Lily Allen masters small-space storage strategies to make clever use of her compact closet
The singer utilizes big storage strategies in a small space – and professional organizers are impressed by her technique
The art of closet organization is one that requires skill, patience, and lots of clothing rails. While there are countless ways to arrange and display clothing and accessories, the main closet organization goals remain the same: keeping it neat and tidy.
Singer and actor Lily Allen is providing some inspiration via a snap from her own closet, which shows off her neatly laid out shoes, hung-up clothing, and storage cubes.
Interiors Therapist Suzanne Roynon says that despite the Smile singer's space being on the smaller end, Allen has capitalized on the room using some key closet organization strategies.
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'Lily has made excellent use of relatively narrow hanging space,' Roynon states. 'One wall features rails and shelves with open top square garment storage bins, while the other side of the walk-in closet incorporates a custom-sized well-lit dressing table with a pretty vintage mirror.'
She also notes the make-up area's enclosed drawer space on either side and cabinets displaying jewelry, making the accessorizing process a pleasurable activity.
Roynon points out that organizing the closet by item creates more space for sharing with a partner (i.e., Allen's husband, fellow actor David Harbour). She particularly likes the lower storage shelves, perfect for lining up shoes in a row.
'The wardrobe rails, shelves for bags and purses, and even the cozy window seat are bespoke to the needs of Lily and her husband,' she says. 'The low-level shoe storage makes complete sense as the shoes, boots, and trainers are visible without being intrusive.'
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The only aspect of the room that Roynon might advise against is the deep, square storage boxes, solely based on the fact that putting out-of-season items into them can make it more difficult and awkward to find clothes.
'However, in a tight space, attractive fabric cartons are often more visually acceptable, and make better and more harmonious use of limited space than balancing an unstable pile of t-shirts or sports gear on a shelf could ever achieve,' she says.
Suzanne is a specialist Interiors Therapy Expert and author of Welcome Home, How Stuff Makes or Breaks your Relationship – available on Amazon. She has spent more than 25 years in corporate and charity roles, using her ability as a therapist and public speaker to help people understand their relationship with their homes and possessions.
Shop H&G's closet organization edit
Below, we have rounded up some closet storage pieces for optimal organization.
This pack of 50 clothing hangers is quantity and quality in one, with a luxe, velvet and gold design.
Hannah is Homes & Gardens’ News Editor, with a focus on celebrity style and entertainment content. She got her start in media as a digital editorial assistant at ELLE Canada, and has since written about lifestyle and culture for publications such as Nylon and i-D.
Her love of film is rivalled only by one with a great soundtrack, and she hopes to someday decorate a Nancy Meyers-worthy kitchen.
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