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I Finally Found Pull Down Closet Rods That Let Me Use Every Inch of Ceiling Height
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items If you've got 9 or 10 foot ceilings but your closet still feels cramped because everything's crammed at eye level, you're literally wasting cubic feet of storage. I spent two years ignoring the top third of my closets before I figured out how to actu...
Sections
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Pull Down Closet Rods for High Ceilings
Closet Shelving Systems to Pair With Pull Down Rods
Storage Bins for Seasonal Clothes on High Shelves
Closet Lighting So You Can Actually See Up There
Hangers That Maximize Vertical Closet Space
Tools You Actually Need for Installation
Pull Down Closet Rods for High Ceilings
I stared at 18 inches of empty space above my regular closet rod for way too long. These pull-down rods changed how I store coats, dresses, and all my off-season stuff without needing a step stool.
Grab this if your closet opening is on the narrower side. I installed mine at 9 feet and it pulls down smooth with one hand. No more dragging a chair across the bedroom to reach winter coats.
Rev-A-Shelf CPDR-2635 26 to 35 In Adjustable Pull Down
Use this for wider reach-in closets. My guest room closet is 42 inches wide and this fit perfectly. Guests actually use the upper rod now instead of piling everything on the bed.
Rev-A-Shelf 35"
Swap to this if you want something with a softer return mechanism. It doesn't snap back up like some cheaper ones. Perfect for anyone with shoulder issues who can't yank things overhead.
Hafele Hafele 33 LBS Capacity Steel Armed Wardrobe Lift
Try this if you're working with a modular closet system already. It clicks right into ClosetMaid towers. Took me 20 minutes to install and I immediately freed up a whole shelf below.
Rev-A-Shelf CPDR-2635 26 to 35 In Adjustable Pull Down
Get this when you want a flat shelf that lowers instead of a rod. I keep folded sweaters and shoe boxes up there. Pull it down, grab what I need, push it back. Feels like a secret compartment.
Rev-A-Shelf, Wall Shelving System, 24" Gray, Pull-Down
For anyone with a big walk-in closet, this is the one. My primary closet is 52 inches wide and this handles heavy winter coats without sagging. Worth every penny over the smaller models.
Hafele Wardrobe Lift 830-1150 mm
Pair this below your pull-down rod to double your hanging space at normal height. I went from one row of shirts to three tiers of clothes in the same closet. My wife thought I was a genius for exactly one day.
Honey Can Do Hanging Double Closet Rod HNG-09071
Use this as your base rod if your existing one is flimsy. You need a solid lower rod before adding a pull-down above it. This one telescopes to fit and holds more weight than the builder-grade junk.
Organize It All 2 Tier Adjustable Closet Rod
Toss this in if you're renting and can't drill into the ceiling for a pull-down. It hangs from the existing rod and gives you a second tier. Not as fancy but it gets the job done while your lease lasts.
Whitmor, Double Rod Closet System, RRK150
Closet Shelving Systems to Pair With Pull Down Rods
Once I added pull-down rods up high, I needed better shelving below to actually make the layout work. These systems gave me a place for everything that doesn't hang.
Try this as your closet's backbone. I built everything around these towers and then mounted pull-down rods in the spaces between them. Suddenly my closet looked like it belonged in a magazine.
ClosetMaid Selectives 25 in. W White Tower Unit Stackable
Grab this if you want adjustable shelving that you can reconfigure later. I moved shelves around three times before I found the right layout. The rail system makes it painless.
Rubbermaid Configurations 4-8 foot closet kit- White
Use this for reach-in closets where you need flexibility. The tracks let you slide shelves and rods up or down without new holes. Perfect if you're still figuring out what goes where.
ClosetMaid, Closet Organizer Kit, 8809, White, 5 to 8 Feet
Get this if you want something freestanding that doesn't need wall anchors. I put one in my kid's closet because I didn't trust the drywall in that room. Sturdy enough for a full wardrobe.
Seville Classics Expandable Closet Organizer Clothes
Pair drawers with your shelving towers for socks, underwear, and small items. I used to have a separate dresser eating floor space. Now it's all inside the closet and the bedroom feels bigger.
closetmaid suitesymphony modern 16w x 10d in. drawer
Snag this when your initial kit runs out of shelves. I needed two extra shelves for my shoe collection and this expansion pack matched perfectly without looking patched together.
Rubbermaid, Configurations Shelving Kit, 26-inch, White
Keep this simple wire shelf at the very top for bins and luggage. It sits just below the ceiling where the pull-down rod mounts. Light stuff only up there, heavy stuff goes on the pull-down.
ClosetMaid 1031 Wire Shelf Kit, 3-Feet X 12-Inch, White
Toss one of these on an existing closet shelf to create a second tier for folded jeans. I was stacking jeans so high they kept toppling. This little riser solved it for under ten bucks.
