Home Organization for Your Closet

Despite our best intentions, closets have a way of creeping up on us. Little by little, while nobody is looking, they transform themselves from tidy, friendly enclaves to sloppy, unmanageable fortresses. The more we acquire, the more trouble we're in. So how does one tame an overflowing closet? We asked organization experts Ginny Scott and Jan Schlesinger of California Closets for their professional advice. Here are their tips:

		If an old or stained tie or two are headed for the trash, check out our craft this month for a great way to put them to a new, fun use.

Purge and Prosper
What is your closet's biggest enemy? Too much stuff.
•  Here's your rule of thumb: If you haven't worn it for a year, toss it. And be honest. The black leather miniskirt that still doesn't fit? Goodbye. The brown boots with the broken heel? Good riddance. It may be tough; it might even hurt a little. But you must be strong and decisive.
•  Ward off feelings of regret by giving your things to charity. Think about it this way: Your castoffs will finally find some use in this world and you'll get a tidy little tax break to boot.
•  If you must hold onto something that evokes warm thoughts or memories, box it up and put it in storage. Remember: It's a closet, not a museum.
•  Next time you're out shopping, keep this in mind: Every time you buy something new, you should throw out something old. Not only will it be good for your closet, but possibly your bank account, too.

Get Organized
You know that you want to be able to access everything, all the time. What you don't know is that there are untapped resources in your closet just waiting to be discovered.
•  Work and play should never mingle. Relegate Monday-to-Friday clothes in one area, casual clothes in another.
•  Say "no" to waste! Create separate hanging sections for suits, dresses, jackets, and shirts. Group each by length so there's no dead space.
•  Divide and conquer. Make more room for everyday clothes by moving formalwear or seasonal clothes to a guest room closet.
•  Out of sight, out of mind. During the spring and summer months, store bulky sweaters and coats in an inexpensive rolling drawer under the bed. To avoid moths and mildew, place clothes in zippered bags and throw in a couple of silicon packages and cedar balls.
•  Grabbing a sweatshirt shouldn't cause an avalanche. Use bins to accommodate shoes and sweaters more efficiently.
•  What's that tangled mess? Use drawer dividers to organize undergarments and accessories.
•  Reducing steps makes the job easier. Replace hampers with portable laundry baskets for simple transport.
•  Old habits are hard to break. But sometimes the answer is as simple as how you put away your clothes:

•   Sweaters, sweatshirts, and knit shirts should be folded and displayed on a shelf. Drawers hide clothes and hangers distort their shape.
•   Jewelry and accessories should be kept in a drawer right in your closet for easy access when you get dressed.
•   Ties and belts should be hung on space-saving racks placed near the shirts or pants with which they will be coordinated.
•   Shoes should be placed on shelves at eye level or in a rack hung on the door. Keep shoes that are worn less frequently in their boxes, with a photo of the shoe glued to the outside of the box.
•   Luggage should be stored in a convenient place in your closet to simplify the task of packing. If you travel infrequently, a better place would be in the basement, attic, or garage.

Applied Closet Principles
Linen Closet
•  Sort sheets into sets, and place a full set inside its coordinating
pillowcase.
•  To save space, store towels in the bathroom. Hand towels and face cloths can be rolled and stored in wicker baskets or layered on a shelf.
•  Hang tablecloths on towel racks mounted to the back of the linen closet door.
•  Seasonal or holiday linens should not be stored in the closet during the off-season. Instead, box them up and put them in the basement or attic.

	Kids' Closets •  Let's face it. Young kids aren't going to use hangers (most can't even reach the bar!). Instead, opt for hooks placed at the right height for your child. •  The key is to create a closet your child will use, not one that you will use for your child. Use brightly colored bins, without lids, for holding different types of clothes. For example, red for socks and underwear, blue for T-shirts, yellow for pants. •  Hang see-through plastic shoe racks on the door to store toys and stuffed animals.	Tossing things into bins like these can make even not-so-tidy kids' rooms and closets a bit neater.

Remember, "when you organize your home, you simplify your life."

Audrey Wong is a freelance writer who finds the most happiness in her home when everything is put away where it belongs.