Whether you have new tools, new clothes or something in between you have to find a place for it.
So once you have sorted out, thrown out or recycled the old items you know it's time to organize the space you do have.
Many closets/storage spaces just need to make better use of the space that they already have, so you will probably be able to store your items by reorganizing current closet space.
For instance in an older design closet you typically have a single bar for clothes with a shelf or 2 on the top for other items.
Dividing this same closet to have shirts, and pants one over the other in one half of the closet and adding a shoe rack in the middle will help to get your clothing organized. Having longer items such as dresses, overalls and robes on the other side will not only allow for more storage space, it will also save you time by being able to more easily find your clothes.
Shirts and pants will be less wrinkled. Having shoes at eye level can make getting dressed an easier task since you don't have to hunt for your shoes from the bottom of the closet.
But when you have the right type of storage for your closet, you'll be able to find your clothing fast, dress in just the outfit you want, and start the day feeling confident.
TIP: Replicate a Pro Inexpensively
In fact, there are so many storage organizer options for closets that it's a bit overwhelming for the average person.
One great tip is to hire a professional organizer for only a day who'll probably be familiar with all the options. Have the consultant do only one closet or room for you, then replicate the design throughout the rest of your home yourself.
In the meantime, if it's beyond your budget to hire an organizer or to have a custom closet overhaul, here are some ideas which will enable you to find your clothes in a flash.
Organization: Only What You See is What You Can Select
Before you begin, though, it's a good idea to wipe things clean with a damp cloth and vacuum to give you and the closet a fresh start!
Perhaps the quickest way to free up some space and improve storage for closets is to organize your items by design. For example, some people organize their clothing into work, casual and dress. When you can easily locate and select from all the clothes you own, you can start your day looking and feeling more confident.
At any rate, set up a system for organizing your clothing that works for your lifestyle. Do you have specific articles of clothing that are essential for your business? Give these items their very own section in the closet.
Whatever makes sense for you and your lifestyle will work. You can create your own divisions, such as pants on one side, slacks separate from jeans and so forth. Another idea which takes a little time to set up is to organize by outfit ensemble, for example, a business suit and the blouses that go with it.
Shelves as Super Organizers
Do you have room in your closet for installed shelves? Certain clothing items do much better folded and placed on shelves or in drawers. A couple of simple shelves along the back wall will give you added organizational options for storage. This could be a good place for shoes, pajamas or anything else that needs to lay flat.
What's So Good About an Organized Closet?
Right about now you may be wondering why you want to go through the hassle of organizing and decluttering the closet. For starters, you'll feel much better, not only about your home but about yourself. Conquering clutter will give you a strong sense of accomplishment plus provide a relaxing atmosphere.
Again, you'll always look and feel your best when clothing and accessories are easy to put your hands on. No more tossing blouse after blouse on the bed trying to find the one you know is in there somewhere.
Final Thoughts: Custom Closets
If you have the budget to hire a company, a custom-built or renovated closet can be a dream come true. With adequate lighting, multiple bars, drawers and shelving for every conceivable use, the closet can become your favorite room in the house.
Prices vary: For example, California Closets company is expensive, while Easy closets allows you to design and install your own to save 40%-60%, if you wish.
Labels: Closets, Guidelines, Storage
Everything should have a designated space in a closet. Clothing such as underwear should have a closet organizer. Choose hangers that do not take up a lot of space and allow for accessibility. Hang your clothes in a color code. For instance all the white clothing should be hung together, and then black, and then red or whatever other colors you have. This way you can find things much easier and quicker. If your closet is tidy your mind will be tidy.
Fold your T-shirts and sort them into color codes. Then pack then into a closet organizer. Closet doors and closet organizers go hand in hand. Revamp your room, give it a whole new look by adding closet doors which come in a variety of different makes, shapes, sizes and colors. Imagine coming home to a tidy, clean well-kept room and having a closet that looks great.
While you are on a cleaning spree, add some closet doors to your bathroom, kitchen, laundry and garage or where ever you may need extra space, as these are great space savers. By changing your home, you are changing your life. Invite your friends around, and get them all to give you a hand. Create a closet doors party, and get the guys to install the doors for you, get your girlfriends to help you organize your clothes. These types of doors are the best way to organize your life.
Labels: Closet Doors, Closets
First, it is important to declutter the closet if it has been awhile since this chore has been done. I like to take everything out of the closet and go through each and every item. Getting rid of coats that have been out grown or are worn out, cleaning out the old scarves and mittens, and going through all the odds and ends that end up in the closet can greatly increase your storage space and make the space neat and organized. While everything is out of the closet is a great time for a good, heavy-duty washing down of the space. Any good cleaner will do, or even hot, soapy water. It is amazing at how good the closet smells when you get done!
I like to take baskets to organize items. Put gloves, scarves, and other miscellaneous winter wear in one basket to help keep these items together and organized. Putting like items together ensures finding matches quickly. It saves precious time while everyone is trying to get out of the house. Baskets, such as these, fit perfectly on the shelves. Shoe racks on the floor of the closet are great for holding all of the winter boots and shoes. These two items alone help to keep the closet neat, tidy, and organized.
If you have small children in the home, hanging hooks low in the closet on the wall helps them learn how to be organized themselves. Instead of them throwing their coats on the floor, and someone else coming along behind them and picking up their stuff, they learn how to neatly put things away. Backpacks are easy to keep track of this way too. When the kids need to retrieve something out of their pack, it is within easy reach and they are self-sufficient.
Once you get your closet cleaned out, it is easy to maintain. The hardest part is training everyone in the family to help out. But even if you are the ony one in the family taking care of the closet, these time-saving tips will help you out tremendously. Being able to find things quickly and easily makes my day go much smoother. It is my belief that home organization is the same as keeping life simple.
Labels: Closets, Home, Organized, Storage Closets
Closet Makeover: Organizing Tips for Bedroom Closets, Clothing and Accessories
0 comments Posted by ariya at 12/01/2011Then it's time to reclaim your closets and convert that overstuffed space into usable storage.
Declutter Closets First
If you have a whole room to clean up, start with the closets first. The things in your storage spaces often haven't been touched in a long time. You may even have forgotten you even have them. You're much less likely to feel an emotional connection to them than you are to things you use more often.
Make room for the things you're using now by getting rid of some of the old, unused items from your closets.
Clearing out bedroom closets can be an especially helpful step in gaining emotional freedom from your clutter. Why? Because the clothing, shoes, and accessories found in bedroom closets can carry a big emotional charge, especially for women. It can be emotionally freeing to weed through your personal things and keep only the ones you really need.
Why Are Your Closets Packed with Things You Don't Use?
You may be keeping clothes you don't wear in your closet for lots of different reasons. Some of the most common ones:
It's out of style.
