Organization expert Louise Kurzeka provides tips on how to organize a disorderly closet.
- Keep jewelry organized in your closet by dividing it into categories and placing it in tackle-box cubbies. Keep the jewelry box on a convenient shelf or drawer.
- The first thing to do when organizing a cluttered closet is to clear out all unwanted clothing. If you have some items that are in good shape, donate them to charity, a community theater group or give them to your children for dress-up games.
How to determine what to throw out?
- If the clothes haven't been worn in more than a season — this excludes classic evening wear and/or special-occasion clothing — it is safe to say you won't wear it again.
- If the garment is permanently stained or torn beyond repair, throw it out.
- If an item was purchased only because it was on sale, it's not much of a bargain if it doesn't fit or is no longer in style.
- When changing over the clothes in the closet for a season, one way to tell if you are truly using all of your wardrobe is to turn all the hangars with the hook toward you. When you wear a garment, turn the hangar around so the hook is away from you. After the season is over, look for the hangars that are not turned around — clothes that you haven't worn — and decide whether to get rid of or keep those garments.
- Use hangers that won't end up in a tangled mess in your closet. The sturdy plastic or wooden swivel hangers are best. They don't bend under the weight of some heavier clothes and won't leave creases like wire hangers.
- Try to assemble complete outfits, including accessories, on one hanger. Not only will this save space, but it also will save you time when you're getting dressed. Hunting around for the right belt or sweater at the last second will be a thing of the past. Separate your clothing by season and type — professional, casual, special occasion — to make choosing the right outfit easier and error free.
- Line up skirts, pants and jeans separately, hanging them above and to one side of the closet. This will free up space underneath for things such as a small chest of drawers, shoeboxes or cube organizers.
- Do you hate it when sweaters tumble down from the top shelf? Stack them two to three high on a shelf and consider using shelf dividers (available at most bed-and-bath stores) to keep them neat. Also, place a small shelf unit — approximately 29 to 30 inches high — in the bottom of the closet. This is a great place to store sweaters and other bulky items.
- If you want to keep out-of-season clothing at home, put them in garment bags, storage chests or in clear bins that fit easily in out-of-the-way places. Bag or place items in a bin that are out of season and store them in a dry environment. Label the bin with stickers. One side should say winter and the other side should say summer. Store the clothes with the appropriate label showing. Place cedar balls or bars in the container.
- For heavier sweaters or jackets that need to be hung, use long wooden heavy-duty hangers. Otherwise, you may end up with humps on the shoulders.
Guests Louise Kurzeka
Organization Expert, Everything's Together Organizing Services
Minnetonka, MN
Phone: 952-939-8080
Website:
www.everythingstogether.com Also in this Episode
