Give Your Closet an Organizing Makeover

Although there are many areas in our lives that need tidying, let’s start with one place we all tend to stuff to the brim—our closet. Here are some simple tips and tricks to get started.

Out with the old.

Getting rid of things is usually the hardest part of the organizing process. But, like ripping off a Band-Aid, it has to be done, and better done swiftly.

Start by sorting your clothes by category and taking inventory of what you have (sweaters with sweaters, t-shirts with t-shirts, etc.). Once you have items separated by category, arrange them by coordinating colors. From there, designate items to keep or donate. If you have a hard time letting go of those expensive, once-trendy pair of jeans that have been sitting idle in your closet since 2013, enlist the help of your bestie or someone who can give you advice on tough love. When it comes down to it, you are limited to the amount of space that you have and keeping everything just isn’t an option.

Manage your inventory

Once your closet has been thinned out, it’s time to manage the lucky items that made the cut. Decide what must be hung and what can stand to be folded. A good rule of thumb is to hang jackets, scarves, light sweaters, blouses, and anything that can be easily creased. Hangers are an important key element to any organized closet—invest in a set of uniform hangers that fits your space (just say no to wired hangers). Use slim-line hangers if you have a small closet or wooden hangers if you have the luxury of space.

Cotton t-shirts, workout gear, jeans, and chunky sweaters can be folded. Opt to fold clothes vertically, which not only saves space, but also allows you to see all the contents of your drawers. Use shoeboxes or drawer organizers to keep clothes contained and tidy.

OMG Shoes!

Shoe storage always varies from closet to closet depending on the amount of shoes, type (boots, heels, tennies, etc.), space, and preference for storage. Take into consideration your own space and decide whether to hang shoes on the inside of your closet door (beware, not all hooks will fit over your door), alongside clothes, on shelving, or a combo. Tennies, flats, and sandals usually fit nicely in a shoe organizer. Boots and booties often need to be placed on a shelf or rack because of the size of their shaft or heel. I like to keep my pumps and high heals in their original boxes, or even better, a clear shoebox on the top shelf of my closet.

Keep up the TLC

Once you get your closet organized and looking sharp, schedule a time in your calendar once a week or month for tidying. Just like exercise, we need to organize our spaces regularly in order to see the effects!