Want your closet to look as perfect as the store shelves do? Purchase a clothing folder like the one seen here:
http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml?CATID=154&PRODID=61479
These allow you to uniformly and quickly fold everything in your closet! They also come in kids’ sizes!
Many of us have lots of shoes! Chances are many of those shoes go unworn. Start by paring down your collection to what you really need, and what you really wear.
Once you have done this, separate the pairs into those you wear daily, and those you wear on special occasions. Keep the daily use shoes accessible, and you can put the others away. Store the others in clear, plastic totes to protect them from dust and unnecessary wear and tear. Here is an example of a plastic show box:
http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml?CATID=154&PRODID=61479
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Is your closet over run with belts, scarves, etc? Just adding a few, very inexpensive accessory holders can neaten things up fast.
Take a look at this one from the Container Store:
http://www.containerstore.com/browse/Product.jhtml?searchId=17980022&itemIndex=2&CATID=158&PRODID=10019551
Probably not! If you are one of those people who have a hard time determining what you wear, and exactly what to get rid of try this trick. Turn all of the hangers in your closet in one direction. As you wear an item and wash it, turn the hanger around. At the end of two weeks, you will have a great idea of what you use and wear. If you go through several weeks of not wearing certain items, you can probably get rid of them.
Obviously, specialty items like cocktail dresses need not apply!
Another great way to change the appearance of your closet quickly is to invest in wooden hangers. These have become more affordable in the past few years, and are now available at super stores, warehouse stores, and online.
Often times closets are filled with a smorgasbord of hanging devices. Metal dry cleaning hangers, hangers from clothing you have purchased, and hangers you have bought on your own- these create a sloppy looking closet when clothes can disappear amongst themselves. Wooden hangers ensure that each garment is given the proper amount of hanging space, and each item will hang at the same level. This will give your closet a neat and tidy appearance, and make your clothes easier to find.
Make sure to buy enough hangers to complete your project, and several more to account for clothing purchases, as the colors and wood type of the hanger may change with the season.
If you can never tell the difference between navy and black in your closet, invest in some LED lights that stick to the wall. These lights are often sold in multi packs and can be purchased at super stores, warehouse stores, and online. Some are programmable to turn on when you open the closet door.
Some come with velcro, but the adhesive is extremely strong and can mar the surface you mount them to. Affix them with double sided tape or Command hook refills, and let there be light!
If you are pressed for space in your closet, and who isn’t, only store one season of clothing in there at a time. Remove out of season clothing and store it in plastic totes in a dry, safe place elsewhere in your home.
If you have a cedar closet, store clothing in there. If not, add some cedar chips to your totes to keep things smelling fresh and to prevent insect invasions.
The extra space you have in your closet will allow you to appreciate the clothes you have, and since you can easily see them you will be sure to wear them.
Not all closet systems are created equal.
Many people want a professional closet organization system in their closets, but even after they have it installed they don’t know what to do with it!
Before you have your closet system installed take inventory of what you have, what you want to store, and how you want it stored. For example, if you have 20 pairs of shoes, do you want them on the floor, on shelves, or on a specialty shoe rack? Do you need more space for hanging items, or folding items?
Next, ask for professional advice. Have a professional organizer assist you with the design process.
Then weigh your options. You can purchase a custom wood system (most expensive option), you can use purchase a do it yourself system at a local hardware store (least expensive option), or you can use The Container Store’s Elfa system (middle of the road cost). The Container Store also offers a free consultation service to help you design your space.
Making the most of your closet space, and the money you spend, will give you rewards in the years to come.
One of the fastest, and least expensive, ways to give your closet a makeover is to paint the inside. Pick a bright white or a bright color of your choice. Consider purchasing “off” paint that someone else has had mixed and not purchased, or returned by other customers. These are normally very inexpensive, and can make a big difference in the appearance of your closet.
Just remember that any color you use will effect the way you view your clothing.
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