Eliza’s Closet — Organization, Configuration, & How It’s Evolved Alongside Her

You know what’s wild? When I installed Eliza’s closet, we didn’t even know Eliza would be Eliza. When I first shared her closet, she hadn’t been born yet, and it was more of a generic version of her “final” closet. (You can catch all the details of that closet from back when HERE). I’ve been meaning to share her closet and what it looks like today — if you can believe it, she will be five in June! There’s a lot of differences between a kids closet and a newborn closet, so I finally committed to sharing how we’ve evolved her closet over the years and adapted it to her age. And… that was the last bit of motivation I needed to finally implement her much needed shoe solution. Today, I’m sharing Eliza’s Elfa closet and all the details of how we’ve been able to grow and evolve her closet alongside her, and some kids closet organization ideas — especially if you’re looking for kids closet ideas specific to little girls!

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The second photo was taken when Eliza was here and had a full on girl closet. On her Elfa door system, I used the Elfa gift wrap attachment and THESE clear shower hooks for all her headbands, her board was dedicated to pacis and a few sunglasses, and all her swaddles were moved to her dresser since we had a ton. (You can see how we had organized her baby dresser HERE).

But, they aren’t babies forever. We eventually said “goodbye” to sleep sacks and knotted gowns. She no longer used pacis, she moved from headbands to clip bows, and her shoes outgrew their drawers. As a note, while her clothes have grown longer, we haven’t had to alter the low-hang shelves just yet… more on that in a few!

Kids Closet | Configuration & Organization Ideas

Before we get into the nitty gritty details, here’s a look at what Elizas “big girl” kids closet looks like today!

Sources: Over the Door Storage System | Over the Door Peg Board | Peg Board Hooks | Hanging Hair Bow Holder | Shower Curtain Rings to Hold Sun Glasses | Label Holders | Rattan Baskets | Easy Hang Standard | Gliding Mesh Shoe Shelf | Mesh Drawer | Velvet Hangers

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again — opting for an Elfa system to maximize the space utilization in Eliza’s closet — and to be able to alter it, as needed, as she grows — was the absolute best decision.

Eventually, I’ll be able to adjust the triple hang bars on the side — either to a double hang or space them out, but for now, from her newborn to kids closet, she still has plenty of room as it is.

Kids Closet Door Organization

One of the best ways I’ve customized her closet as she’s grown is how I’ve utilized the space on the back of her door. Before I knew quite what to do, I used THIS big bow organizer inside her closet, on the wall. I love the organizer but it made things a little cluttered inside her actual closet, but I didn’t know where else to hang it. Meanwhile, there was a lot of wasted space on the back of her door… it wasn’t being utilized to its full potential. This is why I love coming up with organization solutions… addressing real points of frustration and inventing real systems that work.

I didn’t know how to incorporate the bow organizer into my Elfa door system… until I came up with this. I used THIS narrow Elfa utility board, and added THESE utility board hooks. I was then able to place the bow organizer dowel directly on the hooks and turns out — it was the perfect solution. (Find LOTS of little girl hair ideas HERE, where I’ve documented how I style Eliza’s hair most often).

Sources: Hanging Hair Bow Holder | Shower Curtain Rings to Hold Sun Glasses | Label Holders | Over the Door Peg Board | Peg Board Hooks | Shower Curtain Rings to Hold Sun Glasses

By the way — she has a ton of bows on that thing. She has two of most bows and because she has so many, I clip one of the bows to the holder, and clip the second bow to the first bow. So, its incredible capacity isn’t quite fully captured here.

I used the large utility board and large hooks for her sunglasses and hats…

Sources: Over the Door Peg Board | Peg Board Hooks | Shower Curtain Rings to Hold Sun Glasses

And I brought her purses out of her closet, where they were previously hanging on hooks next to her dresses, and decided they were better stored here. She is now able to access her sunglasses, hats, and bags on her own.

Sources: Over the Door Storage System | Over the Door Peg Board | Peg Board Hooks | Shower Curtain Rings to Hold Sun Glasses | Label Holders

Her slippers took up way too much room in her closet drawers and turns out, they work perfectly in one of the deep Elfa baskets.

By the way, I’ve had THESE metal bin clips forever but they’re expensive. I now use THESE plastic bin clips (which you’ve probably seen in a lot of my projects) which is a much better value.

Sources: Over the Door Storage System | Over the Door Peg Board | Peg Board Hooks | Hanging Hair Bow Holder | Shower Curtain Rings to Hold Sun Glasses | Label Holders | Rattan Baskets | Easy Hang Standard | Gliding Mesh Shoe Shelf | Mesh Drawer | Velvet Hangers

Kids Closet Shoe Organization

The biggest improvement and change to Eliza’s closet was switching out her standard drawers to the Elfa shoe drawers. Right now, each drawer fits eight pairs of shoes, each (they each fit six pairs in my closet).

