Cut Closet Chaos

By Allison Carter

If your closet is cramped and cluttered, it is hard to find clothes you like to wear, clothes that are ready to wear, and it can be stressful each day just trying to dress yourself. Here are some quick tips for creating a closet you will love to use.

-- As the seasons change, weed out your summer and winter wardrobes. If you haven’t worn something in two seasons, you probably won’t ever wear it again.  If you’re saving an item for sentimental reasons, put it into a keepsake box.

-- Weed brutally: If you don’t love it, lose it. You’re not likely to wear something you don’t like.

-- If it doesn’t fit but you may change sizes, take it off a hanger and put into a bin marked with the clothing size. If you don’t get down to that size within a year, give the items away. The clothes are often outdated by the time they fit again.

-- If it isn't something you wear or use to accessorize, it doesn't belong in the closet. Remove homeless items that have been squatting in your closet waiting for you to decide where they really belong.

-- Invest in good sturdy hangers. Get a full set and your closet will look neater all around. Your clothing will also last longer because it won’t be pulled out of shape.

-- Purses can be neatly placed along a shelf, hung from hooks, or be stored in a purse bag that hangs from the closet rod. It’s like a shoe-bag with larger pockets.

-- Not enough hanging space in your closet? For just $10 you can purchase a rod that hangs from your hanging rod and immediately doubles your hanging space.  Check Target, The Container Store, and other retailers.

-- Keep shoes from cluttering the floor by using shoe-bags or shoe shelves.

Keep special occasion shoes in labeled boxes up high on a shelf.

-- If you don’t like to fold neatly, use drawers more than shelves. Shelves are for neat people.  Folded items on shelves need to constantly be tidied because when you take something from the middle or bottom of a pile it loses alignment.

Allison Carter is a professional organizer specializing in family and home management strategies. She is also a speaker, writer, and mentor to new organizers. More information can be found at http://www.theprofessionalorganizer.com.

©2005 The Professional Organizer