1) Getting rid of the clutter is always job number one when it comes to organizing. There’s no need to organized things that you don’t use or have no need for anymore. Give as much as possible to charity, sell things at a garage sale or online, and get rid of all the things that are cluttering up your life. Most people can get rid of around 25% of their wardrobe and make life much easier on themselves with very little effort. Instead of trying to save things that you “might use one day”, look at them as things that are robbing you of valuable space. Shirts with sleeves that are too short, jeans that are out of style, and that bridesmaid’s dress that “you could wear again” have all got to go. Once you get rid of as much as possible, you’ll have a much easier time organizing what you need and use on a regular basis.
2) Learn to categorize your usable items so that you can quickly and easily put things away and then find them again the next time you need them. Avoid making big, general categories, such as “shirts”. Divide them, at least, into casual, dressy, work, active wear, and sleeveless. Don’t, however, create so many categories that it’s too overwhelming to keep up with. A good rule of thumb is to make sure you have at least five similar items in a category. Avoid keeping a “junk drawer” or box of miscellaneous things around because you can’t think of a category for them. Work on it until you get everything in a specific location.
3) When you categorize things, you can then see how much you have and decide which types of containers will fit into the storage areas that you have available. Use spaces that are normally neglected. Wooden chests will fit underneath windows and save closet space that would be occupied if you used plastic bins. Under your bed is a great space for storing things that aren’t used very often. Add shelving inside your closet to hold containers of other items. Add risers inside of cabinets that are too tall to double the space.
4) You can make extra space in your closets and storage areas by using plenty of specialty clothes hangersScarves, belts and ties can all be organized on specialty hangers leaving drawers empty for smaller items. Coat hangers, wood hangers, and other sturdy combination hangers protect your coats and suits from damage, while cascading hangers make space in your closet that you never knew you had before.
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.
