Closet Organizing Made Simple

It's Tuesday morning and you're up and ready to start your day. You enjoy your work and you know today is going to be a particularly good day. You are making a presentation you have worked on for weeks and you know it's good. You are confident your boss is going to be impressed and you are ready to take on the world!

You shower, put on your make-up, dry your hair and open your closet door. You begin wading through your blouses looking for just the right thing to wear. Before you found the right one, did you have to pass by:

• Several blouses that did not fit?
• A blouse with a missing button?
• A blouse with a stain on the sleeve?
• Three blouses you bought in high school?
• And the blouse your mother-in-law gave you that you "wouldn't be caught dead in?"

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you are a prime candidate to finally tackle that overstuffed closet! Did you know that most people only wear 20% of their clothes on a regular basis, 10% are set aside for special occasions, and the other 70% are hardly ever worn! Thinning out your wardrobe will save you time and stress. However, before you begin, make sure you have enough time to finish the project correctly (two to four hours for a small closet and up to six hours for a walk-in closet) and decide what types of items you want to store in the closet. Preferably, your closet should only house your clothes and shoes while other items such as photo albums, wrapping paper, tools and art supplies should be placed somewhere else in the house.

Before you begin, you'll need to gather a few supplies. If you need to purchase these items, it's always best to buy more than you need. You can always return anything you don't use and it will keep you from making a trip to the store in the middle of your project. Purchase the following:
• Plastic bins - various sizes
• Large, sturdy cardboard boxes
• Heavy-duty garbage bags
• If you find plus-size clothes slip off the wire hangers, invest in extra-large hangers and foam hanger covers
• Optional: A few sturdy skirt and pants hangers, an expandable shoe rack and plastic hangers if you prefer them over the wire hangers

Using the peace steps I developed, begin the organizing process:

P - Pull It:
Start with a clean slate by pulling out everything that's currently in your closet.

E - Evaluate It:
Look at each item and ask yourself:

"Is it outdated, without a mate, ugly, useless or moldy?" If yes, it's junk. Place these items into large, garbage sacks for disposal.

"Is it the wrong color, wrong style, wrong size, doesn't go with anything else in my wardrobe, something that makes me feel unattractive or I haven't worn it in a year or longer?" If yes, it's charity. Place these items into boxes or garbage sacks for transportation to a donation site.

"Does this item require action such as shoes that need new heels or a blouse that needs mending?" If yes, it's repair. Place these items into a box or bag and take them within seven days to an alternations or shoe repair place. When you are finished organizing the closet, put the box or bag in your car.

"Is this something I want to keep but not in my closet?" If yes, it's storage. Place these items in storage boxes or plastic bins and label them before moving them to a more appropriate location.

"Do I love this, does it look great on me, is it in good condition, does it fit me, do I get compliments when I wear it?" If yes, keep it!

A - Arrange It:
Now it's time to put your "keep" items back in the closet in their proper place. Place your clothes on your new plastic hangers (if applicable) and make sure the clothes and hangers are facing the same direction. Group together like items such as blouses, skirts, pants, jackets.

C - Containerize It:
Some smaller items will not go on hangers and you'll want to containerize them. Items such as purses, winter hats, scarves and gloves can be placed in inexpensive organizing bins on the shelves of your closet. Set up your expandable shoe rack and neatly place your shoes on it.

E - Enjoy It:
It is a great feeling to walk in your closet each morning knowing you can select any item on the rack, put it on and be ready to walk out the door! Enjoy your newly organized closet and the peace an organized life brings!

Robin Willis Organizing Consultant and Speaker http://www.creating-simplicity.com robin@creating-simplicity.com 770-880-3559 Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robin_Willis

Tags: Closet, Organizing, Simple

Why You Need a Closet Organizer

If you're like most people, you need a closet organizer to help rein in the clutter and disorganization that accumulates over years of living in a home. Closet organizers can make your home more livable by creating an organized space for all of that miscellaneous "stuff" that we seem to accumulate over time.