You need to have it cleaned, altered, or repaired.
You don't like the color any more.
It doesn't fit any more.
You don't like the way you feel when you wear it.
It doesn't fit with the things you like to do now. (This is a frequent occurrence for women who leave the professional world to stay home with children. Their business clothes don't fit the new life of driving the carpool or going to the playground.)
You have so many of that item (shoes, sweaters, black dresses, jeans, etc.) that you just never pick this one to wear. If you have multiples of a certain kind of clothing, here's your chance to keep only your favorites and find new homes for the ones you don't like as well.
It's a gift from someone special, but you never liked it much. It won't do anyone any good hanging in your closet or stuffed in a drawer. Acknowledge the good intention behind the gift, then regift it to someone who will really enjoy it.
How to Let Go of Unused Clothes
It can be useful to take a good look at why your closets are full of things you don't use or enjoy. Take a few minutes to look through your closet. As you pick up each item, ask yourself, "How long has it been since I wore this?" If you haven't worn a piece of clothing for several years, it's highly unlikely that you're ever going to wear it again. Then why are you keeping it?
People have a number of reasons for holding onto clothes that they haven't been wearing and aren't likely to wear in the future. Here are some common ones:
They were expensive, and you don't want that money to go to waste. Often that is true. It's also true that keeping clothes you don't use doesn't bring the money back. What if you freed up the physical and mental space those clothes occupy for things you want to use today? You can sell clothes that are in good condition at a resale shop. The truth is that most used clothing isn't worth much. Donate them to charity and you'll get a tax deduction and can move on with your life.
You plan to wear them after you go back to work or lose some weight. But in fact, you're not going to want to wear old, out-of-fashion clothes You'll want to show off your new figure with stylish new clothes. You'll have the same reaction if you go back to work after staying at home for a while. Fashions and office trends change. The clothes that worked for you in your last work situation probably won't make you feel your best when you go back to work.
These clothes bring back memories you want to hold on to. This is a great reason to keep a few special items. But just keep a few, not every single item from those times.
All these reasons for keeping old things share a focus on the future or the past, not the present day. Getting rid of unworn clothes can mean giving up the person you used to be before your life changed. It also means letting go of dreams you may have had for your future, dreams you cherished before your life took a different turn. Giving up old dreams is the way you open the way for the real you to live your best life in the here and now. Sometimes that's hard. It's important to admit to yourself and respect exactly what you've let go.
Give Yourself Permission to Grieve
When you give up your collection of stiletto heels, your size 6 wardrobe, your old hunting clothes, or your corporate suits, you're acknowledging an important change in your life. Sometimes those changes hurt. Allowing yourself to feel the sadness, anger or regret helps you prepare for the real adventure: living your life for today.
Labels: Accessories, Bedroom Closet, Closets, Clothing
But now you can rest at ease because your nightmare is over with the invention of custom closet organizers! The invention that saves you from having sleepless nights over closet cleaning and helps you organize your closet in a way that you will be able to rest peacefully in every season.
The addition of a custom closet organizer is a feature that can be added to any closet in your home. An organizer like this will work great virtually anywhere you need to install it ... in the bedroom, attic, pantry, or even the bathroom. They will make items easy to see and find by reducing the clutter that is prevalent in closets. Custom closets help you set up spaces inside your closet area that you can allocate to different materials and items.
Before long your closet will be transformed into easily accessible sections with your custom closet organizers. With rods for hanging your clothes and hooks for items like belts and ties, everything is taken care of with these organizers.
There are several drawers that can be allocated to store your personal items and clothing. There are also shoe trees which can be used to organize a good number of shoes. This will make your collection accessible and the entire closet will look neat and tidy. And no more frustrating searches for your favorite scarf!
The pantry is also a great place for custom closet organizers. Since kitchens are easily messed up and sorely in need of some organization, these are a perfect fit. For this reason you can use these organizers to store your cans and other cooking items like dry pasta and rice.
Just as with the clothes closet, these organizers have hooks which you can use for hanging pots and pans. Use shelving to handle things like your utensils and cutlery as well as your boxed goods. Keep your small appliances neat and tidy by using these organizers.
Labels: Bedroom, Closet Organizer, Closets
Lavender is a mild sachet scent option that works great and has been used for centuries for just this purpose, in order to keep closets and other methods of storage fresh. People have been utilizing the mildly sweet and soothing scent of lavender to refresh body, soul, and mind for many years, and it works great in small tight places or large open ones. Because the smell is mild and disperses quickly in a breeze, it is a good option for those who get headaches that are triggered by scent.
Pine is also a very common scent choice, but it can be overwhelming if you are not careful with the brand name that you choose. For those who want a pine scented sachet in the closet to keep things smelling fresh, be sure to choose a name brand instead of a store brand. Cheap imitations often overpower the entire space in pine, and it can saturate everything inside just as heavily as the musty stale odor you are trying to avoid. No scent is a good one if it is overwhelming.
Floral scent sachets have waned in popularity, but milder scents are becoming trendy again as new ideas are introduced that are less overwhelming. Although the name implies a wonderful walk through your flower garden, most floral scents more closely resemble those cans of bathroom freshener that we all avoid in the grocery store. Be wary of any scent that you cannot first smell for yourself, and consider a different selection if the scent seems strong at first. In cases like this, it is better to make a different choice than to be bowled over by the smell of cheap flowers later; and if you discover that the scent is acceptable later, sachets are very easy to swap out.
More modern ideas such as charcoal make a lot of sense if you want freshness without scent in your sachet. It may sound odd at first, but charcoal seems to soak up the scent without dispersing its own scent, meaning that you eliminate staleness and mustiness without adding any other scent. People with medical problems such as chronic illnesses made worse by scent, frequent headaches, allergy problems, and similar issues can choose to keep the closet fresh by using a charcoal sachet that neutralizes the odor. Charcoal is also a very eco-friendly idea, especially when combined with environmentally friendly packaging such as a bamboo sachet pillow or closet hanger.
Unlike closet organizers, a shoe closet is more than just a bunch of boxes glued together to make a shoe cubby. I have nothing against shoe cubbies, mind you. They can be a practical, inexpensive and functional addition for closet or bedroom. But nothing beats a nice piece of furniture. I'm not talking custom cabinets, here - that can be a very expensive proposition. However, there are alternatives that can stills be attractive amenities to your home.
Shoe closets are available in a plethora of styles, types, and finishes. There's sure to be one that appeals to you and that coordinates with your existing decor.
The bench types are functional and attractively upholstered with a shoe cubby in the base. They come in a variety of cushion patterns and colors, and materials including leather. I love their versatility. Because they come in a range of widths, they can easily be incorporated at the foot of just about any bed without taking up precious wall space. They're just as functional in a walk-in closet as they are in an entryway. Some even have sock drawers located just below the bench cushion.
