I may have a bit of a scarf addiction. With practically nonexistent closet space, they were taking over the hooks on my bedroom door. Not only was it an eyesore, it was impossible to grab a coat or scarf without creating an avalanche of accessories. This weekend, I found a solution that was quick, inexpensive, and visually interesting. Check out the after, after the jump!

My bedroom is a square with this little nook large enough to accommodate the open door. Besides stashing a laundry basket, I never really utilized this space. Recently, the Marshalls I frequent started displaying the scarves on rods along one wall. I remembered the versatility of tension rods, and made my way to the hardware store.
With a distance of 30" from wall to doorjamb, tension rods were an easy, no fuss solution. I purchased 3 of them, and got to hanging. Unfortunately, I underestimated the weight of dozens of scarves, and they came crashing down. After a few choice words, it was back to the hardware store, where I bought 3 sets of brackets. Navigating my way around a power drill for the first time, it was about 30 minutes from first guide hole to hanging rods.
I'm thrilled with the results! With a non-existent footprint and finding a use for neglected space, I have an easy system for finding, storing, and displaying my scarf collection. If you have lighter accessories and a tight space, the tension rods will most likely work out better for you than me. But you can use bracketed rods on any wall and really make a statement.
MORE CREATIVE STORAGE SOLUTIONS ON APARTMENT THERAPY:
• A Place to Hang Your Hat: Hats as Decoration
• Creative Storage Solutions for Around the House
• 9 Ways To Use Shoe Organizers In Small Spaces
Images: Tara Bellucci.


Shaw's Original Fir...
Wow, great idea! Now if only I a similar little corner...
Very cute! I have a wall of hooks displaying my scarf collection - it's better than painting an accent wall ;)
Wow! You have a lot of scarves! My first organization tip would be to thin out the collection and take some to the thrift store. But otherwise a great storage solution.
This is awesome - just the other day, I was thinking that I have to something about my scarves as well (i.e. something better than piling them up in the closet).
I envy those people who have nicely organized walking closet - umm, correction: who have ANY KIND of walking closet or some nooks where shelving can be put up to store/showcase purses, etc.
just in time for fall. my scarves are an absolute nightmare in my closet. thanks for the super simple tip!
Brilliant!
@laurabellk
Those of us with short hair are dependent on scarves for warmth! And frankly my dear, you can pry my excessive scarf collection from my cold, dead, well-decorated neck! ;-)
I used curtain rods that I already had in a similar way. My scarves and my hats are now on a small corner wall behind my bedroom door. I wear scarves so much, I love that they are very accessible when I am running out the door.
You need those scarves to insulate the wall while you're not wearing them! Great job.
@hooksies - maybe you could use the space between a bookcase or tall cabinet and the wall.
I love the idea, so much easier to see and select what you are looking for. When you have a small space it forces a person to become creative.
Great idea... it could read more as an art piece if it wasn't pushed up against the side walls... my suggestion would be to fabricate a frame (even 2" from the walls would refine this) and integrate the bars into the frame rather than the walls to clean it up.
Awesome! I've been trying to figure out how to store all my scarves, pashminas, shawls, and kerchiefs. I know exactly where I can do something like this in my RV!
This is an inspiring idea. I have a short space between a tall dresser and wall that could work the same way. I have a lot of scarves too and was glad I had so many that were "expendable" one day when I was baby sitting a toddler. She loved playing with my scarves and was so adorable swishing them in the air.
Yay! No more wasted space behind a door (hate HATE when I can't open a door all the way, so I applaud you for moving the laundry basket...). If I had a bedroom door, I'd steal your idea. :-)
Someone recently posted an idea to store scarves w/a IKEA Grundtal rack - another brilliant idea.
Similar to this, I put inexpensive towel bars on the inside of my wardrobe doors to hang scarves, belts and bras. I only have two drawers and no shelving so this freed up the space for things that really need it. My husband has a couple in his closet for belts, ties and pocket squares and has added a little hanging container (from one of the IKEA kitchen rail systems) to contain cufflinks, collar stays, etc.
As a bonus, the towel bars are sturdy enough and well enough attached to the doors that I can put hangers on them while planning outfits, packing for a trip or putting away clothing.
I've had my scarves like that for three years. :D
It truly is the way to go.
In my old apartment, I had them like that - right behind the door. In my new place, my bedroom door goes into the middle of the room. But I lucked out - I have a secret back door to the storage room that I'm pretty much never going to use so I hung my scarves there. It's awesome!
Cute! I roll mine up and put in an over-the-door shoe holder. It also holds my gloves, belts, etc.
I dump them in a filet bag that i hang up
What a great idea! I have mine in a drawer but I like this idea much better and you can see them all at once! Good job!
Great idea. Very colorful! I keep mine on one of those multi-bar pants hangers which hangs on a hook attached to the inside of the entryway closet.
@laurabellk
I hate to say it, but where did your comment come from? I have just as many scarves and wear them everyday from late august (my thin ones) to the thick ones through the winter. Even a night picnic in the summer, they get pulled out for. Would NEVER give any of mine up.