Most people tend to be "pack rats." The longer we live in one location, the more extraneous stuff we seem to accumulate. But it's not just "junk" that starts clogging up our closets, garages and storage areas, we also accumulate important and other needed things. For example, we all need a place to store important papers, tax returns, receipts, product manuals, installation guides and a whole range of necessary -- but bulky -- documents and objects.

Usually, all of these items wind up shoved somewhere in the back of a closet in our home. This can create a disorganized mess in our closets, and it can even spillover into our home, with boxes and bags lining the walls of bedrooms, hallways and even living areas.

Obviously, no one should have to live that way. We all deserve to have a little peace of mind and organization in our homes. After all, the world outside is chaotic and disorganized enough -- don't we deserve to have a little peace and comfort in our living environment? Of course we do, and that's why a closet organizer is an invaluable tool to help you finally "get it all together."

But before purchasing an organizer, it is critical that you go through your closet and throw out anything that is not absolutely necessary. Most of us form ridiculous attachments to "things" as we go through our lives. But letting go of some of this stuff can be very therapeutic. And it is also a critical step if you plan to tame that clutter in your closet.

Throw away any items that have not been used in over a year. Research shows that if you have not worn a piece of clothing or used an item in over one year, your odds of ever using it are miniscule. So when in doubt -- throw it out.

Of course it is also a good idea to give away many of these items, especially clothing and shoes. There's no use being wasteful, when there are so many charities who will gladly take these items off your hands. And if you have small appliances, board games, or other items that you don't need that still have some value, you might consider having a yard sale to make a little profit off of clearing out your junk -- it's a win-win situation.

Once you've cleared out the unnecessary items from your closet, it's time to begin shopping for a closet organizer. Organizers come in several different styles, but one of the most popular is the modular-style closet system. These combine separate drawers, boxes, shelves and hanging racks that can be used in a modular mix and match fashion in order to fit any size closet.

Another benefit of using the modular closet systems is the ability to start small with only a few pieces, and then expand as you go to create a full closet organizer system. Prices for the individual pieces tend to be quite reasonable, and all of the pieces are designed to fit seamlessly with the rest of the system.

Using a modular closet organizer is easy, and you'll even find that it's a lot of fun clearing out that clutter, and taking back control over your closets -- and your life.

Craig Thornburrow is an acknowledged expert in his field. You can get more free advice on a closet organizer at http://www.whereyoucanbuy.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Craig_Thornburrow

Tags: Closet, Organizer, modular

Select a Closet Organizer System to Keep Everything Tidy

Are you the type of person who has a closet so messy that it is almost impossible to find anything? When you are in a hurry, are you frantically scouring the closet for a missing shoe or item of clothing? Thankfully, there is a way to keep your closet neat and tidy so that you can find anything you need straight away.

A closet organizer is a system that keeps everything in your closet in a particular place. By using hangers, racks, cubbies and shelves in the most efficient way possible they can save space and time. There is always a place to keep you neckties, shirts, shoes and pants. A great thing about an organizer is their versatility. You can use them not just for clothes but for your cleaning closet, kitchen cupboard or sheets and pillow cases.

The biggest benefit of a closet organizer is the time that they save. How much time every morning do you take finding a piece of clothing as you are rushing out for work? What about the time you spend cleaning up you closet and the clothes that have spilt out onto the bedroom floor? There is so much time and energy all that mess saps up. With a closet organizer you can breeze through the morning and spend less time cleaning up your clothes and accessories.

It is important that you buy a closet organizer that fits not only your closet but your personal preferences as well. Take the time to consider how you want to organize your cloths. Some people dislike racks or hampers. Other people love them and want their whole closet organization system made up of them. You will also need to consider the size of your closet and what types of organizing tools like racks, hampers, cubbies and shelves will fit - and in what arrangement.

