Handbag Storage: How to Store Your Most Prized Purses

Closet clean outs are always daunting. They’re full of sorting clothing into their respective “keep,” “sell,” and “donate” piles, making all your hangers match, and finding the proper place for each and every accessory, from shoes and jewelry to belts and, of course, purses. If you’ve ever wondered how to store your handbags so that they’re not all piled onto the same random hook—or worse, piled into the deepest, darkest corner of your closet—we have just the tips for you.

We tapped The Container Store brand ambassador Kiley Getz and interiors and fashion influencer Arvin Olano for their best hacks for organizing handbags in your closet year-round.

Display Unique Features

“Whether it’s a stunning embellishment, a unique pattern, or special material, showcasing my unique handbags, I feel, adds an artistic touch to my closet,” Getz says. Handbags can be works of art, after all, so they should be prominently displayed as such. If you have the shelf space, use an easel stand like these acrylic ones from Amazon or, for something a little lower profile but equally luxe, these Container Store handbag displays will make your closet feel like a department store.

Cub It Up

Olano’s main recommendation is to sort your bags into cubbies. Something as simple as an IKEA Kallax Unit can suffice, or if you have a big enough purse collection, as well as the proper budget, a custom option might be the better route. “I organize them by style, shape, and color,” Olano explains. “I keep all of my slouchy bags in one section and structured bags in another.” Having a separate space for each category makes it easier for him to find the most appropriate bag for any occasion.

Color Coding Isn’t Just For Clothes

Getz agrees, mentioning that she has even implemented a color-coded system with her handbags. “Arranging them according to their color not only adds a vibrant and artistic element to my organization, but it also makes it easier to find the perfect match to my outfit or mood,” she says. If your collection comes in a ton of different colors, perhaps arranging them in rainbow order can help keep you organized. On the other hand, if you lean more toward the same color palette—say, mostly neutrals in shades of black, cream, and tan—try separating them by color family first then implementing Olano’s trick of sorting by shape and/or occasion.

Rotate Your Collection

“Just like we change our clothes with the seasons, I believe handbags deserve the same treatment,” Getz says. She stores her handbags in their dust bags until it’s their season to display them. This method not only keeps your purses in pristine condition, it offers a little variety from season to season to keep your closet feeling fresh. It also allows you to maximize storage space for your out-of-season bags and leave your high-rotation ones easily accessible throughout the season.

File Away Your Wallets

For thinner and smaller purses like wallets, clutches, and evening bags, a file-inspired divider like this one from mDesign can keep everything in its proper place. These organizers allow for a modular design that can grow and shrink as your purse collection does and are slim enough to go inside a drawer or on even the tiniest spare bit of space on your shelf.

Keep The Packaging

Olano notes that he always stores his purses in their original dust bags to maintain the quality of their exteriors. He also holds onto the original paper stuffing and restuffs his bags after every use so that they retain their shape over time. However, Getz cautions against holding onto your bags’ boxes, since they can unnecessarily take up space. Unless the handbag is a special edition or has a unique box that can double as a display stand, it’s probably better for you to recycle it.