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If your bijoux box looks like it’s in the midst of a heist, perhaps it’s time to reconsider your jewelry organization ideas. It doesn’t matter how many white gold hoops you own—if you can’t see them easily, they might as well have been accidentally dropped down the drain. With the right organization systems in place, says Joanna Teplin, cofounder of the Home Edit, “necklaces stay tangle-free, pairs of earrings stay together, and delicate pieces won’t get damaged by being crammed into a random drawer.” jewelry display 1
And jewelry boxes, while an obvious solution, don’t always work for everyone, says Katie McMenamin Sabo, organization expert and cofounder of Pixies Did It in Cleveland and New York City. “More visually oriented people have trouble remembering their baubles when out of sight,” she explains, which is where jewelry trees, fabric-covered bulletin boards, or decorative hooks can step in as alternatives.
Before tackling jewelry storage ideas, though, it helps to consider which items you love and which ones you're ready to part with, says Jamie Grunfeld, founder of the New York–based personalized organizing service Better than B4. She recommends tossing or repurposing any mismatched earrings, tarnished jewelry, or broken pieces that may be taking up valuable space. Once you’ve decluttered, decide on your preferred jewelry displays from there. Want some pieces on a wall-mounted fixture and others in stackable containers? Divide what you have into categories then work from there.
Here, AD turned to decluttering experts for jewelry storage solutions and recommendations on how to organize all types of trinkets. “When everything has a home, you’ll save time and frustration when getting ready,” Teplin says. “It's a win all around."
Read on for additional jewelry storage hacks and products to keep your most precious pendants and beloved baubles in order, whether you want to rework your closet or display the bling on a dresser.
Jewelry boxes are designed to keep all of your jewels secure, categorized, and easy to find when you’re looking to accessorize. They’ll keep your baubles “dust-free, visible, and safe,” explains Lisa Jacobs, the founder of New York–based organization company Imagine It Done. They are also stylish enough to display or can be tucked away in a closet, drawer, or under the bed.
If you’re a jewelry fanatic with a growing collection to tend to, invest in expandable storage solutions to accommodate the new gems. “The Stackers collection is a game-changer for jewelry storage,” says Clea Shearer, cofounder of the Home Edit. “Each layer has velvet-lined compartments to keep everything protected and in its place.” The company also offers customizable options so you can stack as many layers as you need to suit your needs and keep your dresser clear.
Ever tried to free a delicate chain from dangly earrings? It’s a nightmare you can avoid by keeping these accessories in an earring organizer. Jean Prominski, certified professional organizer and founder of Sparkle Home Organizing in Carlsbad, New Mexico is a fan of this earring stand. “I have used others before, and they’ve been tippy or have broken,” she says. “This one is very easy to put together and easy to use. The way the slats are spaced out and tiered makes it easy to take earrings on and off. I love that I can see everything.”
For the jewelry items you use every day, keep them in one spot on a pretty tray. Every night you can place your watch, rings, and a favorite necklace in one place and never have to worry about misplacing something in the morning. Keep it on your nightstand or on your vanity for a whimsical pop of color.
If you don’t have a designated vanity space to get ready, employ a mirror with jewelry hooks that works double duty. This Stackers mirror is your ultimate get ready station that keeps your favorite pieces easy to reach, but still relatively out of sight. The faux-leather scoop base is perfect for hair accessories, watches, and bangles.
Why not go with a real showstopper for your jewelry storage? A colorful but affordable box for your bijoux like this Hay option naturally draws the eye, while the Areaware one brings some retro appeal.
Or pamper your jewelry by placing special pieces like family heirlooms and sentimental treasures into a soft velvet box like this one by Sophie Bille Brahe. It’s the perfect place to spotlight your favorite earrings and necklaces.
If you have limited countertop space or can’t accommodate an entire armoire, use an empty drawer in your dresser or nightstand to store jewelry. Ann Lightfoot, cofounder of Done and Done Home in Montclair, New Jersey, recommends stackable drawer organizers to keep accessories out of sight and organized with dividers. You can even find stackers with compartments in different sizes and shapes, including those that are ideal for rings, earrings, necklaces, or watches.
Like a garment bag for your jewels, a hanging organizer has a hook at the top and can easily become part of your closet organization system. Either hang it from your closet rod or the back of a door. Individual transparent pockets keep long necklaces separated, untangled, and easy to view.
We’ve all been there—using tweezers or safety pins to try and untangle the tiny knots in your necklaces. Knotted chains are not only irritating, but can also damage jewelry. Instead of letting necklaces languish in boxes or pouches, use wall-mounted hooks to keep individual strands separate and safe. Jacobs recommends using wall-mounted decorative hooks as an organized and aesthetic way to display all your bracelets and necklaces. You’ll actually want to use them, and it ensures the necklaces and bracelets are displayed in an orderly way, not in a heap of messy tangles.
For a less ornate option, the Container Store stocks an especially convenient acrylic jewelry wall rack with 11 pegs. Or employ this Wayfair wall rack that includes a tray of storage up top for perfume and other small keepsakes.
