Looking for ideas to get the most out of your basement closet? Perhaps the closet is small and you are looking for ways to use the space more efficiently. Maybe it’s under your basement stairs, and you’re trying to figure out how to use the awkward space successfully.  Regardless of what your needs are, our list of Basement Closet Ideas is here to help!

1) Closet Rods

If your basement closet is newly renovated or repurposed to store clothes, it might not have a rod from which to hang clothes. That is easily rectified. You can purchase different types of rods to hang clothes here. Some rods will attach into the wall with drywall screws, or you can purchase tension rods, which are rods in adjustable lengths that use a spring tension mechanism to stay in place.

2) Hangers

Once you have a clothes rod in place, you’ll need hangers. Hangers come in a bunch of different designs and are made out of a wide variety of materials. Wooden hangers, plastic hangers hangers, heavy duty hangers, and trouser hangers are just a few of the choices you have in hangers. They can all be purchased in bulk here at Amazon.

3) Space Saving Hangers

Suppose your basement closet is small.  If so, space saving hangers will allow you to get the most out of the space you have. These are made from stainless steel rods with loops along the rod. Hang several articles of clothing through the loops and unhang one end of the hanger. The result frees up space by storing five or more articles of clothing in the space of one.

4) Hanging Closet Organizer

Hanging closet organizers are a fantastic way to add shelf space to a closet that does not have shelves. These are organizers that form a box of shelves when hung from a closet rod, yet they are collapsible when not hanging. Once hung, you can use the shelves to store clothing that does not need to hang, or other loose items. Click here to find a style appropriate for your closet.

5) Hanging Shoe Organizer

Another space saving hack for a small basement closet is the hanging shoe organizer. In some ways, it’s similar to the hanging closet organizer, though instead of hanging from the clothes rod, the shoe organizer hangs from the back of the closet door. The organizer is lined with pockets that will each hold a shoe. This one on Amazon has 24 pockets, which will give you room to hang 12 pairs of shoes.

6) Purse Hangers

If you love handbags and own a lot of them, finding space to store them can be a pain. If you want to store them in your basement closet you can use Purse Hangers or Organizers. These are made of stainless steel and have special hooks along each side. Those hooks are made specifically so you can hang a handbag strap over them. They are also good for belts and scarves as well.

7) ​Freestanding Hanging Storage Organizer

If you are renting your space, you might not be allowed to drill holes or screw into the drywall of your basement closet. If this is the case, you can purchase a freestanding hanging organizer with shelves and place it in your closet instead. These metal racks can be purchased in different shapes and configurations, so it should be easy to find one that will fit your closet.

8) Shoe Rack

Another great way to store shoes in your basement closet is the free standing shoe rack. As with the freestanding organizers, these come in all shapes and sizes. You can purchase three-tiered or four-tiered models. A free standing shoe rack will sit on the floor of your closet.  Once there, you can place your shoes on the shelves. Follow this link to shop for one.

9) Closet Organizer Kit

If you own your space and are able to put holes into the drywall of your basement closet, then an organizer kit is a great way to add shelves and hanging racks. These kits are variable in shape and can be adjusted to the size of your space when installed. They are also simple to install and if you buy this model, come complete with all the installation hardware you will need.

10) Cube Organizer

Maybe you have plenty of space for clothing in other areas of the house and you intend to use your basement closet to store other items. Cube organizers can be used for this purpose.  These organizers can be purchased at Amazon and give you great flexibility because they can be built in different configurations, allowing you the most efficient use of your closet space.

11) Organizing a Closet Under the Stairs

If your basement closet is located under the stairs, then you are probably familiar with the awkward space where the ceiling slants down as you walk further into the closet. With the right placement of shelving, that awkward space can be used for storage and still allow access to the rear areas of the closet.  Here’s an article that will give you a fantastic plan for installing shelves in that closet under the stairs.

12) ​​​Create a Closet Out of an Open Nook

What if you don’t have a basement closet and would like to turn the open space beneath your basement stairs into one? This can be done. If your basement is finished, and you have the wall space along one side of the stairs, then installing a sliding barn door is a great way to close off that open area. For an instructional video explaining how to do it yourself, watch the video.

13) ​​​​Build You Own Shelves

Are you comfortable with woodworking? Do you have your own shop with woodworking tools?  Then building your own shelves will allow you to create a design for your closet that will best fit your specific tastes. You can also stain or paint the wood in your favorite color, giving a personal touch to your basement closet that store bought organizers don’t have. Watch a how-to video on building your own closet shelves.

14) Framing a Closet

Perhaps you have an open corner of your basement that you want to convert into a closet.  Again, if you are comfortable with woodworking and understand the basics of framing, then you can build your own closet. Framing your own closet will allow you to build it as large or as small as needed and will give you the most design flexibility. Here’s a detailed, four part article with instructions for framing a basement closet.

Whether you are looking for a way to better organize your basement closet, or looking to completely add a new closet to your basement, surely our 14 Basement Closet Ideas have given you some tips to get you started. There are many ways to improve an existing closet and a couple of ways to add a new one to your basement.

What do you think? Know of any ideas we may have left out? Leave a comment here and let us know!