20 Jun 2012 Getting the most out of your closet

by Ashley Carson

In case you haven’t noticed, summer is officially here and it’s getting HOT! I don’t know about you, but this heat has had me cooped up in the house over the past month, and I’m starting to get antsy.

Yesterday, I decided I needed a good summer project, and of course with me, it has to involve getting organized! Now, as much as I love the charm and personality of my home in Old Conway, I’d give anything for an addition that included a big master closet. But for the time being, I have had to learn how to make the most of the closet space that I have. 

One of the most common complaints I hear from my clients is that they don’t have enough storage space in their closets. The first thing I do in these situations is attempt to show my clients that, in reality, they really do have all the physical space they need; the solution is to use their space more efficiently. I’m not saying that it is always easy, but if you follow these few simple steps, I think you will be shocked at how much storage space you wind up with when you are finished.

Take everything out.

I’ve always believed with organizing you have to make it worse before you can make it better. Starting from scratch helps you think more creatively about how to use your space, and it allows you to re-evaluate the things that truly important to have in your closet. 

Purge. 

Everything that you pulled out of the closet does not need to be put back in. Go through each article of clothing and make sure that it’s something you still wear. That means if you come across your “if my friend ever asks me to go sailing outfit” (but you don’t have a friend with a sailboat), it more than likely needs to go.

Make it yours. 

Just because the person before you painted their closet “BAND-AID beige” doesn’t mean you have to keep it that way. Who says closets have to be dull? 

The average person goes in their closet a minimum of three times a day, so why not make it a fun little place that you enjoy? Paint it your favorite color, pick fun wallpaper or you could even hang a special picture. Whatever you do, make it reflect who you are! 

Install a system that works for you. 

The key to maximizing your closet space, no matter how big or small, is adjustability. If your rods and shelving are adjustable, you can use every square inch of your closet. 

As seasons change and you switch out clothes, your closet should be able to function accordingly. For example, in the summer my sandals don’t need the 12 inches of space between shelves that my boots do in the winter.

Organize and sort.

As you put your clothing back into your closet, make sure to hang seasons and colors together. Another tip is to have your clothes facing the same way and on all the same hangers. It’s always amazing to my clients how much more organized their closet looks just by following this simple rule. It doesn’t just look organized, it also helps you to see what you need more of on your next shopping trip (or, in some cases, less of). 

Maintain. 

As the seasons change, it’s a good time to rotate clothing and make sure you are keeping up your organized closet. It’s tempting during busy times to stuff and forget about sorting, but just taking a few minutes every week to do touchups (as you hang up laundry) will help you avoid the need to completely empty out your closet again!

Happy organizing!