If closing your closet is a struggle, it might be time for a refresh. As we head into the holiday season, when you might be digging into your closet that much more for your winter wardrobe, coats or stored holiday decorations, it’s a perfect time for a fresh start. Here are some tips to refresh and organize your closet.
First, take all of the items out of your closet and create three piles — keep, donate and trash. Then take each of the items and sort them according to that logic, including shoes and accessories. You’d be surprised how much space you might be able to save just by determining what you don’t want or need anymore.
Consider deep cleaning your closet while it’s empty. After all, you won’t get this opportunity very often. Dust, vacuum and wipe down all the surfaces and baseboards. It’s also a good idea to clean your shoes and other accessories during this time.
If your closet is small, one way to stay organized is to take your off-season clothes and store them elsewhere. Store them in a large bin and put them in a dry area. Make sure the bin is well-marked so you can find it next season.
Once you’ve sorted all of your clothes and cleaned your closet, you can start to put items away. This is also a great time to rethink your organization and folding techniques—you may find a system that works better now that you have fewer clothes in your closet.
Accessories can make all the difference in the world when organizing your closet. Consider dividers, storage bins and shoe racks, in order to keep everything in its place. These allow you to make the best use of space; shoes, jackets, dresses, ties, and so forth all require a different kind of space. The more efficiently you place them, the better.
Don’t overlook accessibility and functionality. As you put things away, keep things within easy reach and where you expect to find them. Label all your boxes and bins, especially the ones you might use less frequently. And don’t forget to look up; you can make the best use of your closet’s space by storing things all the way up to the ceiling.
Hiring a Pro
Of course, a professional organizer can always bring a new perspective that you might not have considered. Their experience can help you make the most efficient use of your time and space.
Organizers charge by either the hour or the project, so be sure you know which method they’ll be using. You might only pay $150 to help tidy up and bring order to one small closet, or you might pay as much as $2,500 for a major job rearranging and building custom organization systems for large walk-in closets.
When hiring an organizer, look for certification from a reputable company such as the National Association of Productivity and Organization Professionals.
