Call To Order

Your closet is supposed to be a place to put the clothes you wear. Somehow however, it becomes the storage space for clothes you donʼt wear and anything else you canʼt find a place for. Follow these 5 steps to get your closet organized.

1. Weed

Go through your closet item by item and ask yourself three questions. 1. Have I worn this in the past year? 2. Does this fit me? 3. Is this in-style and in good shape? If the answer to any of these questions is no, then get rid of it. Itʼs taking up valuable space!

2. Bag and Pile

As you go through your closet put things in bags and piles Charity items go in one bag and trash in another. Make piles of items that need to go elsewhere in the house. Throw the trash out, put the charity in the car for drop off and deliver the piles to the appropriate rooms.

3. Assess

Take a look at your closet. How is it working for you? Do you need more hanging space or more shelving? Is there a place for your accessories and storing out of season clothing? Address these problems as best you can. If you can afford a closet system, great get the one that will work best for you. Otherwise, you can hang another rod pretty easily or buy a set of shelves from the big box stores. Hang hooks for accessories or use a back of the door organizer. Shoes can go on floor racks, shelves or hanging organizers, whichever works with your space. If you donʼt have room for your out of season clothes store them in bankers boxes or under the bed storage.

4. Sort and Hang

Group your clothing into categories. You can sort clothes by color, style (dressy, work, casual), item (pants, blouses, skirts) or even into outfits, whatever works for you. Use quality, matching hangers to protect your clothes, make your closet look more orderly and keep everything at the same level. When you remove clothes from hangers to wear, place the hangers at the end of the rod or on a hook, youʼll know right where the empty hangers are when you need them.

5. Containerize

Make good use of containers and organizing tools to keep things neat. Inexpensive bins and baskets can be used for accessories, nylons, socks or lingerie. A towel rack hung on an empty wall or on the back of the door can be used for scarfs, ties or belts. Use shelf dividers or baskets to keep shelves orderly. Consider labeling shelves and areas to remind yourself to put things back where they belong.

If this all seems overwhelming, take it little by little. Plan to work on it an hour a day till itʼs done or a certain amount of time every weekend. Above all, make sure whatever system you put in place is easy to use. Otherwise, you wonʼt use it and your time spent organizing will have been for naught.