Monthly Archives: June 2011

Inspiration for your Closet

Closets can be helpful or they can cause you distress. Most people feel like their closet could be organized better, most of the time. The problem is finding time to do it right and making maintaining the organization easy. If you’re ready to make some upgrades in your closet, as well as get it organized, then you can use these few simple steps to make the endeavor go more smoothly and cost you less than you might have imagined.

1) The first step to any closet organization project is getting rid of the clutter. Studies show that most people only use about fifty percent of what is in their closet. We hold onto things for a variety of reasons. We often have memories and experiences tied to our clothing, so we don’t want to let go of it. Taking pictures or even samples of clothing and putting them into a scrapbook can help you to get motivated to go ahead and get rid of these space-stealers.

2) If you’re holding on to clothing that you hope to fit back into someday, then you might consider rewarding yourself with new clothes after you lose weight. If your weight fluctuates a lot and you actually need several different wardrobes in different sizes, then separate them and store the ones that you aren’t wearing right now. Get rid of old shoes and other items to make room in your closet for what you actually need and use.

3) When it’s cleared out, it will be much easier to get inspired. Imagine extra hanging rods all the way around. Imagine shelves for containers that can hold storage items, socks, underwear, and other things that can clutter up a closet or dresser. Take a look around and figure out where you have empty space that can be used. Shelves and rods do not have to be a certain height, so if you try, you can utilize space closer to the ceiling for things that you don’t use often.

4) Make more room and keep your clothing organized by using specialty clothes hangers. You can get hangers that cascade or attach to each other to save you tons of space. Most people report saving double or triple the space by using specialty hangers. Choose ones that are designed for certain items to keep your suits in shape, coats hanging, and other clothes wrinkle-free. With just a few closet adjustments, you could have your whole bedroom organized in no time.

About the Author: Charlie Hafter is on the staff of Closet Hanger Factory, a leading online resource for clothes hangers. Get all of the closet and clothes hanger accessories you could need at http://www.closethangerfactory.com, which is recognized worldwide for their excellent quality hangers.

Organize in a Flash

Most of the time, the reason you need to organize is because you don’t have time to organize! It’s a catch 22, but there are ways to make it go faster and more smoothly. Have you ever decided to organize and only ended up making a huger mess than you had before? It’s pretty common to start going through things and then get stuck in a rut of not knowing quite what to do. Or, you get plenty of ideas about what to do, but they require a big investment in a closet system or other large furniture. We’ve been studying home and closet organization for years and we’ve gotten pretty good at helping people quickly organize with only a few quick steps. Plus, when you do it right, maintaining the organization is easy and continual, so you don’t end up having to start over any time soon.

1) The first step to organizing anything is clearing out the things that you don’t need to waste your time on. Go in with a lot of trash bags or boxes and get ready to give things to charity. Things that you don’t wear because they don’t fit right, they have a stain, or you’re just not into the style anymore can go directly out of the closet or dresser. If you can’t decide very easily, set some limits for yourself. Say, “I can keep twenty shirts.” Pick out the twenty and then the rest goes. If you don’t have time to drop off a donation, most places will pick it up for you if you call.

2) When you get that part out of the way, it’s time to categorize. Make some large, general categories and make sure that everything has a category to go in. Avoid miscellaneous piles that can slowly turn into more clutter. Keeping the categories large will help you to envision how much space you’ll need for each one more easily. Decide which piles can be hung, folded, or stored in a spare closet or on a rolling garment rack outside of the closet.

3) If you want to keep more stuff than actually fits, you may want to consider some space saving clothes hangers. These hangers fit flat together, can be cascaded from each other, and can double or triple the amount of space in your closet. Investing a little in some specialty hangers that organize your ties, belts, scarves and more can help you to clear out space in drawers and cabinets making room for further organization.

About the Author: Charlie Hafter is on the staff of Closet Hanger Factory, a leading online resource for clothes hangers. Get all of the closet and clothes hanger accessories you could need at http://www.closethangerfactory.com, which is recognized worldwide for their excellent quality hangers.

Upscale Closets

Organizing your closets is only part of making them look good. Closet systems and closet accessories are some of the most popular home improvement products on the market today. Getting your closet to look great only takes a few easy steps and it doesn’t necessarily have to cost you a lot of money.

Hiring a professional organizer can help you to come up with some nifty ideas on how to get your closet organized and keep it that way. Some people find that the cost of hiring a professional is offset by the money that they save on the products that they order. If you’re planning on designing a closet that will serve you well for years to come, hiring a professional organizer may be the way to go.

If you don’t have the money to invest, then you may want to do the job yourself. Some professionals will do a free or low priced assessment for you and help you come up with ideas for what to do with your closets. If you don’t want to go the route of a professional, use these tips to get the job done right yourself.

First, go through all of your belongings and make sure that everything has a place. Categorize things into general categories so that you can see what you have. If one category is too large, let’s say, your t-shirts stack up to considerate proportions, then you should consider breaking it down a little further. You can arrange by length, color, or use to start. For example, you may have some t-shirts that are okay for yard work or painting, while others are casual, work casual, or nice enough to wear under a blazer or cardigan. Some may be just for working out. Consider moving some of them to your categories for “work clothes” or “active wear” to narrow down the stack.

When you are considering storage space in the closet, look for areas that normally go unused. Look up high and towards the front corners of the closets. You may find it beneficial to use storage outside the closet to make room for the items that you use most. Look under the bed, in a trunk, or on a rolling garment rack for spaces outside the closet for storage.

When you’re done choosing containers, closet systems, hanging rails, shelves and cabinets, make sure that you don’t underestimate the importance of a good hanger selection. Hangers can help you to save space and make your closet look uniform and nice. Wooden clothes hangers are a timeless choice that protect your clothes while ensuring that your closet will look great every time you open it.

About the Author: Charlie Hafter is on the staff of Closet Hanger Factory, a leading online resource for clothes hangers. Get all of the closet and clothes hanger accessories you could need at http://www.closethangerfactory.com, which is recognized worldwide for their excellent quality hangers.