Closets
Closets, Part I
The steps for clearing out closets are the same for organizing in general: sort, purge, zone. Here you typically encounter more contraints than in your overall organizing. Closets are pretty fixed in size, they often have architectural limitations like a slanted ceiling or awkward shape, and if you live in an old home, they are probably much too small. You don't want to run around the house getting dressed, so even if there are extra closets in the house, they may not be in the right spot.
That being said, there is much you can do to maximize your closet space. Begin by sorting. First sort by season, then within the season, but clothing type. Within the clothing type, sort again by length. Short-length clothing should accomodate a shoe rack, drawer unit, or another rod for hanging more short to medium-hang.
If lacking in space, why not store your off-season clothing in bins elsewhere, or in those spacesaver vacuum-packed bags?
Next, hang the clothing back by length and type. Separate into categories such as evening wear, sports wear, everyday, housechore clothing. Folding saves space, but it can also create wrinkles. I prefer to fold sweaters so the shoulders don't stretch out. Hanging sweats, if you have limited closet space, is a bad idea.
While sorting with each item you should be asking yourself "when is the last time I've worn this?" If it's been over a year, challenge yourself to get rid of it. Keep no more than a couple worn, stained, or torn articles. Don't hang on to the idea that the "style will return." It never returns exactly the same, your dated piece will appear dated.
It really helps to enlist another person in this process. That person can reason with you when you try to hold onto the past, that yellow shirt you love but makes you look sickly, your favorite pants that are ripping at the seams, those unsightly sweatpants.
A color consulation is also fabulous investment for you and for your closet. If you know the colors that complement your skin and hair tones, you will save a lot of money from not buying the wrong clothing, and your wardrobe will be brought to a new level. Once you understand the principles of color, and your own palate, you will find it easy to purge many unflattering pieces. The key to color is NOT to buy colors just because you like them, but to examine how they work with your own coloring. I am a "winter," which means I need to wear darker hues. But I was drawn to all of the pastels, and it was not until a color consultant called me on my mistake that I realized how washed-out I was looking in the pastels. It's easy not to notice how wrong the color is when it's on you. I must have filled 3 bags of clothing for charity. When you learn your colors, you are less likely to be swayed by the fluctuating fashions and more likely to develop a wardrobe that compliments you.
The steps for clearing out closets are the same for organizing in general: sort, purge, zone. Here you typically encounter more contraints than in your overall organizing. Closets are pretty fixed in size, they often have architectural limitations like a slanted ceiling or awkward shape, and if you live in an old home, they are probably much too small. You don't want to run around the house getting dressed, so even if there are extra closets in the house, they may not be in the right spot.
That being said, there is much you can do to maximize your closet space. Begin by sorting. First sort by season, then within the season, but clothing type. Within the clothing type, sort again by length. Short-length clothing should accomodate a shoe rack, drawer unit, or another rod for hanging more short to medium-hang.
If lacking in space, why not store your off-season clothing in bins elsewhere, or in those spacesaver vacuum-packed bags?
Next, hang the clothing back by length and type. Separate into categories such as evening wear, sports wear, everyday, housechore clothing. Folding saves space, but it can also create wrinkles. I prefer to fold sweaters so the shoulders don't stretch out. Hanging sweats, if you have limited closet space, is a bad idea.
While sorting with each item you should be asking yourself "when is the last time I've worn this?" If it's been over a year, challenge yourself to get rid of it. Keep no more than a couple worn, stained, or torn articles. Don't hang on to the idea that the "style will return." It never returns exactly the same, your dated piece will appear dated.
It really helps to enlist another person in this process. That person can reason with you when you try to hold onto the past, that yellow shirt you love but makes you look sickly, your favorite pants that are ripping at the seams, those unsightly sweatpants.
A color consulation is also fabulous investment for you and for your closet. If you know the colors that complement your skin and hair tones, you will save a lot of money from not buying the wrong clothing, and your wardrobe will be brought to a new level. Once you understand the principles of color, and your own palate, you will find it easy to purge many unflattering pieces. The key to color is NOT to buy colors just because you like them, but to examine how they work with your own coloring. I am a "winter," which means I need to wear darker hues. But I was drawn to all of the pastels, and it was not until a color consultant called me on my mistake that I realized how washed-out I was looking in the pastels. It's easy not to notice how wrong the color is when it's on you. I must have filled 3 bags of clothing for charity. When you learn your colors, you are less likely to be swayed by the fluctuating fashions and more likely to develop a wardrobe that compliments you.
posted by A Simpler Life at 11:38 PM
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