20 Unique and Creative Ways to Store Purses and Handbags

Head-turning evening clutches, one-of-a-kind vintage pieces, practical totes, or satchels you bought from a flea market - every bag you own holds a special place in your heart. So, no matter how vast or diverse your handbag collection is, you need a well-thought-out nook to store and keep them shipshape.

And no, you don’t need to spend a lot of time, money, and energy building a cabinet just for your purses. There are plenty of spots in your home that can be transformed into safe havens for your bags.

All you need to do is choose and implement an idea from this list that works best for you.

How to Store Purses - 20 Ideas That Actually Work

Which storage strategy suits you best depends on the shapes and sizes of your handbags and whether you want to show them off or get them out of the way. It also depends on how much space you have in your closet. Of course, there may be more than one idea or storage layout that works for your collection, especially if you own a large collection full of different types of bags. From hook racks to storage cubbies, here are 20 purse storage ideas to keep your purses safe from dust, mildew, color transfer, and general wear and tear.

1. Over-the-Door Organizers

If your closet is already overflowing and you can’t make room for your bags in the other cabinets and dressers you own, simply look towards the doors in your home. All you need is an over-the-door organizer like Simple Houseware’s hanging basket bins, which can hold a couple of large-sized bags on each level. What’s more, the clear window design lets you see how the bags are doing.

2. Wicker Storage Baskets

Not only do wicker baskets exude old-world charm, but they’re also pretty effective in keeping your bags sorted and dust-free. The number of baskets you’ll need will vary depending on how many bags you plan to store. Once you have your bags and purses neatly stacked up, tuck these baskets in your closet or under your bed. We recommend this solution for small bags with softer, more flexible structures that can be easily lined up or placed on top of each other without getting mushed.

3. Accessories Closet

If you don’t mind setting aside a small budget or taking on a home improvement project, nothing can beat a beautiful glass-front closet in giving your prized accessories the care they deserve. This option makes the most sense for those who own top-of-the-line designer bags and vintage pieces and want to admire them from time to time. That’s not all. A glass-door purse closet helps you to plan your outfits better by laying all your options out in a neat, streamlined fashion.

4. Stackable Drawer Unit

If you have a large closet space, skip building a handbag cabinet. Instead, place a small, modular unit inside your closet, like ClosetMaid’s stackable drawer unit. It works like a closet organizer thanks to a clever stackable structure. This essentially means you can pair it up with other compatible units offered by the brand and end your storage woes for good. While being a more convenient option than building a glass-front accessories closet, this solution doesn’t allow you to display your purses.

5. Hook Racks

Hook racks are a versatile creation that can be used to hang anything from coats to shirts to handbags. We love this no-fuss hook rack that can be installed as an over-the-door organizer or mounted on any wall. Use the hooks for the bags you most often use for quick grabbing on your way out. It’s a good idea to hang the bags using chains or fabric fasteners instead of placing them directly on the hooks. This will help avoid bruising or creasing the straps, especially if they’re made from leather.

6. Dust-proof Bags with Drawstring Closure

The use of 100% certified organic cotton fabric not only makes these roomy bags a lightweight and breathable solution to store handbags but also a sustainable one. All you need to do is slip your purses into these robustly stitched dust bag for purses and secure them with the help of drawstrings. Dust, mildew, mold, color transfer, and scratches - leave it to these bags to shield your collection from it all.

7. Hanging Purse Organizer

These cleverly designed hanging purse organizers offer a hassle-free space to park multiple bags separately, one below the other. Large, clear pockets let you visualize which bag to choose for the day. A non-woven PVC plastic construction, while offering durability and protection, doesn’t exactly meet the criteria for sustainable living. If that ticks you off, don’t fret. We’ve got plenty of planet-friendly storage options on this list. 

8. Acrylic Shelf Dividers

Thick and sturdy acrylic dividers are perfect for bags that need a bit of support to maintain their shape and stay upright. These nifty dividers can be set up on a shelf in your closet, keeping your bags apart in an orderly fashion. These might not be the storage solution for those who don’t have any space to spare in their closet. In that case, you could turn your attention to hangers, hooks, and modular cabinet options on this list. 

