What I am about to tell you is not for the organization dabbler or the I-tend-to-give-up-about-20-minutes-in project person. This plan of action is for the I’ll-dedicate-my-weekend-to-get-it-right organization lover. Don’t say I didn’t warn you . . .
Ah, the perfect closet. We want it. We imagine it. We see how photographers make it look so enticing in those magazine spreads. We can have it. That’s right – enviable closets are attainable if we are willing to put in the work, set them up properly, and commit to maintaining them.
Step number 1 is to determine what you are storing. Are you all hanging clothes and few accessories? Do you need a closet to itself for your shoe or purse collection? Take note of what you need out of your storage solutions. The extravagant Plan A would be to call in the professionals at this point. Having someone design a storage system layout and install it is a luxury. But more and more systems are becoming DIY through your local hardware and supply stores. Take a good set of closet measurements with notes jotted down about your closet content categories to the store, and you can get started toward an interchangeable system you can install yourself. Things to consider are maximizing your hanging space, which is best done when you have double rods, having shelves or drawers for folded clothes and accessories, and having shoe storage space that fits your complete collection.
Whether you start from scratch with a newly installed system or want to makeover your existing system, I advise completely emptying your closet. One piece at a time, take EVERYTHING out. This is the sorting process. Hopefully you will be willing to part ways with things that don’t deserve to go back into your new closet. Make neat piles of things to keep, and divide this into hanging, folded, accessories, and shoes, or other categories that fit your needs. Make piles of things to give as hand-me-downs or donation items. Send these straight to boxes or bags so you don’t get cold feet over them later. Be ruthless and really keep only the items you are wearing, you like, and that fit you properly. The rest is just taking up your space. And do keep a bag on hand for trash, and be willing to fill it – old receipts, solo socks, and clothes not worthy of donation can go straight to the garbage.
Now clean your closet. Wipe down the walls and baseboards, and vacuum the entire floor space. Start fresh. Now you can put things back one piece at a time. I recommend hanging everything in the same direction and by type and then color for the neatest look and the easiest retrieval. Store your purses and shoes in a streamlined fashion, maximizing the space you have for them. You should ultimately be able to see everything easily, and the overall look should be appealing. And you don’t have to break the bank in order to carry out a complete closet makeover.
DesignInMind Column; appeared in the Valley Morning Star January 9th.
