- Closet shelf dividers are the easiest and most cost-effective way to instantly organize and separate clothing, accessories, and linens.
- The Lynk Tall White Solid Shelf Divider is the best closet shelf divider because it’s sturdy, slim, and affordable.
There are a couple of reasons why a shelf divider is an absolute must-have for every closet. First and foremost, they are way less expensive than a closet renovation or hiring a professional organizer. They also take up less space than bins or boxes, while still keeping everything visible and within reach, and they can be easily installed and removed.
Most people also have limited closet space and shelf dividers indisputably help you make the most of every precious inch. There are lots of options out there, but we focused on the most important categories to consider; your shelving style (wooden or wire), the divider size (especially height and depth), the design or style (solid vs open), and the cost.
Here are the best closet shelf dividers:
- Best overall: Lynk Tall White Solid Shelf Divider
- Best solid divider: Container Store Clear Shelf Divider
- Best on a budget: mDesign Metal Wire Closet Shelf Divider
- Best wire shelves: Evelots Closet Wire Shelf Divider
- Best cloth dividers: Lynk Vela Shelf Divider
Updated on 7/13/2020. We updated prices and links for accuracy and added a selection of relevant buying guides.
The best overall
Transform your cluttered closet shelves into a streamlined, tidy space with a few sets of Lynk tall shelf dividers.
According to our research and hundreds of satisfied customers on Amazon, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Target, these durable metal dividers are the way to go if you’re trying to create a better storage solution in your closet. With a sturdy, sleek and unobtrusive design, they are simply the best option for most people.
Each divider clips easily onto wooden shelves up to 7/8 inches thick with no tools required. Once in place, the Lynk tall shelf divider stays put. A stabilizing crossbar on the bottom of the divider helps hold it securely on the shelf, ready to keep anything from pants, sweaters, and accessories in place. Reviewers mention they are also strong enough to handle leaning items like bags, thanks to the grips which attach them to the shelf.
At 13 inches, they are taller than most dividers, which means you can fold higher stacks and save even more space. A few reviews do suggest measuring your closet height to ensure they will fit, but in most cases, this height works for the average closet. At 8.4 inches deep, they will fit on both deep and narrow shelves.
The minimalist, open design is available in white and chrome and sold in a set of two for a very affordable price.
Pros: Easy to install, simple design, affordable, taller than most dividers
Cons: Not compatible with wire shelving
The best solid divider
If design is especially important to you, opt for the sleek modern look of the acrylic Container Store Clear Shelf Divider.
The Container Store Clear Shelf Divider measures 9.5 inches high and a healthy 12.5 inches deep, so it's able to fully separate your stacks of neatly folded clothes.
This product is particularly great because it's easy to install on thicker shelves, durable, and slides into place easily. There's also a handy extra with this divider, a space-saving valet hook that you can use to hang items like bags, belts, or a robe in front of your shelves.
Although some reviews mention that it's not quite as sturdy as they would have hoped, the Container Store Clear Shelf Divider is still a great bet and is an upscale, aesthetically pleasing choice that's perfect for interior design buffs or anyone looking to upgrade the look of their closet.
Pros: Great looking from a design perspective, easy to install, fairly sturdy
Cons: A little pricey
The best on a budget
If keeping costs down is your primary concern, the mDesign Metal Wire Closet Shelf Divider set comes with eight pieces and stays affordable.
Our research showed that the cheapest, most popular shelf divider is the mDesign Metal Wire Closet Shelf Divider. Promising an easy, tool-free installation, a polished steel finish that is rust-resistant, and a stable, sleek design, this is the perfect choice for a rental or dorm closet. With eight per set, you'll have extras to keep as replacements or to set up in multiple closets.
At just over 9 inches tall, it's pretty decent for maximizing vertical space, but it does measure a bit short in depth at only 8 inches. You need to stretch it a bit to attach it to a standard 1-inch thick shelf, but many reviewers assure that the wide stabilizer on the bottom keeps the divider securely in place.
The clean, metal design, available in chrome or bronze, matches perfectly with any décor, which is helpful if you're thinking about using this divider in a pantry, linen, or bathroom closet.
The mDesign Metal Wire Closet Shelf Divider earns high praise from lots of customers, especially for its sturdy design.
The company also suggests flipping the divider upside down and hanging it under the shelf, which gives you seven bars of hanging storage for things like scarves, belts or bags. It's also suggested that you use this divider in other closets in your house, and the mDesign gets many positive reviews for multipurpose use, with many people mentioning that they used it in pantries and linen closets as well.
Pros: Super-affordable, simple design, easy installation, multipurpose
Cons: Not as tall or deep as other dividers
The best wire shelves
Wire shelving is incredibly popular since it's easy to install, affordable and durable. With that in mind, we recommend the Evelots Closet Wire Shelf Divider.
Evelots shelf dividers get consistently top-rated reviews - we even included one of the brand's wooden shelf dividers in a recent guide - because they're solid, dependable products.
Durable, affordable, and specially designed to clip on to wire shelving closet systems, their plastic coated steel design won't rust or get dingy over time. With a substantial 12-inch x 12-inch frame, consider these as a practical solution for a rental property, where most closets have wire shelving. The dividers are super quick to install and no tools are required.
One criticism, however, is that the open sides don't keep certain items securely inside. But overall, reviewers looking for dividers for wire shelving seem to be most pleased with this design.
Pros: Durable, sturdy, inexpensive
Cons: Design of open space in each divider may make it hard to keep some items from spilling over
The best cloth dividers
If you're looking for the full divide of a solid material but don't want to splurge on acrylic, try the Lynk Vela Shelf Divider.
There are lots of reasons why people like the Lynk Vela Shelf Divider. The simple, durable fabric is available in two colors: platinum and bronze. The soft material also means that there's no risk of snagging your clothes on a metal design.
Not only do these look nice, but they also are also nice and tall at 13 inches, and are easy to install by sliding onto standard size wooden shelves. You're getting a great deal, too, as the price is fairly low.
This solid style of shelf divider is recommended because solid dividers create a visual definition of your space and keep everything neat.
Cloth dividers also work particularly well in linen closets, where they can keep folded towels, blankets, and other linens neatly organized.
Pros: Visually appealing for those who want a solid divider, items won't snag or get scratched by the cloth material
Cons: Material may scuff or tear over time
See more great organization buying guides here
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