Creative Utility Closet Storage Ideas

Frequently, utility closets become repositories for miscellaneous household items. However, with some well-considered planning, they can morph into supremely useful storage areas. Let’s take a look at inventive and practical concepts for arranging your utility closet, helping you reclaim valuable space and peace of mind.

Pick Clear Boxes and Baskets

Clear boxes help keep your closet organized and make finding things super easy.

Clear boxes are great because you can see what’s inside and keep things organized, so it’s easy to find what you need fast. I really like how they keep everything neat and I can see right away where everything is.

Give these a look:

Clear Boxes with Lids: Keep things where you can see them and keep them neat with boxes you can stack, perfect for any utility closet setup.
See-Through Plastic Baskets: See things better and reach them easier; great for keeping little things together and tidy.
Clear Plastic Bins: Find tools fast with these clear bins, great for keeping different things organized well.

Use Every Bit of Space You Have

Using the high and low places makes sure no space is wasted.

Don’t forget about the high and low places in your closet. I put things I only use sometimes on the top shelf, and bigger things I don’t need as often on the floor, so I’m using every bit of space.

Useful items to consider:

Storage Boxes That Stack: Make the most of high spaces with boxes that stack, great for storing things you use at certain times of the year.
Baskets for High Shelves: Use high shelves with baskets to easily get to things you don’t use much.
Storage Bins That Roll: Keep big things organized with bins that roll, easy to get to whenever you need them.

Add Some Color with Stylish Containers

Stylish containers can make your closet a space that looks good.

Who says a utility closet can’t be fun? I put in colorful containers to make the space brighter and make organizing more fun.

Check these products out:

Colorful Plastic Storage Bins: Make your utility closet brighter with colorful storage bins for a space that’s more organized and happy.
Storage Totes in Many Colors: Change your closet with storage totes in many colors to add style and use fast.
Storage Boxes That Can Be Put Together in Bold Colors: Make your organization better with boxes in bold colors for a closet that catches the eye.

Put Up Hooks for Slim Items

Hooks are a handy way to store cleaning things with long handles.

Hooks are perfect for hanging mops and brooms, so they’re not on the floor and easy to get to. In my closet, this made more room on the floor and cleaning things were easier to grab.

Check if these fit your needs:

Hooks You Put on the Wall for Tools: Keep your cleaning tools organized and easy to find. Use these strong hooks to make the most of your closet space.
Strong Hooks for Storage in the Garage: Hang mops and brooms safely and easily. Great for keeping your closet neat.
Rack with Hooks That Move for Cleaning Tools: Get to things easier with hooks that move. Keep your cleaning must-haves off the floor.

Make a Special Spot for Things You Use at Certain Times of the Year

A special place for things you use at certain times of the year keeps your closet neat and ready for any season.

Set aside a special place for things you use at certain times of the year to keep your closet useful all year long. I keep winter clothes up high, and things for summer easy to get to when it’s warmer.

These products might be useful:

Clear Plastic Boxes with Lids: Keep things you use at certain times of the year organized with clear bins so you can see what’s inside.
Storage Hooks You Put on the Wall: Make the most of wall space with strong hooks to hold brooms, mops, and things for certain times of the year.
Storage Rack You Put Overhead: Use the ceiling space by putting in a rack for things you don’t need right now, like decorations.

Add a Secret Charging Spot

A hidden charging station keeps your devices charged and your space free of clutter.

Putting a hidden charging station in your utility closet can keep cords and devices neat and out of sight. I like how it cleans up my counters and puts charging all in one place.

You might give these a try:

USB charging station with multiple ports: Charge lots of devices at the same time; keeps your utility closet neat and tidy.
Box to Hide Cords: Hide cords in style, keeping a clean look in your utility closet.
Shelf Organizer That Can Be Moved: Make the most of high space and keep devices neatly while charging, making your closet better.

Optimize Upward Space Using Shelving That Moves

Shelving that moves around gives you a flexible way to keep all sorts of things in your utility closet.

Think about putting in adjustable shelving so you can customize the storage space to suit what you have. In my own closet, this let me put together a special arrangement that holds everything from towering vacuums to smaller cleaning products.

Put Labels on Everything So It’s Easy to Grab

Labels are a must for keeping a closet that's neat and works well. — Labels are a must for keeping a closet that’s neat and works well.

Labels are an easy but great way to keep things in order. By putting labels on each shelf and box, I make sure everything has a place, which means less mess and stress.

A few relevant products:

Sheets You Can Print Labels On: Print and make your own labels for your boxes and shelves easily. Keep things organized.
See-Through Storage Boxes: Use see-through storage boxes so you can see what’s inside and get to things fast.
Chalkboard Label Stickers: Change your labels easily with chalkboard stickers that can be used again and again. Great for changing things around.

Keep It Neat So It Looks Nice

A closet that's neat and tidy is both useful and looks good. — A closet that’s neat and tidy is both useful and looks good.

A neat look not only looks good but also makes the closet a nicer place to use. I find that when the closet is neat, everyone in the house wants to keep it that way.

