The t-shirts refuse to stay folded, the jeans just won’t cooperate, and the sweaters continue to pile up—that’s pretty much what it feels like to live without a dresser. But just because you don’t have a dresser doesn’t mean your clothes should get a free pass to chaos. It’s time to show them who’s boss.

We have devised five clever, outside the box (or, in this case, outside the dresser) solutions to keep your wardrobe under control. So grab your superhero cape (or just some hangers), and let’s get started.

1. Get the Most Out of Your Closet Space

The most important part of organizing your clothes is to give them a designated living space. And if you have a closet, however small it may be, you’re already halfway there.

There are so many creative ways to maximize closet space without spending hundreds on fancy organizers. Here’re just a few of them:

Hanging Shelves

These are essentially shelves that hang from a rod in your closet. They’re great for maximizing vertical space and can neatly store things like folded T-shirts, sweaters, and more.

Hanging shelves come in various sizes and materials, but most are made of fabric or mesh. This means you won’t have to worry about them taking up too much room in the closet.

Multipurpose Hangers

The Amazon is full of ingenious hangers that hold multiple items simultaneously without occupying too much space in the closet. For example, the cascading hangers have multiple tiers, so you can hang several items in one spot.

Then there are the hangers with pockets or hooks or clips. These are handy for smaller items like socks, underwear, and other accessories that can easily get lost in a closet. Some even come with notches to hang more hangers into one spot.

Removable Drawers

Investing in some removable drawers is the closest thing to having a dresser in your closet. Usually made of plastic or fabric, these drawers easily slide in and out of the closet. And they’re great for storing folded clothes and accessories.

You can stack multiple drawers together to create a larger storage unit inside your closet or use them as individual units for different items.

Shelf Dividers

These are essentially vertical panels that separate stacks of clothes or linens on a shelf. They’re great for keeping everything neat and organized and preventing items from toppling over easily.

So if you have a closet shelf prone to chaos, shelf dividers are the perfect solution.

Over-the-door Organizers

These organizers have many pockets/compartments sewn over canvas fabric. You hang them on the back of a door, and they instantly double your closet storage space.

Things like scarves, ties, jewelry, undergarments, and socks can be easily tucked away in pockets. And since they’re so lightweight and flexible, you can roll them up when not in use or take them with you when you travel.

2. Maximize Under-bed Storage

Under-the-bed storage is a genius way to store items you rarely use, like winter clothes and accessories. But with a few creative hacks, you can also use this space to store your everyday wardrobe items.

Rolling Containers

These storage units come with wheels on the bottom, so you can easily slide them in and out from under the bed. This makes your clothes accessible but still tucked away out of sight.

Depending on the space available under your bed, you can get different-sized rolling drawers and even customize them with built-in dividers to maximize the storage potential further.

If you have a DIY side, you can also make these storage units using wooden slats, crates, or even old dresser drawers.

Vacuum Bags

These are great for packing away clothes you don’t use often. All you have to do is fill the bags with the items you want to store, then suck out the air with a vacuum cleaner (this shrinks the load down to a fraction of its original size,) and then put them away under the bed.

Bed Risers

The above two solutions can only work if you have enough clearance under the bed. And if you don’t, then bed risers can help.

They essentially raise the entire bed frame off the ground and create a few extra inches of storage space for you to work with. Certain high-end bed risers can even raise the bed to a few feet, so you can store bigger items like suitcases and boxes.

Under Bed Drawers

If you want a more permanent solution, consider installing some drawers directly onto the bed frame. They’re a little more expensive than the rolling options but provide a seamless and cleaner look.

Again, you can customize these drawers in various sizes and with different types of dividers, depending on what items you plan to store.

Invest in a Foldable Bed

If you’re tight on space, investing in a foldable bed could be your solution. These beds typically fold vertically against the wall, leaving ample accessible storage space underneath.

You can use the empty space to store things that you typically put into the dresser. Plus, it usually gives a lot of space, so you can tuck away bigger items like a suitcase or boxes.

3. Take Advantage of Walls

Your room has four times more space when you include the walls in your storage strategy. So why not make the most of it?

The only problem is that clothes on walls can look cluttered, so you need to figure out creative ways to display them. And we have just the solutions for you.

Floating Shelves

Floating shelves are a great way to add more storage while keeping your room clutter-free. Folded items like t-shirts, sweaters, and jeans can be neatly tucked away on the shelves.

Plus, there is so much room for creativity here. You can paint the shelves to match your room’s color palette or color-coordinate your clothes to create a stunning visual effect.

