Closet Clothes Storage: How to Store Shorts Neatly

Shorts are awkward to store because they vary so much in length, fabric and bulk. The simplest rule: file-fold casual shorts in drawers, hang tailored ones by the waistband, and put athletic shorts in bins on a shelf.

If your shorts currently live in a slumping pile, don't feel bad. Almost everyone's do. Here is how to choose the right method for each type, whatever size closet you have.

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How do you sort shorts before storing them?

Before buying a single bin, take every pair out and lay them on the bed. Check fit, damage and duplicates. If you haven't worn a pair in two summers, it's probably time to donate it. Measure first, then decide: the number of pairs you actually keep sets how much storage you need.

Then split what's left into three groups, because each group wants a different method:

• Structured shorts (denim, chino, linen) wrinkle easily and do best hung or carefully folded.
• Athletic and lounge shorts are usually synthetic or cotton blends and tolerate rolling, stuffing and bins.
• Delicate shorts (silk, satin, sequins) need breathing room and a soft hanger or a lined drawer.

It's common to find you own far more shorts than you wear. Cutting the pile down often frees an entire drawer for bulky sweaters.

How do you file-fold shorts for drawers?

If you have closet clothes storage drawers or a dresser, file folding is the method I recommend most. Shorts stand on edge like files in a cabinet, so you see every pair when you open the drawer instead of forgetting what's at the bottom of a stack.

1. Fold the shorts in half leg to leg, so they form a long rectangle.
2. Fold the waistband end down toward the hem.
3. Fold the hem up toward the waistband.
4. Fold once more until the bundle stands up on its own.

Add adjustable dividers so the rows don't fall over like dominoes. Space them according to the folded thickness: thin athletic shorts pack in tightly, denim takes noticeably more room per pair.

Drawers also help if you live with a shedding dog or cat. Closed drawers keep hair off clean clothes, while open shelves collect it, especially on dark cotton.

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When is it better to hang shorts?

Hang linen, rayon and structured denim, which get bulky and creased when folded. Hanging also uses vertical space that would otherwise go unused, which matters for how to store clothes in a closet that is short on drawers.

Pick the right hanger

Use one hanger style throughout; matching hangers make a closet look calmer. Slim clip hangers with rubber or felt-lined clips suit denim and structured waistbands. Always clip by the waistband, which is reinforced. Clipping the hem stretches the fabric and causes wrinkles.

Tiered hangers that hold several pairs save space, but reaching the middle pair means moving the top ones. As an architect, I'd reserve them for off-season storage, not daily use.

How much hanging space do shorts need?

Shorts need far less drop than shirts or dresses. A rod dedicated to shorts only needs roughly 24-28 inches of clearance, compared with about 40-42 inches per rod in a typical double-hang section. If you're working with an existing closet, a hanging rod extender that clips onto the upper rod adds a second tier without drilling, which suits renters. Our guide to hanging skirts uses many of the same ideas.

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What works for shelves: bins and baskets?

Stacks of shorts placed straight on a shelf will topple. Bins turn the shelf into a drawer. This suits gym, lounge and pajama shorts, which don't need to stay crisp.

• Fabric cubes are soft and forgiving, good for stuffing in athletic gear.
• Clear acrylic bins let you see the contents at a glance.
• Wire baskets allow airflow, which helps gym clothes, but line them if you store delicate fabrics so nothing snags.

Label the bins, even if it feels fussy. "Athletic" and "pajama" labels remove the small decision each time you put laundry away. On deep shelves, I recommend putting a lidded bin of off-season shorts at the back and an open-front bin of current favorites in front.

How do you organize a small closet for shorts?

For small closet clothes storage, think vertical and think seasonal. These ideas also help with storing jeans in a closet, and a similar logic applies to hanging long dresses in a short closet.

• Hang a clear over-the-door shoe organizer. Each pocket fits a rolled pair of running shorts or cut-offs, and they stay visible but out of the way.
• Move off-season shorts to wheeled under-bed bins. Choose sealed bins if you have pets, so fur and dust stay off the clothes.
• Use a rod extender: shirts on the upper rod, shorts below. Shorts won't drag on the floor.

Closet air matters too. The USDA's National Agricultural Library notes that ventilation is especially important in clothes closets to keep clothing free from odors and, in humid areas, to keep mold from developing. Don't pack bins so tightly that air can't move.

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Small touches that make the system last

• Sort light to dark within each category so you can find a pair quickly.
• Add a motion-sensor LED strip above the rod or drawer if the corner is dark.
• Keep hanging shorts at least 3 inches off the floor if you have a dog who likes a tug-of-war.
• Zip zippers and button waistbands before folding so the garment keeps its shape and the zipper teeth don't snag other items.

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Frequently asked questions