A spacious bedroom closet where everything has its designated spot is easier said than done. However, it helps to keep your room organized and comfortable. Therefore, you need to make a conscious effort to sort things right and keep your room arranged.

Two experts gave their opinions on achieving the perfect closet arrangement to help maximize space. Toni Primack is a professional organizer and founder of Southern Roots Organizing and Style Co. in Prosper, Texas. Julie Peak is also a professional organizer, declutter expert, and owner of The Precise Place in Charlotte, North Carolina. Together, they shared some advice to help you get the most out of your space.

Primack explains that “Allocating this space for essentials you frequently use allows for easier access and a more visually appealing environment.”
“A clutter-free closet translates to a clutter-free mind, promoting mental clarity and reducing unnecessary stress in your daily life.” Therefore, it is best to always keep a clutter-free space at all times. Here is a list of things that you should never keep in your bedroom closet to maximize space.

This should be a no-brainer, but it needs to be said regardless. If your shoes are muddy, do not put them in your closet until you’ve cleaned them thoroughly. Peak even suggests leaving them in the mud room or at the entryway. This way, your closet is not covered in dirt, and you don’t have to worry about stains all over your space. Your other shoes and items will also not gather secondhand dirt.

Hazardous materials should not be in your bedroom closet. These include items like flammable liquids, chemicals, or combustible materials. “These substances pose safety risks, including fire hazards or toxic fumes, which can jeopardize your well-being,” explains Primack. “It’s best to store them in a secure, designated area away from main living spaces.” This way, your closet will not contain dangerous materials that can damage your clothes and shoes.

You do not need multiple unused hangers. They take up a lot of space and do not give the closet a neat appearance. Peak said, “Removing extra hangers is a simple yet effective step toward maintaining an organized, functional, and visually pleasing wardrobe space.”
“Instead of buying new hangers for clothing purchases, implement the one-in-one-out method in your closet.”

High on the list of things to not put in your bedroom closet are leg supplies. Without a doubt, storing pert items there could be convenient. However, this can lead to serious hygiene issues.
The items may carry strong odors and allergens, affecting the cleanliness of your own clothes and personal items. Therefore, it is better to keep a designated space for your pet items away from your bedroom as a whole.

While you might want to keep your luggage in your closet, it might end up taking a lot more space than you expect. Therefore, it’s best to not put luggage in closets. Instead, store in a separate area like a storage room or under a bed. This will also help to maximize space and prevent big boxes from taking up a major portion of the closet.

Another set of items to not put in the bedroom closet are workout gear as it can lead to visual and mental clutter. Primack says, “Bulky equipment can occupy valuable space and detract from the serene environment you aim to create in your bedroom.”
“Consider designating a separate area, like a home gym or a dedicated workout space, to keep exercise equipment organized.”

Your bedroom closet is not a filing cabinet, and you should try as much as possible to avoid turning it into a makeshift one. Peak suggests that a home office or filing cabinet should be used to store paperwork. “Store important paperwork and documents in a dedicated home office or filing cabinet,” said Peak. “This practice guarantees both orderliness and a clutter-free closet.”

Seasons come and go so why should you put your Christmas decorations in your closet all year long? Both Primack and Peak are strongly against this. The experts believe that seasonal decorations should have a space where they can be while it’s off-season.
“Give your seasonal decorations their own VIP space,” suggests Peak. “Send them to the attic or basement—your wardrobe deserves the spotlight, no tinsel required!”

Your unworn clothes do not need to be in your closet. The same goes for clothes that no longer fit or those you don’t like anymore. Primack suggests fixing this problem by donating clothes to those in need. For those you intend to wear much later, you can store them elsewhere for a while. “This decluttering process not only frees up space but also helps maintain an organized wardrobe for easy selection of outfits,” says Primack.

Excess Bedding
Bedding and sheets take up a lot of space as they are usually thick and heavy. Even though you need extras for cleanliness, your spare bedding should not be in your closet. They take up a huge amount of space and leave the closet looking overcrowded. “Consider storing only the necessary bedding items for your bed size and seasonal needs,” says Primack.