7 Things You Should Always Keep in Your Hall Closet

A closet shelf displaying leather ankle boots a woven basket a brown handbag and hanging clothes items — Credit:
Getty Images

Hall closets can either be a vital asset that makes your life easier ... or an intimidating catch-all zone that might just trigger a stuff-avalanche when opened. To ensure the former, you’ve got to treat this precious square footage with strategy rather than a storage free-for-all.

We asked organizing experts about what items to keep in the hall closet and how to store them neatly, so you can streamline this space and your life.

Gillian Economu, professional organizer and founder of Sort It Out Organizing
Lisa Chun, organization expert and founder of Our Home Becoming

01 of 07

Extra Linens and Bedding

Organized closet shelves with pillows woven storage baskets and folded linens — Getty Images

Hall closets are an excellent place to store your backup sheets, towels, and guest bedding. “Putting these items here keeps bedrooms from getting overcrowded,” says professional organizer Gillian Economou. It also keeps everything in one place, so you don’t have to go rummaging through rooms.

How to Store Them: So they are neat and tidy, store your extra linens and bedding by category and fold them neatly on shelves, in labeled bins, or in baskets, Economou advises. “This makes it easy to find everything when you need it.”

02 of 07

Drop-Zone Baskets

If your hall closet is near the entryway, drop-zone baskets are a game changer, says Lisa Chun, organization expert and founder of Our Home Becoming. “A designated drop zone creates an immediate transition point from outside to inside. It prevents keys, wallets, and sunglasses from migrating to countertops and helps establish a consistent routine the moment you walk in,” she explains.

How to Store Them: Place shallow baskets or trays on a shelf at arm’s height. For multi-person households, consider one basket per person to maintain order and label each basket.

03 of 07

Emergency Kit

Keep an emergency kit in an accessible location—like the hall closet—so you can quickly grab it when something goes wrong. Take time to build a kit that has everything you need, such as flashlights, extra batteries, a portable phone charging bank, first aid supplies, and a fire blanket.

How to Store It: Keep everything together in one clearly labeled bin or bag on a middle shelf for easy access. You can use small containers (or internal pockets) to separate categories so nothing gets buried. Do a quick seasonal check to replace batteries or expired supplies.

04 of 07

Off-Season Clothing

A row of winter coats hanging on a rack — Getty Images

Winter coats, scarves, and gloves are bulky items that take up a lot of space, and they’re also not needed throughout the year. Often equipped with shelving and a hanging rod, a hall closet is an excellent place to keep these items. You can also store a box of summer items, like swimsuits, beach towels, and snorkels.

How to Store It: Use your hall closet to hang coats and any winter items that can be hung, so they don't get wrinkly. You can also keep them in a garment bag to prevent dust. “If you don't have hanging space, store your bulky items in vacuum-sealed bags on the top shelf and use bins or baskets for accessories so everything is contained,” says Economou.

05 of 07

Grab-and-Go Seasonal Bins

For example, you may have separate bins for holiday decorations, summer outdoor entertaining gear, or cozy winter essentials. A grab-and-go situation eliminates frustrating search parties by keeping items together and within reach, Chun says.

How to Store Them: Each category or season should have its own bin. Choose either a clear bin so you can easily see inside, or label them clearly so you can find what you need without digging around.

06 of 07

Everyday Shoes

Containing everyday shoes is one of the trickiest feats in a home, but a system that works for the whole family keeps the chaos contained. To avoid this common pain point, Chun says to consider adding shoe storage to the hall closet along with a small sock basket.

How to Store Them: "Limit storage to everyday shoes only, using a low-profile rack or labeled bins,” Chun advises. “Place a small, open basket for socks directly above or beside the shoe area for easy access.”

07 of 07

Bulk Paper Products

A blue basket containing rolled toilet paper inside a cabinet — Getty Images

Paper products take up a lot of space and aren’t exactly the prettiest to look at. Keep bulk items like paper towels, toilet paper, tissues, and disinfecting wipes in the hall closet so they’re out of sight, but within reach. “Having them in one central place makes it easy to restock bathrooms and the kitchen without running all over the house to find them,” Economou says.

How to Store Them: Place paper products on the bottom shelves so they are easy to reach. “You can use a cute basket or just keep them on the shelf in rows,” Economou says. “For cleaning supplies, use a basket or bin so everything has a simple, dedicated home.”

7 Things You Should Always Keep in Your Hall Closet (and How to Store Them Neatly)