3 Tips for Sharing Wardrobe Space with Family or Significant Other

As a child, you were taught to share with others, a good life skill that is needed into adulthood. As an adult, there should be nobody easier to share with than our significant other, child or family member. Yet when it comes to something like wardrobe space, which for most of our lives has been ours and ours alone, suddenly having to share it can come as a shock.

I live in a very small home, space is limited, so at the moment I'm sharing my larger wardrobe with one of my children and yes we make it work but it did take time to adjust, in the same way it would if your sharing yours with a partner for the first time. 

It also brings challenges with it. It is almost certain that one of you will have more things than the other. Then, there will likely be disagreements over how things should be stored. You might also have different needs, for example, if one of you just wants to find what you need quickly, sling it on and get out the door, while the other likes to take time getting dressed.

Rather than each person just doing their own thing, which can be a recipe for resentment, it is better to discuss how your wardrobe space will work when you first move in together. This quick guide offers some pointers to follow for pain-free sharing.

1. Declutter before you begin

If you already have a wardrobe that you are going to share, empty it out first and start donating or binning items which you haven’t worn in forever or which are damaged. Your partner should do the same. If you are both moving to somewhere where you will be sharing a wardrobe, doing this first will also make moving easier.

Removing clutter will help prevent any pointless disagreements over wardrobe space.

2. Organise around your habits

It is worth discussing things such as your morning routines and which items you wear regularly to help you figure out where to best store particular items. For example, if you both need to get dressed for work at the same time, it might be best to each have your own side of the wardrobe so that you are not constantly getting in each other’s way.

Clothes you do not wear regularly may be best stored in harder-to-reach spots, or if it is the wrong season you might want to store them somewhere else entirely. For example, your winter jackets and sweaters could be stored under the bed during spring and summer.

3. Make the most of the space

The shelves, racks, and drawers that the wardrobe manufacturer has supplied you with are only a starting point. There are plenty of ways you use your wardrobe space more efficiently. If there are too few drawers, buy some dividers and you can share the space while keeping things like men’s and womens underwear separate.

If your wardrobe has doors that swing rather than slide open, put some hooks on the inside. To make better use of shelves, put stackable containers on them. In fact, containers or even shoe boxes can be good places to store accessories like scarves, belts, and hats when you’re low on space. Labelling them can make it easier to find what you need in a rush.


Sharing space is a necessity for most couples, and there is no reason that it needs to cause trouble. By following these tips you can build a harmonious wardrobe and ensure that your partner’s wishes and yours are respected.