Closets tend to become a dumping ground for everything you want to hide away or simply can’t find a place for. Ever looked into your closet and felt overwhelmed? That is a common feeling among many, and that’s where closet organization comes into the picture. Getting your closet organized may seem like a daunting task. But when properly done, it will reward you with saving time, stress, and even some money. In this article, you will find helpful ways to organize your closet.
Start With a Closet Audit
Before you delve into organizing your closet, it’s essential to perform a closet audit. This involves taking every single item out of your closet. Yes, every single one, right down to the last pair of socks! This allows you to see exactly what you own and the amount of space you have to work with. Through this process, you would also be able to identify any unused or old items that you can donate or sell.
While doing the closet audit, remember to clean as you go. Get rid of the dust and any cobwebs that may be hiding in corners. This might also be a good time to consider repainting or wallpapering your closet. Creating a calm, pleasing environment for your clothes can surprisingly make a huge difference to your mood when you dress up every day.
Doing a thorough audit allows you to organize your items better. Once the audit is complete, you can choose to organize your items based on their type, frequency of use, season, or even color. This audit will provide insight into what kind of organizing tools you might need. Perhaps you need extra shelving for shoes or more hangars for your collection of dress pants for women Canada.
Sort Your Clothes
Sorting your clothes is essential for an organized closet. Break your wardrobe down into categories such as casual wear, workwear, outerwear, and occasion wear. From there, you can decide which clothes to hang, fold, or store away. The rule of thumb is to hang your dresses, blazers, and pants, whereas t-shirts, sweaters, and jeans, can be folded. Don’t forget to sort your accessories. If you’re on the hunt for more options, Reitmans has a wide selection of accessories that you can shop from jewelry and scarves to hats and shoes. Keep it simple and functional.
In your apparel categories, go a step further and arrange them by color. This not only helps make your closet look more visually appealing but also makes it easier to find that specific item when you’re in a rush. And who knows, you might even end up realizing that you have too much of a certain color and decide to inject some variety into your wardrobe.
Always remember the golden rule of closet organization: If you haven’t worn it in the last year and it doesn’t have sentimental value, let it go. Sorting out your clothes will make you aware of such pieces, and not only does this free up space, but it also allows you to mix and match more effectively with what you do have.
Invest in Closet Organizers
Investing in closet tools such as hangers, shelves, and bins is an effective way to keep your closet organized. Hangers of the same color and type create a uniform look and make your closet less chaotic. Not only do they display clothes well, but they also help maintain the shape and fabric integrity of your items. Always stick to one type of hanger to avoid misshaping or damaging your clothes like your dress pants for women.
Shelves are useful for folded items such as sweaters and jeans that are better stored flat. Bins, on the other hand, are excellent for storing socks, underwear, scarves, and belts. Pick the ones with clear labels or transparent sides for easy identification of their contents.
Remember, the goal of these pieces is to simplify your life. If it causes more chaos, then reconsider the type or layout of the accessory. Storage should be intuitive, accessible, and suited to your needs.
Maintain the Order
Maintaining the order is the trickiest part of closet organization. All the time and effort put into organizing your closet could be wasted if you don’t keep up the good work. It’s easy to forget to put clothing items where they belong, especially after a long day. Start with small actions, like putting your shoes away or tidying your jacket after you get home. Over time these will become habits that contribute to an organized closet.
One way to help you maintain your closet organization is to perform a monthly audit. This doesn’t have to be as thorough as your initial audit. A quick once-over is enough to help you realize if items are misplaced, if there’s an item you aren’t wearing, or if you need to rearrange something.
Remember, your closet is a reflection of you. Maintaining order within it is maintaining a part of your life, creating peace and reducing stress. The result will be a streamlined, efficient process each morning, where you have a clear view of each item in your closet and easily select the perfect outfit for the day.
Seasonal Organization
One of the hurdles to managing an organized closet is the changing of seasons. However, this can be a fantastic time to reassess and audit what you need for the upcoming season. Store off-season clothing in bins or under your bed to free up space in your closet for in-season items. Off-season clothes can get damaged if left hanging or folded for long periods, so storing them properly is critical.
Determine which clothes you want to keep for the next season, and store them properly to ensure they stay in good shape. Use vacuum-sealed bags for saving space and protecting those clothes from dust and pests. Include mothballs or cedar to keep moths away, and always remember to clean your clothes before storing them.
Utilize Underutilized Spaces
Closets usually have a lot of underutilized spaces that can be transformed to hold more items. For instance, the back of the door is a great place to store bags, belts, or scarves. Install hooks, or get an over-the-door rack to make efficient use of this space.
Corners are another overlooked part of the closet that can be used as additional storage space. Corner shelves can be installed to store items or add a small tension rod to hang scarves or belts. The bottom of the closet can also hold storage bins or even a small drawer for socks and underwear.
Efficiently utilizing space is all about being creative with the spaces available to you and understanding your storage needs. The sky is the limit when it comes to finding inventive ways to store items. Use every square inch of your closet to create a well-organized and stylish closet.
Closet Lighting
Even with the most organized closet, finding items can be a challenge without the right lighting. Closet lighting should be bright enough to see the colors and textures of your clothes, but not so bright that it blinds you. Consider installing LED lights that provide enough light and are energy efficient.
Opt for lights that complement your closet, enhance visibility, and do not produce heat that would damage your clothes or create a fire hazard. Illuminate your closet to make it easy to maintain and use. Lighting is usually an overlooked aspect but it is essential for maintaining an excellent closet system.
Overall, organizing your closet is not just a chore, it’s a continual process that helps streamline your daily routine and creates a clutter-free, stress-free environment. It saves you time, encourages you to dress well, and even saves you money by helping you realize what you already own. Take the time to organize, maintain, and love your closet. You’ll be amazed at how much difference it can make.