The Do’s and Don’ts of Organizing Your Closet
*EARNS COMMISSION*
Don’t: Store frequently used items in tough to access bins
Do: Store frequently used items in easy to access bins
Are you a person who grabs a sweatshirt every night when you get out of the shower? You definitely wear underwear most days, right? Would it frustrate you to have these things stored up high in a bin with a lid, requiring you to reach for something you need every single day? This is the exact reason I am pointing out the above. If you need to use bins due to a lack of drawer or hanging storage, ensure that the bins you select are open, clear, and large enough to store the product at hand.
Don’t: Keep your shoes stacked in shoe boxes
Do: Use clear drop front boxes to store and display shoes
A common item I see in my clients’ homes that we get rid of almost immediately in a declutter - shoe boxes! In theory they stack well, are the same size as drop front boxes, let you know what type of shoe is in them, etc. That said there are benefits to tossing the boxes and replacing them with a clear drop front box. Drop front boxes are clean and aesthetic, stack without collapsing or losing their form, allow for clear visibility of the contents, and double up storage in more than one box. Not to mention you do not have to remove a whole stack of whatever is on top to access the shoes you want in the bottom box. It is a win win!
Don’t: Sort your items solely on color coordination
Do: Sort your items first by style/season, then by color
I can imagine you’ve seen the very aesthetically pleasing photos of the closets that have perfect color coordination in a rainbow. While that may be pretty to look at, you lose some function in the process. For one, if you are color coordinating your clothes without considering style, you are not going to consider the placement of the items as much as you need to. For example, dresses and hanging pants should be stored in two separate places to maximize space appropriately. Similarly, getting dressed becomes much easier when all of your jackets are stored in the same place. Searching every color section to see your coat selection is a costly process.
Don’t: Use closet shelves as storage for thin/flat items
Do: Maximize vertical space using tall or stacked storage products
Many closets are set up in which the top shelf is low, and the high ceilings are high. Being that items stored up high are tougher to reach, you need to ensure what is stored there will be both maximizing the space and making sense accessibility wise. Rather than lining your whole shelf with a single layer pile of your sweatshirts or shoes, use open front clear bins to fold your jackets within, or stack drop front boxes to reach your ceiling (without having to take the top items off to reach the bottom).
Don’t: Hang onto items you have not worn over a year
Do: Frequently edit your items to avoid creating clutter
I have spoken about this in other blogs, but the 90/90 rule of decluttering is a great way of editing your items and making donation decisions. If you have not worn an item in 90 days, and cannot see yourself wearing it in the next 90, it is likely time to donate that item. Regularly going through the process of editing items while you are getting ready or cleaning up will allow you to avoid the built up clutter that tends to stack up!
Many more “rules” and “tips” exist within the organizing arena to make your journey easier and more consistent. These are just a few to help you get started!
Are you following them? If not, is it time to try?
