How To: Organize Your Stuff

Hanging clothes is the easy part. When it comes to closet organization, the bigger conundrum is what to do with that jumble of shoes, jewelry and handbags. Here, we’ll show you creative storage solutions that let you flaunt your stuff or hide it all away.

Store Your Shoes: Showcase your favorite pairs

Get the Look:

1. Apothecary Glass Cabinet: Create a boutique-like atmosphere by arranging your shoes in a glass-doored hutch. To figure out how many shoes the cabinet can hold, assume each pair takes up about eight inches across—then do the math.

Hemnes glass-door cabinet, $320, Ikea.com

2. Mixed Shelves: If you need more space, hit up a home-supply store, which can easily cut shelves for you. We love glass—it’s inexpensive but looks luxurious. Don’t forget to pick up spare pegs (bring existing ones with you so you can match the size) to place them on.

3. Bell Jar: What was historically used for laboratory experiments is now a dramatic display case.

Glass bell jar, $60, Zgallerie.com

Customize it! Pastel interior walls give your shoe display extra drama. We used Benjamin Moore Romantic Pink. Glass doorknobs make a plain cabinet look refined. Flea markets and Anthropologie are especially good sources.

In bell jar: Satin "Pascal" peep-toe heels, $119, Nina, ninashoes.com.

In cabinet, from left to right, top to bottom: Woven leather "Moho" platform loafers, $595, Chelsea Paris, husonline.com. Faux-patent "Hymn" wedges, $25, payless.com. Nubuck "Darcy" peep-toe platforms, $395, loefflerrandall.com. Leather "Maite" peep-toe heels, $495, rodebjer.com. Embossed suede "Esther" platform pumps, $450, loefflerrandall.com. Leather "Mayah" oxfords, $250, pourlavictoire.com. Woven leather "Renata" loafer heels, $410, barbarabriones.com. Stretch cotton "Hairnet" booties, $855, Sonia Rykiel, 617-426-2033. Leather-trim satin "Flora" flats, $250, Delman, delmanshoes.com. Leather lace-up "Solange" booties, $325, rebeccaminkoff.com. Embossed leather "Pinksy" heels, $130, ivankatrump.com. Patent napa "Fico" flats, $89, vincecamuto.com. Leather "Maite" peep-toe heels, $495, rodebjer.com. Leather "Rebecca" booties, $475, barbarabriones.com. Leather "Clara" wedges, $575, Be & D, beandd.com. Leather "Anja" sandals, $375, loefflerrandall.com. Leather "Artao" peep-toes, $285, Eric Rutberg Transparent, piperlime.com. Leather "Ynex" booties, $565, rodebjer.com

©Lucky

1 of 7 Photo: Lucas Allen

Store Your Shoes: Hang your party heels like fine art

Get the Look:

Photo Ledges: Typically used to display framed pictures, they can also be used to free up closet space and create an easy-access boudoir. To determine how much space to allocate between shelves, use your longest pair of shoes as a gauge.

Home Gallery traditional ledges, from $35 each, Exposuresonline.com

Customize It! Paint the ledges—and even the wall behind them—to define the area. (We used Benjamin Moore Sweet Innocence on the ledges and Misty Lilac on the wall.) Add a special dress and chair: With these in the mix, a formerly dead space becomes an intimate dressing area.

On wall: Leather "Silvia" heels, $645, Jill Stuart, 212-343-2300. Glitter-trim suede "Kyra" sandals, $145, ivankatrump.com. Swarovski crystal–encrusted leather peep-toe heels, $1,500, Casadei, casadei.com for locations. Pavé ruffled satin pumps, $725, Stuart Weitzman, 212-750-2555. Faux-metallic-patent cork-bottom "Jupiter" sandals, $30 (avail. mid-April), Brash by Payless, payless.com. Satin "Pachita" T-straps, $119, Nina, ninashoes.com. Feather-trim satin sandals, $425, Stuart Weitzman. Select Saks Fifth Avenue, 800-347-9177. Leather "Lisa" heels, $645, Jill Stuart, 212-343-2300. Patent color-block sandals, $398, Stuart Weitzman, 702-369-9222. "Darcy Lace Layover" dress, $396, Alice + Olivia by Stacey Bendet, aliceandolivia.com.

