I tried the viral jean hanging hack to double my denim storage – and it's perfect for tiny spaces

If you're anything like me, you probably have far too many pairs of jeans (and trousers) and not enough space to store them.

Bulky and heavy, denim requires correct storage to keep your garments looking their best. After all, when cared for correctly, denim jeans and jackets will maintain both their shape and color, and can last for years.

In need of some closet organization ideas, after years spent stuffing my jeans into overflowing drawers, this TikTok viral video caught my eye as a genius way to hang jeans, even if you're short on space – and I couldn't wait to try it out.

This viral jean hanging hack doubles your denim storage

@miks_tiks

♬ Escapism. - Super Sped Up - RAYE

In a video posted by Mikayla, @miks_tiks on TikTok, which has since amassed almost two million likes, she explains how she hangs her jeans, saying 'It's so easy, and it looks so good!'

Here's how to do it:

Step 1. Find a velvet hanger

First things first, you will need a hanger for your jeans. We recommend the Honey-Can-Do S/5 Collapsible & 50 Velvet Non-Slip Hangers available at QVC, which are strong, durable, and non-slip.

Step 2. Fold

Next, it's time to hang your jeans on the hanger.

'Take the jeans and fold them in half vertically,' says Mikayla, folding the two outside seams together. Then feed the jeans leg first through the hole in the hanger, until about one-third of the leg is through.

Then, simply put the back belt loop of your jeans over the neck of the hanger. 'That's it!' says Mikayla. This is a great hack to maintain a color-organized closet in a small space and is perfect to organize a closet if you don't have seasonal storage, as you can fit your warm winter jeans alongside your lighter, linen trousers for summer, even if you have a tiny space and need small closet ideas.

Step 3. Hang them up

As simple as that, your jeans are ready to hang up, either in your closet or on a clothes rail. A humble clothes rail saved my lack of hanging space, such as the Cella Mobile Wardrobe Organizer with Basket and Shelf available at QVC, and this is a really clever way to organize a small closet with lots of clothes.

What do you need to consider before tri-folding your jeans?

While this hack is a brilliant way to save inches of vertical space in your closet, this method may risk stretching the belt loops on your jeans. I tried hanging my jeans over the neck of the hanger with two belt loops which worked well and meant the weight was more evenly dispersed.

Also, this hack worked for me as someone who lacks vertical space, but if the width is where your wardrobe is lacking, this won't work for you. Instead, try organization methods to use vertical storage in your closet, such as the LUG Stowaway 4 Tier Hanging Closet Organizer available at QVC, or over-the-door storage, such as the "As Is" Cella Over the Door 6-Basket Storage Rack also available at QVC.

It may also leave your jeans with significant creasing across the folds, but using the best way to get wrinkles out of clothes is a quick way to remedy this.

My verdict?

Honestly, I think Mikayla's clothes storage idea is genius. Not only does it ensure your jeans stay neatly folded, but it also saves so much space in my closet and allows me to hang up all my trousers where I can see them, making choosing outfits in the morning more manageable.

FAQs

Is it better to hang or fold jeans?

As jeans tend to be thicker than other types of trousers, they can be folded without losing their shape or affecting the quality of the material, ideal if you want to know how to organize a closet without hangers.

If you do prefer to hang them, using Mikayla's hack is a much better method than using clip hangers, which may leave indentations or break with the weight.

Our expert-led guide on how to wash jeans and other denim items has tips on how to clean your denim items without causing them to shrink or fade.