Closet Organization Ideas
Save or Keep?
Begin your closet's organizational makeover by paring down. Go through every item in your closet: shoes, handbags, neckties, and accessories. If you haven't worn or used something in a year—and it's in good condition—donate or sell the item. If you're unsure whether to keep or toss, flag the item's hanger with a ribbon or turn the hanger the opposite direction of your other clothes. Remove the ribbon or rotate the hanger once you've worn the item. If it sits for six months, toss it; it's been through more than one season without use.
Measure Your Space
Once you've whittled down your closet stores, you can evaluate what space you have for a closet organizer—or how to better use your space. Measure your closet's height and width, and also take note of the less-obvious storage places, such as the backs of doors.
Consider Use
Consider how you currently use your closet. Before you purchase a closet organizer or reconfigure your space, plan how you'll use it. Do your clothes have enough room to hang, or do they drag on the floor? Can your closet accommodate a double hanging rod? Once you've considered shelves and rods, think about other items you'll need to store. Shoes, for example, take up a lot of closet space, yet are often overlooked when choosing a closet system. If your closet is small, choose storage than can serve multiple purposes. Cubby-style shoe storage can also store clutches and small handbags.
Keep it Bright
Think of your closet as a small room: the better you can see what's being stored, the happier you'll be. Keeping the space well lit will save search time and allow you to see colors more accurately.
Tips to Organize a Closet & Save Time
- Sort like with like. When you organize clothes by style, function, or color, it's much easier to find what you're looking for. Sweaters and t-shirts can be folded and organized in drawers or on shelves, rather than consume hanging space.
- If your closet organization system includes drawers, bins, or boxes, label them to see what's in store at a glance. This is especially helpful for jeans and t-shirts, which tend to blend together when grouped.
- Store your most frequently worn items at eye level so you can find what you need fast. Bring seasonal items, such as bulky sweaters and swimsuits, to the forefront only when they can be worn.
1. Match up and pair your shoes
2. Separate clothes by color or functionality
3. Affix hooks to the inside of the closet door for scarves, belts, or jewelry
4. Place a "donate" hamper or sturdy shopping bag in or near your closet so you can decide to keep or toss items as you come across them.
5. Create labels for shelves and drawers
6. Add shelf dividers to designate storage for folded items
7. Swap wire hangers for plastic, wood, or felt-covered designs
8. Replace round bins with square bins to make better use of shelf space
9. Move most-worn clothes to an easy-to-reach, up front place in your closet
10. Fold a stack of t-shirts, sweaters, jeans, or gym clothes
Closet Makeovers
-A walk-in closet is at the top of many wish lists. Typically, they offer a lot of space, but no organization. I'm Jill Waage with Better Homes and Gardens and I'm going to show you my favorite tricks for creating a hard working walk-in closet. And best of all, this one's made with it easy do-it-yourself components that cost thousands less than custom. And in order to keep this dream closet attainable, we [unk] and ready to assemble storage components available at home centers and online. These units assemble quickly with a few basic hand tools, and you can take them with you if you move. And best of all, a closet of ready-to-assemble components can cost thousands less than a custom built one. So, let's take a look at how we pack this 8 x 10 walk-in closet with strategies that target all your day-to-day storage needs. First and foremost, closets are for clothes. This closet features several hanging bars for short garments such as shirts and skirts as well as the small section for long dresses and coats. Monogram hangers throughout offer a touch of refinement and personality. A sliding trouser rack keeps pants neat and wrinkle free. Labelled drawer units organize folded clothing. This closet is a shoe lover's paradise with angled shelves to hold all of the footwear while a motorized revolving rack puts a clever spin on necktie storage. Belts and socks stay in place thanks to pull-outs with divided inserts. Cellphones can recharge in 1 convenient drawer. And jewelry easily lifts out on trays so you can try on bits of bling at the nearby dressing station. A 6-section insert to this large compartment categorizes purses and more. Even the door plays a role in organizing accessories with a canvass shelf that unfolds to hold hats and bags. Clothing needs to be cleaned and cared for, a fact of life that this closet doesn't neglect. This bottom hinge door opens to reveal a deep wire hamper. Bags to gather hand washed items and dry cleaning are close at hand as is a shelf of stain treaters. Best of all, the closet features a built-in ironing board for quick touch-ups. The entire unit folds up in seconds and requires just a sliver of space 8 inches wide. Off-season clothing and extra bedding are housed in coordinating canvass bins that feature sturdy metal frames and zipper closures. Hat boxes make the most of the closet's highest shelf while drawer inserts bring extra purpose to the bottommost areas. Just make sure your flooring allows the drawers to open smoothly. To get the most out of your walk-in closet, think of it as any other room in your home and plan for the special features you'll really use. I'm Jill Waage with Better Homes and Gardens.
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