Here's how model and content creator Sara Flaaen Licius makes the most of her compact wardrobe space

Not every stylish content creator has a lavish walk-in closet filled with the most expensive new season finds. If you’ve been waiting for a more down to earth rendition of this series, for the 'girl next door' with the wardrobe of your (sensible) dreams, today is your lucky day.

We spoke to Sara Flaaen Licius, a self-proclaimed "Black Scandi Carrie Bradshaw" who gave us a peek into her "messy" and beautifully cramped closet in Oslo. Here, she shares her secrets for conscious storage and why long-lasting garments always trump fast fashion.

Can you describe your wardrobe space for us?

I live in a small top floor Oslo apartment, so saying that my closet is my whole apartment is not too far from the truth - it’s giving Black Scandi Carrie Bradshaw vibes! I have really tried to get maximum storage without feeling like my apartment becomes too packed or cluttered, but it can feel like 'mission impossible' – I’m constantly rearranging storage and furniture. My clothes are mainly in my bedroom, and then I have outerwear and shoes by the door to the apartment. And then I actually keep some bags, plus workout wear and underwear, in the bathroom.

How do you organise your clothes?

To be honest, it’s pretty messy – but I do feel that I know where things are and that I am in control. I know what my wardrobe consists of, and when I’m looking for this or that piece, I don’t have to spend time searching for them.

Rather than opting for a heavy closet, I have several large, open-solution racks, which I feel allows for space and air in the small apartment and also forces me to keep it tidy (or tidy-ish). Due to the lack of space, I have also added plain boxes for storage wherever I could. I don’t mind a messy wardrobe space, it’s intriguing and even fun – but it can’t get to the point of eyesore, especially not in such a small apartment.

Related: "I get stressed when things are lying around": Thora Valdimarsdottir on the power of an organised wardrobe

What do you look for in storage?

It’s very important that it’s practical. I know with myself that it’s not a good idea to hide away or make it hard to find the items I use a lot. My wardrobe should be easy to navigate. I don’t mind storing things away in a corner, under the bed or high up under the ceiling – I honestly have no other choice – but I try to have a good system for what I choose to keep a little more 'out of reach'.

Do you have any secrets for keeping it well ordered?

Build upwards to make good use of the height in a room, and also hide anything that can be hidden under furniture. I keep boxes under my bed, closet and sofa chair. Easily accessible, yet out of sight.

What are your three most prized possessions?

I would say any of my collection of vintage men’s blazers – I love the oversized, broad-shouldered fit, and they go so well with everything. Same goes for my vintage Louis Vuitton monogram bags – I love how they can be paired with anything, and they add a touch of luxury to any look without being too prominent.

Thirdly, a porcelain jar with flower and gold paintings inherited from my late grandmother, which has always been a part of my wardrobe. I keep my bunad [national costume] and silver jewellery in it most of the time. As a child, I used to see it in my grandparents’ home and was always admiring it, so one day she said that it would be mine once I turned 18. I still remember so well when she handed it over to me.

Related: Step inside designer Anine Bing’s lust-worthy wardrobe

What are some unique features of your wardrobe?

I would maybe say the fact that I have so many pieces that are over a decade or so old – and I’m often met with surprise when I tell people this. Since early on, I’ve always thought about 'building a wardrobe', something big and inspiring, so I’ve tried to be conscious about what pieces could live on eternally in my closet, or perhaps what pieces it would be fun to store away to bring back again in a couple of years. Off the top of my head, I can think of a leather skirt that I’ve had since high school, some traditional Norwegian knits, several summer dresses that resurface every other year or so and a vintage Levi’s denim jacket that I bought in Barcelona on a girl’s trip once I turned 18. I love that, though - I feel no need for everything in my wardrobe to be new.

As for parts of my actual, physical wardrobe in itself, I’d also mention my plexiglass shoe boxes. They’re a fun feature that look so cool and are perfect for both storage and displaying shoes in a very 'clean' way. Every time I post a snippet of them on Instagram, my DMs get busy. But to be honest, the quality is quite poor, so we’re in a love-hate relationship and I keep breaking them and super glueing them back together, eek!

Do you have any hacks that you want to share?

Make sure you love your clothes enough to keep them for a long time – and fix them or redesign them if they get broken or they start seeming less interesting to you. I’m no seamstress, but I’ve been cutting through a great number of jeans, skirts and tops over the years to give them a new look. Also, it’s the pieces that not everybody else has that you really want to fill your closet with, if you ask me. Skip the new Zara, but keep the Zara oldies in your wardrobe for a long time. And it’s fun to build your own wardrobe – it makes you realise that you have endless opportunities to be creative with styling.

How do you store your handbags and jewellery?

Honestly – nothing like I should, I’m well aware. But with the limited space I have, I cannot be too preoccupied with that for the moment, so my handbags are a little bit everywhere, some in a drawer and some hanging around. I dream of one day having the space to store them properly in their dustbags.

My most-used jewellery is stored and displayed in a cava glass and a glass bowl on my window sill for easy access, while the pieces I don’t use that often are stowed away in a jewellery box.