5 Closet Organization Ideas

5 Closet Organization Ideas

Do you dream of having beautiful Pinterest-worthy closets? The key to success is within your grasp. All you need is a little, or a lot of motivation to get started and enough willpower to keep the space organized.

 

But it’s worth the effort: you’ll be rewarded with a closet that showcases your garments instead of one that leaves you feeling like you have nothing to wear!

1. First, Don’t Buy Anything

You’ve read correctly! Beautiful storage cubbies and hangers that all the same colour are fun to shop for and install, but this should only be done as a final step once you’ve assessed your needs. So, while it may be tempting to start by buying gorgeous wicker baskets and then filling them up, be patient! Instead, begin by clearing your closet. Like Marie Kondo, the star of the Japanese home organization show, sort your items by category: coats, bottoms, tops, shoes, etc. Once the closet has been emptied of its contents, dust and vacuum.

2. Find a Place to Drop of Your Donations

It’s easier to free up your closets if you know in advance how to dispose of your extra garments. Some thrift shops will take your clothes for cash or let you exchange them for items in the store. Others will sell your pieces on consignment for you and pay you when someone buys them. If you have time, you can also sell them yourself on the Internet through various applications. However, damaged and out-of-date clothing will need to be salvaged in another way—non-profits like Goodwill can recycle them, while small garment companies can reuse the fabric. Check with your municipality.

3. Purge: Difficult, but Liberating

This is most definitely the hardest step. What clothes do you want to keep? You will have to be brutally honest with yourself. As a general rule, get rid of any garments you haven’t worn in a year. Most people hang on to clothes they no longer wear because the piece has sentimental value, it was expensive or they think they might want to wear it again some day (as if they can somehow predict the future). Find a place other than the closet to store items that are too precious for you to discard, like a wedding dress. Donate everything else!

4. Only Keep What You Love (We Insist!)

Free yourself from awkward, scratchy clothes, shoes that pinch your toes, or high heels that you don’t wear. For each item, ask yourself the question, “Do I want to put it on today?” If yes, you will be able to make room for it in your closet.

5. Now the Fun Part: Get Organized!

The next step is to measure your closet to determine how much space you have to work with. Add a second rod and high shelves to maximize the use of vertical space. Buy a set of identical, good-quality hangers for a streamlined look and to preserve your clothes. Avoid wrinkling by using hangers designed for specific types of garments: with 2 clips for skirts and pants; wider ones to prevent sweaters from stretching, etc. Baskets are practical for keeping items such as belts, handbags or boots. A small bookcase is a good way of organizing shoes and sports clothes. Store out-of-season garments in boxes under the bed or in the garage instead so as not to unnecessarily clutter the closet.

Here’s at tip! Place your bedding and pillows in large plastic bags, then use a vacuum to suck up the air and reduce their size. Sort clothes by category (or even colour!). By being able to see all your garments at a glance, you can then quickly determine what items are missing from your wardrobe.

The last step is a longer-term one: get into the habit of putting your clothes neatly away in your closet as you go so that all that mess doesn’t reappear in a few weeks. Happy reorganizing!

RE/MAX Québec

By RE/MAX Québec

By RE/MAX Québec

A leader in the real estate industry since 1982, the RE/MAX network brings together the most efficient brokers.