Closet Harmony: How to Organize Your Accessories Intentionally

A well-organized closet can turn your daily getting ready routine into a breeze. But even the most efficient wardrobes can unravel when accessories don’t have a proper place. Handbags pile up, scarves vanish into the void, and those go-to hair clips? Gone without a trace.

If your fashion extras are more chaotic than curated, it might be time for a reset. Whether you’re styling your dream closet in your San Antonio, TX house, finding space-saving solutions in your Chicago, IL apartment, or tidying up your Park City, UT rental home, this guide will provide you with expert tips on how to organize your accessories with ease. Let’s get started.

Bags and purses

Accessories might be the finishing touch to an outfit, but when it comes to storage, your handbags deserve the best treatment. Preserved and displayed with care, your collection can accompany you for years to come.

1. Prioritize your everyday go-to bags

The first step? Focus on function. “When storing bags and purses, prioritize which bags and purses you frequently use first,” says Kamara Williams, Editor-in-Chief at personal style platform In Thing. “Then you can create a dedicated space for your go-to handbags in your closet, fill them with acid-free tissue paper (as needed), and organize them using a clear adjustable handbag divider.”

2. Sort by style and size

When it comes to handbags, organizing by size can make all the difference. The experts at The Organized Home Co. in Philadelphia, PA, recommends an effective system for keeping your closet tidy. “A few of our favorite ways to store bags are clutch organizers and purse hangers,” they share. “Clutch organizers are a great way to save space on a shelf, keeping your smaller bags on display while sitting upright. This will allow your purses to live a longer life.”

For larger styles, try hanging them with purse hangers on your clothing rod. “They’re great for keeping larger bags, keeping them off the floor and on display,” the team adds.

3. Put your bags on display

For a space that feels like a personalized boutique, Debra Thibodeaux, Atlanta, GA-based Owner and Lead Organizer of Closets & More Organized opts for open shelving. “I like to display handbags on closet shelves, standing upright using clear acrylic dividers. Clear dividers are a great way to keep your clutches grouped together and in place,” shares Debra. For larger leather bags, she recommends stuffing them with old towels to preserve their shape.

4. Get creative with your storage

Organizing your fashion accessories by size can make all the difference. “I love to use a collator (like one you would use for mail or paper sorting) to store purses,” shares Courtney Camhi, owner of Camhi Clutter Co. in Philadelphia, PA. “Small clutch bags can fit in each section, keeping them accessible and allowing them to stand upright without getting damaged.”

5. Make sure your favorite bags are protected

When it comes to storing your favorites, protection is crucial. Kate, owner of Home Harmony with Kate Organizing & Designs in Morristown, NJ shares a couple recommendations to shield your handbags from harm. “Storing your handbags properly is a must for designer bags. It prevents damage and dust from collecting. They can either be stored in a duster bag or uncovered, in a clear case for display.” Ultimately, visibility is important: “Most clients are more likely to use an item that is visible to them,” Kate adds.

Jewelry

Your favorite jewels weren’t meant to be tangled in knots or forgotten in the shadows of a drawer. When displayed thoughtfully and stored with care, these pieces can elevate your decor while staying tarnish-free.

6. Give each item in your collection its own spot

“Tangled necklaces? Not on our watch,” says the team at The Closet Lab in Miami, FL. “Use vertical jewelry boards, tiered stands, or specialty drawer inserts with compartments to give every item in your collection its own spot. Velvet-lined trays add a touch of luxury while protecting your most delicate pieces. It’s all about visibility, elegance, and absolutely zero morning hassle.”

7. Display your pieces boutique-style

Leydi Rofman, Owner and Lead Organizer of The Organized Leydi in New Jersey and New York City, NY recommends thinking boutique-style. “Use shallow drawers with velvet inserts or compartment trays to keep jewelry separated and tangle-free. Necklaces can be hung inside closet doors on minimal hooks, but the real trick is visibility. If you can’t see it, you won’t wear it.”

