No matter how small or big our closet is, somehow it always gradually turns into one big mess. Unless you’re a cleaning freak, it’s always such a struggle to keep clothes organized and neat, especially if you have quite a limited space to store your clothing in. Buying more and more stuff that is popular in this season doesn’t help the situation, as you have to shove your new pieces into the already overloaded closet in desperate attempts to find at least a little space for them.
But, the most annoying thing that the bigger and fuller our closet gets, the worse we feel about ourselves, as it becomes practically impossible to find a reasonable outfit without pulling all things out of the shelves and hangers to come up with a perfect match. So, it takes more and more time to get dressed, and we start thinking that we have nothing to wear while our closets are ready to break down under the weight of all clothes we managed to accumulate over time.
Oh, frustration is just inevitable! In the end, you just give up and start living in your two or three favorite outfits, as you can’t be bothered to deal with all that mess and clutter anymore. In fact, you’re even terrified to open the doors of your closet or the drawers of your dresser, as you don’t want to see another reminder of the fact that your life lacks order.
But, neither you nor your clothes deserve such attitude. You just can’t allow inanimate things step in and spoil your life. But, it’s not healthy to underestimate the value of material things you have in your possession, as you (or your parents) had to work hard to buy them. Just think about those people, who’re not as lucky as you are and who don’t have an opportunity to purchase new clothes or things they like at all or as much as they would want to.
So, it’s necessary to appreciate what you have, including clothes, as some people are struggling even to buy basic items. And, it’s definitely not what you’re doing while trying to close the closet’s doors and keep all the escaping and falling out clothes in there.
So, let’s get rid of that mess (and your guilt) and figure out some tips and ways of how to organize your closet and make it easier for you to sort out your own clothes, store them properly to preserve them in good shape and pick out outfits without any troubles.
1. What to keep and what to get rid of?
Most likely, you have accumulated a bunch of clothes you do not wear for this or that reason. Whether some things don’t fit anymore, got worn out, don’t suit your current style or you didn’t like them from the very beginning, it’s necessary to separate them from the rest of closing.
Pull all your clothes out of closet (yes, my dear, all of it), including shoes. Start dividing items into three piles: things to throw away, donate and keep.
Obviously, you don’t want to give away things, which got out of shape and became inappropriate for wearing. But, if you find something that looks quite good and preserved its good condition, but you haven’t touched it for several month (depending on which season that item refers to), it’s better to donate that item. Don’t keep it in your ‘depository’ any longer, as some people will really enjoy wearing it.
For instance, if you decide to de-clutter your closet at the end of the season, try to remember which items you didn’t wear throughout that entire period. If you haven’t worn them this year, your hand won’t reach them next time around for sure. So, decide if those clothes are worth donating or tossing out.
In the end, you should get rid of approximately 25% of your closing due to such clean-up. You might want to save some things of sentimental value (like gifts from your grandparents or friends, prom outfits, handmade stuff), but don’t go overboard and minimize their amount. You’re supposed to wear clothes, but not collect them.
When selecting the stuff you’re going to keep to yourself, don’t just throw it in one big pile. It’s better to sort it by type (dresses, tank tops, jeans, etc.) right away not to sort it out twice.
Hire a personal stylist to help you out and decide what clothes look best on you. He/she will also recommend what items to purchase considering your body shape, which stores might sell them and which materials are better to look for when shopping for clothes. You may even ask him/her to accompany you during your shopping trip to give some advice ‘on spot’.
If you’re interested in finding such professional, visit HireRush.com to scroll through some ads and get contact information of stylists, who work within your local area.
Address image consultant to get some advice on developing your own style in clothing. After that, get rid of all stuff that doesn’t fit your new image and look anymore.
2. Clean up
It’s ridiculous to go through all the organizing and sorting processes just to put your clothes back into the dirty closet. Who even does that?
