Storing clothes can be a pain, especially when the UK’s weather changes so often and you need outfits for sun, snow and rain on the same day. Without the right wardrobe storage, unpacking items can be equally frustrating, but we have the solution.

To help you feel organised all year-round, we’ve put together 10 clothing storage ideas, tips and tricks. No more digging for crumpled clothes, just perfectly prepped outfits ready to wear at a moment’s notice. 

1. Pare down your clothes

More than 60% of UK households say they have unwanted clothes stored at home. 

Whether they’re damaged, out of fashion or simply don’t fit, unused items take up much-needed space. 

That’s why our first clothing storage idea is to pare down your wardrobe by recycling or donating unwanted clothes, shoes and accessories.

Clothes hanging on a rail in a fitted wardrobe

Hanging shoe storage

2. Plan what you want to store

You’ll need to choose your storage based on the type of clothes you want to store. If it’s mainly coats and dresses, you’ll need to install the right rail heights to avoid your long items dragging on the floor. For storing long boots, you’ll need to think about the shoe rack height, as you don’t want to bend your boots to fit inside the wardrobe.

No matter how much (or little) space you have, fitted wardrobes can help you organise your outfits easily.


3. Clean your clothes before storing them away

We’d love to wear our favourite items all year round, but it’s just not feasible. 

With that in mind, make sure you properly clean your clothes before putting them away. 

Just think – you don’t want to pull out a dress that still has last year’s wine all over it.


4. Use vacuum packs to save space

Ideal for seasonal storage, vacuum packs help you save even more space by cutting your bulky items down to size. 

They also keep your items away from dust and moisture. 

However, we don’t recommend storing clothes in vacuum bags for more than six months – it can ruin their shape or create severe creases.


5. Invest in clothes covers and suit covers

Got suits to store? 

You should absolutely invest in suit covers to protect against moths. We also recommend using clothes bags for everything from jumpers to jeans, which will help protect your clothes in the long run. 

This is one of the easiest clothing storage ideas on our list.


6. Label boxes or photograph the contents

If you’re using boxes to store shoes or accessories, try labelling the boxes or photographing the contents and printing it out. 

You’ll thank yourself when it comes to unpacking. 

Meanwhile, using photos of your contents can transform your wardrobe into a colourful catalogue that’s truly satisfying.

Coordinated chest of drawersr

7. Invest in quality coat hangers

If you’re storing coats in your wardrobe, we can’t overstate the importance of investing in quality hangers. 

Specifically, we mean wooden or velvet hangers. Unlike wire hangers that often leave irreparable creases, high-quality hangers look great and won’t ruin the shape of your coats, making them one of the most stylish clothing storage ideas.


8. Use drawer liners to protect your clothes

If you have a wooden wardrobe, using drawer liners is an easy way to protect your clothes from snags in the wood. 

Just imagine pulling out a scarf only for it to tear. Making small changes to your storage can help your clothes go a long way.


9. Use mothballs or lavender bags

Using mothballs is another quick and easy clothing storage idea, protecting your clothes from flying critters. 

Be careful – mothballs are pesticides so should consider buying chemical-free mothballs, and always use gloves. For a toxic-free alternative, you can use lavender or bay leaves, which will smell wonderful, too.


10. Don’t vacuum pack delicates or ‘fluffy’ items

Vacuum packs help you save lots of space. 

But did you know that some items, such as delicates or ‘fluffy’ clothing, benefit from air circulation? For storing things like towels, pillows and bulky winter coats, we recommend using breathable bags instead.

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