Guest Author: If you have trouble figuring out what to wear every day, or you can’t find a certain piece of clothing you’re looking for, or you have shoes that have lost their partners, it might be time to organize your closet. If looking through your closet makes you feel anxious and feels like an insurmountable pile of stuff, you definitely need to organize your closet. Giving your closet an organization overhaul will make you feel refreshed about your wardrobe and style. Suddenly you’ll realize you have more to wear than you did before, and it might even feel like you have an entirely new wardrobe. And if you live in a small apartment, reorganizing your closet is a must to save room and get the most out of your living space.
If you have a very large closet or your closet is jam-packed with stuff, organizing it may seem like a really daunting task. It doesn’t have to be. Just start slowly and do a little at a time. Any improvements at all should make your life a little easier. Here are some tips for organizing your closet.
Clear It Out
First, take absolutely everything out of your closet! You will need to go through it all and organize it, so it’s easier to start with a clear space. After you pull everything out, clean out the floor and shelves of your closet by dusting and sweeping. It will also be a lot easier to evaluate your closet and make alterations to your storage options if necessary.
Pare it Down
Now go through everything you have in your closet and get rid of absolutely everything unnecessary. If you have clothes that don’t fit you or you never wear, donate them. If you are unsure about something but haven’t worn it in over a year, just let it go. The worst thing you can possibly do for the organization of your closet is to hold onto items that are only taking up space.
The Hanging Bar
The hanging bar in your closet is the best place to store your clothes. Hang up everything you can, except for items that won’t go on a hanger or will be stretched out by one. Hang your clothes up in groups, according to whatever organization method works best for you. A common method is to separate clothes by type – all long-sleeved shirts together, t-shirts, pants, coats, skirts, etc. To save space, consider adding a second hanging bar your main one to create a second row of clothes. Do not have it go all the way across to leave space for longer items that need to hang.
Shelves
If you can add a couple shelves to your closet, it will be very helpful for storing things that don’t hang. You can fold sweaters and put them on shelves, or you can use your shelves for storage boxes. You can add some inexpensive shelving if need be.
Storage Boxes
Use storage boxes for your shoes – clear works best so you can see them, or put a label on the outside. Label all your boxes. You might use them for other things, like storing jewelry or accessories like gloves and hats. Try to group together everything you can so you can easily locate whatever particular piece you’re looking for.
The Closet Door
If possible, get a rack for hanging ties, scarves, and belts and hang it over your closet door. This will help maximize your space and is a great way to organize those items.
Rotate Items
If you are short on space in your closet, consider rotating your clothes. Only keep clothes that are in season in your closet, and store the others. Get storage bins to put your summer clothes in when it’s winter, and vice versa. Put them in your attic or your parent’s basement; anywhere but in your closet will help you stay organized and keep the amount of stuff you have in there to a minimum.