Some ideas to consider:

Storage Boxes You Can Stack: Make your closet better with boxes that stack for a neat and tidy look.
Metal Shelving Unit That Moves: Make the most of storage with strong shelves that move to keep your closet neat and working well.
Machine to Make Labels for Home: Make labels that are easy to read so everyone can keep things organized.

Get a Cart That Rolls So It’s Easy to Get To

A cart that rolls gives you the ability to move things around and get to them fast.

A cart that rolls can be a big help in closets that are deep, letting you pull out things easily. I keep mine stocked with things I use a lot so I can grab them fast.

Might be a good match:

Rolling Cart with Three Shelves: Make the most of your storage with this cart, which is great for keeping cleaning things neat.
Storage Cart That Rolls and Can Be Moved: Get to things easily with a cart that moves, making your utility closet more handy.
Slim Cart That Rolls for Small Spaces: Make the most of small spaces with a slim cart that rolls to keep things you need close by.

Put Up Pegboards to Use Wall Space

Pegboards are a great way to set up your closet the way you want and keep it working well.

Pegboards are a great way to keep tools and little things organized. I put one in my closet to hang everything from scissors to tape, so I have more room on the shelves.

Products that could assist:

Pegboard Kit: Make the most of wall space with a pegboard kit to store tools and things.
Hooks for Pegboards: Add hooks to your pegboard to keep your tools organized.
Bins That Hang on Pegboards: Get more storage with bins that hang on pegboards for small items and parts.

Use Storage That Goes Over the Door in New Ways

Storage that goes over the door makes the most of space and keeps must-haves easy to get to.

Storage that goes over the door can hold anything from cleaning cloths to small tools. I use mine to keep things I use a lot where I can reach them, making chores easier.

Items that may come in handy:

Hanger with Pockets That Goes Over the Door: Make the most of your closet with a pocket hanger that goes over the door. Keep things neat and in place.
Strong Hook Rack That Goes Over the Door: Use strong hook racks that go over the door to hang tools and keep your space free of clutter.
Storage Rack That Goes Over the Door and Can Be Moved: Set up your storage the way you want with racks that go over the door and can be moved. Great for cleaning things and more.

Storage That Does Lots of Things for Versatility

Storage that can do lots of things helps keep all sorts of different items neat and easy to get to.

Pick storage things that can hold lots of different items, from cleaning stuff to craft supplies. I like using boxes that can be used for different things as my storage needs change.

A few choices to try:

Storage Boxes That Stack: Make the most of your high spaces with boxes that stack, so you can store things the way you want.
Shelving Units That Move: Change your closet with shelves that move to fit different things and sizes.
Hanger That Goes Over the Door: Use the door space well with a hanger that goes over the door for more storage.

Use the Door’s Back with Hooks and Little Bags

Using the door's back is a great way to make your storage options much bigger. — Using the door’s back is a great way to make your storage options much bigger.

The back of the closet door is a great place to keep things. I put up hooks and pockets to hold little things like brushes and cloths, so they’re easy to get to but not in the way.

Try these:

Pocket Hanger That Goes Over the Door: Get the most out of your space with a pocket hanger; it keeps small things neat and easy to reach.
Sticky Wall Hooks: Put sticky hooks on doors so you can easily hang small tools and always have them handy.
Storage Rack That Hangs on the Door and Can Be Moved: Organize well with a rack that moves, which is great for holding cleaning things on the door’s back.

Take Pictures to Show What Goes Where

A picture list can help keep your closet organized.

Think about taking pictures of your organized closet to keep it that way. I keep a picture to remind everyone where things go and to encourage keeping things tidy.

Consider these options:

Clear Storage Bins with Lids: Keep your things organized with clear bins. See what’s inside easily for fast access.
Pegboard Organizer Kit: Make the most of wall space with a pegboard kit. Keep tools and things organized.
Label Maker: Make your own labels for your bins and shelves. Make sure everything has a spot.

Use Old Furniture for Storage

Changing old furniture can make your closet better for storage.

Using old furniture like bookshelves or dressers can give you more storage. I used an old bookshelf to store cleaning things, giving it a new life.

A few suggestions:

Shelf Liners That Can Be Cut to Size: Keep your used furniture clean with liners that can be cut to size for a neat storage space.
Storage Baskets with Handles: Add these baskets to your shelves to make it easy to get to things and keep things stylish.
Bins for Storage That Can Be Used for Many Things: Use these bins to make the most of space and keep your cleaning things neat.

Use Magnetic Strips for Metal Tools

Magnetic strips are a cool way to keep metal tools organized.

Magnetic strips are great for keeping metal tools like scissors and screwdrivers organized. Above my workbench, it keeps everything neat and easy to grab.

Possibly helpful picks:

Strong Magnetic Tool Holder: Keep your tools organized easily with this strong magnetic strip, great for getting to things fast.
Magnetic Tool Holder Bar: Keep your metal tools neat with this magnetic holder, making them easy to spot.
Tool Rack That Sticks to the Wall with Magnets: Make the most of your wall space with this tool rack, making sure tools are easy to reach.