Hang them on the inside of the closet door.

Over-the-door storage racks are perfect for small closets — just mount them on the inside face of the door and you’ll avoid damage and keep the path clear.

The key is choosing racks that hang over the top edge of the door, not ones that stick on with adhesive or require screws. Those over-the-top hooks (usually metal or plastic) put all the weight on the door itself, not the hinge or paint. I’ve used them for years and never had a mark or scratch. Just make sure the door is solid core, not a hollow panel — hollow doors might bow or crack under heavy loads.

For access, pick shallow racks that sit flat against the door panel. You want something that won’t stick out more than a couple inches when the door is closed, otherwise you’ll bump into it or block the closet opening. Most good over-the-door shoe racks or accessory organizers are designed with that in mind. Put lightweight stuff in them — shoes, scarves, belts, cleaning sprays. Don’t load it up with heavy books or full water bottles; that’ll make the door hard to swing and might warp