Style (E)scapes: Little Tips For Small Spaces

While many of us struggle to cram all our clothes, purses, shoes, and more into cramped wardrobe spaces, it's always the New Yorkers who impress me with their ability to manage small spaces. Such is the case with Liesl and her husband. Their one-bedroom apartment in the East Village houses them, their 4-year-old daughter and a small home office, which is why their 'closet' looks like this!
I always say - if you can't hide it, find a way to show it off and do it right! Liesl and her husband did a great job of creating an open closet that stores everything in a functional way. Clear boxes allow you to see what's inside so your not constantly pulling things down, but I'm glad to see she balanced them with white boxes to create less visual clutter - they are great for storing seasonal pieces like sweaters, scarfs, or hats.

Nervous about showcasing your wardrobe to the world? Easy...
Adding curtains can hide it all away from nosy friends, and you won't have to worry about it always being clean.

If you're lucky enough to create your own closet space like this, be sure to take stock of your wardobe first. Some of us have more separates, others (yes, me) have lots of dresses. A few different hanging spaces provide room for different lengths, which is a great way to maximize space - pants in one place, shirts in another, and an area for longer items like coats and dresses.

And, just in case you were wondering what happened to Liesl's real closet...
They turned it into a small office/creative space for her company oliver + s, as well as a small closet for her daughter. Isn't is cute?? Here, a few more tips for small spaces...
Get creative with nooks, crannies and shelving. Many homes have dead space in walls that can be knocked in to create small storage areas. Or, create space with shelving. Store your most used shoes and bags in the entry instead of the closet - even an old vintage trunk can serve as this kind of storage! Taking some of these pieces out of your closet makes more room for folded items.
Combine space - need a home office and a closet? Done and done. My first apartment was set up with the closet in the living room...
So don't be afraid to show off some of the wardobe! While I wouldn't suggest putting your sweatpants on display, think of the contents of your closet as though they belong in a boutique. It makes it feel like shopping every day!

*photography via domino mag and real simple