Closets are a great concept, but never seem to be big enough.
And even when they are a decent size, they can be hard to organize.
The personal images I link to below are fromthis albumof my own closet situation.
Keep out-of-season (winter/summer) clothes out of the way.
Youre more likely to wear something if it’s possible for you to see it.
Keep one or two hooks empty for quick-n-dirty clean up.
Dont forget the backs of deep shelves and high-up places.
Hanging Clothes
Try installing a second closet rod above your main one.
This basically doubles your hanging space.
Buy astool(my preference) or areaching rodfor access.
I have often done this myself on the cheapsearch around fortutorialsor visit your local home improvement store.
Matching hangers makes everythinglook so nice.
I havethese Joy Mangano onesand I LOVE THEM SO MUCH.
I bought a 200-pack or something like that when it was on special.
Cascading hooksarebloody geniusand work with almost any hanger.
Usetwo at a time!
you’re free to get atiered hangerfor skirts.Mineis over 30 years old and still going strong.
I have yet to find the perfect single skirt hanger commercially available, but it must havespring-clipsandsmooth rubbergrips.
The Joy Mangano clips arent greatdont waste your money.
Folded Clothes
Fold all knit items to preventhanger bumps.
That includes sweaters, most T-shirts and some blouses.
If you still have space behind your folded clothes (i.e.
really deep shelves) store your out-of-season sandals/sweaters back there.
If you are using a dresser or other drawers, stack clothesverticallyrather than horizontally.
(See tip three.)
I do this foreverythingincludingtights,socks, PJs, and even underwear.
By the way,foldingyourunderwearsaves space.
For open shelving, be sure not tostackso high that it tumbles.
Feel free to useextra shelvingin already existingshelves.
Shoes and Boots
Use anover-the-doorshoe organizerI like these better thanhang-in-the-closetversions because hanging space is so valuable.
Small cheapbookshelvesare great forboots.
Some people love keeping their original shoe boxes, but this violates tip three.
Bags
Stuff bags with tissue to keep their shape.
When using a bag, leave tissue asholding space.
Sit themon a shelfrather than hanging them to prevent handles from stretching out.
Usebookendsto keep them up.
If you must hang, use anover-the-door coat rack.
For lesser-used bags, create a drawer out of a long boot box.
These are also very handy in the kitchen.
They work best if you drill a hole first.
Corral smaller items into openboxes, jarsandcupspurchased at thrift stores.
Items that you intend to use infrequently can be hidden away inboxes.
Creating More Space
Buy anarmoirethats what I did.
Are you handy?Build a closet in a corner!
Beware of how much your wardrobe weighs; you may need more than two of those brackets.
I have one in my pantry for coats.
This story was originally published on 2/12/14 and was updated on 10/21/19 to provide more thorough and current information.
