What Is Interior styling and Why Is it Important In an Organized Closet?

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Look, I know you’re probably not new to home decorating and organization, but sometimes when you’re lost in the weeds of checking tasks off your to-do list, you might be tempted to skip the last few details necessary to fully finish a space. 

Next thing you know, you’re just doing the basics and quitting before things get good.

But I’m here to help push you to go the extra mile. To add small, thoughtful details that take a good space and make it something special. I’m here teach you what a big impact interior styling has on your spaces – including ones you might not think need decorating (like your closet).

Today, I will explain what “styling” your closet means and why you totally should do it if you want to upgrade your personal closet.

What is Interior Styling And What Does It Have To Do With Having An Organized Closet?

At its most basic, interior styling is the art of selecting items and arranging them in an aesthetically pleasing way. Basically? Putting the icing on the cake of your interior design and organizing projects.

I’m talking about things like fabric, paint, decorative objects, accent furniture, lighting and even organizational supplies like baskets + bins.

Interior styling is my favorite thing to teach people about because:

• Amazing style can be accomplished with any budget (thrifting and repurposing is strongly encouraged!)
• It is a quick and easy way to refresh your space without doing a complete overhaul
• Adding personal details in a unique way helps bring out a homeowner’s personality; the small touches we bring into our spaces are what make them feel like home

If you’re one of the many, many people who avoid styling their homes because you think you’re “bad at decorating,” let me assure you… YOU CAN DO THIS!

Just like riding a bike or playing a piano, interior styling is a skill you can learn through study and practice. You may be clumsy at first (who didn’t fall off their bike the first few times?) but if you stick with it you will definitely get better… and learn to enjoy the process along the way.

When you find yourself working on cleaning and organizing your master closet, this is the PERFECT place to practice your styling skills. Because you are likely to be one of the only people who actually sees the inside of your closet, it’s the perfect low-risk place to try something new. Experiment a little, and do something nice just for you!

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Why Should You Bother With Interior Styling In A Closet?

I’m all about doing what works best for you, and I can’t make you care about decorating if you don’t, but let me give you some compelling reasons to include interior styling in your master closet organizing plans.

Interior styling is important (even in small spaces like your closet) because:

• It promotes a sense of calm and well-being
• It makes everyday tasks (like getting dressed) more enjoyable
• It encourages you to want to keep the space in an orderly and beautiful state
• It just makes life more FUN

Important: Don’t think that clutter-free means personality-free! There are lots of ways to style and add design elements to an organized space without adding clutter.

The truth is, you will love your home more if you inject your personality into every square inch that you can.

What does Interior Styling Look Like In An Organized Master Closet?

Maybe it would help if I just show you?

First, I’ll show you a picture of my own closet. Here’s what it looks like when you walk in.

Our closet isn’t really anything special as far as closets go. It does have a built-in dresser, but other than that it is just simple shelves built-on site during construction. No fancy closet system, no pull-out organizers. Just plain white shelves and basic metal rods. The bones look like most builder-grade closets.

I could have simply filled it up with clothes and called it a day. It could still be organized and functional.

But I wanted it to feel a little more special. Like each day when I walked in to select my outfit felt like walking into my own private boutique.

Basically, I wanted to have an elevated experience in my closet.

So I used some of my favorite interior styling + closet organization hacks (many of which I’ve copied from actual merchandising displays in clothing stores) to make it just a little bit more special.

In the photo above you can see the following interior styling tricks:

• Hang a wall-mounted storage unit on a blank wall and use hooks to display accessories
• Sort shoes and clothing by type and neatly fold/line them up at the front edge of each shelf
• Slip clear acrylic shelf dividers between folded clothing to keep your stacks neatly organized

I added style to the once white-shelves by:

• Installing peel and stick grasscloth wallpaper to the back wall
• Lining the shelves with fabric bins and woven baskets (the same materials used in the other rooms of our home for consistency)
• Displaying pretty, tonal hats that we already owned on a high shelf (free decor!)

