Tackling the closet can be a lot of work, but it can also be very rewarding. Here are some tips on getting organized and staying organized. Once you figure out how easy a neat closet is to maintain, you will wonder why you did not do it long ago.
First, get everything out of the closet. Figure out what you can live without and get rid of it. Throw away stained or torn items. Give out-of-date shoes and clothes to a local charity. Anything that you have not worn in two years needs to go. If you have some items that you never wear but you still do not want to part with, consider taking pictures and keeping a scrap of the material before you give it away. The bottom line is that you need to get rid of unused items to relieve the hinges on your closet door.
Once you have only your best clothes left, take an inventory. Count how many pairs of shoes you have. Separate work clothes from casual ones. Store any out-of-season clothes in a large plastic container or collapsible bag. You may have other items that you keep in your closet that you will also need to account for. Luggage, blankets, jewelry and sports equipment are just a few things that most people store in their bedroom closet. If you can, get some of these things out and into a spare bedroom, basement or garage.
Come up with a plan to store the things that you have left in your closet. The important thing here is that you make sure that everything has a specific place to go. This is what is going to help you maintain the organization after you are done. You need to keep in mind that you will accumulate more clothing, shoes and other items as time goes on. Make sure you keep the opposite season’s wardrobe in mind, too. If you create a perfect space for your summer clothes, it could get cramped when you bring out your bulkier winter items.
Build shelves, use baskets, add drawers and attach hooks. Purses, belts, ties and other small items need to be hung where you can easily see them and get what you need without having to dig or dump out bins. You can use specialty hangers for ties and belts if you do not have a good place to put them.
Use other types of hangers that instantly make space. Cascading pants hangers, skirt hangers, dress hangers and drop hangers can keep your clothes from slipping, getting wrinkled or damaged. You can hang many items on one hanger by using cascading hooks or clips. Using this cascade technique will allow you to pair together shirts and tops with pants, skirts and suits. Not only will this save you a lot of space, but it will keep your clothing ready to grab and go. Maintaining your closet organization will be a snap when you are done!
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.
