by Professional Organizer Orange County
When you need/want to organize your closets, where should you start?
1. The first step in organizing is to assess what you have in your space. To do this you need to pull everything out of your closet and sort it into categories: clothes, shoes, hats, sports equipment, toys, sheets, towels, blankets, etc.
2. Once you have everything sorted into categories it is time to decide if you need to keep everything in that category. Start with one category at a time and decide:
a. What do I want the purpose of this closet to be: linens, clothing, storage, utilities? Does this item belong in this specific closet?
b. Do I have more than one of this item? Can I donate excess items that I no longer use?
c. Purge what you can in each category: Ask yourself if you use that item? If you love that item? Is it in good condition? Do you have a better item that you can replace an old item with?
d. Remove all items that do not belong in that space.
What are some effective tips for organizing your closets (consider bedroom, entry/hall, linen, etc.)? What are some space saving/effective space usage tips?
Once you have determined which items are staying in that closet it is time to create systems that will help you to maintain order and organization in your space.
It is very important that you measure your space before you start buying products. The proper sized organizing supplies will create the proper storage solutions for your needs.
Labeling bins, containers and shelves benefits everyone in the household by helping them to maintain the closet.
Bedroom
1. Purge clothing and shoes every six months. Purge anything you haven’t worn in 1 year, any clothing that is ripped or stained, anything that doesn’t fit.
2. Matching hangers make clothing stand out and look like a designer closet.
3. Store seasonal clothes in airtight bins: ski clothes, camping clothes, etc.
4. Get shoes off of the floor by putting them on shoe racks or in hanging shoe shelves
5. Hang clothes according to type and color: Tank tops
6. Hanging canvas shelves are great for folding sweaters and jeans
7. A valet hook on the back of the closet door is useful for hanging your outfit for tomorrow. It also can make packing for a vacation that much easier.
8. Utilize all unused space by adding a double hanging rod to increase hanging space.
9. Hang all short hang items together this allows for storage space under the clothing for drawers, a rolling cart, or a shoe rack.
10. Shelf dividers also act as bookends for purses, folded sweaters, and t-shirts
Entry/Hall
1. This type of closet should be used to store:
a. coats
b. umbrellas
c. luggage
d. any items that you use daily i.e. briefcase, backpack, etc.
2. Adding shelving in this area will aid in utilizing all unused space.
Pantry
1. The first step in organizing a pantry is to clean out all old and expired food.
2. Sort food into categories: baking, dinner foods, cereal, breakfast, canned vegetables, canned fruit.
3. Try to keep only food and paper good in your pantry.
4. Airtight containers are great for grains and pastas. They help keep bugs out. If a product has specific directions on the box, cut them out and tape them to the lid of the airtight container. Make sure they are labeled.
5. Save space by adding stackable shelves for short cans. In addition, stair steps help you to see spices and smaller condiments.
6. Baskets help contain spice and drink packets.
7. Lazy Susans make it easier to see condiments and canned goods.
Kids Closets
1. Kids closets should be handled similarly to adults’.
2. Add shelving and hanging systems that help your children to reach their clothing on their own.
3. If you need to store toys and clothes in the same space it is important to distinguish separate zones for each category.
4. Toys fit well on shelves. Avoid toy chests for they tend to have items dumped into them.
5. Label storage containers with pictures of items for children who are too young to read.
6. Store outgrown or too large of clothes on a top shelf in nice canvas bins. Make sure the sizes are labeled clearly on the outside of the bin.
7. Use children’s sized hangers.
8. Get your kids involved in the organizing process so they are excited to maintain their closet.
Linen Closets
1. Linen closets can be sorted and purge like any other closet.
2. Eliminate all old or torn sheets and towels.
3. Categorize sheets by room or size.
4. Categorize towels by: kids, guests, beach, master bath, etc.
5. Keep large blankets in blanket storage bags. These bags help blankets stay clean. It is easier to stack them on a shelf this way.
6. Put all tablecloths together. Napkin and placemat sets should be kept with the matching tablecloth.
7. Label each shelf so that laundry is an easy task.
8. Keep heavy winter blankets on the top shelf.
What are some new products on the market that make closet organization easier/better?
I have mentioned a few great organizing products above. The best places to look for products are:
1. The Container Store
2. Linens and Things
3. Bed Bath and Beyond
4. Target
5. www.Organize.com
A great system that I love to use in closets in the Elfa system from the Container Store and Organize.com. This is a versatile closet system that is easy to design and install. I have installed a dozen of them on my own.
The most important advice I can give about organizing products is to make sure you measure, measure, measure. Make sure the containers and systems you purchase are the right size for your needs. Always give yourself 10% room to grow in your containers and on your shelves. This allows for new items you bring into your home.
Once your new systems are in place it is important to update and modify your systems as your needs change. Every 6 months to a year is a good time frame for updating your systems. Make sure you are still using everything in your closet. If you have started to get a little disorganized again, you may need to make a small adjustment with your system.
Your system has to work for you. If you like colors, buy colorful creative looking storage solutions. If you need to see everything you own, then use clear see-through products. The bottom line is that if you do not love your space you are not going to maintain it. Have fun with the organizing process. It is fun to discover items you have forgotten about, or possessions that bring back memories.
OUR CONTACT INFO:
Professional Organizer Orange County – Custom Organizing
http://www.professionalorganizerorangecounty.com/
rm2breathe@hotmail.com
(949) 500-8234
Amanda Armstrong – Owner / Professional Organizer
When you need/want to organize your closets, where should you start?
