Closet Organization

Tips and Tricks

New year, fresh start, let the purging and organizing begin! I love organizing. The best part – the squeaky clean feeling when it’s all done. The hardest part – getting the motivation to start the process. I like to start in our bedroom, and specifically my closet.  Yes, I am very fortunate to have a separate closet from my husband {you should see his!}.  If our bedroom is cleaned and organized, at least I have one place to go, decompress and feel at peace. In a way, it’s a little gift to myself.  As you tackle this item off your list, because I am sure it’s on there, take along with you a few tips and tricks I use to stay organized in my closet.

Step 1:  Purge

Rules of Thumb

• Remove items you don’t wear. If you didn’t wear it last season you’re not going to wear it this season.  Example: You haven’t worn a sweater yet this fall or winter, and you didn’t wear it last fall or winter, get rid of it. The likelihood you’re going to wear it again is next to zero.
• Do not keep items you’re going to fit into after your new diet or exercise program.  I give you permission to keep a pair of your ‘skinny’ jeans that you may use as a goal to fit back into, but don’t keep multiple items with this as a reason to keep them.  In reality, after a weight loss or after having a baby, your body changes and these items may never fit properly again. In a way, you are torturing yourself. Your closet should be a place you go to make yourself feel good, not down about the extra weight you may be carrying for any of life’s crazy reasons. Plus, in a year, styles change, and these items may not be current.  Also, buying new items when you do lose weight is a great incentive!

Create 4 Piles:

• Keep – I like this item, I feel good wearing it.
• Donate – Stained, stretched out, not much value to it, not a name-brand.
• Sell – Great condition, name-brand.
• Mend/Fix – A zipper on a designer pair of jeans, a heel of a great classic pump are items probably worth paying for a fix. A Target or Marshalls purchase, probably not.

My favorite ways to sell name brand, great conditioned clothing, shoes, and accessories are Poshmark, thredUP and Ebay.

Poshmark is perfect for the designer or name brand items. Think that Lululemon tank you don’t love, or that designer pair of jeans that just aren’t comfortable but are in excellent condition. It is SO easy and the money you can get it the best out there.

ThreadUP is really easy. You send in your clothing free of charge in a large bag they send you. ThredUP will deposit money into your PayPal account once it sells; sometimes they will pay an upfront fee for your entire bag. When utilizing thredUP, I don’t think you get top dollar for name-brand items, but it is easy and convenient.

Ebay is where I list a lot of my children’s clothing. Ebay is more time consuming, but the payout is much greater. Another great place is H&M, they recycle any fabric materials, stained, torn, whatever. Bring these items to your H&M and receive a 15% off coupon to their store for each item recycled.

Step 2: Clean

Since your closet is empty from the purging that just happened, take the time to vacuum thoroughly, wipe down shelves, and change/check light bulbs.  It never fails, when I clean out my closet, I realize a light bulb has been burned out and I so appreciate the extra light.

Step 3: Organize

1.  Sort clothes into categories when putting them back into your closet.  These are my categories:
   • Sleeveless tops
   • Regular tops {button downs, long sleeve}
   • Cardigans
   • Vests
   • Dresses {short, long, fancy}
   • Workout jackets/active tops
   • Jackets {blazers, jean, leather}
2. Use cohesive hangers: This one small thing can make a huge difference!  Two years ago I changed my closet over to the non-slip space saver hangers and I can’t believe what a difference it makes! To preserve your clothing and keep it in great condition, make sure you are using appropriate hangers for each type of item. Skirt hangers for skirts, a thicker, wooden hanger for suit jackets, and so on. One tip: Costco has great pricing on velvet non-slip hangers this time of year.
3. Hanging shelves: My rule of thumb is to not stack things you’ll be reaching for over your head of more than three items high. The stack tends to fall over and always be messy. Instead, try bringing some of your popular folded items {such as sweaters} down to eye level with one of these hanging shelves.  I added this to my closet last winter and it has been a game changer.
4. Clear Dividers: Another favorite organizational tool in my closet.  These can have so many uses!  I use mine to organize my purses.  These handy little dividers keep them all upright and easy to grab for a night out.  They can also be used to keep stacks of folded clothes in place – think little cubbies.
5. Scarf Hanger: If you follow me, you know a scarf is worn with almost every outfit. Which means, I have a lot.  I fold and hang my huge blanket scarves on regular hangers, but the smaller ones I put on this handy little scarf hanger.  It’s not the easiest to put them back on, but overall a good solution.
6. Jewelry: I wouldn’t say I have discovered the prettiest way keep my jewels, but this way really does work! Keeping your baubles accessible and easily visible is key. I like to display my bracelets and necklaces on hanging hooks. One, it makes it really easy to put things away. Two, I am able get a whole picture of my options when deciding what to pair with outfits, nothing is hidden. I honestly have never met a jewelry box large enough for it all….have you. That’s is why I do this!
7. Shoes: Store your shoes one facing towards you one away from you.  This saves quite a bit of room!  A little trick from my shoe selling days at Nordstrom.

Perhaps you have a gorgeous custom closet, maybe a closet with little space. I hope you can take one or two of these easy, affordable tips, apply it, and make your closet a little more enjoyable. After all, it’s a place we go EVERYDAY. Make it a place you’re proud of and that makes you feel good.

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As always, thank you so much for following and make it a great day.