Behind Closet Doors
You opened the closet door one day, a pile of sweaters fell on your head and you snapped. In a fit of organizational pique, you purged your unworn dress shirts, untangled that knot of belts and paired up all your shoes. Unfortunately, that was the easy part – now how do you put the stuff back in so you don’t end up with the same mess?
Sort your clothing
The first sorting is to separate the clothes that are soiled or torn beyond repair. Throw away these clothes. The second sorting is to sort items one at a time into piles based on the following criteria:
- Love it: You wear it faithfully and like how it looks on you.
- Hate it: You wear it only once and you hate it and those clothes that does not fit any more.
- Like it: You wear it fairly often. It’s also a key player in a few outfits.
- Undecided: This is the pile for things you want to get rid of but are holding onto because they were gifts or were expensive purchases.
Once the closet is empty, follow these four-steps to determine what stays and what goes.
1. Set aside everything in the Love it and like it piles.
2. Package everything in the Hate It pile for charity or resale.
3. Sort the Undecided pile piece-by-piece and separate the items based on Love it, Like it or Hate it. Decide what each piece currently means to you- not what it meant to you years ago. Be ruthless. Beware of the piece of clothing that cost a ton of money when it was new. The fact that it’s in the Undecided pile means you haven’t had it on recently or you’re iffy on when you’re going to wear it next.
4. Call your local consignment store for guidelines on resale and how the profit will be split- 50/50 is ideal. Also ask what happens to your clothes if they don’t sell; most consignment stores will donate anything that doesn’t sell within a certain period of time to a shelter or nonprofit organization.
After you purge your closet and before you hang everything back in your closet, evaluate the interior and determine your storage options. One of the most common blunders is the lack of hanging bars and shelves, and inadequate storage for specific items like accessories and shoes. A major rule for a functional closet is creating flexible hanging space with adjustable poles and shelves that can accommodate a variety of pieces.
Take inventory of your:
- short-hanging pieces like blouses
- long-hanging pieces like dresses
- shoes
- handbags
- folded clothing like sweaters
- accessories like belts and scarves
With these, you can figure out what types of clothing storage you will need. If the majority of your items are on hangers then be sure to incorporate rods at different levels for short-, medium- and long-hanging items. Install shelves or small cubicles for shoes and handbags and incorporate hooks for belts, scarves and jewelry. Consider arranging your clothes by color, event (casual, work, formal), type (shirts, pants, shorts), complete outfits (with jewelry and shoes).
Wooden Closet System – Standard (Mahogany) by Stacks and Stacks: This closet system features closet shelves made from beautiful 100% wood. Available in maple and mahogany finishes, the closet organization system is elegant and refined while providing you with durable closet organization. All shelves measure 12″ deep and the system includes multiple components to organize your bedroom closet. Including: Three 12″ x 24″ shelves Three 12″ x 72″ shelves Five Wardrobe Bars 9 Bar Spacers 4 Angle Brackets All Hardware Included The closet organizer system fits closets up to 10 ft. long with up to 18 ft. of hanging space. Satin nickel hardware completes the well-designed look that offers a stylish closet storage solution. Assembly required.
Adjustable Closet Doubler by Organize It All: Simply hook it over your existing closet bar and you’re done! Made of chrome-plated steel, it’s the most affordable way to quickly and easily double the hanging space in a dorm or apartment! Size of rod: 30″wide.
Whitney Design 01812 6-Shelf Canvas Sweater Organizer: This handy organizer from Whitney Design keeps your closet organized while maintaining the loft and quality of your sweater collection. Crafted from durable canvas, the unit attaches to a closet rod with a wide Velcro sleeve and hangs straight down in a boxy shape. Each of the six shelves is flat and markedly sturdy, perfect for stacking sweaters. They also work well for storing jeans or stashing handbags. If you put your sweaters away for the summer, the organizer can easily be collapsed and stored as well. Constructed to fit any closet, the organizer measures 12 by 50 by 12 inches, and comes ready to hang.
Closet Organizer – Wardrobe Organizer Kit (White) (81.5″ H x 125″ W x 12.75″ D) – Fits 5′ – 10′ Closet by Stacks and Stacks: No more cluttered closets! This efficient all-in-one closet organizer provides everything you need to create the organized clothes closet of your dreams. Ventilated white wire shelving is strong, attractive and practical – allows air to circulate, keeping folded apparel, shoes, purses and accessories fresher. The Wardrobe Organizer Kit includes three long shelves with built-on hang rods, three short shelves for use in center section, and a shoe rack. Installs easily into drywall with 1/4″ drill and screwdriver (all hardware provided). Dimensions: 81.5″ H x 125″ W x 12.75″ D.
Hanging Jewelry Organizer – 80 Pocket by Whitney Design: Simplify jewelry storage & selection with this wonderful closet accessory!This unique Hanging Jewelry Organizer by Whitney Design will make a great addition to any closet. Designed with a hanging hook that fits any standard closet rod, this organizer allows you easy access and visibility. The clear vinyl pockets offer protection against damage and scuff marks. This space saver lets you reduce the clutter caused by jewelry boxes and drawers. Equipped with 80 pockets, 40 on either side, this holder supplies ample storage space for all your jewelry pieces. The bottom row features larger pockets for glasses and larger items.
Whitmor Handbag File – Clear/ White: Set up your handbag wardrobe for easy access and handy storing with this file-style organizer. Hanging “file” displays 8 handbags in clear window pockets. Perfect for accessories, too, the vertical organizer hangs from a standard closet rod. Made of durable and protective vinyl. 48Lx12.75W”.
Multiple Pants Hanger – 5 Tier (Chrome/Black) (13.5″ wide) by Stacks and Stacks: For closets where space is limited and drawers are unavailable, this 5-tier slack rack is the solution! This slack hanger has five cushioned bars that allow pants to hang vertically, taking up four times less space. The pant rack has an add-on feature that allows multiple slack racks to be hung together.
Friction Tie Rack and Scarf Hanger (Black/Chrome) (11 1/2″H x 6 1/2″W) by Stacks and Stacks: Are you tired of finding your ties and scarves in a mess on the closet floor? This space-saving hanging tie-rack has a unique non-slip “friction” surface that holds each necktie and scarf in place, preventing slippage. With this friction hanger, you can hang up your accessories and be confident nothing will end up on the bottom of your closet. This closet hanger is made from durable metal and available with blue or black friction cuffs. Hanger measures: 11 1/2″H x 6 1/2″W.
Tadpoles Classics Yellow – Double Hanging Closet Organizer: Yellow Dual-sized organizer provides two sides of storage space for your child’s belongings. Eight lower pods are the ideal spot for placing shoes, blankets and toys. Two larger upper compartments separate clothes and keep them tightly contained and protected. Made of durable canvas that can handle plenty of weight. Three steel hooks attach to any closet rod for secure hanging. Outer pockets offer additional room for stowing other essentials.
Nice Home All-in-One Closet Organizer – Pink/ Cream: The maximum that this product can hold is 50 lbs. Classic Storage, 2 Drawers. Assembly Required. Wipe Clean with Damp Cloth. Overall Dimensions: 31Lx15Wx5H”. 30 Lb.