So, once your closet and dresser are completely empty, dust and wipe the shelves, bins, baskets and racks. Vacuum and mop the floor in the walk-in closet to make the space completely fresh and spotless.
3. Use the given closet space efficiently
Don’t waste any square inch in vain. Install as many vertical shelves or other storage means as you can.
Hire a handyman for that matter if you’re not able to cope with this task on your own. Attach hooks onto the wall above the door to keep your travel bags, suitcases or winter coats up there. Find a cloth laundry basket to hang it on the door.
Install an additional rod below or above the already existing one to double the space for hangers. If you don’t have enough shelves and there’s no way that you can buy, build or attach them on your own, just purchase retractable bins and put them on top of each other to substitute opened shelving.
4. Keep out-of-season clothes away
Once you don’t need your warm sweaters, coats and hats or tank-tops, shorts and summer dresses, grab them to put into the comforter bags or bins. Use vacuum bags to make everything even more compact. Store out-of-season clothes on the top shelves of your closet or even under your bed not to occupy precious closet space. Another option is to use some of your suitcases for that matter.
5. Color, type and purpose coordination
Keep dresses, shirts, T-shirts, pants, skirts, cardigans, etc., together. Sort them by color from lightest to darkest. Divide long-sleeved and short-sleeved items as well. Besides, you may separate your casual and smart outfits and shoes, cozy and work clothing and so on. Trying to keep your house and gym clothes, pajamas and robes in one particular corner (shelve) of your closet may be a good idea as well.
6. Use as much hangers as you can
Hang as many clothes as you can to keep them in good condition and provide easy access. Purchase thing hangers to be able to put more items onto the rods. Think of using those ones that are meant to hold several things. It’s especially efficient to keep skirts and pants on them.
Moreover, it’s possible to attach one hanger to another to make the most out of your space and keep as many clothes in sight and wrinkle-free as you can.
However, there’s no need to hang knitted items, gym clothes and home wear. Sweat pants, cotton T-shirts, jeans, hoodies and other similar items may go onto the shelves or into the drawers without any harm.
But, if there is enough space, you may use shower rings to hang your jeans and shorts if you like them displayed.
Of course, it’s better to have a walk-in closet, but you can still figure out the best way to function with your wardrobe. However, if you’re ready for a change and found some extra space, you may call a closet contractor to make your dreams come true.
7. Organizing shoes
It’s the most annoying thing ever when shoes are scattered on the closet’s floor, not allowing making a single step without tripping over one random sneaker or boot. You may hurt yourself and damage shoes. Besides, it’s simply rather inconvenient.
Get shelves or even over-the-door plastic organizers to store your shoes. All fashion designers use that trick. Wine or beer boxes may come in handy as well. Also, you may keep boxes from your high boots and winter shoes to put them away for the warm season.
Organize your shoes by type (high heels, sandals, sneakers, trainers, boots, flip-flops, etc.) and also by how often you wear them.
8. How to store small items
Get shelve dividers and organizers for bins and drawers to store underwear, bras, socks and ties neatly. If you don’t want to spend money on such things, you may easily make them yourself out of shoe boxes or just any cardboard of necessary length and height.
9. Bags, scarves and jewelry
Tie several scarves around one hanger. A multi-leveled or hooped one will work even better. There’s even special hanger with clips for ties and with rings for belts.
Try not to bend your bags as you store them. Devote the whole shelve (or even more than one) just for them or get a hanging organizer (just like for shoes).
Keep your jewelry in plastic containers or even just in ice cube trays.
10. Better way of storing things in drawers
Stack your T-shirts or pants vertically, but not horizontally. Roll clothes and towels instead of folding. Divide drawers into several sections to keep different types of items apart.
11. Customize and decorate
Make your closet more appealing and fashionable by adding some decor elements, mirrors, lights and bright accessories.
If you’re not too tall and, consequently, can’t reach the highest spots, buy a stool or a rolling ladder for closet only. Hang a curtain to cover the rod with coats or just instead of closet’s doors.