There are also bench styles with drawers that pivot forward, just like the freestanding types with the same style drawer. (Those come in single to triple high units in various furniture styles and finishes. Most are "assembly required", so have a handyman ready if you're not good at following directions or handling a screwdriver.)
If you can't deal with neatly placing matching pairs of shoes on a shelf that folds into the bench, perhaps a basket type unit would suit you better. Multiple baskets that slide in and out of the base under the cushion(s) seem to work well for reforming slobs and training children, (ie. husbands and kids - sometimes indistinguishable from one another.) Each one gets their own basket and all they have to do is toss in their shoes. It may take a bit longer to find a pair, and you can't be picky about the bottoms of shoes touching the tops of others, but it's better than tripping over them as you walk through the front door.
For those with extra wall space, the double door type cabinets with built-in shoe cubby are a beautiful addition to your bedroom ensemble. You can get these in single door widths, too, but obviously, those don't hold as many shoes. Both widths are available with sock drawers above the shoe cabinet. For an organization junky, this is the coup de'tat: shoes and socks in the same place!
Of the myriad of choices in shoe closets, there is sure to be one that will turn out to be the best buy you've made since those purple Prada's were on sale at Neiman Marcus. Okay, so you get your shoes at Payless - you'll still wonder how you ever got along without this awesomely practical and totally cool looking piece of furniture.
Labels: Closets, Organization, Shoe Closets, Shoes, Storage
Ordering anything online can be a little scary, and ordering a custom product can be even more challenging. Here are a few suggestions to make ordering custom closets online a little easier and more secure.
1. Get familiar with your closet layout. Take exact measurements of each wall including the height of each wall. If the ceiling height varies in your closet, determine exactly where the change occurs. For wall widths, take measurements at both the floor level and at the highest level you can reach, and if you want to be extra careful take measurements mid-way. You'll want to use the smallest of these measurements when designing your closet, since this is the most restrictive dimension.
2. Make a simple sketch of your closet using a heavy lead pencil or pen and notate the measurements of each wall. You don't necessarily need to make your sketch to scale, but that would help you understand the potential of your closet.
3. Now that you have a sketch of your closet's layout start thinking about a logical floor plan. When designing your floor plan be realistic about the size of your space and any obstacles in your closet. Most people tend to over design a closet space in a effort to maximize storage area. Don't make a plan that blocks a door from swinging completely open or would create a cramped space. Better to move items to another storage area than create a tight and difficult closet. Remember that hanging clothes need at least 24 inches of depth and the minimum shelf depth for folded clothes is 12 inches.
4. When you have your closet floor plan finished begin assessing what type of articles you need to store in your closet and how much space you need for each type. Most people need more space for hanging clothes followed by folded clothes, shoes, purses and dirty laundry respectively. Determine if you want to have drawers in your closet and how many you need. Having drawers in your closet can free-up additional space in your bedroom.
5. Now that you have a rough ideal what you are going to store and how you are going to store it, it's time to create your closet design. The best way to do that is to find an online design program that can can design your closet to-scale. Several closet companies have online design programs geared to their individual products. Some of these online programs are very complicated and take some time to learn, but there are also some easy to use programs.
6. You need to design your closet one wall at a time. However, you also need to consider how the designs on each wall will meet at the corners, in walk-in closets. Some online design programs don't connect closets at the corners because of style of the product they offer. It's better to use companies that offer closet systems that utilize all of your closet space including the corners. After you find a program that you like start designing.
7. Some professional designer tips:
Try to create a balanced and visually appealing design. You're investing your time and money, be sure you like the finished product.
Locate drawers at the center of your closet design, directly across from the door so they are the first thing you see when entering the closet. Drawers make a good visual focal point and they typically need the extra clearance provided by the central location.
Use the corners for hanging space not shelves. Corner shelves are sometimes too deep and clothes get lost, but corners work well for hanging clothes.
Don't underestimate how much space you require for hanging clothes, and don't plan too much area for long hanging. With today's fashions most people don't need more than 12 to 24 horizontal inches of long hanging space.
8. Now that you have the perfect closet design let's talk about the products available online.
The Material- Almost all of the online closet companies use particle board with a melamine laminate veneer finish. Particle board is a very versatile and inexpensive material primarily used for the manufacture of low-end furniture. Unfortunately, particle board can also be brittle and vulnerable to moisture. The only company currently offering an alternative material is Speedy closets. These components are constructed using MDF (medium density fiberboard) over a real wood frame. This is the same type of system used for the doors in your home. The system is very strong and highly resistant to moisture. All online closet companies use a melamine veneer as the surface material. Keep in mind the quality of melamine varies from the paper thin stuff you see on the cheap furniture from big box retailers, to high impact resistant melamine that looks and feels like real wood.
Closet Systems- Most of the online closet companies offer very similar style closet systems. These systems are usually held together using plastic fasteners and are hung on the wall like a kitchen cabinet without doors and the shelves are typically adjustable. The disadvantage to adjustable shelves are the hundreds of unattractive holes that line the interior of the closet sides. High quality custom closets never have numerous visible holes on the surface. Speedy Closets offers a floor based closet system with no visible holes lining the interior of sides and the highest quality melamine veneer online.
Price - Be sure you are getting an acceptable quality for the price of your closet. Compare the price from at least two online companies for similar closets systems. Be sure that you are also comparing similar quality products. While price is important, make sure the final product will be acceptable to you. Conversely, if you don't plan on staying in your present residence for long, perhaps you don't need to be concerned about the durability of particle board or wall hung closet systems. However, if you are concerned about aesthetics and quality of your closet system, be sure to do your research on the materials and style of closet you want.
Installation - Installing a closet can be a difficult and time consuming task even for someone handy with tools. If you have large closets you could find yourself sorting literally hundred of parts and spending days assembling your system. However, there are several companies that offer pre-assembled closets at no additional cost. With pre-assembled closets you can install your system in a fraction of the time and usually without any power equipment. Regardless of which type of system you order, always secure your closet to the wall using the hardware provided with the kit.With these insider tips you should be better equipped to order your custom closet online.
Labels: Closets, Closets online, Custom closets, Order
Custom Closets Can Quickly Eliminate Clutter and Organize Your Closets
0 comments Posted by ariya at 4/26/2011People who live in older homes can often become frustrated with their closet spaces since previous generations simply didn't use closets the way we do nowadays. For one thing the closets in older houses tend to lack depth and be quite small. Also there is usually only one pole for hangers and maybe a few hooks. Trying to fit all of your belongings, shoes, coats, hats, and clothes into the tiny space, let alone organizing it usually is a disastrous experience. Custom closets are extremely popular because they offer a solution to the frustration of crammed, messy closet spaces. With just a bit of planning and small cash investment you can easily and very quickly de-clutter your closets and create organized, easily accessible closet spaces.