In shoe box: Pavé satin pumps, $725, Stuart Weitzman, 212-750-2555

2 of 7 Photo: Lucas Allen

Store Your Shoes: Create a tidy and discreet shoe library

Get the Look:

1. Bookcase: Repurpose a standard open bookcase as a shoe rack. Make sure the shelves are at least a foot deep to accommodate the average shoe box. (Boot boxes are about twice that size and can be shelved sideways.)

Billy bookcases, $50 each, Ikea.com

2. Matching Boxes: Stored in identical boxes in a calming hue, your eclectic shoe collection takes on a Zen-like order.

Kvarnvik boxes, $10 each, Ikea.com

3. Camera: The fastest way to find the pair you’re looking for: Label the outward-facing end of each shoe box with a snapshot of the pair inside. (Shoot flats from above and heels in profile.)

4. Curtains and Rod: It’s a grown-up take on that old college trick: Just hide your stuff behind a curtain—in a weighty fabric, it’s surprisingly chic.

Linden Street Ellis grommet window panel (40" x 84"), $18, Jcp.com

Customize It! A white-and-cream palette in a mix of plush materials is an easy way to make any space look opulent.

3 of 7 Photo: Lucas Allen

Store Your Jewelry: Compose a dreamy, romantic vanity

Get the Look:

1. Hooks: Dangling from ornate hooks (or even clear pushpins), necklaces double as decoration.

Coat and hat hook, $5, Containerstore.com

2. Candy Jars and Pedestals: Whimsical, easy-access storage for bracelets and rings.

Jam dish, $20, Fishseddy.com, Cake stand, $17, Fishseddy.com

Customize It! A vanity tray completes the ladylike tableau and a collection of vintage perfume bottles adds extra sparkle.

Swarovski crystal–beaded brass "Raquela" necklace, $495, dannijo.com. Rhinestoned brass "Fin Beachbreak" necklace, $300, Lulu Frost, charmandchain.com.

On wall, left to right: Crystal and faux-pearl "Candy Luxe" necklace, $740, Mawi, charmandchain.com. Gold-plated "Peter Rabbit" necklace, $78, silver-plated "Nutty Squirrel" necklace, $78, Alibi, alibinyc.com. Rhinestoned brass "Offshore" necklace, $525, Lulu Frost, charmandchain.com. Rose-gold-and-rhodium-plated crystal pendant necklace, $748, Mawi, charmandchain.com."Christian Mixed Pearl" necklace, $212, Fallon, charmandchain.com. Gold-plated "Warrior 2" necklace, $142, Ax & Apple, axandapple.com. "Capucine" necklace, $445, dannijo.com. Gold-plated agate disc necklace, $148, Sequin, charmandchain.com.

On dresser, left to right: Gold-plated Swarovski crystal "Duenas" necklace, $198, dannijo.com. Gold-plated Swarovski crystal cuff, $425, Rodrigo Otazu, charmandchain.com. Crystal perfume bottle, $18, anthropologie.com. Crystal keepsakes jar, $18, anthropologie.com. Gold-plated enamel cuff, $112, Kenneth Jay Lane, charmandchain.com. Crystal silver-plated "Comet Acid" earrings, $328, Shourouk, charmandchain.com. 18k gold and turquoise "Gold Parrot" cuff, $398, Alexis Bittar, charmandchain.com

4 of 7 Photo: Lucas Allen

Store Your Jewelry: Display your most-worn pieces (and stash the rest!)

Get the Look:

1. Cutlery Organizer: Those long compartments are ideal for storing the necklaces and bracelets you only wear occasionally.

Deep bamboo cutlery tray, $20, Containerstore.com

2. Serving Tray: An artful resting space for your everyday pieces.

Square Hi-Gloss white tray, $30, Cb2.com

3. Miniature Candleholders: An unexpected way to keep your rings in one spot.

4. Butter Dish: Recast vintage tableware as a jewelry box.

Customize It! A gorgeous candle and favorite perfume add to the tray’s personal, highly curated feel. A pared-down color scheme lets your favorite things shine. We stuck to classic black and white, with metallic accents.

