With more than 600 warehouses in the U.S. and $250 billion in sales last year, chances are you or someone you know is an avid Costco shopper. I’ve been a member for years and visit my local warehouse about every other month for items like kids’ snacks, produce, dishwasher detergent, organizing products and other home staples.
In addition to saving on food and household essentials, I’m always thrilled that a Costco run results in less grocery shopping for weeks at a time. But the downside? Once I’m home with a trunk full of stuff, sometimes it feels like I’m playing a game of Jenga, trying to fit it all into our small pantry or garage. That’s why when I heard about the “Costco closet” trend, my interest was piqued.
What is a Costco closet?
A “Costco closet” refers to a storage space dedicated to accommodate bulk purchases, particularly from warehouse retailers like Sam’s Club and Costco. This type of closet typically features lots of shelving and deeper storage to easily store and display large quantities of items.
Shira Gill, organizing expert and author of LifeStyled, said the rise of Costco closets is about being proactive. Homeowners want to be prepared in case disaster strikes: “In recent years, the drive to maximize storage space has taken on an even more urgent tone. With the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the increasing frequency of climate-related events, and a growing emphasis on emergency preparedness, many people are rethinking how they organize their homes. The Costco closet trend isn’t just about efficient storage on a budget — it’s also a practical strategy for safeguarding families by keeping essential food and emergency supplies within reach.”
Professional organizer Stephanie Treantos of Lemonaid Solutions agrees, noting that this closet trend is in part due to the uncertainty of the economy. “It gives people a sense of security,” Treantos explains. “My clients joke about having their ‘Doomsday Closet,’ but with everything going on, it’s nice to know that if the world were to shut down again, they have extra things on hand to get them through any period of time.”
How to create your own Costco closet
A realtor once introduced Good Housekeeping Editor-in-Chief Jane Francisco to the Costco closet concept. While touring homes in the New York City area, one special property featured the perfect example, which she describes in her recent newsletter, GH Jane: From Lab to Life (sign up for the newsletter here!):
“In the finished basement, there was a walk-in pantry-sized closet with deep, tall shelves. But this wasn’t just any closet — it was STOCKED. We’re talking a year’s supply of paper towels, toilet paper, tissues, giant bottles of mayo, tuna cans, ketchup, cereal boxes and laundry detergent… basically everything you’d need if the apocalypse hit tomorrow.”
She didn’t buy the property, but she loved the idea so much that she recreated the Costco closet in the house she did buy. She created a bulk medicine cabinet with an IKEA Billy bookcase and some 6 x 12″ containers, complete with labels.
If you’re building out your own Costco closet, Treantos suggests choosing a space, like a garage or basement, that makes it easy to access what you need and replenish stock at any given time. “A lot of clients I work with have multiple kids in sports, and they have all these snacks, so it works really well for them,” she says. And the Costco closet is separate from their everyday pantry and kitchen cabinets, so those areas can remain in order day-to-day since bulk items aren’t in the mix.
Gill has another tip, too: “I’ve learned that when it comes to designing a bulk storage closet on a budget, every square inch counts — especially in smaller spaces. By taking the time to remove all the extra packaging from your Costco buys, you can free up valuable space that would otherwise be wasted. Instead of investing in expensive custom shelving, try removing unused shelves to make room for large bins or floor baskets. This approach lets you store more efficiently, keeping your closet organized without a ton of expense, while also ensuring you’re well-prepared for any unexpected events.”
Monique Valeris is the home design director for Good Housekeeping, where she oversees the brand’s home decorating coverage across print and digital. Prior to joining GH in 2020, she was the digital editor at Elle Decor. In her current role, she explores everything from design trends and home tours to lifestyle product recommendations, including writing her monthly column, “What’s in My Cart.”
