Most of us have more than enough clothing for one person. In fact, truth be told, the average American family could probably dress another family in just the clothes we no longer wear. Then, when you add the shoes, belts, scarves, and other accessories that go with the clothing, the number of clothing-related items becomes even larger. Conversely, our closets never seem to have enough space for everything we need or want to store. There are 2 basic and simple solutions: clean out your closets and give everything you haven’t used in at least 6 months to charity or find a way to better organize your closet space.
Of course, if you’ve already given away all the items you don’t use and still have more than your closet seems to be able to hold, then it may be time to rethink how you’re using your closet space. Today’s market has a plethora of closet organization options. You can opt for clear boxes, space bags, shelving, or professionally installed custom cabinets. But whatever your choice, it is important to make use of the new real estate. Here are some ideas to help you organize your closet for maximum use.
Storage Options:
- Choose hangers that will optimize your closet space. The best hanger options are multi-pant hangers, accessory hangers, and tire and belt hangers. These are available in stores across the country and are reasonably priced. Another favorite hanger is wooden hangers, which are affordable and help keep clothes in shape.
- Make the most of the back of the cabinet door. Whether it is an accessory bag, a shoe rack (which can also function as an accessory bag), shoe racks and multi-purpose hangers.
- Use the closet shelf for items like sweaters that can be stored flat. If you have multiple shelves, you may want to designate a specific type of item per shelf.
- If you have a closet without a shelf, consider adding a second closet rod to double the amount of space. You may also want to get one of the closet organizer units as they can be configured to best suit your needs.
Quick Organization Tips:
- To make it easier to find things in your closet, do the following:
- Organize items by type and color. For example, classify shirts by sleeve length, color, and frequency of use.
- Take care of dry cleaning by removing items from bags; return wire hangers to the dry cleaner for future use.
- Get a garment bag to store fine suits, dresses, and leather.
- Storage boxes are a great way to take advantage of floor or shelf space. Use specific boxes for belts, another for scarves or bags, and perhaps another for hats or gloves. Shoes that you don’t wear often can be stored in boxes under the bed in transparent boxes within easy reach.