I created a “dressing area” to continue the boutique feel on top of the dresser. A lamp adds a soft night light and shiny texture, while jewelry display stands (the bracelet display fixture was actually purchased from a women’s boutique that was going out of business at a local mall) make choosing the perfect accessory easy.

Need jewelry organizing ideas?

I repurposed an old napkin holder that my MIL gave me as an organizer for my clutch purses and stacked my sweaters and scarves on the rest of the shelf space.

I also purchased a few stacking acrylic drawers to help hold use up every inch of vertical space on the shelves. This is a great strategy because it stops items from falling over and getting messy. I use them in my daughter’s closet a lot too.

Basically, I did everything I could to conceal clutter, maximize use of space, and add a hint of personality and style.

25 Easy Interior Styling Strategies For Your Organized Closet

Raise your hand if you are still feeling a bit overwhelmed by the whole idea of decorating your closet. Be honest! 🙋‍♀️

No problem; here are some quick and painless interior styling ideas for your closet to get you started. NO RENO REQUIRED!

Style

• Add a rug in the middle of the space
• Hang or lean an extra piece of art
• Upgrade your central light fixture with a fun pendant light
• Add a pretty faux plant or bunch of flowers on a flat surface
• Color drench the whole thing in your favorite shade of paint
• Tuck some framed photos on a shelf
• Upgrade to matching hangers (and make sure they all face the same direction!)
• Style focused or personal books can be stacked and stored on a few shelves as extra decor. Why not?
• If your closet has a window, consider adding a window treatment in a great color or texture

Storage

• Hang a back of the door unit for added organization + style
• Hang belts, robes, or hats on a pretty hook rail
• Put a row of baskets on your shelves for texture and concealment
• Paint a thrifted dresser and put it against a wall in your walk in closet for extra storage and a pop of color
• If you have a deep shelf with unused height, add stacking storage drawers to maximize space
• Bring in a book shelf for easy shoe and bag storage
• Add a shoe rack or stacks of shoe drawers to clean up your floor area
• Include shelf risers to double your storage space and add a pop of color.

Function

• Bring in a fun wall or floor mirror
• Bring in a freestanding stool/ottoman/chair to add a place to sit
• Hang an extra special outfit facing out on a valet hook for functional display
• Tuck a pretty laundry hamper in a corner
• Have extra space? Create a vanity area with a desk. plug-in LED mirror and a pretty stool or chair.

OrganizAtion

• Organize contents in zones for a boutique feel
• Place your clothing in color order
• Pay attention to your folding technique for a neater display of stacked items such as jeans or sweaters
• Place a tray on a dresser or shelf to contain accessories

These are all fairly simple decorating ideas that can update almost any type of closet with minimal effort. If you are building a custom home or renovating, I have some more in-depth closet design resources as well.

Organized Closet Resources

Key Takeaways

Let’s wrap this up so you can get started! The main points I hope you gained from this article are that:

1. Interior Styling is easier than you think (and the quickest, most affordable way to update any space in your home for an instant boost!)
2. A freshly organized master closet is the perfect place to practice putting your styling skills to work and experiment with color, texture, and furniture placement in a low-stakes area of your home.
3. Most importantly… playing with these elements in our homes is FUN and so worth the time and energy you invest.

I make it my mission to teach women new strategies for improving their homes and I’m excited to share all the ideas, inspiration and techniques I come across with my audience.

If you would like help with a specific problem you’re facing in your own home, please drop me a line here. I love hearing from readers and creating new tools to help them find success with diy home decorating and organization!

You may also be interested in my printable room-by-room decorating checklist.

It includes the most common furnishing and decor items for every space in your home to help you plan your furnishing and decorating projects.

Oh, and come say hi on Instagram for more regular updates as well!

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Thanks for being here. Happy decorating!

xoxo,