Mainstays Metal Wire Stacking Shelf Organizer
Use this on the closet floor for shoes or bags. It keeps things off the carpet so air circulates and nothing gets musty. My boots survived last summer's humidity for the first time.
How to Style Industrial Shelves on the Cheap
Storage Bins for Seasonal Clothes on High Shelves
The whole point of using ceiling height is storing seasonal stuff you don't need every day. These bins keep everything clean, labeled, and easy to grab when you pull the shelf down.
Get these for bulky winter coats and heavy blankets. The clear sides let me see what's inside without pulling every bin down. I label them anyway but the visibility saves time during seasonal swaps.
Sterilite 66 Quart Large Latching Storage Bin
Use these if your closet isn't climate controlled. The gasket seal keeps dust and moisture out. I stored cashmere sweaters all summer and they came out smelling exactly like they went in.
IRIS USA, WeatherPro Storage Bin, 30.6qt, Airtight with Lid
Grab the big ones for comforters and puffy jackets. One bin holds my entire winter bedding set. Pull the shelf down, pop the lid, swap the comforter. Whole process takes five minutes.
Sterilite 30 Gallon Latching Tuff1 Tote Rugged Plastic Bin
Try these fabric bins for lighter seasonal items like scarves, gloves, and swimsuits. They're soft enough to squeeze into odd shelf spaces and they don't scratch wood shelving.
mDesign Medium Fabric Closet Storage Box
Keep these on lower shelves for stuff you access more often. The canvas sides collapse flat when empty so they don't waste space during off-season. I rotate four of them spring and fall.
Honey Can Do SFT-02062 Small Window Storage Box
Toss these on the pull-down shelf for lightweight off-season clothes. The handles make them easy to yank down without tipping. Way better than garbage bags, which is what I was using before. Embarrassing.
Simplify 2 Pack Jumbo Storage Bags in Cashmere
Use the zippered version for anything you want sealed tighter. I keep my wool blankets in these from April to October. No moths, no dust, no weird closet smell when I unzip them.
Whitmor Zippered Jumbo Storage Bag, Extra Large 34
Pair these mid-size bins for categorized storage. One for spring jackets, one for fall layers. The clear base means I can check contents from below when the shelf is still up high.
Sterilite 56 Quart Clear Plastic Storage Bins
Snag a few of these as your budget option. They're not fancy but they stack well and the lids actually stay on. I have six of them on my top shelf and they've held up for three years.
Hefty 18 gal Max Pro Plastic Utility Storage Tote, Gray, 6 Pack
Closet Lighting So You Can Actually See Up There
Pulling down a rod from near the ceiling is pointless if you can't tell your navy sweater from your black one. I added lighting and it made the whole system actually functional.
Stick these on the ceiling of your closet above the pull-down rod. Battery powered so no wiring needed. I press one button and suddenly I can tell my charcoal pants from the black ones. Life before these was guesswork.
Great Value Wireless LED Puck Lights, 2-Pack
Try this motion-sensor bar if you want hands-free lighting. It turns on when I reach up for the pull-down rod and shuts off after I walk away. No switches, no batteries dying mid-outfit-crisis.
Customer reviews for Brilliant Evolution Wireless LED
Get the rechargeable version if you're tired of buying batteries. One USB charge lasts about a month in my closet. I just pull it off the mount, charge it at my desk, and stick it back.
Honeywell 9.8 ft Dimmable LED Under Cabinet Lights
Use these along the underside of high shelves to illuminate what's below. I mounted two strips and now I can see my shoe rack from the doorway. No more squinting at 6 AM.
Under Cabinet Lighting, 54 LED Motion Sensor
Grab a couple of these for quick, cheap light in dark closet corners. Just tap them on. I put one above my tie rack and one near the hamper. Total cost was maybe eight dollars and it solved so much frustration.
Energizer Battery Powered LED Tap Light
Pair this with your pull-down shelf area. The flat disc shape sits flush against the ceiling and throws light straight down. No dangling fixtures to bump into when the rod comes down.
LEDMD4R/2A/800ST/9SC3 LED Disc Light Retrofit Kit
Keep these as backups or use them in smaller closets. They're adhesive-backed so installation is literally peeling a sticker. My linen closet went from cave to organized in ten minutes.
LED Puck Lights 3 Pack, Dimmable 12 Color Changing
Plug this in if you have an outlet near your closet. It's brighter than any battery option and the color temperature actually shows true clothing colors. No more accidentally wearing navy socks with black pants.
Enbrighten 22-Inch Plug-In LED Under Cabinet Light
Toss this under a mid-height shelf to light the hanging area below. The magnetic mount lets you reposition it without new adhesive. I move mine around depending on which section I'm digging through.