Some fashion pieces should be kept out on their own. Paola Alberdi, the fashion-obsessed founder of the lifestyle blog Blank Itinerary, likes to display her dainty gold rings so she can keep an eye on each one. Displaying oft-used necklaces not only keeps them from getting tangled, it makes getting ready quick-and-easy. No need to search high and low for the coveted items. The best way to do that is to use a tabletop as a pedestal for pretty jewelry organizers, like this tiered tower of metal dishes.
Have a collection that couldn’t possibly fit inside a box? Lucky you! One of the easiest ways to tackle jewelry storage is to go with a jewelry cabinet or jewelry armoire. These standalone storage solutions have substantially more space, plus they often include mirrors, hangers for long necklaces, and earring organizers. This jewelry armoire from Wayfair has a ton of space and adds a pinch of midcentury style to your room.
No need to cram your favorite pieces into random slots on your vanity. There are specialty jewelry storage options for everything—rings, watches, bracelets, necklaces, and beyond, Shearer explains. Whether you have an heirloom piece or love a curated watch collection, keep them in a special tiered box that’s discreet on your vanity. This affordable option for storing your favorite timepieces includes removable watch pillows for keeping all your watches tucked away and in tip-top shape.
“I like to put all my big statement earrings together, and then I have similar styles together. My rings that are bigger and colorful I placed together,” Alberdi explains. Store similar styles and color families together for easy access.
Whether you’re a traditionalist and prefer a jewelry box or you’re into a more sculptural vibe, a tiered storage system is key to saving space and staying organized. Go for swiveling storage like this or rotating jewelry boxes, which are ideal for separating smaller pieces (like earring studs) at the top and larger pieces (like brooches) at the bottom.
When you have a lot of jewelry, it’s hard to get overwhelmed. Dividing everything into acrylic containers according to sections based on the type of jewelry lets you see everything clearly so you can coordinate your jewelry with your outfit. Alberdi suggests arranging different types of storage compartments in drawers Tetris-style. You may have to get creative by implementing inserts, dividers, and acrylic jewelry holders of various sizes to not only fit inside of the drawer, but provide you with easy access.
You’ll also want to think about storage solutions when traveling or having to sort through your jewelry collection seasonally. For special-occasion stud earrings, pendants, fancy bracelets, and rings with a little extra bling, you don’t want to just mix them with the rest of the everyday accessories. For those pieces, look for specialty boxes and portable traveling cases.
If you’re always on the go or have a smaller jewelry collection, Lightfoot suggests using a jewelry case as a compact, lightweight, and secure solution for storing a wide variety of accoutrements. These cases are great because they have a designated place for each style and are small enough to fit in your purse. Another idea is a roll-up solution, like this Serena & Lily jewelry roll that's made of Italian leather and works great when you’re packing a carry on. In between trips, use it as safe keeping for extra special pieces.
To keep from forgetting that you own a vintage locket you’ll need to strategize and consolidate your collection in a way that works for your personality. “Create structure around what you already do,” McMenamin Sabo adds. “Put a china tea cup on your bedside table or a shelf in the bathroom—wherever you tend to be when you remember to take out your earrings.” Bonus points if you can upcycle something you already have, like the bone china piece with a teeny-tiny chip.
Outside the dresser or closet, use pretty dishes as jewelry trays. A shallow, patterned tray or ring dish helps corral everyday rings without calling too much attention to themselves. “It’s nice to just take them all off at the end of the day, throw them in there, and have them ready for the next day or whenever I want to wear them,” Alberdi notes. Any small trinket dish or jewelry tray will do, but if you’re on the hunt for a new one, a gilded dish elevates your bling. Just think: How classy will that costume jewelry look resting on a golden backdrop?
The gems worn on a daily basis don’t get tucked into the main storage box each night. Instead, these trinkets, like everyday rings, necklaces, and earrings, get tossed on the nightstand, which can lead to chains getting tangled and earrings or earring backs being misplaced. Instead, Grunfeld advises putting a catch-all on your nightstand or the bathroom countertop to ensure the jewels are secure until the next morning. A small acrylic container or quartz box can do the trick.
Another genius idea from Alberdi: Repurpose a cloth bust—the kind you might see in a jewelry store—to give a few of your favorite necklaces the spotlight. Repurposing home decor you already have with a few baubles will add flair and help you declutter. With a little imagination, anything can be a DIY jewelry organizer. Before you know it, a vintage picture frame will turn into an earring holder.
A huge part of interior design is simply getting your stuff organized. Everything in your home needs its own place, whether you’re a minimalist Marie Kondo fan or know how to wrangle intentional clutter. We think either strategy is just fine, but determining how to make the most of your home is key.
If your brain is a puzzle that constantly needs to be arranged, arranged again, and then one more time for good measure, check out our tips for an ADHD-friendly home, where we chat with experts in the field about keeping your space as clear as you wish your head was. Even if you’re not the obsessive type, you will probably unearth a tidbit you won’t ever forget.
For those looking to narrow in on one room in the house, we’ve got tips for a more pointed approach too. Start by perusing these kitchen organization ideas that do everything from organizing your half-dozen Stanleys to paring down your cookbook collection. For an even more granular look at organizing your kitchen space, check out our favorite pantry storage organizers.
Still hunkering down and preparing for six more weeks of winter? We’ve got recs that will help you throughout the hibernation season. Storage beds are a great way to save space, the best bookshelves keep your space styled, and our guide to the best shoe organizers will help free up precious closet space.
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