In drawer: Gunmetal and agate necklace, $275, Avant Et Après, charmandchain.com. Painted rosewood bangles, $460 each, Lizzie Fortunato Jewels + AFK Designs, charmandchain.com. Mixed chain "Crystalline" necklace, $225, dlcbrooklyn.com. Gold-plated and Swarovski crystal "Mohawk" necklace, $210, Elizabeth Cole Jewelry, charmandchain.com. Stretch resin bracelet, $120, Kenneth Jay Lane, charmandchain.com. Gold-plated and black resin cuff, $70, House of Harlow, charmandchain.com. "Thompson" cuff, $320, dannijo.com. Rose-gold-plated "Social Security Bike Chain" cuff, $125, Fallon, charmandchain.com. "Bourdin Pearl Pyramid" cuff, $238, Fallon, charmandchain.com. Gold-plated necklace, $98, Sequin, charmandchain.com

On tray: Black porcelain container, $69, gretelhome.com. Crystal perfume bottle, $48, anthropologie.com. Silver druzy quartz "Nadia" stackable ring, $80, Dara Ettinger, charmandchain.com. Gold-plated and silver-plated cubic zirconia "Pyramid" rings, $120 for set of four, Noir, charmandchain.com. Gold-plated pavé spike wrap ring, $85, House of Harlow, charmandchain.com. Crystal-detail rhodium-plated cuff, $245, Alexis Bittar, charmandchain.com. Steel "Patera" crescent necklace, $113, Ax & Apple, axandapple.com

5 of 7 Photo: Lucas Allen

Store Your Handbags: Shelve your clutches, hang the rest

Alternate your short and long-strapped bags—it keeps them from rubbing against each other

Get the Look:

1. Shelves: To keep clutches in place, file them like books. Use sweater dividers to cordon off and protect bags made of delicate materials like satin (which can snag) and patent (which can dent and discolor).

Lynk shelf dividers, $7 each, Bedbathandbeyond.com

2. Hooks: To keep bags from sagging under their own weight and losing their shape (a danger when they’re left lying down), hang them from hooks affixed to the top of your storage space or unit.

Liberty Hardware single-prong hooks, $5 each, Amazon.com

3. Credenza: While this concept works happily in a closet, we love seeing all our bags displayed in an open case like this one.

White low rider bookcase, $349, Landofnod.com

Customize It! Dress up a plain bookcase with molding: This finishing touch makes a room—and your bag collection—feel extra special.

On top of cubby, from left to right: CREAM MINAUDIÈRE, STYLIST’S OWN Aqua Opal Elizabeth glass candy dish (used as vase), $25, fishseddy.com. Glass jewelry box, $19, urbanoutfitters.com. C. Wonder leather notebooks, $10 each, cwonder.com.

In cubby, left to right: Straw "Brompton" clutch, $128, jcrew.com. Woven bamboo ikat minaudière, $295, Rebecca Minkoff, shopbop.com. Leather "Mini Harper" bag, $295, Diane von Furstenberg, dvf.com. Woven leather "Mambo Mesh" clutches, $265 each, bluesbykyky.com. SANTI CRYSTAL PURSE IS NOT AVAILABLE. Leather-trim jute clutch, $595, Reece Hudson. 8fifteen, Indianapolis, 317-253-1234. Leather "Stella" messenger bag, $399, monimoni.com. Crocodile-trim leather "Lady Bag" clutch, $2,425, reecehudson.com. Quilted "Ivanka" clutch, $95, Ivanka Trump, vonmaur.com. Embossed leather "Daria" bag, $350, rebeccaminkoff.com. Leopard-print clutch, $159, Clare Vivier, seevivier.com. Leather bag, $148, Miss Albright, anthropologie.com. Leather "Boston" bag, $890, Inden New York. Yamak, NYC, 212-807-9100. Red leather "Zip Zip" satchel, $425, brown leather satchel, $318, Dooney & Bourke, dooney.com. Leather "Stella" tote, $425, Botkier. Addison Craig, Nantucket, MA, 508-228-1899. Canvas and hair-on-hide leopard-print tote, $483, Clare Vivier, seevivier.com. Leather "Eden" satchel, $595, Botkier, shopbop.com. Glazed leather "Milano" tote, $595, pourlavictoire.com. Faux-leather-trim canvas "Beach Bum" tote, $38, Street Level, lulus.com

6 of 7 Photo: Lucas Allen