Rubbermaid Vs Closetmaid: Which Closet Organizer Is Better?

Ryan Womeldorf
by Ryan Womeldorf

Closet space can disappear before you realize it. Adding new clothes and shoes, failing to get rid of old ones, and poor organizational habits can create a mess in your closet that is tough to remedy. So, how can you make your closet a neater space?

Through closet organizers. They come in different sizes and styles, but two of the most popular brands out there are Rubbermaid and Closetmaid. How do the two stack up against one another? If you are looking for a cheap option that you can throw up quickly, Closetmaid is fine. But if you are willing to spend a little more time and money, Rubbermaid is a much better choice.

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What is a Closet Organizer?

Depending on the age and style of your home, your closet may be a big open space with a bar and a shelf. That doesn’t really give you a whole lot of versatility when it comes to storing your clothing and shoes.

Closet organizers work by giving your closet compartments and organizing. You can store shoes in a designated space. Accessories like scarves or hats can go in another. Or you can keep outfits separated by style or time of year.

It ultimately makes better use of your closet space. When space is limited, better organization can go a long way. It can make it easier to find what you are looking for as well, taking the hassle and aggravation out of finding stuff in your closet.

Rubbermaid

Rubbermaid is one of the biggest manufacturers of plastic containers out there. In addition to closet organizers, they make food storage containers as well as a wide array of general storage containers. They have become known for their quality and versatility in their product line.

Customization

One of the cool things about Rubbermaid and its closet kits is that they have an extra level of customization. The basic kits will get the job done, but you can really make your closet space your own with the customization accessories.

You can have specific spaces for ties, pants, belts, shoes, or whatever you want. You can truly make your closet space your own with this organizer. The best part is that you don’t need to buy all the extras right away. As you learn more about what your needs are, you can add in those extra compartments to fit those needs accordingly.

Good Quality for the Price

Let’s get this out of the way right now: there are better closet storage systems out there. That said, you are going to have to pay for that improved durability. If you are looking for something that is affordable and won’t just fall apart, Rubbermaid is an excellent choice.

You can typically find Rubbermaid kits ranging anywhere from $50 to $150 depending on the size and what you decide to add. As is the case with most Rubbermaid products, you will get a durable, sturdy, quality storage container. Moreover, the looks might be minimalistic, but they are visually appealing and sleek.

Easy to Move

One of the great things about their storage systems is that they are easy to move. Whether you are renting or planning to move soon, you want to be able to move your closet and these kits fit that need to a tee.

They are very easy to take down and reinstall, even if you just wanted to move it to another room. There aren’t many screw holes to worry about patching up, either, so you can move them guilt-free. That level of convenience alone makes the Rubbermaid closet storage worth the price.

User Friendly

Rubbermaid closet shelving is largely maintenance-free. They don’t rust or chip, so you don’t have to worry about your clothing snagging, ripping, or getting marked as a result of your closet storage options.

The easy-glide hanging rod system makes installation super easy. They slide from one end of the rod seamlessly to the other end and are designed so that they don’t impede the track. That means no need to remove your hangers from a section to move it to another.

Closetmaid

Despite not being quite as recognized as their counterpart, Closetmaid has been around since 1965. The Orlando-based company offers a number of accessories where it pertains to closets and their storage capabilities. They make a line of storage cabinets, wire drawers, shelving and hardware kits, and even brackets.

Affordable

Right away, the thing that jumps out about Closetmaid is that they are highly affordable. Their closet storage kits can come in at a substantially lower cost than some of the other competitors out there. That is great for those on a budget.

Especially if you are anticipating a move in the future, the last thing you might want to do is invest in a heavy-duty closet storage unit. With Closetmaid, you can get something you need right now for a price that you can manage.

Size Friendly

Closetmaid also understands that not everyone has a lot of closet space to contend with. If you live in a smaller space where closet space is at a minimum, these smaller units are a much better fit (figuratively and literally).

Rubbermaid and some of the other manufacturers out there make kits that are too large to fit small spaces. If you are not only on a budget but contending with space issues, Closetmaid may be the better overall option.

Optional Backing

This is somewhat of an issue depending on who you ask. The optional backing for half of the cubes means that you can keep some of them open should you choose. That said, there are issues with leaving the back of the unit potentially exposed.

Since it is made of unfinished particleboard, it is not the most aesthetically pleasing. Since you will have to place it against a wall anyway, it kind of doesn’t make sense that there is optional backing for the cubes.

Visual Appeal

Depending on who you ask, the Closetmaid designs are either unattractive or minimalistic. They are designed at a lower quality, so they may not have quite the level of visual appeal that some of the others have.

For those seeking functionality over design, it is not a big deal. Besides, it is not like many people are going to be seeing the inside of your closet space. If that means saving on price, it may work better than getting a nicer looking unit.

Why You Need a Closet Storage System

Let’s face facts: many of us do not have a huge walk-in closet to work with. At best, you may have an open space with a bar and a shelf just above eye level. That leaves you wondering how you can make the most out of that space. Here are a few reasons why having a closet storage system is a must.

See What You Have

When your closet space is cluttered, it can be easy to lose track of what is in there. With a closet storage system, you can see everything clearly. You won’t have that outfit that you thought was lost but was really just buried.

You can also keep items in separate compartments. Shoes, socks, ties, or whatever you want can be kept separately and easily accessible.

Can Save Money

Believe it or not, a closet storage system can save you money. You can see where everything is, which cuts down the need to buy new or even duplicate items that you thought were lost. You can keep track of what is dirty and what is clean, too. That means savings on washing your clothes that may have been clean already.

Saves Time

We have all been there before. Staring down a cluttered closet space, wondering where a certain shirt is. What follows is rifling through the clutter for minute after minute, all in a futile attempt to find what we want. Cut down on time wasted with an organized closet storage system.

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Which is the Better Choice?

When determining the better closet storage unit, it comes down to a few things. Cost, appearance, and functionality are the most important factors to consider. Which one weighs the heaviest is entirely dependent on your needs and wants.

If you are looking for the best storage unit between the two, Rubbermaid is the clear winner. They not only make better overall closet storage units in terms of look and durability, but they are super easy to install. That level of convenience makes using this unit as easy as it gets.

Should you be on a budget and simply looking to improve your closet space, you will do just fine with Closetmaid. It is a bit more basic in design and visual aesthetic, but it does the job. You will contend with that “cheap” look and feel, but if you aren’t looking for a long-term solution, it will work fine.

One important thing to note is that both are quite easy to use and to move. If you want to bring the unit with you to your next destination, you can do so without much hassle.

Ryan Womeldorf
Ryan Womeldorf

Ryan Womeldorf has more than a decade of experience writing. He loves to blog about construction, plumbing, and other home topics. Ryan also loves hockey and a lifelong Buffalo sports fan.

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