There are many software tools - both online and offline - that can help you design your very own closet organization system. By simply plugging in your closet specification you can design the system using the racks, cubbies and hampers that you want. Another option is to pay for a organizer company to visit your home and design a system for you. This will be more expensive than doing it yourself but means you want need all that stress and worry about choosing the right system for you. They are also expert who know exactly what they are doing.

The author writes about all types of hanging closet organizers including which of the baby closet organizers are the best to buy.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tony_L_Greenwich

Tags: Everything, System, Closet, Organizer

How to Stay Organized on a Budget With Discount Closet Organizers

If you live in a rental apartment or are a student in a dorm you don't have to forgo on keeping your closets organized with closet organizers because they are too expensive or are too permanent a solution for your current residence. It is true that if you are renting an apartment you need permission to drill holes in the wall and you also don't want to invest in anything that you can't take with you as that would be a big waste of money. Discount closet organizers are your solution.

Where to find discount closet organizers

Discount closet systems are available at most discount stores and many can be found online which will save you time and money. When thinking about how to find cheap closet organizers, you don't have to compromise on quality. Wire organizers are extremely popular and very durable. They are much cheaper than wood type and can be easily assembled and disassembled to take with you to use in your next apartment or dorm.

Why closet organizers are essential for small living spaces

In today's economic downturn, many people are moving into small living spaces. When your living space is limited either because of economic necessity or because you live in a college dorm, it is essential to organize the space you do have as efficiently as possible. A standard closet with a rod and one shelf is an utter space waster. Any type of closet organizer is an improvement over that basic set up. If your budget is very limited, look for the simplest closet system and add on to it later. That is the beauty of cheap closet organizers. You can buy a basic system and buy more pieces to extend it at a later day.

Why discount closet organizers are not just for people on a budget

Discount closet systems are generally much easier and faster to put together than wood closet organizers. Many people buy wire closet systems for this reason. With people working longer hours then ever before, who has time to spend on assembling a complicated closet organizer system? Look for closet systems that do not require an inordinate amount of hardware or tools for assembly. As mentioned, wire systems are very sturdy and adjustable for use in any type of closet be it your bedroom closet, coat closet, pantry or linen closet.

Melanie S. King is passionate about organization. She teaches people how to get organized on a budget with discount closet organizers and other tips about cheap closet organizers

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Melanie_S._King

Tags: Organizers, Closet, Discount

Closet Organizer Systems Help With Your Home Organization

The closet is usually the last room in the house to get organized. Whenever you have company coming over at the last minute, all of your clutter gets shoved into the closets. That is where a closet organizer system comes to the rescue. No matter what size your closet is, whether a walk in, a small coat closet, or for a dorm room there is an organizer to fit your needs.

There are several options for closet organization. You could hire professionals to come in and design a custom closet organization system or you can simply do-it-yourself. Most hardware stores or department stores carry different storage bins, drawers, shelves, or cubes that can make your life easier. Just think about what you want your closet to look like. For a large walk-in closet, you might consider some shelving for the walls to place sweaters, jeans, shoes or bulky items on. Another option might be some drawers. Drawers could be plastic, metal or wood. Drawers are great for holding scarves, delicates, or even jewelry. You could also get a shoe organizer to place in the floors or store out of season shoes in.

If you have a small closet or the kids are going off to college, living in a dorm and have a small space then using drawers or storage cubes are a great option. Again, storing bulky items or out-of-season items in these will give you more room for items you will use at the present time. Also specially designed hangers are available to hang more clothes on each hook and keep your clothes from getting so shoved together that you can't find them.

Remember...the purpose of closet organization is to make your life easier and to give you quick access to items you use on a regular basis. This process does not have to be expensive. Most closet organizer systems are pretty cheap. And the great thing about doing it yourself is that you can make it as little or as much as you want.

Hopefully these tips are helpful and finding the right closet organizer systems is not difficult. You can have a custom made one to fit your budget by contacting places like Closet tailors and other companies that have been doing this a long time. You can also save some money and do it yourself. To learn more tips and info visit shop closet organizers and get started organizing.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jagger_Babb

Tags: Organization, Home, Systems, Closet