Custom organizing closets didn't become popular until the early 1980's. They actually owe their popularity to a few companies who created their businesses around the idea that using a different method for how people stored the items in their closets could make their closets much more efficient and easy to use. Based on the success of these companies many other business ventures, both large and small have hopped on board to offer homeowners a ton of closet service choices to choose from. In addition, a number of other companies have opted to focus on the do-it-yourself type homeowners with a wide array of ideas, tools and accessories to revitalize their cluttered closet to a model of organized storage use.
Companies that specialize in organizing closet spaces generally provide closet system design. Using their services is easy. You just schedule an appointment for a free in home consult. When the consultant arrives at your home they will measure your closet spaces, inventory the items you wish to store there and discuss any other needs you may have regarding your closet. After reviewing this data they will then recommend a system they think will give you the best closet for your needs.
Before you call for your custom closets free in home consultation, you need to take a few actions to prep for the meeting. If you're like most people, there are many things in your closet that you no longer need. There's simply no reason to pay money just to store items you're never going to use. If you remove all the unnecessary stuff that has piled up in your closet it will save you time and money on your new closet system. Remove anything you don't absolutely love or haven't used in a year or more. You will probably have a few things that have sentimental value that you'll want to keep - like your wedding dress. No matter how old it is, it is okay to keep it. Just think about whether it really needs to be in the closet. Perhaps it can be boxed and stored in a different location. Now when the consultant arrives they will only be taking an inventory of what you really need to store and have easy access to. Custom closet organizers provide a really good service; but there are also a number of companies have developed products that let you do the job yourself. If you have a really small closet or limited storage needs, it could be smarter to consider completing the project yourself. If you're fairly handy you could easily complete a closet rehab project with very little expense.
With a bigger closet, it will probably be best to have a pro do the installation for you so know it is done right the first time. A professional installer will give you a complete closet transformation. You will get the closets of your dreams with no real effort required from you. A pro can overhaul your entire system from the bifold closet doors to the very tiniest detail. Commonly added organizational items include things like shoe racks, pull out drawers for sweaters and socks, shelving units, and tiered clothing hangers.
The cost for custom closets vary widely. Pricing can range from several hundred dollars to several thousand depending on the size of your closet and the features you choose to have installed. Before signing any type of agreement for the sale, make sure you ask these critical questions:
• Is there a warranty provided with your service?
• Will you be using plastic or metal hardware?
• What is the depth of the shelves?
• Will the price of installation include getting rid of the old closet?
• Is paint touch ups and dry wall if needed included in the job?
Once you have selected the right plan and features it is time to get started. If this is going to be a do-it yourself job, you will need to set aside a weekend for properly completing the installation. If you're having your new closet professionally installed, you simply need to schedule the install date. It's best to schedule the project for a day when you can be home to answer questions if needed.
After the project is completed, it is time to take a step back and soak in the beauty of your new closet. Now everything in there has a place, and even better, everything is in its place.
Tag : closets,custom closets,organize,clutter
Is your closet in shambles? Are your clothes taking over your closet? Are you at a loss about what to do to tidy things up and get things back on track? If so, then I've got some tips that I think will solve the problem. So sit back, relax and go through these steps with me to find the solution to your small closet trials and tribulations...
Step 1: Clean up and Clear out
If your closet is in shambles, the first thing you need to do is a major clean-up. Closets don't clean themselves, they need to be cleaned every once and awhile. So, a good place to start is to simply take everything out of the closet.
Once you've done that, sort through your items items and get rid of things that you may no longer need and donate them to charity. Once you've initially cleaned up and cleared everything out, to keep things under control it is recommended that you do an inventory check and occasional clean-up every 3 to 6 months.
Or if that doesn't work for you, consider using the "Replacement Strategy" instead.
It's a simple method of keeping your closet up to par every time you go shopping. This will help you keep a steady flow going rather than having to wonder if you're once again cramming too much in your small space as time progresses.
This is also very helpful if you shop a lot. It will keep quantity-in and quantity-out consistent. To make this strategy work, let's use an example of how it's done...
Let's say one day you're ready to go shopping. Before you go shopping, it's vital to go through your closet and find a certain number of clothing that you're no longer happy with. Once you've gone through your closet, let's say found 2 pair of pants and 3 shirts that you're ready to get rid of. The next step is to then go shopping for the equal amount of clothing that you plan to toss out or donate. In this case, it's 2 pair of pants and 3 shirts.
During your time out shopping, your job is simple. All you have to do is find 2 new pair of pants and 3 shirts that you'd like to REPLACE your old clothing with. And that's it. Simple, huh? But let's not forget. You have one last thing to do once you're done shopping...
And that's to simply drop off the old clothing at the thrift store and then you're finished for the day.
So if it's not clear by now, you're basically replacing the old with the new. This is a simple method that will help you keep things tidy as well as help you maintain a certain shopping budget whenever you're ready to add something new to your wardrobe.
Step 2: Create Your Own Closet System
If you have a small closet that is just overflowing with clothes, even after you've done a major clean-up, you might want to consider several options on doubling your space. You can get a complete closet system, but often this requires that you remove your current closet system and put a new one in. And if you're renting a place, you know this is definitely off-limits.
So what do you do when you need a closet system but can't put one in?
Well, you turn to closet organizers to get the job done.
They can be just as effective as a complete closet system and all you have to do is hang them up on the closet rod that's already in your closet. All it takes is a few moments and voila... you have your own makeshift closet system.
To do this, you will simply need...
- Closet doublers
- Hanging shelves and drawers
- Hanging shoe organizers
StacksandStacks.com is a great place to find the organizers that you'll need to achieve this look.
The great thing about closet doublers is that they do exactly what they say. They double your space by utilizing the unused space blow your clothes, so you essentially have two hanging spots instead of one.
Hanging shelves and drawers offer you a big advantage because they allow you to eliminate your need for a dresser or chest of drawers. And this can be extremely helpful if you have a small bedroom but can't afford the room for a dresser.
With the hanging shelves and drawers, you can store all of your undergarments in them, such as socks, underwear, bras and so forth. And if they're big enough, you can even store your purses in them too. If not, they make organizers that you can hang up for those as well.
Hanging shoe organizers are also self-explanatory. If you don't want your shoes lying around all over the place, get a hanging shoe organizer that will get the job done.
Once you have all of these organizers, consider placing the hanging shelf and shoe organizer in the center of your closet and a closet doubler on each end. However, before you jump the gun, be certain your closet can accommodate a hanging shelf, shoe organizer and 2 doublers. If not, you might need to eliminate one of the doublers or organizers.
Step 3: Don't Just Guess... Label It!
