Organizing a closet can be one of the most rewarding tasks in a home or office. Not only does an organized closet look good, it also saves time and improves efficiency. Since we typically “stash” items in closets, cleaning them out every year is a good idea. If you haven’t tackled a closet in awhile, follow these steps:
GATHER SUPPLIES
- Step stool
- Rag/wipes
- A couple of empty boxes or bags
- Plastic/zip-up bags
- A trash can
- A card table or other surface for sorting
- Pen/Sharpie & post-its
EMPTY THE CONTENTS COMPLETELY
Decide in advance where you will “stage” items while you are working. If the project is large, designate a space where items can be left out overnight, such as a spare bedroom, a section of the floor, or a conference table. As you pull belongings out, group them into categories of “like” items in your staging area. For example, all dress shirts in one pile, or all pens in this corner. Small items can be grouped into the zip-up plastic storage bags.
WIPE THE SHELVES DOWN
Cleaning shelves when they are full is no fun, so take this opportunity to wipe down the surfaces, vacuum the carpet, etc.
BRING THE ITEMS TO THE SORTING SURFACE AND REVIEW
Now bring like items in small batches to your sorting surface and spread them out so you can easily see them. Decide for each item whether you wish to put it back into the closet, donate it, trash it, relocate it to another area, or put it in long term storage (e.g. a bin in the attic)
CAUTION! Don’t allow yourself to leave items sitting on the table. Make a decision and move pieces off the table. Items you have decided to shed can go into the boxes or bags you have gathered.
PLAN
Now you have a good view of what you want to keep in the closet. As you reload, keep these guidelines in mind:
Put the items you need most at eye level, anything you need less frequently up high.
Never put small objects loosely onto large shelves. Use smaller containers (e.g. clear plastic bins) to contain similar smaller objects. For example, if this is a supply closet at work, have separate bins for pens, pencils, ink cartridges, etc. Or use a milk crate on a top shelf (facing forward) to hold clutch purses.
Subdivide drawers which will hold loose/small things. For instance, use shoeboxes in a drawer to segregate white socks from dark socks.
If you are working with clothing, organize by type of garment and – if you have space – by color. This makes putting outfits together easier.
Don’t be afraid to install extra shelves/rods/racks to optimize the space. The smaller the closet, the more important it is to have a good closet management system. Make the closet suit your needs. If you have no need for hanging, remove the rod and put in extra shelving.
If more than one person uses this closet, label everything. Put a label directly onto the front of a shelf or an adhesive label on a bin. If users don’t know where an item belongs, they will likely just “stick” it onto the nearest shelf.
Be creative. Have walls in your closet or the back of a door? Hang some hooks or racks. Check out The Seana Method’s Pinterest page for some visual ideas.
Limit what you keep. If – after sorting – you still have more than will fit, sort again.
When organized and maintained, a closet can improve your efficiency and protect your investment. What solutions work well in your closet?
This post was right on time for me. I was just looking at our hall closet yesterday and thinking how it was in serious need of a clean-out. All the closets need work but the hall closet is the scariest.
So glad the timing was right. Good luck, and thanks for stopping by!
I need to subdivide my shelves! Maybe label them too. Great advice Seana!
Yes, Michelle!! Subdividing makes everything so much more practical. Good luck!
This is a sad reminder that it’s time for me to rehab my closet…and my daughter’s closet. *Sigh*
No sighing allowed! I’m sure you have been busy with other things!! Think of it like a highly rewarding project that awaits! Good luck, and thanks for stopping by.
Great tips. Organizing makes me happy, giggle. I invite you to add this post to the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop ( you can still link up today). Hugs P.S. don’t forget to enter my giveaway too.
Organizing makes me happy too! I find the whole process freeing. I’ll try to stop by today:)
I see the math calculations…and I freak out, LOL…
Okay, first could I feature this post in two weeks on the blog hop…I am talking about organizing clothes for work and this would tie in perfectly.
Hey Karen, Thanks for stopping by. YES, feel free to share on the blog hop. The more the merrier! Life is so funny, what makes one person cringe makes another (me!) smile. Hope the tips help out.. have a great day.
doh! forgot to add I love all the little tips. I label some items, but I shoud label the organizers on my door…just in case. Then putting things at eye level..never though of that…that’s a great one…need to fix up my closet before I start in two weeks.
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Right now I have a very standard closet, but a minimal wardrobe so it works okay for me. In the past, I had a closet with one rod above the other, which made way better use of space because I could hang shirts and jackets above skirts and pants. In another house, I had a closet with one rod in front of the other, which was great for switching around the wardrobe when the seasons changed. That one was probably my favorite.
Janet Barclay recently posted…Call for Submissions to Professional Organizers Blog Carnival: Closet Organizing
I’ve never seen a closet with one rod in front of the other. That is brilliant! So simple to switch out the seasonal clothing. Especially when the closet is small, layout can make all the difference!
Nice logical way to attack a closet! I think setting limits is the most important. You simply have to accept the amount of space that is available! It really is easier to get dressed or get ready for a trip when everything you have to choose from is something you love to wear. 🙂 Thanks for sharing this on P.O.B.C.
Olive Wagar recently posted…ROUNDING UP THE USUAL SUSPECTS: TIME FOR TAKE OUT TEN!
Exactly, Olive. Reality is reality, and if we fail to accept the boundaries of our space, we are going to be overcrowded. Period.
I keep each person’s clothing in one closet and clothing is sorted by type, color, and whether it’s long sleeves or short sleeve which means I do not have to change out by season. It’s time consuming but so soothing to the eyes. I might even say my closet is “Monica Clean” 🙂