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We like how durable, easily customizable, and secure this closet kit is. Bonus points for how easy it is to put together and install. Read More
Highly customizable, this organization kit may be a little pricier than others, but we think it'll do the trick for your closet. Read More
The shelving pieces aren't as customizable as some of the others on the market. That said, this kit is easy to assemble and holds plenty of weight. Read More
The quality of the laminate wood is fairly poor and the assembly instructions are confusing. During our testing, we were even missing pieces. Read More
It can be difficult to install this kit because of its sheer weight. The construction and quality of the laminate veneer is also questionable. Read More
Before researching this article, my husband was the nearest thing in my life to a closet organizer. I used a pile system: a pile for work, a pile for clean clothes, a pile for sorting later. When my "sorting later" pile got too large, parts would migrate into the closet, usually nudged in there by my better half. Now that we live in a smaller space, the pile system doesn't work and I've been forced to organize my small closet’s storage space. The only thing that's helped is installing a closet organizer system—like the Rubbermaid HomeFree Series Closet Organizer (available at Amazon for $102.75) , which is our best-tested closet organizer. It is the most budget friendly with the least amount of installation aggravation.
To help you stay better organized, we tested eight of the best-selling all-in-one, DIY closet kits, evaluating them for easy installation and whether they're strong enough to hold all your belongings. If a closet organizer feels like too big a step towards tidy living, start by organizing your home and decluttering your stuff with smaller products. Then build up to a bigger investment.
Rubbermaid HomeFree is the best closet organizer we tested.
All parts are customizable
Locking clips keep parts secure
Durable
On the pricey side
Easy to put together
Supports a good amount of weight
Not as customizable
Surprisingly customizable
Good customer service
Construction quality is poor
Confusing assembly instructions
Can support a heavier load
Extremely heavy
Laminate veneer can easily chip off
Parts feel lower quality
My name’s Rebecca Boniface. My curiosity and frugality fuel my enthusiasm for DIY projects. My experience ranges from wrenching on cars to RV repairs, furniture hacks, and small engine maintenance. Since I live full-time in an RV and travel frequently, I find that clever use of my small space keeps my belongings organized and safe. Being mindful of my stuff allows me more time to do things I love and less time sifting through piles, my previous organizational system. I want to help you find the products that will enhance your space, as well as save yourself time and money.
To find the top closet organizers, my testing focused on assessing the quality of each organizer for how customizable each system was, and whether the experience of assembling one might drive someone to the brink of madness. However, before I could begin to answer these questions, I had to figure out which closet organizers I should call in for testing.
Closet organizers can be roughly divided into two categories: freestanding or attached units. Since models that are attached to the wall of a closet are more common, I focused on those for this guide. Next, I looked at which brands and models were the most popular, based on online product ratings. I tested each by:
After these tests were completed, I assessed the organizers on the overall installation experience and evaluated how easy each was to clean, its aesthetics, and if there were any special features worth noting.
Deciphering the assembly instructions was an important part of our testing.
If you own your home (or are a long-term renter with no plans to move), installing a closet organizer that is attached to your wall makes sense. However, if you might be moving shortly or are averse to putting holes in your drywall, a freestanding closet system might better suit your needs. Unlike the closet organizers tested here, a freestanding storage unit does not need to be attached to the wall. For example, I used the Elvari set from Ikea for years as I moved from apartment to apartment, adding pieces as I needed them. Instead of using screws to attach to drywall and wall studs, this closet organizer used poles that created tension between the ceiling and the floor to support its shelves. In my final apartment, I didn’t have a closet at all and used my organizer as a room divider to create a kitchen and living room space. While often a bit more expensive and a little finicky to set up, organizers that don’t put holes in your wall are ideal for renters.
A couple of the closet organizers I tested labeled their shelving as customizable, indicating in the instructions that hacksawing off a section of that shelving results in the desired shelf size. Cutting clothing rods, as long as the end-caps are removable, feels reasonable to me; the end product still looks finished. However, hacking away at plastic coating wire shelving or veneered particle board will not result in an attractive finish. If having an attractive closet organizer is important for you—for example, your closet space is open and visible—having a clean finish on your shelves will make it more attractive.
If you take a quick look at the weight of the organizers, you’ll notice most are hefty, weighing in between 40 to 70 pounds. For me, sweating as I shove 70 pounds of closet organizer into the back of my Jeep isn’t appealing. With heavy products like this, having it shipped to your front door is the way to go. Shipping is free or included for several online retailers, making it a no-brainer.
There are a couple of tools that will make assembling your organizer easier. First, having some type of electric screwdriver or a cordless drill will make assembling and mounting your organizer quicker. If the organizer is one of the heavier laminate or wooden units, an electronic stud sensor will help you find the studs under your drywall to make mounting your organizer easier. Finally, a level will help you mount your organizer in a way that will help keep your items where you put them. If you’d like a quick overview of how to mount shelving, This Old House has a good guide to help with the instructions that came with your organizer.
Rebecca Boniface
Contributor
Rebecca Boniface is a certified PADI dive instructor, full-time nomad, and DIY enthusiast.
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