Before and After: 3 Closet Makeovers We Can't Stop Swooning Over

Katie Holdefehr

This will inspire you to (finally) organize your cluttered closet.

Instagram is a treasure trove of all sorts of inspiration, including some of the most enviable closet organization makeovers. Our favorites are those that let you swipe between the before-and-after, so you can really appreciate the dramatic transformation. Besides motivating us to turn our own closet "befores" into "afters," these closets are full of tidbits of organizing wisdom we can incorporate into our own homes. Below, we've rounded up a few closet makeovers and highlighted some of the takeaway lessons we can learn from each. Feeling inspired to tackle your own clutter? Start by purging these 11 things you won't miss right now.

RELATED: How to Organize Your Closet in 30 Minutes Flat

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My closet got a little makeover! Swipe to see what she looked like before 😳 It was so fun getting to do this project with G + take y’all along with me through the process! All the details, links, and sources are on the blog today 🧥👗👠

A post shared by Morgan // Olive Branch Cottage (@olivebranchcottage) on Aug 5, 2019 at 5:51am PDT

Lesson #1: Choose Cohesive Hangers

One small change that had a big visual impact in this closet from the Olive Branch Cottage is the switch to matching wood and metal hangers from Target ($20 for 24, target.com). Before, a mix of cheap plastic and wire hangers made the closet look more disorganized than it was, but the matching hangers lend a cohesive look. Plus, they help space out the garments evenly so it's easier to find what you're looking for.

One more tip: Keep your most-worn shoes on display, then hide the others out-of-sight, yet within reach (less-frequently-worn pairs are stashed inside the woven baskets).

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YOU GUYS!!!! My walk-in closet makeover using @ikeausa PAX is up on the blog!!! I cannot even tell you how excited I am about this transformation! Swipe to see what our closet used to look like. You won’t believe it!! I am here to tell you that you don’t have to have to have an insane budget to have the closet of your dreams. Stop by the blog and check out the project for loads more photos and inspiration. What must have item would your dream closet have in it? . . Closet system is IKEA PAX. You can get source info on everything else a few different ways: 1️⃣ Visit the Shop My Instagram page on my blog https://crazy-wonderful.com 2️⃣ Download the LIKEtoKNOW.it app and follow me there, or 3️⃣ Screenshot this image to get shoppable links in the LIKEtoKNOW.it app http://liketk.it/2BdL5 @liketoknow.it @liketoknow.it.home #liketkit #LTKhome

A post shared by Shelley | Home + DIY Blog (@crazywonderfulblog) on Apr 17, 2019 at 5:19pm PDT

Lesson #2: Upgrade Your Closet System

We've said it before and we'll say it again: closet organizers aren't going to solve all of your organizational woes if you don't do the hard work of decluttering first. But, once you've sorted through your belongings, choosing a closet system that fits your needs is transformative. Exhibit A: the beautiful closet makeover above by the Crazy Wonderful blog.

As you're sorting through your closet, make note of your storage needs: Do you mostly hang clothes or fold them? Do you have a lot of shoes, or are you more into hats? Everyone's wardrobe is different, so be sure to customize your closet system to match what you actually own. The closet above uses the IKEA PAX system, which has pieces that can be mixed and matched to create your dream closet.

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I’m the literal 👑 QUEEN 👑 of forgetting to take a before picture. I realized this halfway through destroying my wire closet system and so I went back into my stories and took a screen shot of what it looked like 😂 I’ll never get good at that lolol. ANYWAY!! Closet makeover complete! ✅ I am thrilled with the way this turned out. I painted an @ikeausa malm dresser using an eggshell #behrpaint color from the home decorators collection called Peach Mimosa. I also painted the interior of the closet matte black to match the rest of the bedroom since the curtains mostly stay open in here. Stole a few things to style the space from the other parts of my house.. and I’m pretty thrilled with the outcome. Knocked this project out in less than 12 hours! #ladiesgetshitdone, yanno. . . #thechiahouse #thisiswhyihavetothriftshopeveryday #myeclectichome #myeclecticmix #bhghome #inmydomaine #thisiswhyithriftshopeveryday #designsponge #closetmakeover #ahomemadehome #girlsjustwanttodiy #dslooking #thedecorsocial #beforeandafterinteriors #smallspaceliving #apartmenttherapy #interior4all #interior_delux #ikeahack #myhousethismonth #ltkhome #prettylittleinteriors #interior123 #designmadeeasy #cornerofmyhome #fromwhereistand #cljsquad #eclecticallymade

A post shared by abbey chiavario (@the_chiahouse) on Feb 23, 2019 at 11:54am PST

Lesson #3: Incorporate Hidden Storage

Let's face it, most of us can't keep up with a Marie Kondo-level clothes-folding method every single day. And our stacks of imperfectly folded clothes just don't look as attractive. Abbey Chiavario from The Chia House has a solution: Add a dresser (the one pictured above is an IKEA MALM) to your closet so you can stash folded clothing neatly out of view. A storage bin on the top shelf also stores a jumble of accessories where they're hidden in plain sight.