Living in a tiny London flat with four other shopaholic girls means two things: wardrobe wars are a weekly sport and storage space is as rare as a quiet night in.
But my love for shopping? Unshakeable. So, unless I suddenly develop the ability to resist a vintage market (unlikely), I had to get seriously creative with organising my stuff and sooner rather than later.
Now, I’m not talking about the useful, yet let’s face it, basic hacks we all know and love. No floating shelves or utilisation of under-the-bed storage. I wanted hacks that were clever, easy, cheap and, most importantly, kind of stylish. Nothing worse than a storage hack designed to reduce clutter that ends up becoming an eye-sore.
So, I went rummaging through my flat and started seeing my clutter in a whole new light. What began as a desperate attempt to bring some order to my junk draw, turned into a surprisingly fun challenge. Like Tetris… but with handbags and bangles. I’ve discovered some unexpected storage solutions that are equal parts weird and wonderful. Some seemed obvious, others less so…
Some of these tricks might sound a bit mad – but they work, well, they have for me! So, if you’re short on space but big on stuff, here are the quirky little hacks I swear by to keep my space cool, calm, collected – and cleverly organised.
Shoes in wine boxes
I came across this idea when I was doing research for my piece on how best to organise your shoe cupboard and, honestly, it’s brilliant. Turns out, the secret to easy, organised shoe storage might already be lurking in your recycling bin (or garage or kitchen corner). The cardboard dividers inside wine boxes are perfect for keeping shoes neatly separated, tucked away and still easy to spot at a glance.
They’re ideal for storing out-of-season shoes or those ‘I swear I’ll wear them someday’ heels. Plus, they’re stackable, perfect for sliding under the bed or popping up in the attic.
If you don’t already have a wine crate lying around, you can often pick them up for free from supermarkets, off-licences, or wine shops. And if it just so happens to come with a couple of bottles still inside… well, I call that efficient multitasking. (Hang on to those empties – we’ll be putting them to use shortly.)
Sunglasses on a hanger
If your sunglasses collection has outgrown your drawers (guilty!), this hack is your new best friend.
Simply grab a spare hanger – ideally, one with a bit of grip – and hook your sunnies along the horizontal bar. Then hang it neatly at the end of your wardrobe rail. Voilà! Instant display and storage and I cleared half a drawer in about 30 seconds.
Bonus tip: Pop something soft beneath it, just in case any frames take a tumble. We want space, not scratched lenses.
Hats on a towel ring
Okay, this one requires a tiny bit of DIY effort – but it’s worth it for hat lovers.
Mount a towel ring (the kind meant for bathrooms) on the back of your door, inside your wardrobe or wherever your accessories live. Then, simply slide the adjustable strap of your baseball caps through the ring. Done!
Suddenly, all your caps are no longer dominating every available surface, neatly stacked and ready to grab on your way out.
Bracelets on a wine bottle
This might just be my favourite hack – mainly because it’s as chic as it is functional and it finally gave me a classy excuse to keep those empty wine bottles around.
Bracelets have a sneaky habit of turning into a tangled mess in jewellery boxes. But slip them over the neck of an empty wine bottle and – ta-da! – they’re beautifully displayed, easy to grab and completely tangle-free.
Just make sure you pick a bottle you’re happy to show off. Think elegant Champagne – not last night’s Lambrini.
Double up hangers with a soda can tab
If wardrobe space is at a premium (and when isn’t it?), this hack is a game-changer.
Pop the pull tab off your favourite fizzy drink – mine’s always a Diet Coke – and slide it on to the neck of a hanger. Then, hook a second hanger through the bottom hole of the tab. That’s it! Instantly, you’ve doubled up your hanging space.
It’s also a great way to keep outfits paired together – perfect for those mornings when you want to feel ultra-organised and smug about having your clothes ready to go.
Our favourite wardrobe organisers
LIVEL Non Slip Velvet Hangers, 50 Pack
BrilliantJo Hanging Storage, 2 Pack
