Title: How To Organize Swimsuits In Closet: Storage Solutions
Introduction
Swimwear is notoriously difficult to keep tidy. These pieces are small, often lack structure, and feature endless straps that seem to tangle the moment you turn your back. In my years of designing closets for beach houses and city apartments alike, I have found that the swimsuit drawer is often the most chaotic space in the home.
The frustration of digging through a “bikini ball” to find a matching bottom is a universal experience. However, treating your swimwear with the same organizational respect as your jewelry or delicate lingerie can extend the lifespan of the garments significantly. Proper storage prevents snagging, maintains cup shape, and preserves delicate elasticity. If you want to jump straight to visual inspiration, you can find a curated Picture Gallery at the end of this blog post.
By implementing a few structural changes and adopting a “file and fold” mentality, you can turn this messy category into a streamlined boutique experience. Whether you have a massive walk-in closet or a tight rental dresser, the following solutions will help you reclaim your space. Let’s dive into the specifics of sorting, folding, and storing your swim collection.
1. The Edit: Assessment and Categorization
Before buying any bins or dividers, you must audit your current inventory. Swimwear materials, specifically Lycra and Spandex, have a finite lifespan. There is no point in organizing a suit that has lost its structural integrity.
Start by pulling every single piece out of your drawers and laying them on a clean surface, like your bed. You need to perform the “snap test” on every waistband and strap. If the fabric crunches when you stretch it, or if it doesn’t snap back immediately, the elastic has rotted. These pieces should be discarded immediately as they will not provide support when wet.
Categorization Logic
Once you have removed the damaged items, sort the remaining suits by function rather than color. In my design practice, I find that clients select swimwear based on activity first.
- Sport/Lap Swimming: These are functional, durable suits usually used for exercise.
- Lounge/Vacation: These are your decorative pieces, likely with hardware, beads, or delicate mesh.
- Cover-ups and Accessories: Sarongs, tunics, and rash guards.
Separates vs. Sets
A common question I get is whether to store bikinis as sets or separates. This depends entirely on how you wear them. If you mix and match sizes or patterns, separate your tops and bottoms into different rows or bins. If you only wear specific sets together, you should fold them together to save time.
2. Drawer Solutions: The File Folding Method
For most closets, drawers are the optimal place for swimwear. However, throwing them in a pile creates a lack of visibility. The gold standard for swimwear organization is “file folding,” a technique where items stand upright rather than stacking on top of each other.
The Folding Technique
Standard drawers usually have a depth of 4 to 6 inches. Your goal is to fold the suit into a small rectangle that stands up on its own at that specific height.
- For One-Pieces: Lay the suit face down. Fold the straps down to the center of the back. Fold the sides in to create a long rectangle. Fold the crotch up to the center, then fold the top down to meet it. Fold in half once more so it stands upright.
- For Bikini Bottoms: Fold the crotch up to the waistband. Fold the sides in until the width matches your folded tops.
- For Molded Cups: Never invert one cup into the other; this creates permanent dents. Instead, stack one cup behind the other and tuck the straps inside the hollow of the back cup.
Hardware: Dividers are Non-Negotiable
To keep these rows neat, you must use drawer dividers. Without them, your beautifully filed rows will fall over like dominoes the moment you remove one suit.
I prefer spring-loaded bamboo dividers over plastic bins. Dividers allow you to customize the width of the row to match the fold of your swimsuits. For a standard swimsuit row, you typically need about 5 to 6 inches of width.
Designer’s Note:
Avoid clear acrylic bins for swimwear if your drawers are messy. Acrylic highlights imperfection. If you aren’t a meticulous folder, use fabric-lined bins or opaque dividers. They hide the visual “noise” of colorful patterns and straps.
3. Shelf Storage: Bins and Baskets
If you lack drawer space—a common issue in older homes or rentals—you will need to utilize shelf space. This requires containment vessels to prevent the suits from becoming a dusty mess.
Selecting the Right Material
The material of your basket matters immensely for swimwear. Never use unlined wicker or wire baskets. Swimwear fabric is incredibly prone to snagging. One rough piece of wicker can ruin a $200 suit instantly.
- Fabric Cubes: Choose canvas or linen bins with a structured bottom. These are breathable and soft on the fabric.
- Plastic Weave: If you live in a humid climate, plastic woven baskets (that look like rattan) are excellent because they don’t trap moisture or grow mildew.
- Acrylic Bins: These work well on high shelves because you can see what is inside, but ensure they have ventilation holes if you store suits long-term.
The “bento Box” Method
If using large bins (11-13 inches wide), don’t just throw the suits in. Use smaller internal organizers within the larger bin to separate tops from bottoms. This creates a “bento box” effect. You can pull the whole bin down, select your pieces, and put it back without disrupting the organization.
Labeling for Height
Shelves are often positioned above eye level. You must label your bins. I recommend clip-on metal label holders for fabric bins. Use broad categories like “Resort Wear,” “Sport Swim,” or “Beach Cover-ups.”
4. Hanging Solutions for Delicate Pieces
Not all swimwear belongs in a drawer. Structured cover-ups, long caftans, and suits with heavy embellishments should be hung to prevent damage.
The Right Hanger
Space is always at a premium, so scale is important. Standard plastic tubular hangers are too thick and slippery for swimwear.
