Taming Wild Closets
Fall is beckoning, and with the change of season, you may want to think about organizing your out-of-control closets.
By implementing smart systems and creating a sense of order, you'll be able to find what you need, when you need it, and make getting dressed a whole lot easier, observed Real Simple magazine Home Editor Kate Parker in the first installment Monday of a three-part Early Show series, "Get Organized Early."
First off, Parker suggests, assess your wardrobe and -- edit! Take everything out of your closet, so you can see what you actually have. If you haven't worn it in a year, donate it. As a rule of thumb, don't donate an item that you wouldn't feel comfortable giving to a friend. If it's too intimidating to do alone, enlist an honest friend or family member who will help you decide what to keep and what to get rid of.
It's amazing what color-coding can do to a closet! It makes getting dressed in the morning so much easier, and it will also make your closet feel like a well-merchandised store!
If you're sharing your closet with your spouse or other family member, Parker definitely recommends a clear delineation of space. You don't want your nice dresses mixing in with your husband's suits; it's just too confusing. So, split it down the middle, or do whatever you have to do to make it clear to both of you what space belongs to whom.
You can also differentiate by using one color hanger for your stuff and a different color for your husband's things.
Many closets, especially in older homes, just come with a simple rod and shelf. That setup doesn't provide many organizing options, so Parker says you should invest in some inexpensive organizing tools.
But, Parker adds, by far the most important tip is that first one: EDIT, EDIT, EDIT! None of this organization is possible if you have too much stuff! The key is to pare down to the essentials -- the things you love and wear all the time. Do a good purge once a season. If you're not wearing it, it's just taking up space and adding to your aggravation. If you haven't worn it in a year, let go of it. If it's worn beyond repair, toss it. If it doesn't fit, don't keep it. The less you hang onto, the more you'll appreciate and value the clothing that IS in your closet. Less is more. Only buy things you absolutely love. Think about "
Another trick that sometimes works: Look at your wardrobe and pretend you're moving. If you wouldn't pay a mover to pack and haul that old pile of sweaters, they belong in the donation bin.
Parker recommends these products:
Elfa System: Just bring your closet dimensions to any Container Store location, as well as a list of your closet's contents (after editing them down), and their experienced salespeople will create a customized closet plan using the modular Elfa system. This is a very flexible system and can be used for closets of all different sizes. The Container Store folks will help you design the best layout for you, based on your space and clothing. You can choose from a variety of finishes. There are endless options for every taste. Some systems are drilled into the wall. But, for even easier installation, you can choose a free-standing Elfa system. It's very easy to install.
The Container Store: www.containerstore.com
Drop-Front Shoe Boxes: These sturdy, attractive boxes enable you to keep your shoes protected. The drop-front provides accessibility, while the clear plastic panel provides visibility. If you opt for shoe boxes, which are great, because they keep your shoes from getting damaged, we love ones with a drop-down lid, because they make shoes accessible. If you have to open the lid to get the shoes out, you'll probably never wear the ones on the bottom of the pile.
The Container Store: www.containerstore.com
Other products from The Container Store: Flora Fabric Tote Boxes, Tweed Drop-Front Sweater Boxes, Tweed Drawer Organizers: Small pieces can get lost in a big closet. We recommend drawer dividers and smaller containers, so you can give everything a place and know where it is. It's easier to pick out the right undergarments when you can see them all at once, in a shallow space with dividers, as opposed to it being tangled in a big, jumbled, deep drawer.
Storage Boxes: Collapsible Linen Storage Bins ($19-$25) and Sweater Bins ($19.99) are great for keeping pieces organized in easy-to-access bins. There's nothing worse than a leaning tower of sweaters. By containing like-items in different boxes, you'll know where things are and keep them all organized. Remember: If you CONTAIN, it's easier to MAINTAIN. At Real Simple, we love labeling! You can use a label-maker or even just write on the labels; by investing a tiny bit of time upfront, you'll save hours looking for things going forward. The key is to think of categories that work for you. For instance, some people may like the "shirts/shorts/pants" label system (type of clothing = label), but for others, labeling according to how/when you wear the clothes work better -- i.e.: "workout gear" or "play date outfits" -- the key is to find a system that works for you, and stick with it.
Kangaroom: www.kangaroomstorage.com
They're also great for shelves. Sometimes, it's a matter of personal taste, but you shouldn't hang up things such as sweaters, which can get stretched out. And you don't need to take up valuable hanging space for t-shirts and other casual wear. Hang your nicest clothes, and things that would be ruined if folded. Then, if you have more hanging space, hang things that you need easy and frequent access to. If it's out-of-season, keep it folded on a harder-to-reach shelf, or stored away in a space bag under the bed, or in a storage closet.
Joy Mangano Huggable Hangers: Extra-thin, so they won't take up much space in your closet, these hangers come in a variety of colors. If you share a closet with a spouse or other family member, consider using different colors for each person for easy differentiation. The key here is to think of the added value to your closet. Buying a whole set of new hangers can feel extravagant to some women. But it breaks down like this: They cost about a dollar each when you buy the "value set" so, for each nice piece of clothing you own that's hung in your closet, that's just one extra dollar above the cost of the item, in order to get much more use out of it and preserve the dress/shirt/whatever. If all your clothing is hung and organized on these hangers, you're more likely to wear it, so it's saving you money over time (on all the clothes piled up in your closet that you paid for but can't find when it's time to wear!)
Home Shopping Network: www.hsn.com, $79.95 for a 72-pack
Horizontal Tie and Belt Rack: An inexpensive way to keep belts (or ties, or scarves) organized, this rack simply hangs on a road with the rest of your hangers.
www.organize.com, $7.49
Plastic Cube Storage Bags Sixteen-inch plastic bags provide ample storage for blankets, linens, towels and more. They're clear, so you can see the contents, and they keep items protected. Great for many different items that you don't need on a daily basis, including linens, towels, and out-of-season clothing. When it comes to bulky items that have lots of air in them, such as a down comforter or pillows, these do a wonderful job of compressing the items so they take up a fraction of the space while stored. Parker also loves these for moving-time. If she moves, she compresses all her linens, towels, bedding, and pillows in these, and it takes up a lot less space on the moving van, and keeps them protected!
www.organize.com, $8.79)
Click Lights: Perfect solution for dark closets that aren't wired for lighting, these Click Lights are a great addition to provide more light. Just peel-and-stick.
Bed, Bath and Beyond: www.bedbathandbeyond.com, $9.99 for set of 3