Duracell 400 Lumen Rechargeable LED Penlight
Hangers That Maximize Vertical Closet Space
Regular hangers waste so much vertical space. When you're running a pull-down rod system, every inch matters. These slim and cascading hangers let me fit way more in the same footprint.
Swap out all your plastic and wire hangers for these immediately. They're half the thickness so I fit almost twice as many shirts in the same rod space. Clothes don't slip off either, which was driving me crazy before.
Zober Velvet Ultra Slim Non Slip Shirt Hangers
Use these little hooks to hang multiple items vertically from one hanger. I chain three shirts together on the pull-down rod and it triples my capacity. Seasonal button-downs live up there now.
SereneLife 30 Pack Velvet Hangers
Get the wider shoulder version for blazers and suit jackets. Regular slim hangers let shoulders droop and crease. These keep the shape intact even when stored on a pull-down rod for months.
Utopia Home Velvet Hangers 100 Pack Premium
Grab these for your kid's closet if you're installing a pull-down rod in their room. Sized right so tiny shirts don't stretch out. My daughter can pull the rod down and pick her own outfits now.
Sharpty Kids Plastic Clothing Hangers, 60 Pack, White
Try these for hanging dress pants and skirts on the upper rod. The clips hold firm so nothing slides off when the rod moves up and down. Way better than draping pants over a regular hanger and hoping for the best.
Zober, Wood Pants Hangers with Metal Clips
Keep these on hand as your everyday hangers on the lower rod. They match the Zober ones in thickness so everything looks uniform. My closet went from chaotic to color-coded in one afternoon.
30-Pack Slim Velvet Non-Slip Suit & Clothes Hangers
Pair these with your pull-down rod for seasonal skirts. The rubber-coated clips don't leave marks on fabric. I stored six skirts on the upper rod all winter and they came down wrinkle-free in March.
Honey Can Do Kid's Tubular Clothes Hangers with Clips
Use these over-the-rod hooks to hang bags, belts, or scarves without taking up hanger space. I freed up a whole drawer by moving accessories to the closet rod. Drawer space is precious in a small bedroom.
mDesign Fabric Over Rod Hanging Closet Storage
Snag these if you want the cascading effect built into one hanger. Five tiers of clothes on one hook point. I keep all my tank tops on one of these on the pull-down rod. Pull it down, pick a tank, push it back up.
Whitmor Velvet Spacemaker Suit Hangers - 20 Pack
Tools You Actually Need for Installation
I watched four YouTube videos and still grabbed the wrong drill bit the first time. Here's exactly what I used to mount pull-down rods and shelving without punching unnecessary holes in my walls.
Get a cordless drill if you don't already own one. I mounted three pull-down rods, two shelving systems, and six light fixtures with this on one battery charge. It paid for itself in one weekend.
BLACK+DECKER 20V MAX* Cordless Powerconnect Drill
Use titanium bits if you're drilling into studs, and you need to be drilling into studs for pull-down rods. Regular bits wandered all over the wood. These bite in clean on the first try.
Black and Gold Drill Bit Set (14-Piece)
Measure twice, drill once. I measured three times because I'm paranoid, and I'm glad I did. The first mark was off by half an inch, which would've meant crooked rod brackets. This tape locks solid.
Stanley FATMAX 25-Foot Tape Measure
Try this small level for checking bracket alignment. A pull-down rod that's even slightly off-level will drift to one side when you release it. Five seconds with a level prevents that headache.
Irwin 1794153 250 Magnetic Torpedo Level, 9-Inch, Blue
Grab this if you need to trim existing shelving to make room for a pull-down mechanism. I had to cut back one wire shelf by four inches. A regular saw would've been overkill and dangerous in a tight closet.
DEWALT 20V MAX XR Oscillating Multi-Tool Cordless
Keep these on hand in case you can't hit a stud in the right spot. Toggle bolts in drywall held my lighter pull-down shelf system fine. But for heavy rods with winter coats, find the studs. Seriously.
10 Pk Everbilt 1/4 in. x 3 in. Zinc-Plated Toggle Bolt
Use this before you drill a single hole. I found out my closet studs were not where I expected them. This sensor scans the whole width at once instead of making you slide it back and forth like older models.
Franklin ProSensor M210 13-Sensor Stud Finder
Pair wood glue with screws if your closet has a wooden header. The glue adds holding strength that screws alone can't match. My pull-down rod holds 40 pounds of coats and hasn't budged in 14 months.
Gorilla Wood Glue, 8 Ounces, Sandable, Paintable
Toss strips of this on the wall to mark measurements and drill points. It peels off clean without damaging paint. I used it to outline exactly where each bracket would go before committing to any holes.