Wall-Mounted Cubbies

Like floating shelves, wall-mounted cubbies can be quickly installed with just a few screws. But instead of just one long shelf, these cubbies offer individual compartments, making organizing your clothes and accessories easier.

Some even come with additional hooks, drawers, and shelves to store more items. You can even install doors or fabric covers on the cubbies for extra protection from dust.

Ladder Storage

Ladder storage offers something a bit different – perfect for small spaces that might not have enough room to install something like cubbies.

You can hang the ladder on the wall, lean it against it, use the rungs as quick hanging hooks, or add a few baskets to make it even more functional.

Add a few fairy lights or a string of beads, and you’ll have a whimsy Instagrammable corner right inside your room.

Hooks

Probably the most effortless storage solution and the installation is a breeze (for most designs). Plus, there are so many different types to choose from – stick-on hooks for light items, wall-mounted hooks for heavier pieces, over-the-door hooks, and even free-standing ones.

Pegboards

A pegboard is a perforated hardboard or metal sheet with evenly-spaced holes used to hang items on pegs. It’s super easy to install and gives you lots of creative freedom in terms of how you display your clothes.

You can go for a symmetrical look with neat rows and columns of shorts, jeans, and t-shirts, or take a more fun approach by arranging them in interesting patterns.

Especially if you’ve lots of small accessories or clothing items like scarves and hats that don’t take up much room, a pegboard is a perfect solution.

Wall Mounted Racks

If you’ve many heavy clothes, wall-mounted racks are a great way to organize them. Pipe wall mounts are the most popular option, as they’re quite easy to install and can hold a decent amount of weight.

But if you don’t fancy the industrial look, many other designs are available too.

4. Repurpose Trunk/Suitcases

Vintage trunks and suitcases can make for a great storage alternative – especially if you’re into vintage vibes. People used to carry their whole lives in these trunks, so why can’t you fit your dresser’s worth of clothes in one? Believe us; it’s as hard as it sounds.

Here’re a few ideas to get you inspired:

Add Shelves

If you have a roomy vintage trunk, turn it into a makeshift mini closet. All you need to do is install some shelves inside – cardboard or plywood should do the job. Then place it vertically and enjoy your (quite literal) closet.

Add Wheels

For a more modern twist, add some wheels to your trunk. Now you can roll it around and store whatever you like in it. With a cushioned seat on top or a flat lid, you can also use it as a makeshift bench or table.

If you have an eye for the artsy and creative, you can also repaint and revamp the trunk to suit your style. Line the interiors with your favorite fabric, paint it with funky designs or add a few stickers. There are no rules here!

5. Buy Alternative Storage Options

If you want more permanent solutions and extra space in your room, invest in additional storage options. From modern solutions to vintage pieces, you can find hundreds of options in marketplaces.

Garment Rack

From sleek chrome racks to colorful wooden ones – you can find garment racks in all kinds of shapes and sizes. They’re a great way to store and organize your clothes without investing in heavy furniture. In addition, most garment frames come with adjustable shelves, hanging rods, and side hooks, giving you the freedom to organize your clothes however you like.

The only downer is that these racks may not be the solution for storing smaller items like lingerie and socks.

Wardrobes/Armoires

For those of you who want to go all out, invest in a wardrobe or armoire. These are spacious enough to fit all your clothes – with some extra accessories compartments, making them way more efficient than dressers.

Just ensure you have enough space in your room, as these pieces can be large.

Cubicle Organizers

Cubicle organizers are the best option for those who like to keep their clothes organized. You can easily stack them up and customize them according to your needs. You can also add labels and tags to make it even more organized.

Stackable Drawers

Not in the mood to invest in bulky pieces of furniture? Opt for some stackable drawers, especially collapsable/foldable ones. These are super easy to put together and take apart, not to mention you can easily fit them in any small corner of your room. Plus, you can use them for much more than just clothes – like storing books and toys.

Night Stand

For a two-in-one solution, buy a nightstand with drawers or shelves instead of a dresser. You can easily store your clothes in the drawers while you keep some essentials on the shelves – like makeup or books. All while saving up on some valuable space.

Over The Bed Storage

Over-the-bed units add storage space without taking up valuable floor space – however, these require higher ceilings. These units come in many designs and styles, from modern to traditional. You can also DIY your own version with some wooden boards and ladders.

Conclusion

Dressers are great, but they don’t have to be the only solution to your storage needs. Whether it’s inside your closet, under your bed, on the walls, or even in a vintage trunk – there are so many trendy and space-saving alternatives out there.

You just have to get creative, and you’ll be surprised how easily you can organize your clothes without a dresser in sight.