Once you've gotten rid of everything you don't want in your closet and you've gotten your organizers in place, you might want to consider one last (optional) step to take care of business...
And that's closet dividers.
TheContainerStore.com has great blank closet dividers that you can use to achieve this great look and feel.
You can use them to label your clothes...
- By season
- By type
- Or simply by style
...and they'll help you know exactly where each section begins and ends.
For instance, if you organize all of your long-sleeve shirts together, you could put a label up that says "Long-sleeve Shirts." Or if you prefer, you could place all of your formal clothing together and create a label that says "Formal Clothing."
But what if you enjoy organizing your clothing by season? Well, obviously you could do that too. Simply create four labels in accordance with the four seasons of the year: spring, summer, winter and fall.
This will eliminate guesswork and each day you'll be able to quickly go to what you need section by section.
Once you've done all 3 of those steps, you'll have a small organized closet you can take pride in. And from then on out keeping it tidy will be a breeze. Simply tidy up every 3 to 6 months or use the "Replacement Strategy" to keep quantity-in and quantity-out flow on par.
How to organize a walk in closet is not the easiest thing in the world to learn. First thing you have to do is acknowledge that you did it. You achieved the American dream of owning a large enough home that your closets can be big enough to house all of your clothing, shoes, hats, purses, sweaters, jackets and more. This is a major accomplishment in itself and should be celebrated.
Ok, now that we have that out of the way, let's realize that there is much work ahead of us because obviously, this walk in closet doesn't have enough room for you to operate or else you wouldn't be here reading this article, would you? No, you would not, you would be sitting on that big deck in the back enjoying a mojito and the sun set if it was enough space. But since, we are here, let's make sure that we learn a thing or two in the process.
How Does Walk In Closets Get Full
The problem you and many others in this world are having with their walk-in closets is that they are filling up with clothing. This can be a baffling situation as the thought is that this closet is much bigger than the regular closets that we are use to, so this closet should not ever get to the point that it is full and we cannot find the clothing that we are looking for. When the truth of the matter is much different from our thinking.
First of all, there is a great phenomenon at work here than we are giving credit to. We think that just because the closets are larger, then there should be more space, but let's analyze the situation a little further to see if we can discover more.
People with larger closets, especially larger walk in closets, tend to make more money than those that don't have walk in closets, right? Obviously, walk in closets are associated with larger homes, and larger homes are associate with larger incomes. This is all very logical. But what we are leaving out of the equation is the tiny economic principal that I learned back in collect that says, "Peoples expenditures will rise to meet or exceed their income."
Think about this for a moment, if you are making $50,000 a year, then most people tend to spend at least $50,000 a year. And if this person were to receive a raise of say $25,000 a year and they are now making $75,000, then you would think that they would have an extra $25,000 to save from year to year.
But the research that has been found is something totally different. In fact, it is mind blowing. This research shows that the axiom I discovered in economics is true, people's expenditures will rise to meet their income level. So this person that was making $50,000 that is now making $75,000, will find a way to spend the extra $25,000 to allow their expenditures to meet their income level.
This is very easy to imagine as their friends, family, and ego step in to show them things that at the previous level they paid no attention to, but now that they have to means, they are spending like crazy to take up that extra money. This is a phenomenon that I think we all have fallen victim to and I swear this is the last time for me as I plan on getting it right.
How does this economic axiom apply to Walk in Closets?
It is actually very simple. As you make more and more money, you tend to buy more and more and more things. You buy a bigger home, bigger furniture, bigger cars, and more clothing to go with all the other trappings. Therefore, before you had the extra money, you were find with packing out a small regular bedroom or hall closet. But now that you have more money, your expenditures go up and this applies to your clothing, jackets, shorts, shirts, sweaters, shoes, purses, hats, and much, much more. Before long, you look up and that overgrown, massive walk in closet has been reduced down to not having enough space that you need to house all of your belongings. So, what can we do?
How to Organize a Walk in Closet.
Yes. I know, we took the long way to get to this point of how to organize a closet, but it is was important to get you to see that just because you have more room than you are use to having in the past, that your actions and your economic behavior has a strong tendency to take up much of that extra space and room as well. As your income rises, your expenditures rise and this brings more and more clothing and materials into your home to fill up that space.
But know that we are aware of this phenomenon, what do we do to make sure that we don't have this problem in our walk in closets and there is more than enough space to fit and easily find what we need to fin in it?
1) Donation
You obviously have more than you know what to do with or need. Therefore, you should take some of that wealth that you have accumulated in material things and give it to someone that is much more needy than you are. This is a great double win for you as you gain more space in that already overcrowded walk in closet and the people that you make the donations to have something else to wear.
The general rule of thumb is that if you have not worn it in the previous 365 days, then you are not going to wear it. And you should donate it immediately or give it to friends that are less fortunate than you.
2) Organize
Obviously you came here for organization, but this should be done by seasons. If you live in a place where you get to enjoy multiple seasons, they you can group your clothing accordingly. This is great because clothes in the off season can go into storage or the attic. And closets that are in season will instantly have more space and room to fill out your closets. This will make everything much more easy to access in the future.
3) Boxes and Hooks
Make sure you are using dead space in your walk in closet by ensuring that you have boxes and hooks on the wall that certain items can be hung from. This will do wonders for you as you try to find enough space for everything that you have left.
The combination of understanding how you accumulate all of these clothing items over time due to your rising income level, donation, organization, boxes, and hooks should serve you well when you take on the task of organizing your walk in closets.
Tag : closets,walk-in closets,closet organizers,closet doors,closet system
Closet Storage System Options - An Overview of Basic Closet Organization
0 comments Posted by ariya at 1/31/2011Solutions for All Size Closets
You don't have to have a walk-in closet to take advantage of today's closet storage system solutions. There are options available for everything from small, narrow closets to vast, roomy walk-ins. Either extreme can benefit enormously from topnotch organization. Well-placed closet shelves can work wonders for a seemingly cramped space; complex closet systems can give large walk-ins multiple purposes. From floor to ceiling, the right closet organization system can pull double-, triple- or even quadruple-duty, allowing you to keep your living spaces as clean and clutter-free as possible. Whatever size your closet may be, there's sure to be a solution out there for you.
Eye-Catching Finishes and Materials
Most of us are well aware of the many possibilities that wire closet organizers bring to the table. However, they are generally lacking in the style department. Wire closet organization systems are useful, but they're hardly pleasing to the eye. Luckily, there are plenty of attractive alternatives. Woods in finishes ranging from deep mahoganies to bright almonds are available; melamine, in a colorful palette of colors, is also an excellent possibility to consider. Thanks to these diverse options, creating closet storage systems that complement the rest of your interior design scheme is a snap.
