Holiday + Party

Home Organization for Your Cluttered Closet

Print This Save This

January 7, 2003

Have you ever stood in front of your closet and wondered, "What am I going to wear?" If so, you're not alone. All too often, closets can become cluttered with clothing that hasn't been worn in years—or hasn't been found in years! If your closets are overflowing, we are here for you. We have the information you need to get your closet organized—from choosing the proper hanger for the job to basic wardrobe essentials every closet should have.

jan05 closet image2 Take Stock of the Surplus
First, remove everything from your closet. Then make three piles: clothing you want to keep, donate, and toss. A few rules to keep in mind:

Anything you haven't worn in more than a year shouldn't make it to the "keep" pile.

If you don't feel good in a certain piece of clothing, it's not worth keeping.

Remove your "donate" and "toss" piles from the equation and set your "keep" pile aside.

Wardrobe 101
Now that you've removed your excess items, go back to your "keep" pile. Are the items extravagant or basic? Could you easily mix and match most of the items in your "keep" pile? Do they all fit properly? If not, it's time to get rid of some more clothing and update your wardrobe. Here are some examples of comfortable and easy-to-care-for wardrobe basics.

Black pants. And not just any pair—a nice pair of washable black pants. But washable doesn't have to mean unprofessional. Suit separates can be found in washable fabrics and still maintain their professional appearance. jan05 closet image4

White button-down shirt. One item, so many options. A crisp, white, button-down shirt can be worn layered with vests and sweaters, accented with a colorful scarf, or simply by itself. No matter how you wear it, it's always a classic look.

Blue jeans. What wardrobe would be complete without a good pair of comfy jeans? The keyword being comfy—whether it's a casual Friday at the office or a Sunday afternoon at home.

Solid-color shirts. What better way to ensure you're prepared for anything? Whether it's a polo or a button-down top, solid-color shirts offer the most possibilities for mixing and matching clothing items.

Closet Organization
When it's time to return your clothing to the closet, group garments in a system that works best for you. This could be by color, by type, or by type and color. Also, folding and stacking sweaters helps you to see them at a glance. Here are some other tips to help keep all your clothes in order:

The right hanger for the job. You may not realize it, but there's a right and a wrong hanger for every clothing item. For example, skirt hangers are designed specifically for skirts; pant hangers specifically for pants; and so on. At the end of the day, the right hanger will keep your clothing wrinkle-free and ready to wear.

Don't forget the door. Many people don't realize what a great space saver the door can be. Try mounting hooks to hang purses and jackets, or affix shoe bags or racks to keep your shoes in one place.

Luggage lesson. Place your luggage in a convenient place in your closet only if you travel frequently. If you don't travel that much, consider storing your luggage in the basement or another storage space.

jan05 closet image3 One season at a time. While fall and spring may be transitional-clothing seasons, requiring a range of cold- and warm-weather items, your closet can be trimmed down during summer and winter. Keep seasonal items at the ready, and store the rest until the weather changes. For a smart storage solution, put your out-of-season clothes into a clear, plastic tub. Clear plastic helps you see what's inside so if you have an unseasonable day and want to wear a favorite out-of-season garment, you can easily locate it.