ScotchBlue, Painter's Tape, 0.94 in. x 60 yd., Multi-Surface
Closet Organization Accessories for the Finished Setup
After the rods and shelves were up, I still had a mess of accessories floating around. These small additions gave everything a home and stopped the daily treasure hunt for matching socks.
Hang this on the inside of your closet door for belts, ties, and sunglasses. Freed up an entire shelf I was wasting on accessories. Now I see everything at a glance instead of rummaging through a drawer.
"Simple Houseware Door Shoe Organizer, 24 Large Clear
Use these inside closet drawers to separate socks from underwear from workout gear. Before these, opening my drawer was like reaching into a grab bag. Now I find matching socks in three seconds.
mDesign Fabric Dresser Drawer/Closet Organizer Bins
Slip these over formal wear on the pull-down rod. Dust doesn't reach the clothes even if they sit up near the ceiling for months. My suit was ready to wear straight off the rod for a wedding last October.
Set of 5 Garment Bags, Clear Zippered Dust-Resistant Suit
Try these hanging shelves on your lower rod for everyday shoes. Gets them off the floor so you can actually vacuum the closet. I stopped finding dust bunnies living in my sneakers.
Customer reviews for Whitmor Hanging Polypro
Toss a few of these on each hanger on the pull-down rod. Cedar keeps moths away from seasonal wool and cashmere stored up high. Cheaper than replacing a chewed-up sweater, which I learned the expensive way.
Honey Can Do Cedar Hanger Rings For Closet (Pack of 36)
Grab this basket that hooks over any closet rod for small items. I keep dryer sheets, lint rollers, and a sewing kit in mine. Everything I need for a quick fix before walking out the door.
mDesign Metal Wire Bathroom Organizer Bin Basket
Use this vertical shelf unit on your main rod for folded items that don't need hangers. Jeans, t-shirts, gym clothes all stacked neatly. It's basically a portable dresser that hangs.
Mainstays 10 Shelf Canvas Hanging Closet Organizer
Keep this on the lower rod specifically for sweaters you wear regularly. The mesh sides let air flow so nothing gets musty. Off-season sweaters go up on the pull-down rod in bins, current rotation stays here.
Whitmor 6-Shelf Hanging Organizer Sweater & Accessory
Pair these clear trays inside drawers or on shelves for jewelry, watches, and cufflinks. I can see everything through the clear plastic. No more dumping a whole tray looking for one pair of earrings.
Interdesign iDesign Linus Drawer Organizer Tray - Pack of 10
Seasonal Wardrobe Rotation Tips and Products
The whole reason I built this system was to swap clothes twice a year without it ruining an entire weekend. These products make the actual rotation fast and painless.
Suck the air out of bulky winter jackets before storing them on the pull-down shelf. Three down coats compressed to the size of one pillow. I got back so much space I actually laughed out loud.
Vacuum Storage Bags
Toss one of these in each storage bin on the upper shelf. Closets near exterior walls can get humid and that humidity ruins stored clothes. I found mildew on a jacket once and swore never again.
DampRid Fresh Scent Hanging Moisture Absorbers
Use these dry cleaning sheets to freshen clothes before storing them for the season. Moths are attracted to dirty fabric so clean everything first. Ten minutes in the dryer with one of these and clothes go into storage fresh.
Customer reviews for Woolite 20 Minute Dry Care Cleaner
Stick labels on every bin, bag, and box on your upper shelves. Future you will thank present you in six months when you need your ski gear and don't have to open seven containers to find it.
Avery Removable Labels, 1" x 3", White, 72 Count
Get a label maker if you want something more permanent and readable than your handwriting. I labeled every shelf, bin, and section of my closet. My spouse can now find things without texting me at work.
Brother P-Touch PT-D200G Label Maker with Tape
Drop cedar blocks into vacuum bags and storage bins before sealing them up. Double protection against moths. I replace them once a year and haven't lost a single wool item since I started doing this.
Household Essentials Cedar Fresh Cedar Blocks - Pack of 24
Spray this on items coming out of seasonal storage before wearing them. Even clean clothes pick up a slight stale scent after months in a bin. One spritz and they smell like they just came out of the wash.
Febreze Fabric Refresher with Downy April Fresh
Keep longer dresses and formal gowns in these tall garment bags on the pull-down rod. Regular bags are too short and the fabric bunches at the bottom. These actually fit a full-length dress without folding it.
Kimmama, Dress Bags, 65'' Long, Clear Garment Bag
Pair these with your pull-down rod for storing suits you only wear a few times a year. The clear window lets you see which suit is inside without unzipping. I keep three suits up high and pull them down when I need one.
Whitmor Deluxe Zippered Polyester Suit Bag - Black