5 Tips For Organizing Your Closet

Written by Lynnette on May 15, 2006 | Comments (0)

What did you do this weekend? I organized my closet!

First, I did a little research to find some quick tips & inexpensive "cheats" that would help to maximize the space in our relatively small walk-in closet.

Then, I got to work.

Here's what I did...

Did You Know?... Most people wear 20% of their wardrobe 80% of the time.
Source: Some woman's magazine.

Who doesn't wish for more closet space than they currently have?...

Short of tearing out a wall to increase the size of your closet, or investing in a built-in closet organizer (like Elfa Closet Solutions, Closetmaid, Schulte Storage Solutions, even Rubbermaid has a built-in system now!), here are some simple things you can do right now to get more space in your current closet:

How To Organize Your Closet

1. Start from scratch. That means you need to get everything that's in your closet... out! It's only temporary, but you'll need to pick a day when you can carry every single item out of your closet.

TIP: While it's bare, you may as well give it a quick vacuuming and do whatever you can to tidy up the space a bit.

2. Now that you have a clean palette, you need to sort each and every item and place each article of clothing into one of the following piles:
"Keep for daily wear."

"Keep for special occasions."

"Donate or give away."

"Trash it."

TIP: For my "piles" I used our King-size bed, the full-size bed in the nearby guest bedroom, and the floor in the office across the hall from our bedroom.

3. If you're like me, to help you decide which pile certain garments belong in, you may need to take the time to try things on -- to make sure they still fit.

If something doesn't fit exactly as it should right now, but you are 100% certain that it will fit fine very soon, then you should put that item in the "Special Occasions" pile.

TIP: Do yourself a favor... You need to be brutally honest during this process. Be very selective about the things you cannot currently fit in but still wish to keep. Besides, the more room you clear out, the more room you'll have to buy NEW things that do fit!

4. Once each and every item has been assigned to a category, then you need to determine exactly where you will be storing those items earmarked "Special Occasions". One thing's for sure: such items do NOT belong in your closet that's filled with daily apparel.

TIP: Consider devoting a closet in a spare bedroom for this purpose, or designate some space in the attic or the basement. You may even want to consider plastic storage boxes or canvas garment boxes that will be stored underneath a bed, or maybe even a free-standing garment rack & shoe organizer like this one.

5. Finally, one by one, carry each item to its respective spot:

Your closet that is soon-to-be-filled with daily apparel
Your "Special Occasion" area (a spare closet, basement, attic, or garment boxes)
Bags or boxes for donation to others (Goodwill store, friends, or your local Freecycle group)

TIP: Stick to your guns... Don't talk yourself into switching piles at the last minute. Like with most things, your first intinct is always the best choice! And, don't allow any non-clothing items back in the closet. No suitcases. No vacuum cleaners. No coats. No boxes, bags or linens. These things all belong elsewhere.

Yes, Organizing Things Can Be FUN!

Take it from me...
Cleaning out the closet is such a cleansing, uplifting thing to do. It is just one of the many ways that we can all rid ourselves of "junk" and things we no longer want, need, or even like anymore.

If you haven't got the time for a big project like your master bedroom closet, then consider trying your hand at cleaning out the coat closet first. I know our coat closet has become more of "a junk drawer for tall stuff", and I'm probably not alone on this one!

And what's the alternative?... Yes, you could pay someone to do it for you ...at a price of $250 for the initial consultation, plus $200/hr and 20% commission on supplies!