. Use the shelves to organize purses, folded sweatshirts or jeans, or papers. Hooks make it easy to hang purses.
Image: Slideshare
“S” Hooks and Dollar Store Baskets
Need a place to store all that small stuff that doesn’t seem to have a place? Try hanging Dollar Store baskets using cheap “S” hooks to keep everything within easy reach.
Image: Pinterest
80-Pocket Hanging Jewelry Organizer
No more sifting through a messy jewelry chest. This hanging pocket jewelry organizer makes it super easy for her to see every bracelet, necklace, and pair of earrings she owns.
Labeled Baskets and Bins Make Everything Easy to Find
A little labeling can make everything so much easier to find. Baskets and bins can help make use of every bit of vertical space. Love this clean closet idea from Home Talk.
Image: HomeTalk
Store Seasonal Items in Bins
Plastic storage bins like these are closet necessities. To keep their closet organized, move off-season items out of the way and into seasonal storage bins. Label them by season to make them easy to grab when seasons roll around. If you want to create your own chalkboard labels, check out this chalkboard paper from Amazon!
Image: Hardly Housewives
Flip Flop Basket
Any basket or container will work to store all those flip-flops that are lying on their closet floor.
Image: Karl Harmer
4- Tier Rack to Keep Shoes Off the Floor
Considering most of our kids’ shoes end up piled by the back door (where we trip over them day-in-and-day-out), maybe this simple shoe rack will encourage them to keep their shoes in their closet and off the floor. And, it’s priced right!
Use Shelf Dividers
Keep sweatshirts, sweaters, t-shirts, or jeans organized and neat by using simple shelf dividers to keep them separate. Just this one small addition can make it so much easier for your teen to grab their clothes and get out the door without sifting through piles of messy clothes.
Image: Organizing Junkie
Use “S” Hooks to Hang Jeans
No more throwing their clothes on the floor (at least you hope.) Simple “S” hooks make it easy for teens to hang their jeans the no-hassle way!
Image: Closet Stalker
Build Your Own DIY Shelves
If you’re handy (and, even if you’re not), these DIY closet shelves are pretty darn easy to make. And, considering you can customize them any way you like, they can make a huge difference in organizing your teen’s closet once and for all.
Check out the easy how-to at Lovely Etc.
