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Closet Organization
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Storage Epicenter
If you're tired of wrestling hangers and rooting through piles of clothes, find relief with these tips.
1. Face it.
Admit that your closet has an organization problem and set aside some time to fix it. A standard closet cleanup will take at least four hours.
2. Purge.
Start your closet cleanup by emptying the space and getting rid of excess clothing and hangers.
3. Sort.
Categorize your wardrobe by item, color, or type of clothing (such as professional or casual wear).
4. Make the easy fixes.
Before investing in a new lineup of shelves and rods, consider these simple solutions for improving storage:
- Add a second hanging pole.
- Use a rolling cart that can be conveniently tucked under a shelf or clothes pole while allowing easy retrieval of items in the back of your closet.
- Reuse old bookshelves for folded items or storage containers.
- Tuck shoes, socks, and scarves into over-the-door racks.
- Use wire baskets and open bins for items that must breathe (shoes and sweaters).
- Hang belts and purses on hooks.
- Expand setup options with underbed and seasonal storage in other closets, the attic, and the basement.
5. Find a system.
If your closet requires a total renaissance, purchase a storage system. Specialty closet stores, cabinet companies, and home centers sell stock, semi-custom, and custom storage systems. Let your wardrobe and daily routine dictate the system's design. Thinking about issues such as whether you need to see and touch items or just have easy access to them helps you choose between features such as open-shelf systems and closed containers.
6. Make a clutter-free commitment.
Bad habits and behavior will trump good storage designs. To maintain maximum organization, hang up clothes immediately after taking them off, put laundry away promptly, and remove an old item every time you bring in a new one.
