How to Design an Accessible Closet: 10 Tips for Inclusive Storage Solutions

Your closet serves as a sanctuary for your wardrobe, housing an array of clothing, accessories, and personal items. However, for individuals with mobility challenges or disabilities, navigating and organizing a closet can pose significant obstacles. By implementing thoughtful design strategies and incorporating accessibility features, you can transform your closet into a functional and inclusive space that maximizes convenience and ease of use. In this blog post, I will share practical tips and ideas for making your closet more accessible.

The truth is, in addition to disability advocacy, I also love organizing. It is a practical necessity for me to live in a home that is functional and tidy. But beyond that, it is a pure passion. I’ve loved organizing for as long as I can remember. A fun afternoon for me is browsing the Container Store or IKEA’s home organization section. Because I have been doing it for so many years, and I’ve been disabled all my life, I feel like I have some unique insight on how to achieve accessible storage and organization solutions. So let’s get into my Top 10 tips for accessible closet organization.

Tip #1: Adjust Shelf and Rod Heights

One of the simplest ways to improve accessibility in your closet is by adjusting the heights of shelves and clothing rods to accommodate varying reach distances and mobility levels. Lowering shelves and rods to a comfortable height ensures that items are within easy reach for individuals using wheelchairs or mobility aids, eliminating the need for excessive stretching or bending.

Tip #2: Incorporate Pull-Out Shelves and Drawers

Integrate pull-out shelves and drawers into your closet design to enhance accessibility and organization. These features allow for easy access to clothing and accessories stored in the back of the closet, minimizing the need to reach or strain to retrieve items. Consider installing sliding mechanisms or drawer glides with smooth, effortless operation for seamless accessibility.

Tip #3: Utilize Adjustable Shelving Systems

Opt for adjustable shelving systems that offer flexibility and customization to accommodate changing storage needs and preferences. Adjustable shelves can be easily repositioned to create space for bulkier items or to accommodate different types of clothing and accessories. This versatility allows you to optimize the layout of your closet to suit your specific requirements.

Tip #4: Install Lighting and Visibility Enhancements

Ensure adequate lighting and visibility within your closet to facilitate easy navigation and organization. Install overhead lighting fixtures or LED strip lights to illuminate the interior of the closet, making it easier to locate and identify items. Consider incorporating motion-sensor lights or automatic switches for added convenience, eliminating the need to fumble for light switches in dark or poorly lit spaces.

Tip #5: Label and Organize Items Clearly

Simplify the process of locating and accessing clothing and accessories by labeling and organizing items clearly within your closet. Use large, legible labels or tags to identify different categories of clothing, such as tops, bottoms, shoes, and accessories. Arrange items in a logical and intuitive manner, grouping similar items together and organizing them based on frequency of use or seasonal relevance.

Tip #6: Create Clear Pathways and Maneuvering Space

Ensure that there are clear pathways and adequate maneuvering space within your closet to accommodate mobility aids and facilitate easy navigation. Remove clutter and unnecessary obstacles from the floor to create unobstructed pathways for wheelchairs or walkers. Allow sufficient space for individuals to turn around comfortably and access all areas of the closet without difficulty.

Tip #7: Consider Accessible Storage Solutions

Explore accessible storage solutions specifically designed for individuals with mobility challenges or disabilities. These may include pull-down clothing rods (see photo above), motorized closet systems, or rotating carousels that bring items within reach with minimal effort. Investigate specialized assistive devices and adaptive tools that can enhance accessibility and convenience within your closet.

Tip #8: Use Clear Bins Only

If you need to have storage bins or baskets in your closet to group items together, or house bulky or odd shaped things, please, (I’m begging you) only use clear bins. I know there is a temptation to use cutely patterned containers, or a selection that can be color coordinated. But I promise you, even with accurate labeling, you will forget what is in them. You will also forget how full they are. Clear bins allow for quick and easy knowledge of what is in the container and how much space you have remaining. Or as I like to call it, “room to grow.”

Tip #9: Consider Storage for Specialized Items

If you are a collector or simply have a lot of one specific item, consider getting a specialized organizer for that item. If you have a lot of baseball caps, a dedicated cap rack might be a good idea. If you have a lot of pillows or cushions, maybe think about some vacuum storage bags. I’ve been organizing long enough to know that there is an organizing solution for almost anything. While I am not saying every solution is necessary, in some cases it can be worth it. Remember the point is to be able to utilize your space efficiently and access it easily. If there is just that ONE thing that can help make that happen, then so be it. You will probably wonder how you ever lived without it.

Tip #10: Make a Dedicated Space for Accessibility Tools

Some disabled people need tools such as grabbers, dressing tools, step stools, or push sticks to help them either use their closet space or get dressed/undressed. If you can, I recommend keeping a set of your accessibility tools specifically in your closet or dressing area. And once you have them gathered, make a dedicated space to store them. It can be very frustrating not to have what you need when you need it. If you can have multiples of a specific accessibility tool that is even better. Then label and “assign” them to specific areas in your home. So you’d have “closet” grabber, “living room” grabber, etc.

I hope these tips and ideas inspire you to think about your closet space in a whole new way— especially if your current space isn’t working for you. I am a firm believer that our spaces should work for us, not the other way around. Navigating life with a disability or chronic pain is hard enough. Don’t make things harder by living in a space that is not meeting your mobility needs. Do you think I forgot something? Please leave any additional tips or ideas in the comments below so we can share even more ideas. Happy organizing!