How To Style Your Wardrobe When You Don’t Have Much Space

Short on space but still want a perfectly Instagrammable closet? These tips will help you organise and style your wardrobe in no time.

We’re all short on space in Hong Kong, and none of us can quite afford the luxury of a walk-in closet. But by following these few simple tips, you can make sure your clothes stay organised, and work as a design feature in your room. We promise it won’t take up too much space either. From investing in the right hangers, to assessing what you actually wear, and going Marie Kondo on our drawers, here’s how to organise and style your closet when space is limited.

De-Clutter

An obvious yet necessary starting point. We all have those days when we wake up in the morning, stare at our full-to-the-brim wardrobes, but still think “I have nothing to wear”.  Now you don’t have to go full on Marie Kondo on your clothes, but assessing what you have, and realising what you actually wear (and what brings you joy!), will make organising and deciding what to wear each morning much easier. We’re forever striving for the perfect capsule wardrobe, and minimalist closets are definitely in when it comes to styling, so stripping things back to basics is a good place to start.

Sassy Tip: After sorting out your clothes, don’t be tempted to go out and buy more! We have friends that swear by the “one in, one out” rule, meaning that for every item bought, one old item is donated. It’s an easy way to ensure you’re actually wearing everything you own, and to keep your wardrobe streamlined.

Read more: Donation Resources In Hong Kong

Colour code or organise by types of clothing

It may seem a little unnecessary but colour coding your clothes will not only look aesthetically pleasing (whether they’re kept in the drawer or on display!), but will also help you when it comes to choosing outfits. Spending a little extra time here will pay off in the long run and make your closet look that bit extra put together. It’s also likely that the clothes you wear reflect your interior design taste, so the colours displayed will most likely compliment each other, or fit with your overall theme. If colour coding is just one step too far, try and group similar types of clothing together to make it easier to find what you’re looking for, and to make your clothes look orderly.

Organise with the seasons in mind

For much of the year, Hong Kong is hot and humid, so having your winter sweaters, jackets and jeans taking up prime space isn’t the most practical way to organise. As our apartments are also prone to dampness (and the dreaded mould!), stock up on some moisture absorbers from your local JHC, and store bulky items away into sealable bags.

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Try using a rail

A nice way to display your favourite pieces and keep items you wear a lot on hand, is to ditch the conventional closest and instead opt for an open clothes rail. This stylised approach takes a little more discipline, but can pay off in the long run. The nature of the clothes rail automatically limits how many items you can have, and as it’s always on display, there’s extra incentive to keep things tidy. If you’re living in a studio space, a rail can also work to divide the room into living and bedroom areas. IKEA has a whole range of open clothes and shoe storage systems, along with simple and cheap racks that don’t take up too much space.

Read more: How To Make The Most Of Your Seriously Small Balcony

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Hang a curtain or use a screen divider

Not keen on having everything on display? A chic way to hide away your clothes is by using a curtain or screen divider. It’s a great solution for small spaces and will make your boudoir feel extra luxurious. We’ve seen a range of designs and prices available on sites such as Etsy, or Hong Kong brand Decor8 has a range of wooden screen dividers. If you’re opting for a curtain over a screen, IKEA again comes in handy for inexpensive options, just be sure that you’re able to install a curtain pole!

Read more: Your Guide To Horizon Plaza

Stock up on space-saving hangers

These can be easily purchased online from sites such as Amazon, but we’ve also spotted them in JHC shops across the city and at other homeware stores. The velvet surface will keep your clothes from slipping off, and will also help protect fabrics from getting snagged, plus the streamlined shape will save so much space. For exposed rails, make sure that your hangers all match, to achieve a put together look.

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Add an IKEA Kallax

Another cheap and cheerful product (that has been a long time heavy-hitter with the Insta crowd), is the IKEA Kallax which is an easy way to organise and display your clothes. For items that don’t need hanging, it’s a hassle-free storage solution, and for items that are prone to get a little messy, there is a whole range of extras that can be added to hide anything that’s a little less than perfect.

Read more: How To Stock And Style Your At Home Bar Cart