Creating Closet Calm, Part II: Using Your Space Well

Hopefully last week’s blog inspired you to do an honest evaluation of your clothes and accessories, and you’ve spent some time purging items you no longer need.Good for you! When you have only what you want to keep, organize for greatest efficiency:

·      Change to slim line hangers; they really do make a difference! We bought a bunch of velvet-covered slim lines at a discount store a few years ago; besides taking up less space, they put everything at the same level. It looks great and the visual consistency adds a calm vibe.

·      Don’t have much hanging space? Try space-saving hangers that allow you to hang multiple items together, such as six shirts or four pairs of pants. Or add an adjustable hanging rod that attaches to the top pole and creates a second space for short hanging items.

·      Use hanging shoe bags or closet organizers if you have plenty of hanging space but need more pockets for shoes, clothes, seasonal gear, etc. Get creative! One client used the hanging shoe bag for light bulbs, gloves, caps, cat toys, even several boxes of COVID tests.

·      Utilize your vertical space. Have shelves around the top? Try folding clothes neatly in piles separated by dividers (so they don’t fall into each other). Stack two cubes on top of each other for tall spaces (even on the floor under short hanging items). Use drawer units on shelves for containing smaller items.

·      Utilize organizing products to get a handle on your shoes. From hanging bags to shoe racks, boxes and baskets to underbed organizers, find a way that works for you to keep your pairs together and easy to find when you need them. There’s no one right way! Some people find that having a big basket helps them keep things tidy; it might take a little more time to find matching pairs when they need them, but they can put things away easily and keep things neat.

·      Don’t forget the potential of doors and walls. Use hooks and/or nails to hang items such as bags, belts and umbrellas. Some closets have boards at the back of the hanging space, which can be a great place for nails to hang bags you don’t use very often. 

You don’t have to spend a lot of money to organize your stuff. You can certainly buy great products (and systems!) at places like The Container Store, but Target has loads of great organizing products, and Amazon offers a gazillion options. Organize in a way that allows you to see what you have and select your clothes and accessories easily. Organize clothes in a way you like, maybe by color or sleeve length or occasion – whatever works for you. Be sure the function serves you well so that getting ready is easier, helping you start the day on a calm note to present your best self to the world!