Arranging Your Closet for Maximum Space
By Rochelle Caviness
The first step toward effective closet organization is to simply remove those items, in your closet, that you no longer need or use.
Once you have successfully organized your closet, you can sit back and relax.
Keeping your closet organized is an ongoing endeavor, one that you must work at regularly in order to keep it organized.
Checklist for Getting Rid of what you don't Need
Look at each article of clothing and ask yourself the following questions. If you answer 'No' to any of these questions, get rid of it…
Have you worn it in the last two years?
Does it fit?
Can you see yourself ever wearing this item again?
If you are uncertain if you will ever use an item again, test yourself. Simply put the items in question into a bag and store the bag away for a year.
If you haven't pulled the item out of the bag within that year, chances are you'll never use it – so get rid of it.
Storing Out-of-Season Clothes
Store out of season clothing in clear containers. Label the boxes and store them on an out of the way shelf, under the bed, or in any location where you have some extra room.
By storing your seasonal clothing, you will free up more space in your closets for those items that you are currently wearing.
Bulky items, such as coats, can also be stored at some dry cleaning establishments and cold storage facilities.
Organizing What you Have
When organizing your closet, first sort your clothes by type of item, such as skirts. Then further sort your clothes by color.
This way when you go to pick out an outfit you can easily access your clothes by type and color.
Adding Space
You can quickly add extra space to your closet by installing multi-level rods, stackable bins, and adjustable shelves.
Use multiple item hangers. Often called skirt hangers, these hangers have a series of clips that allow you to hang several items on them.
Similar hangers are available that allow you to hang multiple conventional hangers off of the same 'master' hanger.
Stackable bins or crates are ideal for storing folded items, underwear, or accessories.
Install a tie rack on the door to store belts and ties.
Hooks can be added to the back of the closet to hang purses and other bulky items.
Over the door shoe bags help free up floor space.
Closet Organizers
Built-in closet organizers can be customized to fit your specific needs. Their only drawback is that they can be costly.
Hanging organizers, which are suspended from the clothing rod, are also available.
Shoe Storage
There are numerous options available for storing shoes.
Store them in their original shoeboxes.
Buy clear shoeboxes.
Buy multi-tiered shoe racks.
Store shoes in an over the door shoe bag.
Store-bought closet organizers have special cubbies for shoe storage.
