Sorting out your closets: advice from professionals for effective, long-lasting results
Closets are essential pieces of furniture in any home and care should be taken that they do not turn into chaotic, jumbled messes.
So, what is the best way to organize a closet? Well keep reading to find out:
1. Preliminary evaluation
The very first step to take when you decide to reorganize a closet is a preliminary assessment: only by finding out why the closet is in a mess, can you tackle the problem effectively. Do you have too many items in the closet? Out-of-place items? Everthing tossed in the bottom and not on the shelves?- these are just some examples of chaos-causing issues.
2. Planning
Another fundamental thing to do is planning: set aside all the time you need to carry out this chore.
Prepare and equip yourself properly: keep everything you will need close to hand (such as rubbish bags and cleaning tools); prepare yourself mentally by having a cup of coffee or tea and put on some music which you find relaxing and soothing.
3. Decluttering
Now it's time to get stuck in: remove all the clothes from the closet and place them on a table or on the bed. Then, proceed with selection, eliminating all those items that you have not (or will not) worn/used. Mark these garments for throwing away, donation or to be sold.
You might be surprized by how many near-identical items of clothing you own. By eliminating some of these, you will certainly achieve something worth while.
Get rid of everything you haven't used for at least a year and ask yourself these questions about the remaining items: Do I really like this garment? Can I/will I wear it in the future? Is it versatile? Does it really match my style? Are there any stains or signs of wear on it?
4. Reorganize closet spaces
Now you have decluttered, divide up the "survivors" by type. At the same time, evaluate the space you have available in the closet.
Consider installing rails if you have a lot of clothes and shirts that need to be hung up; add extra shelves or insert drawers if you have a lot of clothes and accessories to keep folded up; use dividers, risers or racks to keep stored items neatly.
5. Return your garments to your closet
Now, you can put all your (remaining) clothes back in the closet, arranging them in such a way that they are easy to find and take out and/or put back. Keep the garments separated by type and stored away properly and appropriately (hanging, folded, in drawers, etc).
6. Stay organized over time
Once you have completed this chore, it is important to learn how to maintain order over time. To this end, it will be necessary to adopt some good habits: regularly tidy up your clothes and accessories and avoid leaving them on a chair, on the bed or on the floor; fold and put away the laundry immediately after drying; encourage family members to do the same.
Follow this step-by-step method to keep your closets tidy.
