Learn some easy tips to clear clutter from your closet so you can find what you need when you need it.
Coco Chanel once said that you should only have in your closet a few well-chosen garments that you look smashing in, and nothing else. Well, those weren't her exact words, but the point is still the same. Although most of us wish we had the organized closet of our dreams, few actually do. Why? Because our parachute pants from 1986 are still draped over our purple blazer with the shoulder pads, and our college backpack is taking up prime real estate on the one lone shelf, so our Coach bag has to go on the floor.
Sound familiar? Of course it does! It might be time to banish those ancient clothes and memorbilia to the donation bin, and start with a new page. Organizing your closet doesn't have to be a painful affair. Having an organized closet will enable you to find what you need, when you need it (which means no more late mornings to work). Ready to get started? Here are some organizing tips to help:
- Start thinking "in the box". Literally. Using baskets and bins to help contain the smaller items in your closet is a great way to keep things under control. Small purses could go in one basket, rolled up belts in another, wallets in one, scarves in another... you get the picture. If you don't have any vertical shelving to put the baskets on well, the stuff was invented for a reason! Closet shelving is very easy to install, and vertical shelves are worth their weight in gold. If you don't have the time or inclination to do an install, you can purchase hanging canvas shelving that works just as well.
- Find a pretty hook to hang on the outside of your closet for the next day's outfit. Laying out your work clothes the night before will get you out the door faster. Make sure that everything you need is on that hook: bras, panties, belts, hose, etc. The prettier the hook, the less you'll mind looking at it.
- There are tons of ways to store shoes in your closet, and dumping them in one pile on the floor is definitely not the best one. A visit to any major store will yield hanging shoe cubbies, back of the door racks, floor racks, wall racks, and on and on. Is there one best way? Nope. You pick the system based on your personal preference as the size of your closet.
- If you don't like the idea of putting all your purses in a basket (or you have way too many), consider putting them right on the wall. If you have a larger closet and an empty wall, hanging them on nails right on the wall is an excellent way to find them easily, and also makes for a very interesting display. If you have a lot of horizontal shelving (lucky you!) you can set them upright on that and buy shelf dividers to help keep them upright.
Spending some time organizing your closet will yield big results during the week when you're on the move. One weekend's work will pay off for a long time to come!
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