4 Ingenious Ways to Store Scarves, According to Professional Organizers

Scarves are a staple of a well-rounded wardrobe, whether they add versatility, warmth, style, or—hopefully!—all three to an outfit. But as your collection grows, they can easily become a tangled mess in the back of a drawer or closet. Figuring out how to best store your scarves can make getting dressed so much easier.

By grouping your scarves by material, purpose, or season you'll be able to find what you need quickly and keep delicate fabrics in better condition. Below, we’ll walk you through four practical ways to store your scarves with tips from organizational experts.

Make a Hanging Closet Organizer 

Professional cleaner and organizer Stephanie Phillips recommends making a DIY hanging organizer to make scarf storage easy and affordable. The best part, according to Phillips? “Your entire scarf collection will fit in the same amount of space as one jacket or pair of pants, maximizing your closet space without sacrificing accessibility or visibility.”

Materials Needed:

• Sturdy clothes hanger
• Shower curtain rings

Instructions:

1. Slide the curtain rings onto the hanger, spacing them evenly.
2. Thread one scarf through each ring so they hang freely.
3. Hang the organizer on the rod in your closet alongside your clothing.
4. To keep things even tidier, create multiple DIY hangers to group scarves by type or color.

Use a Basket or Bin System

"One great way to neatly and efficiently store scarves is to ball them up in a similar fashion to socks and place them in a clear bin," shares pro organizer Aaron Shirley. "This will allow for ample space-saving while still being able to quickly see the scarves in your closet.

Sort scarves into categories by type, color or season and label each bin for easy access in the future.

Store Scarves in an Over-the-Door Pocket Organizer

An over-the-door clear pocket organizer is a renter-friendly solution to scarf storage. This method is perfect for small spaces, too. It hangs easily on the back of any standard door using vertical space that often goes unused. The clear pockets let you see every scarf at a glance, keeping your collection organized and accessible. 

Hang a clear over-the-door shoe organizer on the back of a closet door using hooks or built-in hangers. Place one scarf in each pocket, folding as needed to fit. Group scarves by type, color or season to make retrieval easier.

The Drawer Roll Method

If you prefer to tuck your scarves away in a drawer, avoid folding and stacking. The drawer roll method is a practical and tidy way to store scarves inspired by the precise folding techniques used in the military.

Placing each scarf rolled-ends-up in a drawer or bin creates an organized layout where every item is visible and easy to grab.

1. Gently roll each scarf into a neat bundle. 
2. Place the rolled scarves side-by-side in rows, with the rolled ends facing upwards.
3. Group them by type, color, or season.
4. Open the drawer and view your entire collection at a glance without digging through a pile.