The closet space: prime real
estate in any home, and yet, many feel somewhat like a desert tundra, parched
and gasping for air. And space. And order.
Turn that wasteland into your own private clothing store where every
piece is easy to find and up for grabs.
The closet purge is one of
the biggest steps to hurdle in reorganizing a closet, but it is also one of the
most rewarding and freeing when all you want is some freed up space to really
get your things in order. Take the time
to go through, piece by piece, all of your clothing, shoes, purses, belts,
ties, scarves, and any other accessories present. Pull out what you truly won’t wear again,
using criteria like fit, fashion, and favorites. Does it fit you well? Is it current among the wardrobe you’re
wearing? And does it make the cut and
make the rounds in your washer and dryer because it’s actually in your rotation? If the answer isn’t yes to all 3, you’re likely
wasting a hanger better put to use with a new piece. Gather all the items headed out the closet
door and make good use of them through a local charity donation. Then keep a bin or bag on the floor of your
closet to add pieces to over time, taking it to a donation site when it is
filled up.
Consider the space you
have. If every shirt, pair of pants,
dress, or jacket is cram-packed in, and you struggle to get hangers in and out,
rethink your quantity. It has to be based
on the space you have. Know your
closet’s limits for good use and proper storage and easy-to-see principles, and
store accordingly. My rule for my
closet, which is at proper capacity, is a new piece in, an old piece out. I don’t have free hangers; they are in use,
and if a new item comes in, one that doesn’t make the cut as outlined above
goes out. Free hanger, meet my new
selection.
Use tools suited to your
needs, like belt and tie hooks or loops, clear bin shoe stackers or shoe racks,
sweater bins, shelf dividers – whatever it takes to have a place for everything
so you can easily keep everything in its place.
These items may not be acquired all at once, but consider consciously
adding storage pieces to your space over time.
Hang, line up, or contain the purses you do carry. Utilize any open wall space for a jewelry
organizer or added shelving if you have the room. Try to keep folded t-shirts or sweaters in
dresser drawers to avoid avalanche clothing piles on shelves, or contain them
in bins or clear containers to maintain order and accessibility.
Utilize the closets
throughout your home to ideally store items not related to clothing and
accessories outside the bedroom closet.
Make over a hall closet to hold linens, towels, and the vacuum
cleaner. Bring in under-the-bed boxes to
move keepsakes, gift wrap rolls, and so forth out of your closet. Move some appropriate items to cabinets in
your laundry room, kitchen, or bathroom.
Corral luggage in a guest closet, storage space, or attic.
Use some online inspiration
from organizing websites, some time over a weekend perhaps, and some muscle to
sift, sort, and store what matters to you in the most orderly and fashionably accessible
way. Next
week: the bedrooms!
DesignInMind column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star March 9th.
