From THIS to...
...to THIS
We know closets can be difficult places to work with, that's why we have made a list of the best things to know and do with your storage space to make it beautiful AND functional!
Image by Kristin Schneider at Organizers Direct
1. Use the whole closet.
Whether you have a large walk-in or small reach-in, the number one key is to make use out of all your space!! Is it a linen closet? Extend shelving from floor to ceiling! Bedroom closet? Use every nook and cranny! For example, moving hanging storage in a reach-in closet to the sides can really open up middle space for more storage solutions.
2. Think outside the box.
Think outside the box and find creative storage solutions to maximize every inch of your closet so you can get the most use out of it. Don't be afraid to forgo traditional closet concepts and find a new way to do things!
3. Know what you need.
Everyone is different -maybe you have 30 pairs of shoes, tons of dresses, or love scarfs - whatever you have, know what you need the most room for! You don't want to design a closet with a ton of hanging space if you like to fold most of your shirts; or only leave room for a few pairs of shoes when you own over a dozen. Don't waste space on something your not going to get the most use out of.
4. Make your most used items easily accessible.
One of the most important factors to consider when designing or organizing your closet is to think about your favorite go-to clothing options! We all have those particular sets of clothes that we undoubtedly wear at least a couple times a month no matter how many other options we have. Your going to want those pieces easy to find and grab out of your closet. A great way to do this is by hanging your most frequently used items nearer the door while placing less used clothes farther into the space or room as noted by www.closetfactory.com in their blog Things To Consider When Redoing a Bedroom Closet.
5. Use appropriate spacing.
No one wants an over-cluttered looking closet. One of the most common and unsightly mistakes is hanging clothes in a space that is too short to accommodate them. The best way to get around this is to have different lengths available for each of your hanging needs. If you have dresses, be sure to leave enough long hanging room so they don't end up wadded up and wrinkled at the bottom!
Tip: Measure your longest hanging clothes to give yourself an idea of how large of a space you will need.
Here, you can see how dresses are given a larger hanging space than shirts or pants.
6. Rotate clothing.
Image from www.containmentstore.com
No one really needs full access to all seasons clothing year round! Make more space in your closet by storing off-season clothing in stylish bins kept in hard to reach closet space (such as very high shelves) or even in a different area completely. These storage bins from www.containerstore.com and similar items can be great storage solutions for your un-used clothes.
7. Use the Kon Mari Method.
Marie Kondo, a Japanese best-selling author, has revolutionized the world of de-cluttering and organizing. The "Kon Mari" method is a wonderful way to transform and tidy your closet into something you can actually love! While this method can be applied to all areas of the home, the Kon Mari method of folding clothes is essential when talking about your closet space as it can reduce closet clutter and make clothes easier to find.
Checkout how it works here: https://konmari.com/about/marie-kondo/
Or watch a 'how-to' by Marie Kondo herself:
8. Don't forget to make it pretty.
At the end of the day, your closet needs to make YOU happy! Let your personality show through use of color and style. Boxes are great, not only for storage, but to add a pop of color and personality to any room. Do you want a rustic look? Use natural wood crates for a farmhouse feel, or buy colored and designed boxes to add a POP! of color to your space. If you have a large enough closet, even an area rug could be used to bring a little personality into the room. Don't forget to have fun with your space!
So hop off the computer and turn that closet into something you will love to look at every day! And as always, happy organizing!
