An article in the August 15, 2009 edition of the Washington Post discussed closet organization. Katherine Salant reminds us that you "should not think of your closet as an ever expanding universe. Sure there are some older items to keep, but don't do it for sentimental reasons." She inspired me to focus this tip on closets.
Empty - This is the tough part. Take everything out of your closet. Ask yourself if you use it and is it more important than other things in the closet. Think about what is in style for your life (work, casual, etc.). You don't have to try everything on, but if in doubt have a "fashion show". This is a great way to get your kids to try on clothes - make it fun!
For the items you are getting rid of, consider
- Selling (Craigslist, a garage sale or a Mom-to-Mom Sale for kids items)
- Donating (see below for resources)
- Trading (clothes swaps are becoming the thing)
Sure, we all want to hold on to sentimental items, but don't do so at the expense of having no room for what you actually wear.
Materials - If you use uniform hangers your clothes will fit better in your closet. Also, if you have suits, invest in suit and trouser hangers to minimize wrinkles. Consider see-through plastic containers to store your hats, scarves, etc. For shoes, you can get shoe racks or over the door solutions.
Zones - "Map" out areas or zones in your closet. Remember - a place for everything and everything in its place. You will need zones for your long-sleeve shirts, short-sleeve shirts, pants, etc. Don't forget about your accessories (hats, scarves, purses, belts, shoes, etc.) Use your higher shelves as "storage" for off-season or seldom-used items.
Putting it Back Together - Put all of your items back into your closet according to your zones you've established. When hanging, hang them from dark to light and from solid to patterned. Also, here's a tip to help you with the one-year rule (if you haven't worn it for one year, get rid of it): Hang all of your hangers backwards (hook facing you). When you wear an item, put it back normally (hook facing away from you). Next September, look for hangers that are still facing you. These items haven't been worn for a year and should be the first to go.
Maintenance - A good idea is to keep a box or bag for donation items at the bottom of your closet. When it fills up, donate it. For kids, you can even label a large box with the size for hand me downs or next year try-ons. Salant stated in her article "when you acquire a new item, you should remove an old item." Don't wait to purge again until you can't fit everything back in your closet.
WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE OR WEB SITE? You can, as long as you include this complete blurb with it:
Michigan-based Professional Organizer, Beth Andreshak, publishes the "Timely Tips" monthly ezine from Organize Your World, Inc. If you're ready to eliminate clutter and become more organized at home so you can spend your time on the things that matter most in life, I invite you to sign up to receive your FREE tips now by going to http://www.OrganizeYourWorld.net.
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