Louisville is full of stunning historic homes—think Craftsman bungalows in the Highlands, charming colonials in St. Matthews, and elegant Victorians in Old Louisville. They have soaring ceilings, original hardwood floors, and… the tiniest, most awkward closets you’ve ever seen.

After organizing hundreds of closets across Jefferson County (from Prospect mansions to Crescent Hill cottages), we’ve noticed the exact same seven mistakes pop up again and again. The good news? Every single one is 100% fixable—usually in a single weekend or less.

Here are the seven biggest closet organization mistakes Louisville homeowners make—and the simple, local-friendly fixes that actually work in our humid Kentucky climate.

1. Keeping “Maybe Someday” Clothes

We’ve all got them: the size-6 jeans from 2012, the Derby dress we swear we’ll wear again, the blazer from a job we left five years ago. In Louisville, where closet space is at a premium, these sentimental pieces are silently stealing your sanity.

Fix it fast: Use the 20/20/20 Rule we teach every client:

• If you haven’t worn it in 20 months,
• It would cost less than $20 to replace,
• Or it’s more than 20 minutes away from being wearable (needs tailoring, missing buttons, etc.) → It goes. Donate to Goodwill on Bardstown Road, Dress for Success Louisville, or St. Vincent de Paul. Your closet (and future self) will thank you.

Photo idea: Split before/after of a rod crammed with clothes vs. the same rod with breathing room and only current-season pieces.

2. Relying on One Single Hanging Rod

Most pre-1960s Louisville homes were built with exactly one rod and one shelf. That’s it. Trying to hang dresses, shirts, and pants on the same level is a recipe for wrinkles and daily frustration.

Fix it fast: Double (or triple) your hanging space. Install a second lower rod for shirts and kids’ clothes, or use a tension-rod system like the Rubbermaid Configurations kit (available at Lowe’s on Shelbyville Road). For higher ceilings, add a top shelf with pull-down rods.

Pro tip: Use slim velvet hangers only—regular plastic ones take up 30% more space and clothes slide off in our summer humidity.

3. Ignoring Seasonal Rotation

Kentucky gives us 90-degree Derby days and January ice storms. Keeping heavy winter coats next to tank tops year-round wastes precious real estate.

Fix it fast: Pack off-season clothes in clear, labeled bins and slide them under the bed or up on the top shelf. We love the Sterilite gasket boxes from Target—they keep out moisture and silverfish (a real problem in older Louisville homes).

Photo idea: Two side-by-side bins labeled “Winter Coats & Boots” and “Summer Dresses & Sandals.”

4. The Dreaded Shoe Avalanche

Every time you open the closet door, three pairs fall on your head. Sound familiar?

Fix it fast: Get shoes off the floor. Over-the-door clear pocket organizers work wonders in shallow closets (perfect for Highlands bungalows). For deeper closets, use stackable shoe shelves or angled racks from The Container Store. Bonus: clear shoe boxes with a Polaroid on the front so you can see exactly what’s inside.

Hack: Spray the soles with waterproof protector—our spring rains track in red clay that never comes out of light carpet.

5. Still Using Wire Hangers from the Dry Cleaner

Those free wire hangers are literally the worst thing for your clothes. They rust in our humidity, leave shoulder bumps, and tangle instantly.

Fix it fast: Switch to slim-line velvet or wooden hangers. A full set of 100 velvet hangers costs about $30 on Amazon and instantly triples your space. Pro move: color-code by type (all black for work, white for casual).

6. Forgetting Vertical Space

You’ve got 9-foot ceilings and you’re only using the bottom 5 feet? That’s leaving half your closet empty!

Fix it fast: Add stackable shelves, cubbies, or an inexpensive Elfa or ClosetMaid system from The Container Store in Oxmoor Center. Even simple $15 canvas hanging shelves from Target can add six new “drawers” of folded sweaters and jeans.

Photo idea: Dramatic before/after showing empty upper walls vs. gorgeous cedar shelving all the way to the ceiling.

7. Zero Lighting Plan

You’re digging through a dark cave every morning trying to find a navy or black sock. In older homes, most closets have one sad builder-grade bulb—if any.

Fix it fast: Battery-powered LED motion-sensor lights are a game changer (we install these for almost every client). Or go pro with a hardwired LED strip—Louisville electrician rates are reasonable, and it adds value if you ever sell.

Ready for a Closet You Actually Love?

Stop fighting your closet every morning. At Custom Focus Organization, we specialize in turning even the tiniest, most awkward Louisville closets into calm, functional spaces you’ll enjoy using.

We offer completely free, no-pressure in-home consultations throughout Louisville, Prospect, Jeffersonville, Anchorage, St. Matthews, and surrounding areas.