Tips On How To Organize Your Overflowing Closet

Tips On How To Organize Your Overflowing Closet
by Claire McFee

If you can barely shut your closet doors due to clothing popping out all over the place, then this article is for you. Like many people, I find it hard to cull clothes. I feel that the rule that, ‘If you haven’t worn an item of clothing for twelve months then get rid of it’, is a bit harsh in some cases. (Provided you have the closet storage space for all your clothes of course!) We have a big double lock up garage, which allows me to keep clothes I am sick of, but intend to wear again in the future. So your closet organizing solutions will vary, depending on your circumstance.

Variety is the Spice of Life

It’s a good idea to put away the clothing that you are a bit bored with, but that you can picture yourself wearing again, or clothing you intend to pass onto your children for example. You don’t need to get rid of half the clothes in your closet on your organizing mission, just what you know I’ll never fit again or that you know you will definitely not wear again.

Keep it in the Family

This is something my Mum did with some special clothes of hers, for my sisters and I, and I’m so glad she did as I’ve had heaps of wear out of them – albeit to fancy dress parties in some cases!

Not enough Closet Space?

If you don’t have the room for doing this though, you will unfortunately need to be a little more ruthless about what you can and can’t keep. A good way to approach this task is to get a close friend or sister for example, to go through your clothes and shoes with you, to realistically tell you if it ‘has to go!’ or not. Keep your ultimate organizing goal in mind as you do this to avoid getting sentimental.

Purge those Clothes

A friend of mine and her sister did this recently and embarrassingly admitted that they purged 20 plastic bags full of clothes to the Charity Shop. She said that the result was amazing though, and wishes she had cleared out her closet sooner. For starters, she could see the clothes she really liked for once, but hardly wore because they were hidden from view in amongst all the other items. My friend also noticed that she was subsequently able to keep the closet space much tidier, due to the area simply looking so much neater and organized. It was more obvious when something was out of place, which prompted her to make sure she put things back after wearing them.

Empty Clothes Hangers to Prompt your Memory

Something I have been doing lately which may help keep your closet area more organized, is to set aside the clothes hangers of the items you have worn that day in an obvious place. This will help prompt you to put that days clothes straight back into the closet where they belong when undressing at night.

Matching Hangers Anyone?

It may also help to purchase a few dozen matching coat hangers. It can make an amazing difference to the overall presentation of your closet, and make you want to keep it tidy. Remember often little visual things like this can make a big difference to getting and keeping your home and closet organized. Worth a try!

A little Money can go a long way on Clothes

A tip for those of you who are still predominately wearing clothes from another era. You can get great stylish clothes at very reasonable prices at stores such as Target or even the Charity Shop, so there’s no excuse not to look good at least some of the time!!!

Get your own Image Consultant

If your budget allows for it, getting your own consultant is worth its weight in gold. Some of us need a little guidance in the best colors and styles for us from someone unbiased like this. A Consultant can help you organize what to keep and what to donate; what to purchase to mix and match with what you already have. A sound investment.

So maybe it’s time you went shopping, but only if you have culled your closet first!!