Custom Designs and DIY Options
Depending on your budget - and on your ambition - you can opt for custom-designed closet solutions or go with DIY options. With custom designs, you provide the dimensions of your closet; after outlining what you'd like your closet to incorporate, a designer can create a custom solution. In terms of DIY options, there are plenty of closet systems that allow for easy mix-and-match solutions. Whether you let the professionals take the reins, or if you decide to manage it all yourself, arriving at the right closet organization solution is more than doable.
Complete Storage Systems
One convenient option that more and more people are turning to is the complete closet storage system. These systems are usually height- and width-adjustable, making it easy to fit them in just about anywhere. A combination of shelves, bins, clothing racks, hangers, drawers, cubbies - and much more - can be interchanged within such systems. If shoe organization is your chief concern, you can gear your system towards it; if you're awash in ties, belts and other accessories, you can mix and match your system to accommodate them. Such systems can even be switched around according to season - the choice is entirely up to you!
Mix and Match
Several different components can go into today's closet organization systems. A brief rundown of some of the most popular examples is provided below.
Closet Shelves - Shelves are incredibly versatile, especially when they can be adjusted according to height and width. Everything from folded-up sweatshirts to baseball caps can be kept on the shelves in a closet.
Cubbies - Everyone has little odds-and-ends that just don't seem to fit in anywhere. Cubby holes can be included in a closet organization system, providing a suitable place for anything that you'd like to keep close at hand.
Drawers - Delicates and other types of clothes that you'd like to keep as clean and dust-free as possible can be folded and tucked away into drawers.
Clothing Racks - Double- or even triple-hang clothing racks can be incorporated into virtually any closet system, allowing you to keep shirts, dresses and other items of clothing neatly organized.
Shoe Storage - From off-the-floor shoe racks to slanted shoe shelves, there are plenty of convenient ways to keep your shoes from getting out of control.
Jewelry Drawers - Accessorize your ensemble with ease by keeping your jewelry close at hand in jewelry drawers.
Tilt-Out Hampers - It's important to have a place to keep dirty clothes; built-in, tilt-out hampers do the job nicely.
Pant Racks - Keep ironing to a minimum by hanging your freshly pressed pants on pant racks.
Belt Racks - Find the belt that you need in seconds by organizing them on belt racks.
Ironing Board - Many closet storage system include fold-out ironing boards, making it easy to remove wrinkles - without having to pull out a large, burdensome ironing board.
At the end of the day, the right closet organization system can make a world of difference for anyone who'd like to keep their bedroom - and home - as neat as possible. Sit down and write down your most pressing organizational needs. Decide whether you'd like to splurge on a custom closet, or if a DIY system is right for you. In no time flat, you'll have the closet storage system that's right for you.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Troy_W_Greenberg
Looking to organize your life? Consider a quality closet system or closet organizer system that can be customized and designed for your closet. Rather than throwing out your items, storage organization is the answer. Closet systems allow you to hold onto those items that you may need in the future. Stop wasting time ironing clothes stored incorrectly, or hunting for those matching shoes. Install closet systems throughout your house today.
Closet organizer systems are available in a variety of styles and prices ranging from under $10 to $1000's for those requiring professional installation. The least expensive closet systems are available at retail stores. Home improvement centers carry a wide variety of storage organization systems for your home and garage ranging up to $2000, for brands such as Rubbermaid and Sauder. Popular franchise closet design companies like Classy Closets and Closet Maid assist with all aspects of the design and installation or your storage organization. Franchises and custom designers offer the most convenience and are priced accordingly.
Closet organization systems can be used in living rooms, kitchens or pantries, laundry room and garages. A quality closet design is a perfect edition for your decor makeover. You will find they to meet your needs whether you are hiring a contractor or doing it yourself.
There are many styles to choose from when planning your bedroom closet organizer system; for example a walk-in or reach-in closet design. These closet systems may be designed with hampers, shelving, with or without protective glass. Custom closet designs are as diverse as your imagination. A wall bed may be the solution for a bedroom with limited space. They provide storage organization as well as sleeping accommodations, perfect for guest rooms. Looking for something for kids, a youth friendly closet system complete with bright colors and bins can be customized to meet your needs. Each price tier has storage organization options for kids such as stackable bins for shoes and toys.
Customer storage organization systems options are also available for the garage. Garage organizer systems provide compartments for your tools, workspace and more. Whether your handyman needs a classic white workbench or the Craftsman red cabinets, you will find a closet system to meet your objectives.
Pantry style systems come in classic, traditional and modern designs. There is something to meet the discerning taste of even the most selective cook. Adding space to the kitchen with a complete closet organization system, to include an island with storage cabinets adds value and beauty to any home. You will find something in every price range, whether the rich beauty of an elegant Classy Closet or the simple designs of Easy Closets.
Entertainment rooms and home offices need storage organization as well. Systems in entertainment rooms provide necessary storage space for electronic items such as cable converters, DVD players and stereos. These closet systems are available in colors and styles to match your decor. In addition, home offices require closet design that includes locked file storage and space for a office equipment. Specialty accommodation for cables and electric wires is available in most closet systems.
If you are ready to simplify your life, consider closets organizer systems. Closet systems in every room in your house, including your garage guarantees you will have a place for everything. You will find affordable solutions whether you choose to do it yourself or a professional closet designs. Either option offers variety in modern, classic or traditional styles. Enhance your storage organization with drawers and bins, shelves and hanging space to accommodate your needs. Closet organizer systems now even apply to the garage.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Bomers
The proper closet Layouts are critical to maximizing the efficiency of your storage spaces. For every given storage space there are literally hundreds design options available. If you use computer aided design software (CAD) finding the closet layouts that meets the needs of your home or business is relatively easy. A quick check of the Internet will provide you with lots of design ideas. Most of the top closet design and installation companies provide good online software that allows you to initially design your storage area. Depending on your needs and budget you may want to call in a closet design specialist to assist you.
In the past closet design and construction were relatively simple. You basically had one clothes pole or rod that ran the length of the closet with a single shelf located above. If you have ever been in any older home you have seen these age old designs. When in use these closets have the top shelve full of boxes and on the floor is a mixture of footwear, boxes and bags of clothing. The clothes pole is full from wall to wall with very little organization. Any clothing removed from the closet looks just awful with wrinkles and stretched fabric. These old closets were fine back when most people had few clothes and only one or two pairs of shoes and boots.
Today's closet layouts reflect the changes in our lifestyles. Analyzing what you are going to store in your closet or storage area is a critical first step in any design. Obviously storage areas for a business, home, basement or garage are all going to have different requirements.
Never the less there are still just two basic types of closets. The "reach in closet" consists of a single wall layout that can be accessed from outside the closet simply by opening the closet door or doors. All shelves and/or clothes poles are located along the back wall of the storage area or closet. Reach in closets are the most common closet found in any home or office. Again maximizing the efficiency of this space requires you to itemize all the possible items that would be stored within the storage space.
