I love organizing stuff. I wouldn’t go as far as to call my behavior OCD, but I do have an affection for things in their right place, whether it’s a tidy desk drawer, a well-organized suitcase, or a collection of largely unused neckties. To me, the appearance of well-thought out organization is greater than the sum of the parts, and this is especially true with closets. Closets and clothing storage have the potential to become a centerpiece in the room if you let them, but they can also become a nightmarish mess if ignored. I’m nowhere near Vox-status when it comes to clothing storage, but I do make an honest effort with the limited space (and funds) I have. Here are some of my strategies for keeping the small amount of closet space I have as tidy and effective as possible.
1. Upgrade your hangers and other storage tools. There is no place for wire and plastic hangers in a well-organized closet. Wooden hangers don’t have to be expensive, and they’re much better than wire and better looking than plastic. Kirby Allison’s Hanger Project makes the best ones out there; his suit and jacket hangers are especially great (although they are expensive and do take up quite a bit of room). Wooden Hangers USA is also a good source, but their hangers don’t come in different sizes like Kirby’s. For shirt hangers I just bought a pack of these from Amazon a few years ago and haven’t looked back.
2. Cull the herd. As much as I like to pride myself on being selective and particular with my purchases, I still seem to accumulate more than I need. Unused items need to be removed; it’s that simple. If an item just needs a week at the tailor to join your regular rotation, go ahead and make the investment. If it’s damaged, get rid of it. Otherwise, donate or sell. If you have some high-quality items and are looking for a consignment service, get it over to Luxeswap for a painless and profitable experience. And moving forward, consider utilizing a one-in, one-out policy to keep your purchases in check.
3. Utilize shelves and drawers for non-hanger clothes. Whether it’s making a few shelves for your shoes or having wicker baskets for your sweater collection, these tools will help keep things organized and reduce clutter. I still have a ways to go on this front, but I’m making progress.
4. Find a separate home for seasonal clothes. Many of us living in big cities don’t have this luxury, but if you can move your seasonal items into a different closet you will reduce overcrowding and make it easier to find what you’re looking for. If you don’t have a spare closet in the hallway, consider getting an airtight container for under your bed. This will get seasonal clothes out of the way and help protect them from dust and pests.
5. Put that thing back where it came from (or so help me). Having an organized closet only works if you take the time to put things back on their hangers when they’re ready for storage. I can’t help you if you just throw your clean clothes on the floor.
Those are my thoughts on the matter. Do you guys have any tips for keeping your closet in check? Let me know in the comments below.
