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  5. Store More with These Behind-the-Door Storage Ideas
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Store More with These Behind-the-Door Storage Ideas

headshot of home editor jessica bennett
By Jessica Bennett Updated January 16, 2020
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
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Back of door storage in kitchen
Credit: Jay Wilde
Every square inch counts when you're trying to max out storage. But you don't have to build a fancy closet system or buy high-end accessories to meet your storage needs. Here's how to use the backs of closet or cabinet doors and off-the-shelf add-ons to create helpful organizing solutions. These behind-the-door storage ideas will help you store more without taking up space.
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Double Closet Capacity

home close organization with storage bins
Credit: Granen Photography Inc

If you think your closet is already filled to capacity, reconsider. Utilizing the behind-the-door area can boost storage space and help keep small items like crafting supplies organized and easily accessible. Consider hanging an over-the-door shoe organizer and filling the pockets with loose supplies like markers, paintbrushes, scissors, and more. Label each pocket with a tag to keep everything straight.

Editor's Tip: Do not drill into hollow-core doors to hang storage. Instead, opt for over-the-door or self-adhesive solutions.

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Maximize Your Entry

Closet with red canvas hanging organizers
Credit: Richard Leo Johnson

Behind-the-door storage can help maximize a tight space, so it's ideal for small entryways that lack a large mudroom or closet area. Outfit the back of a closet door with hanging organizers to store items you need on your way out the door, such as keys or sunglasses. You can also make this storage solution function as a family command center by designating pockets for incoming or outgoing mail, important papers, and school projects.

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Create a Gift Wrap Station

Closet door with hanging storage racks
Credit: Marshall Johnson

Store gift-wrapping supplies in a handy spot, like the back of a door in an office or bedroom, that's easy to access when birthdays or holidays come around. An over-the-door wire rack with multiple compartments works well for corraling items of various sizes and shapes. Stash large items like gift wrap and boxes directly in the baskets; corral smaller items like tape, tags, and scissors in clear jars or containers.

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Add More Kitchen Pantry Storage

Back of door storage in kitchen
Credit: Jay Wilde

Keeping your food and kitchen staples organized can feel like a never-ending task, especially in space-challenged kitchens. Here, the back of a pantry door becomes a hardworking storage spot for frequently used items, thanks to a behind-the-door wire organizer. A tall, adjustable shelf rod holds wire baskets of varying sizes to store spices, canned goods, dry ingredients, and snacks. Before you hang anything, make sure you have enough clearance inside the closet to close the door.

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Divide and Label Baskets

Back of door storage snacks
Credit: Jay Wilde/The Wilde Project

One of the easiest ways to prevent a small storage space from getting jumbled is to clearly divide storage by function. Add storage labels for an organizing solution that's both pretty and functional. Here, a folded piece of patterned paper with printed-on words loops around the wires in the basket; it's secured with a plastic grommet.

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Use Open Storage

Back of door storage paper bags
Credit: Jay Wilde/The Wilde Project

Repurpose office supplies as inexpensive organizers in your behind-the-door storage solution. When mounted on the back of the pantry door, this clear plastic magazine holder provides an easy-access way to store a collection of reusable paper bags. Attach the caddy to the back of the door with a very slim screw or adhesive tacks.

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Create Flexibility

Back of door storage adjustable bracket spices
Credit: Jay Wilde/The Wilde Project

Before purchasing organizers for your closet door, be sure they'll fit when the door is shut. Measure the clearance on the door's closure, the top doorjamb, and the bottom between the door and floor. This slim-lined adjustable rod has just enough space to allow the main bracket to be secured to the door's top. Sturdy hooks help secure baskets and allow for flexibility if storage needs change.

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Add Hidden Craft Storage

Items organize on closet door
Credit: Jay Wilde/The Wilde Project

Crafting supplies are often relegated to a bottom drawer or a catch-all storage container. But the back of a coat or storage closet door can provide a much more accessible spot to store items such as notebooks and wrapping paper. Here, a small pegboard panel features hooks and containers to organize scissors, pencils, envelopes, and other craft supplies.

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Try Clear Holders

Back of door storage notebooks
Credit: Jay Wilde/The Wilde Project

Mount clear file holders on the back of the door to keep frequently used items in plain view. This helps you take stock of what you have and ensures those items don't get lost or forgotten about. To keep supplies separated, attach labels to baskets, bins, and other organizational tools and sort items accordingly.

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Repurpose Other Items as Storage

Back of door storage wrapping paper
Credit: Jay Wilde/The Wilde Project

Tall, slender rolls of wrapping paper can be a challenge to store. This clever solution makes use of an ordinary trash can and strips of elastic. Attach the trashcan to the back of the door using hooks or heavy-duty adhesive and place the wrapping paper inside. To hold the rolls in place, cut the elastic into strips and crisscross them, securing the ends of the bands with colorful push pins.

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Keep Essentials Easy to Reach

Back of door storage tape
Credit: Jay Wilde/The Wilde Project

Hardware and home improvement stores are great sources for household items that easily transform into clever organizers. When turned on its side, a simple toilet paper holder works to hold rolls of patterned tape. A nearby dry-erase board provides a convenient spot for lists, reminders, and to-dos.

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Add Extra Clothes Storage

Yellow closet door with hanging objects
Credit: Jay Wilde/The Wilde Project

When expanding your closet isn't an option, look to the back of the door for additional storage space. A few extras and an hour or two of installation time can transform the behind-the-door area into a wardrobe planning central. An over-the-door hook offers a spot for hanging a complete outfit.

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Keep Favorites Close at Hand

Back of door storage cosmetics
Credit: Jay Wilde/The Wilde Project

Store items you use on a daily basis, like cosmetics, in an easy-to-reach spot. These clear stick-on organizers adhere to the back of the door to keep favorite lipsticks and glosses accessible. The divided compartments make these ideal for storing makeup brushes or barrettes, too.

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Include Plenty of Day-to-Day Storage

Back of door storage necklaces
Credit: Jay Wilde/The Wilde Project

Clear off the top of your dresser and store jewelry behind the door instead. With multiple pegs, this acrylic hook rack offers plenty of spots for bracelets and necklaces to keep pieces tangle-free. Use thin screws to attach the organizer to the door back and place it high enough from the floor to keep jewelry from dragging.

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Maximize Flexibility

Back of door storage shoes and sunglasses
Credit: Jay Wilde/The Wilde Project

Modular units allow you to customize your behind-the-door storage to fit your organizing needs (and change it up when necessary). A hanging bar with hooks of various sizes offers a smart way to store shoes or lay out a pair for the next day. Add other organizers, like a small hanging bucket, to corral grab-and-go accessories so all your outfit essentials are on-hand.

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    Everything in This Slideshow

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    1 of 15 Double Closet Capacity
    2 of 15 Maximize Your Entry
    3 of 15 Create a Gift Wrap Station
    4 of 15 Add More Kitchen Pantry Storage
    5 of 15 Divide and Label Baskets
    6 of 15 Use Open Storage
    7 of 15 Create Flexibility
    8 of 15 Add Hidden Craft Storage
    9 of 15 Try Clear Holders
    10 of 15 Repurpose Other Items as Storage
    11 of 15 Keep Essentials Easy to Reach
    12 of 15 Add Extra Clothes Storage
    13 of 15 Keep Favorites Close at Hand
    14 of 15 Include Plenty of Day-to-Day Storage
    15 of 15 Maximize Flexibility

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