Walk-in closets come in many different size and shapes. The largest walk-in closet layouts allow for at least 3 walls of shelving and clothes poles. In general well designed U-shaped closets and storage are very efficient in maximizing space. Proper design and installation of a walk-in closet will most often require the expertise of a closet or storage space specialist or contractor.
Locating the expertise that you need will depend on where you live. One of the easiest places to find assistance is you local home improvement store. Both Lowes and Home Depot provide simple closet layouts assistance. They also have contractors that can install your closet for you. If you live in an urban area most likely there will be closet and storage space designers and contractors that will provide you with the ideas and options that will meet all your storage needs.
Tag : closets,closet layouts,walk-in closet,closet design,closet organizers
Today's market crisis encourages families to remain within their houses, at least until the next market rise. Because of this, the thought of closet system design has become much more popular with its cheap way of making a home better and improving functional home outlets that are usually ignored.
Redesigning home areas that are unimproved can help pass a family's time if they have plans of moving homes later on. This improved area can show off a brand new home feature, which can encourage families to stay, in order to make use of the brand new space that is especially designed for their personal needs.
It would be essential to generate system designs of custom closets whenever you area taking remodeling projects into consideration. Even though they are comparatively small, it would be essential to be very accurate when it comes to personal design needs in order to ensure that further complications will not occur down your journey. Measuring every closet dimension twice would be essential since closet organizers tend to depend greatly on accuracy when it comes to sizes and can help you figure out what your closet can fit.
From your closet's wall length to walk-in closets, designs exist that can fit any home closet size. Such designs are made to make the most of closet space to make organization and storage the top goals of your brand new closet. Measurements aside, it would be essential to bring about every item that you want to store inside your closet while working with a closet system design.
A lot of individuals tend to overlook simple items whenever they design their personal closets, which later leads to stress and headaches when items are left over and have no space. Poor design is only going to lead to clutter yet again, with extra costs for the dysfunctional closet design. Sit down and list various activities that you do every day and which items you visit your closet for.
Clothing would appear to be the most obvious, but a lot of designers concentrate too much on hanging clothes without thinking about folded clothes found outside of the dressers. Storage of shoes is also important, so you can get rid of shoe piles that the majority of families collect on their closet floors. When choosing custom closet organizers, it would be essential to choose features which specifically relate to your existing needs, not to any needs you want to have.
After making your decisions, several easy steps exist that each installer must follow to get the most out of their closet. Never remove items from the closet without filtering through them first to find ones you can donate or trash. The majority of people do not have the ability to identify what can currently be found inside their closets. If so, those things are probably not needed.
Ensure that the demolition is organized and clean. Novice constructors tend to get tempted to hit closets with sledge hammers and start destruction. However, keep in mind that such reckless demolition could damage spaces which you aren't trying to replace, such as walls and floors. Your closet might require brand new cosmetic repairs and paint jobs so your old closet cannot be seen within your brand new closet system design.
After your brand new closet is finished, you might come to find that your old closet door requires some improvements. Basic installation of bifold closet doors could improve your closet more while giving your space some functionality. Closets play an important role in everyone's daily life and making the most of this space's use could prove to be highly beneficial for any bedroom owner.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Antoine_Lobaton
One of the top enhancements in closet design through past decades has been the growth and introduction of modular bedroom closets. That signifies that not only could you purchase a closet system and place it in various configurations, but you could also reorganize it later and append to it as your shoes and clothes storage needs grow. The truth is, if you're searching for a fresh closet, lots of the options you'll find would be modular systems.
The modular closet systems come with the things you need to arrange your clothing, like closet rods and closet shelves. Doors will always be a different choice to make, so if you wish a sliding closet doors, it's something that you'd separately do. Another benefit of modern closet systems is that they're easy to set up; easy tracking and easy closets is what the consumer wants, and that's the way the market has grown.
The simplicity of installation process has obviously been the force behind companies such as Easy-Closets.com and EasyTrack. The truth is, with the utilization of 3D design softwares, Easy Closets made the entire process simpler right from the start. So if you have the measurements of your closet, the Easy Closets 3D software lets you play around and customize your own design, and choose which specific design of closet you wish to setup.
The wide variety of closets from Easy-Closets would make your job easier, whatever your on-hand decoration. They offer everything from a white or Espresso walk in closet to a chestnut or modern reach in closet. They also have a little girl's closet or baby's white, or organized or red laundry closet. You could certainly take pleasure of browsing their site, even if you're not in a position to purchase at this time.
EasyTrack, who makes easy closet systems as well, also has a tool which lets you make your own customization. With EasyTrack's unique rail system, you're soon ready to go when you begin setting up your great closet. Their easy software, plus accessories and starter kits, really make the entire process simple and nice.
An easy closet door with hooks that folds when opened. That is the brilliant and general idea behind Easy closet. Storage room is a premium so any great way to get more of what you have. There are hooks on the outer side of the door to hang things from coats to bags. It heartens you to appropriately hang them in the closet since you cannot close the door w/out taking them off the hooks first. Now if there is a way to make mirrors on the doors, then we would have a true winner here.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jack_Kolbow
You might have it in your kitchen, to hold the best china and silver. Or you could have it in your bathroom, keeping medicines way out of reach of children. And you could have at least one in your bedroom, where everything from clothes to shoes, yearbooks to photos are stored.
Taken for granted and often abused, closets make up a great part of our every day lives. They are called by many other names; the word "closet" is, in fact, native to North America, and is associated with cabinets, cupboards, or pantries. The British call it a "wardrobe," or even an "armoire."
Way before C.S. Lewis introduced the world to a magical universe past the furs hanging in a closet, the Elizabethans closeted themselves and referred to any room as a "closet," as long as someone could read in it and have privacy. In the modern age, even the bathroom is referred to as a "water closet," or W.C.
Closets can be made in a variety of materials. The traditional wood allows a closet to be decorated with carvings and mirrors. The more modern closets are made of less insect-prone materials, and are more lightweight.
Whatever they are made of, and whichever name they are called, closets come in many types depending on their use.
o A broom closet is a closet narrower than wide, often stretching in space from the floor to the ceiling. It is made to store length objects such as mops, brooms, or hockey sticks
o A coat closet is a storage space in which to store jackets, hoods, and coats. Such a closet will often have no shelves, and only rails on which to hang clothes on. In a house, it is located near the front door, so that anyone entering the house can place their jackets in a safe place, then take it out again and wear it when they leave the house.
