Organize Your Closets

Most people don't have enough closet space. What they do have is a tendency to hold onto items they no longer need or even want. If this sounds like you, it's time to work on organizing the closets in your home.

When you decide to organize your closets, the first step is to make a list of all the closets in your home. After you have them all listed, you will need to assign a function to each one. For example, think about the linen closet. What types of things should be stored there? Would you prefer to limit its contents to towels and washcloths, or do you want to include bed linens? When you know what you want the linen closet to do, ask yourself whether it is serving its intended purpose. Do this for all your closets. If you don't have many closets, some of them may have to do double duty.

After you have the closets figured out, it will be time to get to work. Choosing the first closet can be difficult unless you consider your personality. If you're easily distracted or discouraged, start with the one that seems to require the least amount of work. This will give you a sense of accomplishment so that you can continue. It may or may not be the smallest closet; the smallest one is often the most challenging. If you like to dive in with both feet, go ahead and start with the closet that seems to be in the worst shape. That way, you will complete a larger chunk of the overall work.

When you're ready to begin organizing the first closet, gather a few boxes and place them outside the closet. They don't have to be new; they can be leftover moving or shipping boxes. Alternatively, you can use boxes that originally contained household items such as a microwave oven or a television. (If you tend to hold onto every box that comes into your home just in case you ever need them, this is the time to start putting them to good use.)

Grab a permanent marker and label each box in large letters. You'll need a box for things that should be stored somewhere else (MOVE), another for items you want to sell (SELL), and one for things you plan to donate (DONATE). You may also want a small box for borrowed items that you need to return to their owners (RETURN). Be sure to also have a trash bag or two handy for anything that absolutely must be tossed.

Now, open the closet door or doors. Do you see anything that doesn't belong there? If so, get it out now and put it in the MOVE box. Don't try to put it in a different closet now; this isn't the time. Do the same for the other boxes. When you're finished, take a look at what's left in the closet. Is it still overflowing? If so, you'll need to either go through it again or revise your idea of this closet's purpose. That doesn't negate what you've already accomplished; in fact, it should motivate you to see this task through.

Take a moment to clean the interior of the closet. Mopping or vacuuming the floor may be all that's needed. If you're feeling ambitious, go ahead and wipe down the walls to eliminate the dust that can build up over time even inside closets.

Now that you've weeded out everything that doesn't belong in the closet, you'll need to organize what's left. If there is no closet organizer in place, you'll need to empty the closet and install one. In addition to drawers and shelves, modular closet systems have a rod that can be cut to fit the width of the closet. They are sold at home improvement stores for do-it-yourselfers. Freestanding storage units are also an option for smaller spaces. Wire shelving is popular for lighter storage, while solid shelves are preferable for heavier items.

If there's already an organizer in place, you don't have to empty the closet; just start organizing the remaining contents. You don't have to spend a lot of money to organize your closets. Cheap storage options include plastic bags that zip or snap shut; they will keep similar items together and allow you to see the contents. This is a great idea for items such as batteries, loose game pieces, and safety pins. Small bowls and baskets from your local dollar store are also good for storing trinkets.

Now that you've organized one closet, you're ready to forge ahead. Choose the next closet to organize and start working. With time, effort, and perseverance, your closets will stop being the unorganized, catch-all storage spaces they are now and become organized, efficient areas of your home.

Source:

Personal experience