18 Closet Makeover Ideas That Deliver Unbelievable Before-and-After Results

In a perfect world, closets are a calm, organized space where we can easily access (and see!) all of our belongings — but throw a small floor plan into the mix, and it can easily spiral into the exact opposite. Without smart organization in place, it can take just a few busy days for neatly folded sweaters and carefully arranged accessories to morph into a cluttered jumble. Investing a little time in organizing your closet is well-worth the effort: A functional setup makes daily routines easier and keeps everything in order, even when life gets hectic (whether anyone else sees it or not!).

If your closet has become so dire that you don’t even know where to start, you’re not alone — finding a jumping-off point can be very tricky. There are so many options to invest in, including favorites like IKEA’s PAX system to the Container Store’s Elfa line, or something entirely custom instead. Thankfully, Apartment Therapy’s Before & After archives are full of beautifully executed closet makeovers from real-life renters and homeowners, all of which can serve as inspiration for your own closet makeover.

Here, you can check out 18 of the most beautiful, most organized, and most practical closet makeovers from real homes also featured in Apartment Therapy’s house tour archive. You’ll find innovative closet organization ideas along with bold colors, pretty built-ins, and more — all from real-life DIYers that got the job done. 

Before, this closet wasn’t exactly lacking in space — but it wasn’t the most functional, either. A $250 closet redo made way for a more practical shelving setup (lots of room for shoes!) without breaking the bank. The new closet has new shelves stained a deep espresso brown, so the space looks ultra luxurious.

If you’ve ever lived in a studio apartment, you likely know that existing built-in closet space is always lackluster and tiny — you may have installed freestanding clothing racks or even added extra dressers to make up for it. But re-envisioning a smaller-than-average closet into a WFH nook is an ingenious DIY project that this Manhattanite tackled on her own, creating a home office space she didn’t have before. The closet was only 9 square feet in total, but a DIY closet divider created both a mini workspace and a spot for seasonal clothing storage. See the whole transformation here. 

Wire shelving in the old closet didn’t provide enough storage space (and was an eyesore, to boot). But once this savvy DIYer hacked the IKEA PAX system to create her dream closet, it was peak organization goals. And after the dark green paint, marble knobs and pulls, and wood-look tile floors, it was beyond stylish, too. See the whole transformation here.

This small closet started out as a junk storage spot, with impractical wire shelves and clunky bifold doors. After a smart DIY makeover, though, the closet is practically a design feature. In addition to replacing the wire shelving with vintage-look wood shelves and black brackets, the DIYer behind this redo removed the doors so she could turn her functional storage into a pretty display.

Wire shelving yet again makes an appearance in this closet’s “before” — and here, it was so flimsy that it fell off the wall when it was loaded up with clothes and shoes. To replace it, the couple behind this redo used IKEA HEMNES elements to create the semi-custom closet of their dreams for about $1,000. See the redo here.

This builder-grade closet failed to take advantage of a lot of vertical space, so its storage was seriously lacking. In a luxe closet makeover, the DIYer behind this redo demoed the old storage and added the customer-favorite PAX closet system from IKEA to keep her wardrobe organized. To make it look built-in and custom she painted it black, which gives the space a luxe hotel vibe.

Not every closet needs to have a standard rod setup. In this kids’ closet redo, the single rod was scrapped in favor of two shorter rods that are tucked into the side. That makes room for a mirror on the back wall that’s mounted right at kid height. Cheery wallpaper brings some personality, while new wood shelves bring the storage.

Coat closets are functional, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be fun. The DIYer behind this project transformed the basic coat closet in her house into a functional space that doesn’t sacrifice style. Key to the makeover: botanical-themed wallpaper, lots of hooks for extra storage, and plenty of baskets for odds and ends.

This closet had plenty of space, but not much in the way of storage. For just $600, the DIYer behind this closet redo was able to make the space into something amazing. A tall shelving system in the middle provides floor-to-ceiling storage and separates the closet rods that are hung at two different heights for extra practicality.

The two closets here were originally matching, with just a single rod and shelf in each. After a $100 DIY closet redo, though, one side has extra shelving that includes a tie rack and a place to hang jackets; the other is now a cozy dog nook.

Did this cluttered closet get any bigger? Nope. But it certainly did get more functional. The use of removable wallpaper creates a fashionable look, which pops against the black door that’s now outfitted with an over-the-door Elfa storage system. Color-coordinated storage containers do a great job of corralling clutter and keeping the small space organized. 

The secret behind the success of this colorful closet makeover isn’t just that it’s organized (although it is, with a mix of drawers, rods, shelves, and baskets). It’s also seriously cute, with botanical wallpaper on the walls and ceiling, and bright yellow doors that have a sun-like geometric design.

This walk-in closet started with potential, but not a lot of payoff, thanks to lots of wasted overhead space. After a makeover with the IKEA PAX system, though, the new closet features categorized racks for clothing mixed with shelving for accessories, plus under-shelf lighting and flamingo wallpaper that both set a glamorous mood.

Linen closets can quickly become a free-for-all, completely undoing any usefulness they may have had. But in this mini closet makeover, all the space is fully utilized. New wooden shelves replace the old wire ones (instant upgrade!) and rows of baskets help organize odds and ends.

For an even easier project, keep the shelves and instead dress up the wall with wallpaper, as seen in this linen closet makeover. The redo started with a major clean-out of unnecessary items; everything that was left got corralled in baskets, bins, and even jars. But the standout feature is the new contact paper with a vintage-style terrazzo print, complemented by a fresh coat of black paint on the door.

Renters can get in on closet makeovers, too. Just take a cue from this renter’s coat closet makeover. Before, the space was an overcrowded eyesore. But with a few renter-friendly tricks — namely, washi tape on the walls, and a faux wood lip to disguise the front of the wire shelving — the closet completely transformed. New shelving inserts and baskets make the space way more practical. See the full makeover here.

The walk-in closet inside this 1970s home had the space for an organized system — it just didn’t have the necessary compartments. After repainting the teal walls a bright white shade and paring down clothes into can’t-live-without-them necessities, the homeowner hired a professional who installed budget-friendly custom shelves using thick MDF boards. Not only do they look luxe, but they also keep everything tidy in this stunning Before & After.

The IKEA PAX system in this walk-in closet originally had a modern finish that clashed with the rest of the 1940s home. By painting everything a moody, bluish-gray shade and adding brass hardware, the closet began to fit more into its surroundings. Thanks to black-and-white striped wallpaper on the ceiling, a fancy floor-length mirror, and even a window seat, this closet is cool enough to hang out in long after getting dressed. See the transformation here.