New year, new closet!
Time to reorganize your closet to maximize your storage space and have more peace of mind. Reorganizing an entire closet can be daunting and oftentimes requires the help of a professional, so here are four simple organization tips you can do on your own that can make a huge difference in how you use your closet.
Hanging space and shelving typically can’t be changed without a complete closet renovation, but you can maximize shoe space whether you have a builder-grade or custom closet. As an ex-sneakerhead, I know that fitting more shoes in your closet is always a win, but visibility of those shoes is equally important. I’ve even seen clients accidentally buy 2-3 pairs of a shoe that they already owned because they couldn’t see them in their space!
Staggering Shoes - Rather than storing shoes side-by-side, stagger one behind the other, tilting them slightly to one side, thus utilizing more or your shelving space. This trick really only works for women’s heels, but rather than 3 pairs of women’s shoes on a 24” wide shelf, with this trick, you can easily fit 4-5.
Boot Clips On Hanging Rods - This is a great solution for those knee-high boots that everyone has trouble storing. Knee-high boots either flop around at the bottom of your closet or stay in their boot boxes, taking up unnecessary space. Boot clips on a low-hanging rod is a great way to keep them organized and maximize space. I’ve seen a client neatly store 20+ pairs of knee-high boots in a small storage space. Here is the link to the boot clips and while they are categorized as laundry clips they are perfect for tall boots.
Clear Shoe Bins - This is a perfect way to maximize shoe storage in closets with fixed shelves that are spaced further apart. You can stack shoes 2-3 rows high so rather than 3-4 pairs of shoes on a shelf, you are storing 9-12 pairs. You also get an added bonus of keeping them dust-free. Here is the link to those shoe bins.
Slim Hangers - Results will vary based on what clothing you are hanging, but for blouses or dress shirts, slim hangers help maximize your hanging space (I personally like the slim hangers from Bed, Bath & Beyond). These hangers don’t work well for all clothing though -- suits and sweaters hang better on regular wooden hangers. Here is the link to my preferred hangers.
A common habit I’ve also seen in many of my most organized clients is organizing clothing in different sections based on utility. They store work shirts, suits, and casual/weekend clothing in different sections so all their clothing options are in front of them when they get dressed. This isn’t an option for those with smaller closets in DC and Arlington, but if you have the space it’s a great way to organize your closet.
The key to success with a well-organized closet is just doing a little bit at a time. Start off organizing one area, maybe get rid of 1-2 articles of old clothing, and before you know it your entire closet will be tidy. Whether you want piece of mind or space for more shoes I hope you find these storage tips helpful!
David Townsend