Any closet, from small to enormous, should be organized properly. A poorly organized closet can become something that creates a certain amount of dread. Items are difficult to find, get lost in the mess or become damaged by improper storage. With a plan in mind, tackling even the worst closet disaster can become possible. Does this Spark an idea?
Clearing Out
Your closet probably contains clothing that doesn't fit, is completely out of style or that you never wear. The first step to organizing a closet is to clear out these space-wasting items. Don't save clothing for some day when it will fit. If you haven't worn the item in a year, it needs to go. This goes for other items in the closet. If you don't use it, get rid of it.
Assess What Remains
Take a look at the clothing and items that you have decided to keep. Separate the items into piles sorted by clothing type. Figure out how much space you need for each type of item, such as pants, dresses, shoes and accessories. Consider packing away seasonal items under your bed or in another location. Before you start looking at organizational systems, take stock of what you will need.
Give Everything Its Own Space
When planning your organizational system, plan to use many smaller shelves, cubbies, drawers and spaces, rather than a few large ones. Compartmentalize as much as possible, so that every item can have its own dedicated area of the closet.
Make it Easy
Plan to place the items that you use the most frequently between waist and shoulder height. This will assure that you neither have to kneel nor reach up for common items, making the storage system more convenient and easier to maintain.
Buy an Adjustable System
Custom closet storage is great and can look quite stylish. But a custom system that can't change to meet your needs in the future will have to eventually be replaced, an expensive endeavor. Instead, buy items that adjust and stack, so that you can add or remove components as your needs change.
Lighting
A poorly lit closet is difficult to use and maintain. Make sure that there are no dark spots or corners in the closet, especially in a walk-in closet that receives no natural light. Consider LED lighting under shelves and on the walls to have light for small, tight spaces.
Install a Second or Third Closet Rod
Most closets can manage a second closet rod under the first one. A second closet rod can double the available storage space for clothing. A tall closet can manage a third closet rod. Use this storage space for clothing that you need less frequently.
Use Cubbies and Shelves
Hanging shoe racks and sweater holders are inexpensive and require no installation. But these systems aren't durable and won't last. A wire or wooden shelving system or a multitude of cubbies provide structure in the closet and last for a long time. Use them for clothing than needs to be folded as well as shoes and large accessories, such as purses.
Use Vertical Spaces
Vertical spaces that are too small for hanging clothing or installing shelves or cubbies are great for hooks and rods. Use them to store belts, ties, scarves and small accessories, where they won't get lost among bulkier items.
Purge Every Six Months
To ensure that your system stays current to your needs, go through it thoroughly every six months and get rid of anything that no longer meets your needs. Rearrange the system and reorganize the items within it as you go through it.
Tags: your needs, items that, clothing that, second closet, shelves cubbies, space clothing
