Stylish & Streamlined: A Professional Organizer’s Guide to Accessory Storage & Organization

As a professional organizer, I’ve seen firsthand how quickly accessories can clutter a space—especially when they don’t have a proper home. But accessories don’t have to be a source of chaos. With smart, intentional storage solutions, your bags, jewelry and shoes can be beautifully organized, easy to access, and well-preserved.

Whether I’m designing custom closets or garage systems for busy families, my goal is always to create systems that work for you. Here are my top tips for accessory storage and organization in a way that’s both functional and stylish.

Storage for Bags & Purses

The best way to preserve the shape and extend the life of your bags is to store them upright and individually. I recommend placing structured inserts inside large bags, then lining them up on open shelving. Shelf dividers work wonders here, keeping everything standing tall and easy to grab. If you have hanging space available, purse hangers are a good option for larger bags.

For smaller purses and clutches, we use clear bins or acrylic organizers to keep them visible and contained without taking up much space. Tuck straps inside bags to keep them from creasing and to maintain a clutter free shelf without straps hanging down.

Fine leather goods should always be stored out of direct sunlight, so if needed keep those expensive bags in their dust bags with a photo of the bag clipped to the outside.

Jewelry Organization

To avoid tangled jewelry, use drawer inserts with velvet-lined compartments or stackable acrylic organizers for rings, earrings, and bracelets. For necklaces, vertical wall hooks or table top jewelry stands keep chains from knotting while making it simple to see everything at a glance. Keep the pieces you wear daily in a simple tray or dish on your dresser top or vanity.

Hats & Hair Accessory Storage and Organization

Hats can be a fun way to accessorize your closet or dressing area. Wide-brim hats are best displayed on wall hooks or individual hat stands to keep their shape. For baseball caps, stack in a bin, line up on a shelf or try a cascading clip hanger or over-the-door solution.

Store chunky headbands on an acrylic hair organizer or in a clear bin. If you have drawer space use divided drawer organizers to store hair accessories at your vanity. The key is keeping these accessories visible and in a manner that keeps their shape.

Scarves & Belts

Rolling scarves and placing them upright in bins is a great option to keep scarves organized. We have also folded smaller silk scarves and placed them in a divided drawer insert. Belts can be hung on designated belt hangers or rolled and stored in segmented trays. Rolling belts helps to keep their shape and protect the leather and both options keep things looking neat and accessible. Belts with a designer or fancy buckle can be rolled into acrylic display cases and add to your closet decor.

Pro Tip: Don't forget the back of the door when looking to find additional storage space in your closet.

Shoes in Small Spaces

When space is limited, vertical solutions are key. We love drop front shoe boxes that stack or line up on a high shelf. These boxes protect shoes from dust while also keeping them visible. We know collectors love the boxes their expensive shoes come in, but we always recommend taking your things out of cardboard boxes. Cardboard retains moisture and attracts critters, in addition to keeping you from seeing what's inside. If you insist on keeping the boxes for potential resale opportunities, store them elsewhere. Rotating seasonal shoes using labeled bins or top-shelf baskets is a great way to keep your everyday options streamlined without losing track of what you own.

Seasonal & Specialty Accessories

Gloves, scarves, sunglasses, and seasonal accessories should be stored in clearly labeled

bins or baskets when not in use. I often design custom drawer inserts for items like sunglasses or create seasonal rotation bins to swap out accessories as the weather changes. If you're not storing sunglasses in their cases, choose a clear acrylic display option or a hinge-top storage box to protect your shades. Winter accessories like hats, gloves and scarves can be binned in a coat closet when not in season. Lidded containers protect from dust, and labels ensure nothing gets forgotten.

Your accessories should feel like a curated part of your life—not a source of clutter. With a few customized systems in place, you’ll love how effortless it feels to get dressed, pack a bag, or find that perfect pair of earrings.

Need help creating smart, stylish storage for your accessories—or your whole home?

This Organized Chaos offers concierge organizing services that handle it all—from space planning and product sourcing to full implementation. Let’s transform your space into something both functional and beautiful.

Get In Touch

Trish Johnson is a professional organizer and systems expert. She is a wife, mom of 3 kids, and a former elementary school teacher. Trish understands the stresses of daily life in a busy family and she truly enjoys helping people get set up with effective, organized systems that are functional as well as beautiful. Her company, This Organized Chaos, is located in New Jersey and services the surrounding areas organizing homes and small businesses.