"You have too many things!"
How many times have we heard that from our dear husband/wife/partner that we share the closet with?
Well, no matter how big your closet is, it seems like there is never enough room to store everything.
When you are ready to get organized and give up some of the old stuff, here's some great pointers on how to get started:
- To lessen the weight of cleaning out your closet, break it down into steps. Make one day all about shelf organization. The next day can be about what's on the floor.
- If you haven't worn anything in the past 4 seasons, then it's time to get it out. Make 4 piles: Keep, Sell, Donate, Trash.
- Move seasonal items, such as winter coats or sweaters into another closet or room that is out of the way.
- If you share a closet, make sure you use drawers and hanging rods that are only for you. Try not to mix clothes together. Also, hang clothes according to type and color to give it a cleaner look.
The beauty of built-in's
These days, most anyone can afford a closet upgrade. Gone are the days of wire shelves and 5 pound closet rods. Now, more people are replacing the old systems with high-quality melamine cabinetry. It's easier to keep clean, and lasts a lifetime.
Here are some tips on how to get a good design that will change as your needs change.
Cabinets with drawers
Built in cabinets with open shelves at the top and drawers on the bottom are like custom made dressers in your closet. They allow you to see the folded items at eye level and keep the smaller stuff organized in a drawer.
Rod placement
Traditionally, closets have only one closet rod placed 5 to 6 feet from the floor. This can waste a lot of space if you have shorter clothes to hang up. Put up 2 rods - one at almost 7 feet, and the other below at 4 1/2" feet. This should double the space, and make more room.
Adjustable shelves
Add a lot of adjustable shelves to a bookcase style cabinet, so you can see your shoes, bags, and folded items. A common mistake is to group shoes along the bottom of a closet, where they can pile up. By keeping the shelves adjustable, you are able to keep the cabinets versatile.
The closet island
If space allows, a central island can add storage and counter space. It's a great location for packing/unpacking an overnight bag or folding clothes. Add drawers and shelves on the base of the island for even more storage.
Hooks / Towel Bars
Add hooks or small towel bars for robes, or special wardrobe items that could get lost. They can go on the wall, or on the back of the closet door.
It also helps to know a few tricks on how to keep your clothes neat and easy to find:
- Store items that are the same color in the same place. Group them from light to dark.
- Have a shirt that won't stay on a hanger? Wrap a rubber band around each end of the hanger to keep the shirt in place.
- Fold garments that you don't wear year-round and put them in bins. Don't forget to add a ball or liner made of cedar to keep the bugs and mildew away.
- Fold your shirts like they do at retail stores. It's easy and looks great.