1. The first step in organizing is to assess what you have in your space. To do this you need to pull everything out of your closet and sort it into categories: clothes, shoes, hats, sports equipment, toys, sheets, towels, blankets, etc.
2. Once you have everything sorted into categories it is time to decide if you need to keep everything in that category. Start with one category at a time and decide:
a. What do I want the purpose of this closet to be: linens, clothing, storage, utilities? Does this item belong in this specific closet?
b. Do I have more than one of this item? Can I donate excess items that I no longer use?
c. Purge what you can in each category: Ask yourself if you use that item? If you love that item? Is it in good condition? Do you have a better item that you can replace an old item with?
d. Remove all items that do not belong in that space.
What are some effective tips for organizing your closets (consider bedroom, entry/hall, linen, etc.)? What are some space saving/effective space usage tips?
Once you have determined which items are staying in that closet it is time to create systems that will help you to maintain order and organization in your space.
It is very important that you measure your space before you start buying products. The proper sized organizing supplies will create the proper storage solutions for your needs.
Labeling bins, containers and shelves benefits everyone in the household by helping them to maintain the closet.
Bedroom
1. Purge clothing and shoes every six months. Purge anything you haven’t worn in 1 year, any clothing that is ripped or stained, anything that doesn’t fit.
2. Matching hangers make clothing stand out and look like a designer closet.
3. Store seasonal clothes in airtight bins: ski clothes, camping clothes, etc.
4. Get shoes off of the floor by putting them on shoe racks or in hanging shoe shelves
5. Hang clothes according to type and color: Tank tops
6. Hanging canvas shelves are great for folding sweaters and jeans
7. A valet hook on the back of the closet door is useful for hanging your outfit for tomorrow. It also can make packing for a vacation that much easier.
8. Utilize all unused space by adding a double hanging rod to increase hanging space.
9. Hang all short hang items together this allows for storage space under the clothing for drawers, a rolling cart, or a shoe rack.
10. Shelf dividers also act as bookends for purses, folded sweaters, and t-shirts
Entry/Hall
1. This type of closet should be used to store:
a. coats
b. umbrellas
c. luggage
d. any items that you use daily i.e. briefcase, backpack, etc.
2. Adding shelving in this area will aid in utilizing all unused space.
Pantry
1. The first step in organizing a pantry is to clean out all old and expired food.
2. Sort food into categories: baking, dinner foods, cereal, breakfast, canned vegetables, canned fruit.
3. Try to keep only food and paper good in your pantry.
4. Airtight containers are great for grains and pastas. They help keep bugs out. If a product has specific directions on the box, cut them out and tape them to the lid of the airtight container. Make sure they are labeled.
5. Save space by adding stackable shelves for short cans. In addition, stair steps help you to see spices and smaller condiments.
6. Baskets help contain spice and drink packets.
7. Lazy Susans make it easier to see condiments and canned goods.
Kids Closets
1. Kids closets should be handled similarly to adults’.
2. Add shelving and hanging systems that help your children to reach their clothing on their own.
3. If you need to store toys and clothes in the same space it is important to distinguish separate zones for each category.
4. Toys fit well on shelves. Avoid toy chests for they tend to have items dumped into them.
5. Label storage containers with pictures of items for children who are too young to read.
6. Store outgrown or too large of clothes on a top shelf in nice canvas bins. Make sure the sizes are labeled clearly on the outside of the bin.
7. Use children’s sized hangers.
8. Get your kids involved in the organizing process so they are excited to maintain their closet.
Linen Closets
1. Linen closets can be sorted and purge like any other closet.
2. Eliminate all old or torn sheets and towels.
3. Categorize sheets by room or size.
4. Categorize towels by: kids, guests, beach, master bath, etc.
5. Keep large blankets in blanket storage bags. These bags help blankets stay clean. It is easier to stack them on a shelf this way.
6. Put all tablecloths together. Napkin and placemat sets should be kept with the matching tablecloth.
7. Label each shelf so that laundry is an easy task.
8. Keep heavy winter blankets on the top shelf.
What are some new products on the market that make closet organization easier/better?
I have mentioned a few great organizing products above. The best places to look for products are:
1. The Container Store
2. Linens and Things
3. Bed Bath and Beyond
4. Target
5. www.Organize.com
A great system that I love to use in closets in the Elfa system from the Container Store and Organize.com. This is a versatile closet system that is easy to design and install. I have installed a dozen of them on my own.
The most important advice I can give about organizing products is to make sure you measure, measure, measure. Make sure the containers and systems you purchase are the right size for your needs. Always give yourself 10% room to grow in your containers and on your shelves. This allows for new items you bring into your home.
Once your new systems are in place it is important to update and modify your systems as your needs change. Every 6 months to a year is a good time frame for updating your systems. Make sure you are still using everything in your closet. If you have started to get a little disorganized again, you may need to make a small adjustment with your system.
Your system has to work for you. If you like colors, buy colorful creative looking storage solutions. If you need to see everything you own, then use clear see-through products. The bottom line is that if you do not love your space you are not going to maintain it. Have fun with the organizing process. It is fun to discover items you have forgotten about, or possessions that bring back memories.
OUR CONTACT INFO:
Professional Organizer Orange County – Custom Organizing
http://www.professionalorganizerorangecounty.com/
rm2breathe@hotmail.com
(949) 500-8234
Amanda Armstrong – Owner / Professional Organizer