When homeowners think about renovation priorities, closets aren’t always at the top of the list. But according to professional organizer Lori Bailey, founder and owner of Miss Organized in the New York/New Jersey area, upgrading closet space can dramatically improve daily routines and how the home functions overall.
With nearly 15 years of experience designing custom storage systems for clients, Bailey has transformed countless cluttered spaces. Still, there’s one project ahead: “My favorite project was the master bedroom/closet renovation,” Bailey says. “The bedroom was massive, yet the actual closet was too small.”
Here’s how the basic bedroom closet project came together and practical lessons homeowners can borrow when planning their closet upgrades.
We fixed poor commit ratios during renovations.
When Bailey’s longtime clients bought a new home, they quickly realized that their master suite had a major design imbalance. The spacious bedroom had an unusually small closet. Instead of settling for limited storage, they chose to rework the layout. “They had their contractor knock down the wall and then push it into the bedroom so the little closet became a big closet,” Bailey explained.
This encouraged homeowners to maximize this opportunity while construction is already underway. “I kept saying, ‘Be big, be big, be big,'” he recalls. He thought it was going to be too big, but his case didn’t end, and he’s grateful to her for his advice.
If you’re renovating a master suite, assess whether the closet size matches the scale of the bedroom. It’s usually easier and more cost-effective to expand storage during construction than to try to retrofit or minimize closets later because you lack storage space.
I designed the storage around how my clients actually dress.
Once the structural renovations were complete, Bailey worked with a closet designer to customize the interior layout. Instead of focusing solely on aesthetics, he prioritized how homeowners use their closets.
“Everyone has a different way of storing their stuff,” says Bailey. “Do you hang up your jeans? Do you fold your sweater? How many shoes do you have? How much of a pocketbook do you have?” Because Bailey knew her clients so well, she could designate storage zones that matched their habits. For example, this homeowner needed significant vertical storage for more than 50 items of clothing. “I was able to design the closet precisely because it needed more space than double hanging,” she explains.
The finished design included separate zones for each companion and a large central island for accessories and additional storage. “They share a closet, so there’s ‘his and hers’ on separate sides. It’s really magical.”
When reorganizing or designing a bedroom closet, assess your needs and take inventory of your entire closet before installing shelves and rods or purchasing any closet accessories such as baskets and hooks. Count long dresses, accessories, shoes, hats, belts, handbags, and other items to ensure your closet layout reflects your storage needs.
We added retail-style storage features.
Beyond the built-in cabinet, Bailey layers in organizing accessories to improve visibility and accessibility, which helps maintain long-term organization. “I brought in drawer dividers for all the drawers, and I brought in a hat rack,” she says. To prevent items from hiding on deep shelves, she often uses display-enhancing tools. “I like acrylic risers so when you have a shelf, you’re picking up items behind it so you can see everything.”
Inside the drawers, Bailey relies on a flexible basket system that holds small items of clothing. “I use fabric dividers for lingerie or I use honeycombs. You put your undies or socks in each one and it divides it into drawers,” she says. She also recommends shelf dividers for folded garments like sweaters, which can easily collapse into messy stacks. “Acrylic dividers that you clip onto the shelves divide everything neatly,” says Bailey.
Adding clever accessories like dividers, risers, and drawer organizers can significantly improve the function of a closet without requiring major renovation work.
Adding a perk made the space enjoyable.
One of Bailey’s signature design elements is what he calls a “pleasant space.” It is a small designated area that works with personal comfort. “It’s something I always do in my clients’ closets,” Bailey says. “I create something called a happy space. These areas often include everyday accessories or meaningful decorative items to bring a smile to my clients’ day.” A mirrored tray with a cute frame and candle or spread, or a clock case with your kids,” she notes.
Bailey says clients consistently appreciate this small but thoughtful feature and thank them for giving them their happy space. A closet isn’t just storage space, so follow Bailey’s lead and consider adding small personal touches to brighten your day and have more fun maintaining it.
It was satisfying to be involved from start to finish.
Bailey says the renovation was especially rewarding for him because he was involved in every step from construction planning to final styling. “I’ve been doing this for about 15 years, and this was probably my favorite project because I saw it from start to finish,” she says. Usually, he’s called in to clean up the mess, not to help design the space from scratch.
The finished wardrobe reflects Bailey’s overall philosophy to combine beauty, functionality and personal design to create spaces that support everyday life. As he puts it, his goal is to help clients “transform their living space into a peaceful haven of beauty and discipline.
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