9. Higher Shelves of a Closet

This storage hack requires no purchasing or busting out the toolbox, and we’re certain you would’ve thought of it already. If you haven’t, here it is: Look towards the higher spaces in your closet where you typically store clothing. Use that area to store your purses instead, especially the ones you don’t mind hidden from the view. Your clothes can go in some other storage container since they’re pretty flexible in comparison to handbags.

10. Wall Shelves

Installing wall shelves is easier than building an accessories closet, yet it offers you an exclusive spot to deck up with your handbag collection. All you need is a wall to spare. Once set up, use clear acrylic shelf dividers to organize the purses and stop them from flopping over each other. This is an excellent idea for those with an extensive collection of high-end bags and visually striking pieces.

11. A Spare Bookcase

If you own a bookcase and are willing to shift your books elsewhere, you could use that piece of furniture as an alternative to installing wall shelves. But if using your current bookcase to store handbags is not an option, you could score a pre-owned bookshelf for a bargain from a garage sale and repurpose it into an accessories corner. Don’t forget to get some shelf dividers and purse inserts to help the bags stay upright, and keep dusting the shelves frequently.

12. Multiple-hook Hangers for Closet

A little extra space can go a long way when it comes to purse storage. That’s why we think it’s a great idea to gift your closet a couple of these multiple-hook purse hangers. No complex installation is involved, as these can go directly on your closet rod, like any other hanger. With these hangers, you can see multiple bags together at once and choose the one that matches your outfit.

13. A Cubby Unit

When it comes to organizing purses and shoes, cubbies never disappoint. For the uninitiated, a cubby is a versatile piece of furniture with multiple cube-shaped holes. It’s very popular in kindergartens and daycare centers but can be used just about anywhere. A cubby unit works wonderfully for handbags as a no-fuss open storage solution where you can see everything at once.

Related Article: Best Tips for Shoe Storage

14. Stackable Cubbies

Speaking of cubbies, how about getting yourself a few storage cubes that can be stacked up? Not only does this keep your bags safe from dust and other elements, but it also allows you to grow the storage stack as you add more pieces to your collection.

15. Shower Curtain Hooks

Here’s another purse storage idea that’ll make your day. You simply need to get hold of a bunch of shower curtain rings - which are cheap and easy to find. Now place these on a closet rod and hang your bags, one on each ring. This works best for lighter, smaller bags, as heavier bags need more support when suspended to save their straps from wearing out.

16. Storage Bins

This is an effective storage hack for bags that you don’t mind keeping concealed and out of sight. Certainly not for those attention-grabbing designer purses! Any rectangular-shaped storage bins would do. We recommend multiple bins for hassle-free organization of your entire collection. They can go right into your closet or under the bed, but the best place for them would be a cubby unit.

17. Magazine Holders

Your storage strategy should ideally involve mixing a bunch of ideas from this list unless you have a cabinet or large closet space set aside for housing your whole collection. For instance, small bags and slim purses can be easily stored in empty magazine holders. Meanwhile, your bigger, heavier, stiffer bags that need more care can go into closets, cubbies, hanging organizers, and such.

18. Inside Large Handbags

Before you begin storing your purse collection, sort them by size and type. Consider slipping small purses, wallets, and clutches inside the larger totes to make the most of the available storage space.

19. Freestanding Coat Racks

You might want to get yourself an extra coat rack and use it just to store your favorite bags. Why do we love this idea? For starters, these are freestanding units that don’t involve tedious mounting or installation. We are obsessed with this bamboo coat rack that offers eight hooks for your handbags. It looks so good, serving both as a functional storage space as well as a décor item.

20. Any Empty Space

Look around your home and scout for spots that can act as a home for your purses. As pointed out earlier, you might need more than one storage idea, depending on the size of your inventory and the sizes and styles of purses. Closet doors, bedroom doors, bins, cubbies, spare shelves, the top section of a cabinet, and the side of a closet - any dry and empty spot away from dust, dirt, and sunlight will do.

Final Thoughts

We hope you found some ideas in this list that work for you. Regardless of the ones you decide to go with, there’s something that you can never go wrong with as far as storing bags go: Breathable, washable, and reusable cotton storage dust bags.

Organic Cotton Mart’s purse and handbag storage bags can be used on their own or as an extra layer of protection before you prop or tuck your purses in an organizer of your choice. Not only do these keep your bags protected from mildew and dust, but a 100% certified organic cotton construction ensures they blend in seamlessly with your eco-conscious lifestyle.