Sources: Gliding Mesh Shoe Shelf

I was able to bump up the shelf just a little bit and get four shoe drawers in there… plus, I was able to keep the large deep drawer intact in the bottom. I haven’t decided just how I’m going to use that yet, but currently, it has two pairs of rain boots she’ll have to grow into.

Sources: Easy Hang Standard | Gliding Mesh Shoe Shelf | Mesh Drawer | Mesh Drawer Dividers

Organizing Kids Hanging Clothes

First of all, if you’re a long time reader, you already know how I feel about slim velvet hangers and why I use them in all our closets. Of course, Eliza’s closet is no different. (Find the kid’s slim velvet hangers HERE). 1. The hangers grip the clothes and holds them in place so they don’t fall off; 2. You can fit so much more on a rod with the slim hangers; 3. Uniform hangers make it easier to see everything since it’s all at the same height.

Sources: Velvet Hangers

And, if you have an Elfa system, don’t forget to add on the retractable valet hook! I use this when putting clothes away, gathering items to pack, and to hang Eliza’s outfit for the next day. One of my favorite things.

Sources: Label Holders | Rattan Baskets | Expandable Valet Rod | Velvet Hangers | Easy Hang Standard | Gliding Mesh Shoe Shelf | Mesh Drawer | Mesh Drawer Dividers

I keep her winter hats, gloves, and earmuffs in this basket, but turned her former purse hooks into scarf hooks.

Sources: Label Holders | Rattan Baskets | Expandable Valet Rod | Elfa Side Hooks | Velvet Hangers

Sources: Label Holder | Rattan Basket | Ear Muffs

Closet Basket Storage

While I’m utilizing a couple of the baskets, I still have a few that are empty — I love having extra storage if/when she’s ready.

Sources: Label Holders | Rattan Baskets | Expandable Valet Rod | Velvet Hangers

The best part about Eliza’s closet that we’ve adapted and altered as she’s gotten older — she now takes part in putting things away because she knows where they go and she can easily access what she needs to — especially those shoe drawers.

Sources: Over the Door Storage System | Over the Door Peg Board | Peg Board Hooks | Hanging Hair Bow Holder | Shower Curtain Rings to Hold Sun Glasses | Label Holders | Rattan Baskets | Easy Hang Standard | Gliding Mesh Shoe Shelf | Mesh Drawer | Mesh Drawer Dividers / Velvet Hangers

Speaking of things she has access to, I used to keep her ring boxes (remember these ring sets she loves? BTW — currently on sale for under $10 HERE for the set of 24 rings on Amazon) in a basket on the back of her closet door. This Christmas, I upgraded her to THIS cute acrylic jewelry box — that now sits on her dresser — and it works so much better for us than trying to keep the original ring packaging.

Sources: Jewelry Box | Ring Set 1 | Ring Set 2

If you’ve been considering a full Elfa system, a component, or adding to what you already have, all Elfa is currently on sale for 30% off — it typically happens annually but ends in February, so whenever I add Elfa to my home, I try to time it with the start of the year.

And, as with all Elfa projects, you can take your space dimensions in store and they can help you come up with the perfect configuration.

Sources: Over the Door Storage System | Over the Door Peg Board | Peg Board Hooks | Hanging Hair Bow Holder | Shower Curtain Rings to Hold Sun Glasses | Label Holders | Rattan Baskets | Easy Hang Standard | Gliding Mesh Shoe Shelf | Mesh Drawer | Mesh Drawer Dividers / Velvet Hangers

As Eliza’s needs shift (along with her clothing sizes), we’ll continue to adapt, but the amount of space we’re able to utilize in here is so satisfying. Before, there was a single wire rack on the back of the closet. It isn’t a big space but it’s amazing what you can do with a little strategy and imagination.

Sources: Over the Door Storage System | Over the Door Peg Board | Peg Board Hooks | Hanging Hair Bow Holder | Shower Curtain Rings to Hold Sun Glasses | Label Holders | Rattan Baskets | Easy Hang Standard | Gliding Mesh Shoe Shelf | Mesh Drawer | Mesh Drawer Dividers / Velvet Hangers

What are your biggest kids closet frustrations? Any solutions you swear by? Please let us all know in the comment section!

Like This? Be Sure to Catch These…

• Eliza Big Girl Bedroom Reveal
• Playroom Organization Ideas
• Playroom Reveal
• Smart Storage: Door Organization Ideas
• Elfa Shelving Throughout the House (& Why It’s the Best)