If you find yourself digging through shorts and tank tops to find your favorite turtleneck, it’s time to give your closet a makeover.
START WITH A CLEAN SLATE
Organization experts recommend that the first step in a closet project is to clear it out, completely. This way, you can better assess the space, which is the next step. Then, make a list of items you’ll need to purchase.
Think about how you use the closet. Do you have to take a dark blazer to another room to determine if it’s black or navy blue? If so, you need better lighting, either a stronger bulb or a fixture that holds two bulbs.
Don’t want to play with electricity? Consider some of the latest LED lighting solutions, including those that are wireless, those that have motion sensors and even an LED-lit closet rod. Other items to add to your list might include shelving, shoe racks, bins, boxes, and shelf dividers.
BE RUTHLESS
Now it’s time to tackle all that stuff you removed from the closet. Start by sorting into two piles: items you’ll return to the closet and items that you will either store elsewhere or get rid of completely.
If it no longer fits, gets rid of it. If it isn’t clothing-related, get rid of it, if it’s borrowed, return it. In other words, no tennis rackets, no extra pillows, and no boxes stuffed with receipts.
MOVE IT BACK IN
Find a place for the organizing items you purchased, placing the things you use most within easy reach. Some pros recommend hanging like-items together. For instance, pants in one spot, shirts in another, and dresses in another. Others like the idea of grouping your clothing by color.
Depending on the condition of your closets, the project may seem overwhelming. If so, break it up into smaller projects. Promise yourself to take an hour or two each week to whittle away at the clutter. It will pay off!
