March 4, 2010
Taking Your Closets From Cluttered to Calm
Have you been putting off organizing your closets because you’re afraid that it will take too long or cost too much? Despite what you see on home improvement shows, if your cluttered closets are frustrating instead of functional, you don't have to install a break-the-bank customized closet system in order to get organized. With a modest investment of time and a few inexpensive and innovative space-saving tools you can transform your cluttered closets from chaotic to calm. If you want them to stay that way, remember to weed out unused items periodically.
TIP #1 – LIFE SAVERS: Wire hangers do a poor job of maintaining a garment’s shape over time so extend the life of your clothes by replacing yours. Use padded ones for your more fragile items, wooden ones for heavier items and slim line, velvet surfaced ones to save space and prevent items from slipping.
TIP #2 – NOT JUST FOR SHOES ANYMORE: Sure they’re great for shoes, but shoe racks and shoe bags hung on the inside or outside of a door - or even right on a wall - are a great way to store a wide variety of other items. They’ll free up precious shelf space, provide easy access and help you keep track of your “stuff”. The clear pocketed type works well for holding sunglasses, keys, water bottles, small umbrellas, cellphones, toys, socks waiting for their mate, arts and crafts supplies, hair accessories, cotton swabs, toothbrushes, soaps and other toiletries, small office supplies, iPods, gloves, earmuffs...the list is endless! Remember to keep shampoos and medicines in the highest pockets, well out of children’s reach.
TIP #3 – WHO TURNED OUT THE LIGHTS?: There’s nothing worse than trying to find something in a closet that doesn’t have good artificial or natural light. A battery operated light in an unwired closet can help solve the problem.
TIP #4 – PRACTICAL & VERSATILE: Upright plastic bins have many practical uses. Keep one in the corner of a closet to hold your umbrellas. Store wrapping paper in another to keep it from getting damaged. Use a third to store tennis rackets, bats or yoga mats.
TIP #5 – NO HANG-UPS: Has limited drawer space forced you to hang clothes - like heavy winter sweaters - you’d rather not? An alternative that will help prevent your clothes from stretching out is to fold them up and store them in large canvas or plastic boxes on a shelf, under your bed, or in a set of hanging shelves which easily attach to most closet rods. Hanging shelves can also be used in other closets to hold phone books, handbags, winter scarves, hats and gloves.
TIP #6 – HARD KNOCKS: To avoid mops and brooms from falling out and knocking you on the head when you open the closet door, capture them in a holder attached to the inside or back of the door.
TIP #7 – DIVIDE AND CONQUER: Shelf dividers help prevent stacks of sweaters, t-shirts or towels from falling over onto their neighbors. You can also use them to separate handbags and keep other unruly items in their place.
TIP #8 – MOUNTIES TO THE RESCUE: Mounting pegboard on the inside of a closet door or closet wall (if you have space) creates an inexpensive, easy-to-access place to hang belts, jewelry and handbags.
TIP #9 – ROLL ‘EM UP: Clear, plastic, stackable drawers sitting on a shelf or the floor handily hold neatly rolled scarves, underwear, socks, belts and more. Label them for the ultimate in closet organization!
TIP #10 – GROUP ANALYSIS: To make getting dressed faster and easier, group your clothing by category, i.e., dresses, dress pants, work tops, jeans, skirts, casual shirts. You can refine it further by arranging each category by color, from light to dark.
TIP #11 – CONTAINERIZE: Containers like collapsible Crunch Cans by Umbra and folding mesh cubes are extremely versatile. They can be used to store everything from rolls of toilet paper to bats, balls, helmets, and other sports gear to cleaning rags, stuffed animals, laundry, dry cleaning, etc.
TIP #12 – STRATEGIZE & MAXIMIZE: Store your less frequently used items on upper closet shelves. Keep your favorite outerwear where it’s easy to grab-and-go. Use hooks on the back of your coat closet door to streamline and stretch your space.
TIP #13 – STEP IT UP: Stow small, collapsible step ladders inside each of your closets so you can quickly and easily reach upper storage spaces without having to get your kitchen step stool.
TIP #14 – THINK VERTICALLY: Use clear, plastic, stackable boxes to contain your shoes on a shelf or the floor. Because they’re clear, it’s easy to find what you need and because they’re shorter and trimmer than the boxes shoes come in, they stack compactly.
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MILLER ORGANIZING. All rights reserved.
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MILLER ORGANIZING. All rights reserved.
14 Stuyvesant Oval
NYC, NY 10009