Small spaces don't have to be a problem; they can even be an advantage.

Conscious consumerism and minimalism are gradually gaining ground, even in the wardrobe.

The "less is more" approach, understood as more quality and less quantity, and good organization of what we have continues to gain followers.

To get there, the difficult part is taking the step of letting go of clothes and belongings. Behind this lies reluctance based on fear.

“With my work, I want to make people think that objects are merely material and that storing them is of little use. We must learn to let go of material things and give them another life by donating them to those who might need them or who might put them to better use. This may require facing certain fears,” Vanesa says.

Once you've sorted through the items, you may want to decide between adding custom-made drawers or opting for shelves and organizing boxes before organizing your closet.

Beyond the financial outlay involved in a custom design, you must first consider the number of drawers you already have in your home furnishings: nightstands, dressers, chiffoniers, etc.

We often have more drawers than we think!

If you decide to use shelves, it's important to discover ways to stay organized and maximize your space.

Keeping shelves organized doesn't have to be a problem when it comes to maintaining order.

The solution lies in organizing boxes. They create the "drawer effect" and prevent the unwanted clutter that occurs when items are placed directly on shelves.

"We normally tend to accumulate, fold horizontally, and pile up clothes at the front and back of the shelves. That way, we can't see everything, we don't know what we have, and it all gets messy when we reach for an item from under the pile. Plus, the backs of closets are practically invisible."

In contrast, the advantages of using boxes are obvious: "We gain in organization and maintenance, and we stop wasting time trying to locate clothes we've previously sorted by category. It also frees us from unnecessary clutter by forcing us to limit the quantity to maximize space."

In a closet we keep practically everything we need in our daily lives.

Sorting by category will help us start the day on the right foot because we'll spend less time looking for what we need.

Underwear, accessories, sportswear, shoes, blankets, and bedding… everything can be kept impeccably organized in boxes.

Categorization is the key to maintaining order. Folding clothes vertically (instead of the classic horizontal one) or arranging them by color is a plus for fans of organization, but it's not a mandatory requirement.

It's time to select the smallest container for your clothes. Here, two factors will be key: size and durability.

SIZE

The first thing to consider is the width and depth of the shelves. Cabinet depths are typically 60 or 50 cm, while widths vary.

“The collaboration with Pepa Paper was based on this parameter, in addition to durability. Seeing that there were no boxes on the market that reached all the way to the bottom, I thought we could design sturdy and attractive boxes that would meet this need. Pepa Paper and Pon Orden boxes come in two depth sizes: 45 cm for 50 cm deep and 55 cm for 60 cm deep.”

ENDURANCE

Once you've determined the best size, choose boxes that have one essential feature: durability. The frequent use we'll give them makes this feature almost mandatory.

“That’s why we designed the boxes with sturdy cardboard, so they can be recycled.”

Now comes the last step: do we put the already categorized boxes back in the closet? Common sense comes into play here. We should always have the items we use most at hand, just like in the kitchen.

Clothes, shoes, accessories, and bedding from other seasons that we won't be using for a while should be placed in the upper areas.

While everyday items should be within easy reach, including shoes, sportswear, and other accessories, such as hats and bags, which can be placed in boxes on shelves or inside drawers if available.

There you have it. A small closet without drawers can be the crown jewel of a home. Order is key, and organizing boxes are great allies.

What about messy people? Is it possible for them to maintain these patterns?

One last warning from Vanessa

“Yes, absolutely. You'd be surprised at the number of disorganized people who manage to maintain order by using boxes. They may still be messy in other areas, but their closets, I assure you, will be spotless.”