- Velvet Slim Hangers: These are essential for silky cover-ups and caftans. The velvet texture prevents the lightweight fabric from sliding off onto the floor.
- Clips vs. Folding: For skirts or shorts, use hangers with padded clips. Never use metal clips directly on Lycra; they will leave permanent indentations. If you must use clips, slip a playing card or a small piece of felt between the clip and the fabric.
Vertical Spacing
Swimwear and cover-ups are generally short. You can double your storage capacity by lowering a closet rod or adding an expander rod. You only need about 30 to 40 inches of vertical hanging space for tunics and short robes. This creates an opportunity to place a dresser or shoe rack underneath the hanging clothes.
5. Seasonal Rotation and Long-Term Preservation
Unless you live in a tropical climate, swimwear is likely a seasonal category. Rotating your closet is one of the best ways to maximize space. Keeping off-season items in your prime daily access zone is a major organizational mistake.
The Swap Process
When summer ends, wash every single piece, even if you think it is clean. Residual chlorine, salt, and sunscreen destroy elastic over time. Allow them to dry completely—any moisture will lead to mold in storage.
Storage Containers
Move your swim collection to the top shelf of your closet or under-bed storage.
- Cotton Storage Bags: For expensive pieces, place them in breathable cotton bags. This prevents dust accumulation while allowing the fabric to “breathe.”
- Avoid Vacuum Sealing: I strongly advise against vacuum sealing swimwear. The intense compression can crush molded cups and breakdown the spandex fibers. Vacuum bags are fine for beach towels, but not for the suits themselves.
Common Mistakes + Fixes
Mistake: Hanging halters by the neck strap.
Fix: This stretches out the neck strap until the suit no longer fits. Always fold halters or hang them by the structural loops sewn into the side seams.
Mistake: Storing suits while damp.
Fix: This creates mildew and odors that can transfer to other clothes. Ensure suits are bone dry before they enter the closet. If you swim daily, install a dedicated drying hook or rack in the laundry room or bathroom, separate from your clean storage.
Mistake: Overstuffing the drawer.
Fix: If you have to shove the drawer shut, you have too much stuff. Tight compression warps the underwire and cups. Follow the “80% rule”—only fill the drawer to 80% capacity to allow fabric to relax.
Designer’s Note: The “Lingerie Bag” Trick
Here is a trick I use in almost every project for clients with kids or large families. Place a small mesh laundry bag inside the hamper or attached to a hook inside the closet door.
When you take off a swimsuit, rinse it, dry it, and then put it directly into that mesh bag. When it’s time for laundry, you throw the whole bag in the wash. This prevents strings from getting tangled around the agitator or other clothes. It also keeps sets together so you don’t lose a bikini bottom in the vastness of the laundry pile.
Final Checklist: What I’d Do in a Real Project
If I were hired to reorganize your swim collection tomorrow, this is the exact workflow I would follow. You can use this as your project roadmap.
- Step 1: Pull and Purge. Remove everything. Check for “crunchy” elastic, fading, or pills. Be ruthless.
- Step 2: Wash and Dry. Ensure everything going back in is clean and free of sand.
- Step 3: Measure the Drawer. Measure height, width, and depth. Buy spring-loaded dividers that fit these dimensions.
- Step 4: Group by Type. Separate one-pieces, bikini tops, bikini bottoms, and cover-ups.
- Step 5: Fold and File. Fold everything into uniform rectangles. Place them standing up in rows between the dividers.
- Step 6: Handle Molded Cups. Stack these nesting-style in a dedicated row or bin to preserve shape.
- Step 7: Color Code. Within each row, organize from light to dark (e.g., white, nude, pink, red, blue, black). This makes the drawer look professionally styled.
- Step 8: Label. If using bins on shelves, add clip-on labels immediately.
FAQs
How do I store swimsuits with heavy hardware or beads?
Wrap these suits in acid-free tissue paper before folding them. This prevents the metal or beads from snagging on the delicate fabric of neighboring suits. Store them in a separate small bin or a dedicated section of the drawer.
Can I hang swimsuits on a multi-tier hanger?
Technically yes, but I generally avoid them. Multi-tier hangers often make it difficult to access the item in the middle without knocking the others off. They can also cause bulky overlapping. Single velvet hangers or drawer storage are superior for accessibility.
What is the best way to store wet swimsuits before washing?
Never put them in the hamper with dry clothes. Use a waterproof “wet bag” (often used for cloth diapers or travel) or hang them on a designated hook in the bathroom until they are fully dry or ready to be washed.
Should I organize by color or style?
Always organize by style first (e.g., all bikini tops together), then by color within that group. It is much easier to find “a black bikini top” in a row of tops than to find a top in a mixed bin of black items.
Conclusion
Organizing your swimsuits is about more than just aesthetics; it is about protecting your investment and making it easier to get dressed for the activities you love. By moving away from the “stuff and shove” method and embracing file folding, dividers, and proper categorization, you transform a source of stress into a functional system.
Remember that maintenance is key. A quick edit at the start and end of every summer will keep the system working smoothly. Treat your swimwear with the same care you give your delicates, and you will find that your pieces last longer and look better.
Picture Gallery
