Effective Tips for Organizing Your Custom Closets
Closets have a way of becoming messy and inefficient. No worries! We've compiled our best tips on how to organize your closet like a pro!
Knowing how to organize your closet leads to greater efficiency and less wasted time. It does take some time to learn exactly how to optimize your space, since everyone's belongings and storage needs are different. Still, the same basic framework can work for most people.
Here are some essential tips to follow:
Start From Scratch
Put Everything Alike Together
Create a Uniform Effect
Add a Second Closet Bar
Purchase Organizing Gear
Use Drawer Dividers
Don’t Forget The Corners
Find The Right Shoe Solution
Keep reading to learn how to organize your closet like a pro!
Start From Scratch
Before you get into Martha Stewart organizing mode, the Spruce suggests beginning by emptying everything out of your closet and starting from scratch. Having a totally empty closet will let you see exactly how much space you have to work with and give you a complete overview of your wardrobe. Remove all of the hangers, and give your closet a thorough cleaning while you're at it.
Next, it's time to go through every item you have pulled out and decide what you would like to do with it. You may need to try some of the items on if you haven’t worn them in some time. Separate your items into three piles: one is to keep; one is to donate, and the third is to throw away. Logically, only trash items that have holes, look dingy or are in otherwise poor condition. After removing the items you plan on donating or discarding, focus on the wardrobe that you have left.
Put Everything Alike Together
Next, organize everything that is alike into separate piles. For example, all of your jeans should go in one pile, your hanging blouses in another, and your dresses in a third. Most importantly, decide which items deserve to be featured front and center in the most coveted spot in your closet.
Conversely, decide which items deserve to be placed high up on the top shelf or all the way in the back. Keep in mind that this decision may largely be influenced by the current season. If it's summertime, breezy sundresses, linen pants, and T-shirts may be featured up front, while items such as heavy sweaters stay neatly tucked away.
Create a Uniform Effect
While you're eyeing where you will hang your favorite clothing, you might as well go ahead and switch out all of your hangers at the same time. Your closet is going to look neater and more uniform if all of your hangers are the same color and style. Which style of hanger you select is a matter of personal choice, however slim profile hangers with a no-slip surface are an excellent choice.
If you really want your closet to look extra coordinated, try color-coding each type of clothing section that you have created. For example, have a section for black pants, blue jeans, and khaki pants. Your shirts would likely feature a section of white button-downs, black tops, and colorful tanks. Hanging like colors together will make your closet look ultra-organized and more pleasing to the eye.
Add a Second Closet Bar
As you continue to organize your closet, does it still look like it's overstuffed? Ideally, you should have an inch or so of breathing room between each item of clothing. If you don’t, and you aren’t ready to purge any more of your wardrobe, one thing you can do is to add a second closet bar underneath the first. Doing so is a quick and easy way to double up on your closet space.
Purchase Organizing Gear
Now that you have hung all of your clothes, it's time to take inventory of what you have left, whether that's shoes, purses, coats, belts, jewelry, or the like. Look at the space you have left in your closet. Decide which items are going to fit, and what tools will be most helpful to organize the items you still have.
For example, you may want to purchase open bins and baskets to corral any loose items. Tie hooks and belt hooks are also great helpers. A series of coat hooks can neatly be fastened to the wall to hold seasonal gear. Sliding baskets are helpful for storing clothes that need laundering. As a side note, a full-length mirror is a fantastic addition to any closet.
Use Drawer Dividers
Does your closet contain a dresser, or perhaps a set of sliding drawers for your folded clothes or intimates? If you are lucky enough to have extra space, be sure to extend your organizing powers to your drawers as well.
Drawer dividers are available for organizing practically any type of clothing. For example, you can purchase dividers to organize anything from leggings, socks, tights, or jewelry. Velvet jewelry drawer organizers will keep your most precious jewelry neatly tucked away and safe from prying eyes.
Don’t Forget The Corners
House Beautiful adds a reminder of how important it is take advantage of every square inch of space in your closet. One thing you can do is mount a vertical corner shelf. Using the vertical wall space is one of the most practical ways to create space out of thin air. For instance, you can use a shelf to display a collection of designer handbags.
Find The Right Shoe Solution
When it comes to organizing your shoes, there are many different solutions available. Deciding which one will work for you depends largely on the size of your closet and your shoe collection.
If your closet is on the smaller side, try an over-the-door solution. It'll allow you to keep the floor clear. Not having any items taking up space on your closet floor makes for a neater appearance.
There are plenty of options for organizing shoes. If your closet doesn’t have pre-built shoe shelves, you can always purchase wire shoe organizers. Another option is to stack your shoes on a rack. Analyze how much space you are working with and decide which option makes the most sense for your collection.
Final Thoughts
Now that your closet is neatly organized, how do you feel? Many people have trouble with step one, letting go of things they no longer use or no longer wear. To keep your closet looking as great as it does now, consider the one in, one out rule.
Every time you buy something new, commit to giving an item away. Not only will it help you sustain an organized closet but it will also make you feel good to share your treasures with someone else.