Wow! Your scarves are marvelous, and I wouldn't change a thing.
Follow your bliss, and thanks for sharing a great idea with us!
Ooh - great idea just when I was looking for a solution. Perfect timing! Thanks!!!
What a great idea, I wish I had a corner to do that as well. I don't think you need to thin out your collection, unless you have some you aren't crazy about. They all look very different but I'm a 50 scarf person myself as well...
With all these scarfs you'll have to checkout this YouTube video. There are so many ways to wear a scarf. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LYAEz777AU&feature=youtube_gdata_player
I love your idea. I’m a fan of tension rods myself.
My best TENSION ROD TIP: sometimes you can remove the rubber ends. If so, drill a screw through the rubber end and directly into the wall. Reinsert the tension rod into the rubber ends that you have attached to the wall. Yes it defeats the “no tools needed” tension rod attraction, but it does help to bridge certain tension rod limitations.
The only suggestion I would make to your beautiful scarf display is follow natures lead aka the fancy word “biomimicry”. I would reorganize your scarves to reference the colour spectrum admired in nature’s most beautiful display of colour gradation THE RAINBOW.
LOVE! (the before looks exactly like my bedroom door) just wish I had a nook to do the same.
@laurabellk .. Actualy, no one asked your opinion of how may scarves are on those rods. This is such a cool idea.Add rudimentary hooks from the hardware store and you can store belts.What a great example of using every inch.And what a nice colorful view when the door is closed.
I think it's pretty, but it's in no way doable if you have cats!
The "Before" pic is exactly what I have now...I may be trying this very soon. Thanks!
@hookies...another way to do this would be to drill holes through the ends of dowels, tie knots below each tier of rods and hang the hole thing from the ceiling, 3-4" out from the wall.
er...whole thing, not hole thing.
love! i also have accumulation of scarves that are hidden in a closet, i'd rather do this & show them off! great job!
Love it!
Oh now this is a great idea. I don't have nearly that many scarves, but mine are in a basket and i always make a mess trying to find the one I want, or forget about them altogether. Thanks for the tip!
this is awesome! and i love racher's idea of organizing them by color. that would be so lovely!
thanks for the great idea!
Great idea - but only for scarves that don't crease easily or look good creases. I have a large shawl and scarf collection but my priority is not having to iron them.
From the before pic to the after pic it's jaw-dropping—Laurabellk was probably as surprised as I am— how were all of those scarves being held on that rack in the before pic? And this is not a criticism because I believe we should all have what makes us happy: I cannot imagine having 30 scarves. That seems excessive to me, but I have 4, so that's my perspective. That said I think this is a beautiful solution and could work for lots of different things. AND the scarves make it especially pretty!
I love scarves too and this is a great solution for storage. You have some beautiful ones!
i love this! I wish I had a nook like that in my home.
I'm in LOVE with the green scarf, last one in the second row! Where's it from?
Love this idea! I probably have just as many (also have short hair) and love scarves. I'll have to think of a place I can do this in my home.
I use a couple of these to organize my scarves and tights. I do a similar knot so I can look at one side and see all of them without the mess.
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70108912/
Thanks for all the great feedback, guys!
JenniferPanick, that one is from Ann Taylor Loft about 3 years ago. It's crepe-y and great for summer. Hope you can find one!
Good call! =)
check out the different way of wearing a scarf
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5LYAEz777AU
nice :) I accumulated quite a few scarves last year while going through chemo and now they are all stuffed in our (wonderfully large but still chaotic) closet. I have needed some idea to display and store them, now I have some inspiration.
Genius! I wish I had a nook (and a scarf collection) like that.
Don't they get wrinkled in the wrong places?
Simple and a geat use of wasted space! Brilliant!
Just so funny--this person is clearly a "collector" of scarves and yet one of the first comments suggests she get rid of her collection.
I think this is a great idea. I would probably wear my scarves more if they weren't hidden on a few hooks in an inaccessible part of my closet.
AWESOME. I have the same problem, but sadly, no nook to hand. :(
I saw this post about a half hour ago--just grabbed an extra curtain rod and brackets, and rehung all my scarves on an empty spot on the wall next to my closet. Easy access to all my scarves, and added bonus of being wall decoration at the same time. Thanks for the suggestion!
OMG! I love it!
Looks very cute! But if you have fine, valuable scarves, you really ought to store them folded flat in a drawer. I recently started doing this (and separating some with tissue paper) and they just look and wear better in general. Fewer snags, and fewer wrinkles in the wrong place.
Thats so cute!!
http://www.prevailingetquette.com/
My rods are similar, but it only works on my metal outer door. http://u2s.ir/gDQu I like that I can grab one on my way outside.
Ooh, I like this. I currently have mine hanging the same way on stackable hangers in my closet. This is a great way to show them off, though!
I think I just found the perfect use for the extra rods I picked up from Ikea! That way I don't even need a nook to implement this! Thanks!