By Sophia Vassiliou
This can be the time of year when you may be anticipating travel and the summer months. So why not organize your closet now? These simple tips will get you organized for all seasons. Save time by knowing what is in your closet,
and save money by notbuying what you already may have! An added bonus, you will feel good donating unworn and unused items.
Sophia’s 8 “Clues to a Clutter Free Closet”
1. Edit your wardrobe
Take a look at your clothes and assess what you wear most, least, or not at all. Donate clothing you haven’t worn in a year or more, as well as anything that is a sentimental piece, or no longer fits. If an item is damaged, toss it out. Let seasonality and frequency of use guide you in determining what to keep in the closet and what to stow elsewhere. Store in garment bags, canvas containers, large shopping bags, or plastic bins and label each.
2. Color Blocking
Organize hanging garments by type and color. Blouses, for example, can be sorted first by sleeve length and then by shade. Do you have many pairs of jeans or black pants? Flag the side of hangers with a label describing the garment. Hang all suits and skirts the same way. By keeping like with like, options for a given outfit are clear at a glance.
3. Hang with Ease
Having hangers in just one style and color immediately gives your closet a more orderly appearance. Choose wooden, plastic or slimline hangers. The flocked slim-line designs hold clothing in place and save closet space. There’s also an accessory bar for organizing belts, scarves and ties so you can organize a whole outfit on one hanger.
4. Make a Novelty Section
Don’t put all your special clothes away. What are pieces that are not your basics but ones that add flair to your grab-and-go garments? When is the last time you wore the satin jacket or metallic skirt? Hang these fun pieces in an area of your closet so you will remember you own them. Pair these formal pieces with your favorite jeans or informal tee for a new look.
5. Arrange Folded items
Clothing that will stretch out of shape can be folded and placed on shelves. When organizing the folded clothing, place heavier items at the bottom of the pile and lighter ones at the top. Arrange garments by function in stacks; workout tops, business tops, sleeveless tops together. Display colors – white to nude, bright colors to black. If your closet doesn’t have shelves, consider using part of your clothing rod for hanging canvas ones.
6. Accessories Are Important
Keep your accessories neat, tidy, and visible. Store belts, bags, ties, scarves, and other accessories in plain sight on hooks or racks which can be attached to the inside of your closet door. Display your accessories so you can see them. Consider a matching set of baskets or drawer storage cubes to hold accessories such as socks and undergarments, smaller baskets or boxes for hats. Now, instead of wasting five minutes searching for a belt in the mess, you can spend the time deciding what outfit to wear with it!
7. Storing Shoes System
Choose between a shoe rack on the floor, a hanging shoe organizer, see-through plastic boxes, cubby box, or original shoe boxes with photographs stapled to them to identify the boxes’ contents. Place shoes you don’t wear frequently labeled on boxes on a high shelf, in another closet, or under your bed.
8. Valet Assistance
What to wear? Choose your clothes the night before or in the morning. Whether it is your basic daily wear, work out clothes, a dress, or a suit, use an over the door valet hook to hang your outfit. Displaying your choice makes dressing easy. Will you wear the daily basics that mix and match with everything else? Will you choose another ensemble layered with great accessories? Just shop your organized closet, and have fun!
Tip: Getting dressed is easier if you begin from the bottom up, starting with pants, skirt, shoe, sandal, or boot. Fashion expert Rawlins Gilliland says, ”The waist down is the pedestal, the waist up is the vase. A good closet is like a well planned kitchen, where it’s a ‘look you cook’ rather than a meal.”
Products suggestions can be found at Home Stores, Target, Ikea, the Container Store, or even the Dollar Store. Another great resource is organize.com. For more decorating tips, visit www. sophiadesigns.com.
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