Show your teen her closet doesn't have to look like a war zone.
Teenagers have many priorities, but organizing their closet isn't typically at the top of the list. A teen's closet can be such a jumble of clothes, shoes and accessories that it's hard to tell what's clean from what's dirty (especially since everything is wrinkled). Help make your teen's life easier by using simple organizing solutions to return his closet to order. To get your teen on board, tell him keeping his closet organized will help him pick out his clothes faster in the morning (which will give him a few extra minutes of sleep). Does this Spark an idea?
Group Like With Like
Teenagers on the go need to be able to get in and out of their closets quickly and find exactly what they need. Clothing and other items should be grouped together according to their category. Categories include short-sleeved T-shirts, long sleeved T-shirts, jeans, trousers, shorts, skirts, casual dresses, formal dresses, button-down shirts, gym shoes, sandals, dress shoes, etc.
Shelves
Install shelves in your teenager's closet, for items that you don't want hung up or put in drawers. If your teen has a large closet, you might use the shelves to store folded clothing out of season. Shelves can also be used for jeans, shoes, books and casual shirts that don't need to be hung. If you don't have the space or resources for traditional shelves, install a hanging shelf organizer. These typically have four or five cubbyholes and can be hung from your closet rod facing outward.
Plastic Bins
Plastic bins are used to organize items that can't be hung or folded, like underwear, shoes, accessories or keepsakes. You can purchase a rolling set of plastic bins that resembles a small, portable dresser, or you can buy several individual plastic bins and stack them on top of each other.
Hanging Storage
Install hooks on your teen's closet walls or on the back or front of her closet door. These are perfect for hanging hats, scarves, jackets, robes, purses and book bags. Keep in mind that hooks are for the temporary storage of a few items only; too much weight can make the hook break off and possibly damage the surface to which it was attached. For additional shoe storage, hang a portable shoe rack on the back of the closet door.
Tips
Encourage your teen to maintain the organization of his closet by keeping items in their designated place. He should also go through his closet a few times a year to give or throw away items he's no longer using.
Tags: your teen, teen closet, closet door, items that, plastic bins