Some restaurants also have coat closets, and these are usually located in an isolated space farther from the entryway.
o A linen closet is typically built with shelves instead of rods on which to hang clothes on. It is located near bedrooms or bathrooms, and is used to keep washcloths, towels, blankets, sheets, toiletries, and curtains.
o Wall closets are shallow closets separated from a room with folding doors, curtains, or strings of beads. They have just enough space to store folded clothes or to hang them.
o A walk-in closet is a large closet large enough for a user to walk inside, and wide enough to keep a greater number of clothes, shoes, books, and other paraphernalia. Some walk-in closets have lights and mirrors, and will often have unique flooring.
o California closets are larger versions of walk-in closets. They will contain more shelves, shoe drawers, rails on which to hang clothes, racks in which to keep books, and even netting on which to hang earrings! The more luxurious California closets will even have safes, secret compartments, and drawers in which to store money or precious jewelry.
They are often ignored in favor of their contents, but closets do perform a good number of duties their users take for granted. They store shoes and clothing in an organized manner, and keep them clean. They keep out humidity, preserving precious books and photographs. If made skillfully, they can serve as accents to rooms, even as conversation pieces.
Closets, most of all, store memories, no matter what they are for.
Bedroom Closet Organization - Making the Most of Your Closet Space
0 comments Posted by ariya at 12/01/2010Bedroom closets are notoriously difficult to keep under control. This is because the bedroom closet is in constant use, with items coming in and out frequently. Without a good system in place, bedroom closet organization can quickly fall by the wayside.
It becomes even more difficult when you consider that most of us have a bunch of items that we never wear clogging up our closets. Whether these items were received as gifts, bought on sale somewhere, or just don't fit anymore, this stuff takes up valuable closet space that could be better used for items that we actually use.
The result of this log-jam of stuff is one great big cluttered mess! Staying on top of bedroom closet organization requires a functional closet organizer system that will provide you with the tools you need to make it easy to organize and store your clothes.
Here's how to get started on your way to a clutter-free, well-organized closet.
Clean Up Your Room
If your bedroom is a mess, you'll have to bit the bullet and overhaul the entire room. It's difficult to keep a closet organized if you can't walk through the rest of your room! At the very least, put like items together and get clutter out of the way. This way you won't be tempted to just toss the mess in the closet. It doesn't hurt to clear out cobwebs, dust, and vacuum while you're at it.
Get Rid of What Doesn't Fit
Now that you're ready to tackle the closet, start by getting rid of clothing that doesn't fit. Countless people spend wasted space and mental energy hanging on to too-small clothes for that 'someday' when they will finally fit. Do yourself a favor - get rid of these items! If you need the money, you can even earn a little extra cash by selling items on eBay, at a consignment shop, or on Craigslist. In order to avoid the temptation to hang on to this stuff, it's sometimes better to just give things away - quickly. Give stuff to friends, donate to your local thrift shop, or post items for free on Craigslist. As they say, one man's trash is another man's treasure.
Put Away Out-of-Season Clothes
There's no use in having a bunch of heavy winter clothes taking up space in your closet in the middle of summer (or vice versa). Store your out-of-season items under the bed, in plastic storage bins, or in garment bags. Make sure to protect wool items from pests by filling old trouser socks and nylons with cedar chips. A great way to save money on cedar chips is to buy inexpensive cedar pet bedding at your local pet supply store. Be sure to replace the cedar chips every month or so.
Complete the Purge
Finally, get rid of anything you haven't worn in the past year. If you haven't worn it in more than one season, chances are you never will. Keep the clutter from piling up again by choosing fewer, better quality items - resist the temptation to buy something just because it's on sale. If it hangs in your closet without ever being worn, it means wasted money and wasted space. Also, whenever you buy (or acquire) something new, get rid of something else.
Get rid of anything that doesn't make you look and feel your best. Tight, uncomfortable, frumpy, or ill-fitting clothing must go. Also, gather up items that need minor mending, like a hem or a missing button, and plan to get these repairs made within a week.
Items You Can't Bear to Part With?
After you've purged as much as possible, try this tip for any items that you just can't stand to get rid of. Put the items back in your closet on a hanger facing the opposite direction from the rest of your clothes. As you wear these items, turn the hangers around to match the rest of your clothes when you put them back in your closet. After six months to a year, you'll be able to tell by the backwards-facing hangers what hasn't been worn. Get rid of anything that's been sitting there all year without being worn.
Customize Your Bedroom Closet
Now it's time to take stock of your closet storage space. The typical (and least efficient) design of a bedroom closet is one clothes rod with a shelf above it. To customize your closet space, take inventory of your wardrobe. Do you have lots of shirts? Then double closet rods can maximize efficient us of closet space. Do you have more shoes than anything else? Then a shoe organizer might help you beat the clutter. You can also use inexpensive racks and shelving systems to keep folded clothes neatly organized.
For really efficient use of your closet space, I recommend the Elfa® bedroom closet organization systems available from the Container Store. If you contact the Container Store and provide your closet measurements and answer a few questions about your storage needs, they'll design a custom closet organizer closet organizer tailored just for you. I faced the challenge of squeezing clothing and toys for three children in a single closet. I contacted the Container Store for a customized bedroom closet organizer and I couldn't be happier with the result.
Setting Up Your Organizational System
Now that you've whittled down your wardrobe to only the items you love and actually use, and now that you've customized your closet organizer to match your needs, you're ready to put your organization system into place.
Shoe Storage
For shoe storage, clear plastic shoe boxes that can be labeled are a good investment. Shoes can be categorized by season and purpose. To simplify shoe storage, store in-season and frequently worn pairs within easy reach; the rest can be put away for the season, or stacked on the infrequently used top shelf of the closet.
Hang similar items together and categorize them by color. This will simplify your morning routine. For example, hang shirts together (don't intersperse them with skirts and trousers), and organize them by color.
Buy tie hangers for ties, belts, scarves, and similar items. As with your general wardrobe, purge these from time to time, and get rid of items that are worn out, stained, or that you just don't use.
Conserve space for hanging clothes by using the same type of hangers for everything - uniformity and systematization saves space. Hang shirts and jackets facing the same way so that they 'nest' against each other. Use clear plastic skirt hangers for slacks and trousers.
If you have an unused bedroom in your home, you can turn it into a walk in closet by installing shelving and closet rods around the perimeter of the room. You can also use rolling carts and hanging rods if you want to avoid installing hardware. To maximize the utility of your new dressing room, include a comfortable sitting chair for putting on your shoes and a full-length mirror to give yourself a quick appraisal before heading out the door.
You can also save money and limit clutter by using what's available around the house to help organize your closet inexpensively. Unused bookshelves, plastic bins, and carts are all good options for stacking, folding, and storing clothes. The only limit is your creativity and imagination.
These bedroom closet organization tips have worked wonders for making my life saner, more organized, and easier to manage. If you take the time to overhaul your closet, they're sure to do the same for you!
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Samantha_Buck
