Org This: Tackling the Coat Closet

Community Manager — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 14:23:00 GMT

We're mid-way through winter so odds are good your coat closet is a mess of bulky items and mismatched gloves. What's that you say? You can't find your hat? We feel your pain (and your possible frostbite.) Read on for tips for whipping your closet back into shape for the rest of the wintery season.

Out with the Unused: Closets turn into catchalls quicker than snowflakes melt on a tongue. Identify unused and unneeded items by emptying your closet-yup, we're starting with a blank slate-and put back only those items that truly belong.

Saying Goodbye: Gather unworn clothes and paraphernalia into groups: one to donate, one to pass along to friends and another to trash. Be sure to keep receipts for any items donated to charity.

Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow: Having trouble saying good-bye? Ask yourself three questions: Does it fit? Do I wear/use it? Do I love it? If the answer to any of these questions is no, the item needs to go. Consider working with a trusted friend and their unbiased eye to evaluate your belongings.

Color Code: Once your closet is edited to include only clothes and gear that are seasonally appropriate, it's time to color code items by family member. Assign each member a color that corresponds to hooks, bins and whatever other tools you use. Color coding helps assign items a designated home and makes it easy for even the youngest family member to neatly stow away their belongings.

Tame Odds & Ends: Don't let scarves and other cold weather accessories overrun your closest. Maximize the space on the inside of a closet door to hang small, frequently used items. Use clothes pins to clamp gloves and mitten together so one doesn't go missing.

Neat & Tidy: Once your closet is shipshape, maintain order by arranging all hangers in the same direction and by storing items requiring folding, draped over hangers rather than in sloppy piles. Keep a small trash can to corral dry-cleaning bags and wire hangers. You may also wish to invest in a plastic or metal shoe tray to capture wet boots near your entrance.

Hello Sweaters! Time to Organize Your Fall Closet

Community Manager — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 13:08:00 GMT

Shorter days, cooler nights: fall's sweater weather is here. Create room in your closet for bulky cold weather clothes and boots with our simple steps for a well-organized wardrobe.

So Long Summer: Free up room for cold weather fashions by saying good-bye to seasonal items until next summer. Retire flip flops, sundresses and bathing suits from your closet into off-season storage. By editing your closet to house only seasonally appropriate items, it'll be easier to dress each morning.

Assess the Dress: Give all fall items a through onceover asking yourself three questions: Does it fit? Do I wear it? Do I love it? If the answer to any of these questions is no, the item needs to go.

Move On: Gather unwanted or ill-fitting clothes into groups: one to donate, one to pass along to friends and another to trash. Consider enlisting a friend to help you assess your closet; their unbiased eye will help you weed out what no longer works. Be sure to keep receipts for any items donated to charity.

Identify Transition Items: Find a spot in your closet to house transition items, such as tees or lightweight dresses that can be worn with tights and belted cardigans. While some summer items can transition through a cool fall, they often must be retired during a cold winter. By grouping these items in one spot, you can keep track of them and ensure they eventually make it into storage rather than cluttering up the closet.

Color Code: Once your wardrobe is edited down to seasonally appropriate items, it's time to color code like items. By grouping items by color, specific items can be found more readily. Also, consider grouping items into zones: low rods for shirts, tops and folded pants, and a higher rod for dresses and long skirts.

Embrace Order: Opening the door to a tidy, well-organized closet each morning can be a moment of Zen. Arrange your hangers in the same direction and banish sloppy piles by storing items that require folding draped over hangers. Keep a small trash can to corral dry-cleaning bags and wire hangers. Aim for clutter free calm.

Tame Odds & Ends: Corral accessories and small items which can easily take over a closet. Use bins to capture handbags and larger accessories. Think vertical, using closet walls to display hats or favorite bags. Belts and scarves can be stored on the back of the closet door or in specially-designed hanging units.

Finally, we leave you with two articles that will help make your closet a shining temple of organization: How to Organize Your Closet from Lucky Magazine and Clothing Closet Organizing Checklist from Real Simple.

Do you do a fall closet reorg? Or do you suffer a closet stuffed with summer gear until next Memorial Day? Share your thoughts here and on the Pendaflex Facebook and Twitter pages.

Beyond Folders : organization tips, closets

Org This: Tackling the Coat Closet

Hello Sweaters! Time to Organize Your Fall Closet