Hats

Wide-brimmed, wool, or woven, your hats are statement pieces. So why not treat them like art? With the right storage approach, you can protect their shape, maximize space, and give your favorite hats a front and center spot.

8. Turn your walls into a stylish display

When floor space is limited, turn your attention upward. Johns Creek, GA-based professional organizer, Michaela Home Organizer, recommends, “Try storing your hats on wall-mounted hooks or pegboards to keep them in shape while doubling as decor. Hairbands and clips can be organized using clear jars, drawer dividers, or a hanging ribbon where clips can easily attach. This keeps them tidy and prevents damage.”

9. Stack smart to save space

Short on shelf space? Try stacking your hats for efficient accessory storage. “If you have lots of hats and not much room to store them, try sitting them on top of each other, similar to a Russian nesting doll,” shares Karjiana Cadet, Founder and Owner of Simply Sorted Organizing in Birmingham, AL. “I recommend doing so on top of a wig or mannequin head to have some structure or stability to support the weight of your hat collection.” 

Hair accessories

Headbands, clips, and scrunchies are notorious for vanishing into drawers, corners, or the depths of your bags. The solution? Display, stack, and store with intention.

10. Organize your hair accessories with headband holders

“Keeping small accessories neat and tidy can be a challenge. There are so many options to sift through but what are the best?” asks Michelle McFarlane, head stylist at The Shopping Friend. “For hair accessories, consider using a headband holder to keep your headbands neat and easily accessible. All types are available depending on your space and how many you actually have; from horizontal and vertical stands to wall mounted or hook ones. Many different designs can hold not only headbands but also your clips and jewelry.”

11. Use a tiered stand to hold everything

For a storage solution that allows you to store multiple accessory types, Joelle McFaddin, owner of Functional Fit Home Organizers in Newtown Square, PA recommends using a tiered stand. “It’s an attractive and easy-access way to store hair accessories. Headbands can be displayed on the top tier with hair ties and scrunchies on the tiers below.”

12. Opt for stackable containers for smaller hair accessories

Try embracing transparency with clear, stackable containers that keep everything visible and perfectly in place. “Hair clips, bobby pins, and hair jewels can be stored in a stackable acrylic container,” Joelle adds. “If you’re wanting to maximize your storage solution, headbands can be stored on the outside of a cylindrical stackable container with all other hair accessories inside the stackable compartments.”

Scarves and belts

Scarves and belts are those finishing touches that complete a look, but without proper storage, they’re often left wrinkled or forgotten. With few simple updates, your collection can become accessible and orderly.

13. Fold your scarves neatly in a basket or drawer

Scarves should never end up in a messy pile. Kari Lonczak, owner of Refine Organizing in Seattle, WA shares her thoughts. “My favorite way to store scarves is to fold them into a small rectangle and store them file-folder style in a basket or drawer. This makes it easy to see your full collection at a glance without rummaging, while also keeping things visually tidy and contained.”

14. Roll your belts to maintain form and function

“For belts, if you do have drawer or shelf space, try rolling belts into a coil with the buckle facing up, and store them in a narrow bin so they stay neat and simple to grab when you need them. This also works beautifully for ties,” Kari continues.

15. Keep your scarves and belts on a multi-loop hanger

For everyday ease, visibility is everything. “Try using multi-loop hangers to store scarves and belts,” suggests Eric, owner of Laundry Care Express in San Francisco, CA and Santa Cruz County. “This keeps them visible while also within reach so you can mix-and-match outfits easily. If they are seasonal items, roll them in a drawer with dividers to avoid clutter, or store them in labeled storage bins until the next season comes around.”

Photo courtesy of Refine Organizing

Shoes

Shoes are often the greatest culprits of closet clutter. From special occasion heels to everyday staples, organizing footwear is all about making the most of every inch.

16. Start with a strong foundation

When it comes to organizing shoes, structure is everything. “Use stackable shoe racks that expand horizontally to maximize closet floor space while keeping pairs visible and accessible,” suggests Jennifer, owner of Jennifer Phelps: Organize. Design. Reinvent! 

For boots, Jennifer recommends inserting PVC or even pool noodles to help them stand tall. And when the seasons shift, consider vacuum-sealed bags or under-bed organizers to keep seldom-worn pairs dust-free and out of sight.  “Labeled cubbies near entryways keep everyone’s everyday shoes organized and easy to grab.” A little strategy, and suddenly your shoe situation feels like less of a puzzle.

17. Think vertical

“For shoes, vertical space is the way to go,” suggests Cornelia, professional home organizer and declutter coach of Acorn & Oak Organizing in Atlanta, GA. “Look around for unused nooks or walls where you can tuck some shoe shelves, going as high as the space allows, or consider adding a hanging shoe organizer to your closet door. Shoes tend to take up a lot of space, so build a habit of revisiting your shoes once a year for a purge of any that are no longer serving you.”

18. Make it customized

When it comes to shoes, one size doesn’t fit all. “Getting shelving that can be customized to the size of your shoes helps to utilize vertical space,” says the team at Wow Your Closet in Ijamsville, MD, which offers custom storage solutions. “It also allows you to store more shoes than you think.”

19. Give every pair its proper place

If you’re wondering how to organize accessories like shoes when space is limited, a little strategy goes a long way. “If you’re tight on space, consider storing your shoes in clear, stackable containers to keep them organized and visible,” says the team at Upstraight Cleaning in Lawrenceville, GA. “An over-the-door shoe organizer is another smart option that takes up minimal room while keeping pairs easily accessible.”

As for the everyday staples? “A slim rack near your entryway or under the bed can help save space and reduce clutter,” they suggest. Thoughtful placement means less digging—and more stepping out in style.

Seasonal accessories

The best systems of closet organization for accessories allow you to know exactly where to find your winter gloves the first moment frost hits, or to slip on your favorite sunglasses as soon as the sun peeks out in spring.

20. Out of sight, out of mind

“Out-of-season items are best stored where they don’t take up valuable real estate in the everyday living space,” says Jan Arkwright, owner of Before & After Organizing in Manhasset, NY. Jan’s go-to tip? While cleaning out and organizing your closet, think vertically.

“The top shelves of closets, under beds, or even attics and basements are all great storage places, but the types of containers used will depend on where they are being stored. For example, clear plastic containers are great because they are easily stackable and contents are easily seen, but they are not good in direct sunlight where items can fade.” For a more refined look, Jan recommends linen bins with clear windows for bulky pieces, or rattan baskets for open storage that doubles as decor.

21. Use vacuum seal bags to compress your seasonal pieces

If your winter scarves and thermal layers are eating up precious space, compression is your best friend. “Seasonal items are easily stored in vacuum seal bags,” explains Heather Clark, San Antonio, TX-based owner of Alamo Organizers. “They protect your items and stack beautifully.” A game-changer for anyone working with limited square footage or seeking a cleaner closet aesthetic.

22. Give your sunglasses a prime spot

“Sunglasses deserve a prime ‘grab-and-go’ spot,” suggests Renee Wright, owner of Space Restored in Austin, TX. “Think of a drawer in your entryway console, a small tray in your mudroom cabinet, or a wall-mounted organizer by the garage door. Keeping them visible and accessible means you’ll never be caught squinting in the sun.”

Equally important is keeping them scratch-free. “Seasonal and specialty accessories are essential to every woman’s attire. These delicate items must be stored appropriately. Eyeglass storage cases are great for storing your glasses and keeping them safe from scratches,” notes Nitzeira Whiten, owner of Better Homes Organization By Nitzeira in Maryland.

How to organize accessories for the perfect closet

At the end of the day, organizing your accessories isn’t just about saving space; it’s about designing a closet you can relax in while starting your day. When every handbag has a home and each headband rests in its rightful place, getting ready can become enjoyable. So, take the time to craft the perfect functional system for yourself. It will make all the difference for your clean and organized home.

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