Hidden Dangers of Closet Organization Systems and How To Correct Them

Okay, okay…So, they aren’t really dangers.  But, the fallout from not fully utilizing a well designed closet organization system can be ugly.  Possibly even clutterstrophic.

When I purchased my home, the master bedroom came complete with a superb walk-in closet design.  So, what do I do with it?  That’s right – I start piling stuff up in there.  I did manage to get a couple of baskets a couple of years ago, in an attempt to contain some of the clutter.  Aside from that though, I had way to many pairs of jeans and tons of shirts that I don’t wear.

How to organize closet space:

1. Grab a fairly large bag for old clothing.

   I used a 13 gallon garbage bag, and that thing is FULL.  I filled it with all the clothing that I am positive I won’t wear again – either because it doesn’t fit, or that I just plain don’t like.  These clothes are in pretty good shape and I will be dropping them off at a local thrift store.

2. Have a ‘small things’ box handy.

   I find that one of the shelves in my closet tends to be the ‘catch all’ for junk from my pockets at the end of the day.  Plus, I have a tendency to put other small items that I don’t know what to do with on the shelf.  For example – an old pocket knife that was my Grandfather’s.  I’m not sure where to put it, but don’t really want to get rid of it (at this point).  I’m starting to see a recurring theme with small items.



3. Use storage containers.

   I have a few flat storage totes that I use to put the stuff my daughter brings home from school in.  One for each of the last three years, to be exact.  Is my bedroom closet the proper place for those?  Probably not.  But, until I get the rest of the house organized, that’s where they are going to stay.  On the decluttering agenda, I have a note that I have to figure out what to do with the school stuff.  Keeping  every single thing is not really feasible.

4. Sort work clothes from Non-work clothes.

   Separate your work clothes from the rest of your clothes – it will make work mornings way more smooth.

One last long term trick that I recently read about was to take your clothes and hang the hangers up backwards in the closet.  Set a calendar reminder (I use Google Calendar) for one year from today.  Any of those clothes that are still hanging in there backwards are goners.  This will help with the clothing items that you think you might wear but just not sure about.  I’m anxious to see how many clothes I haven’t worn in a year.

Also, based on the advice of a closet design ideas article I recently read, I need to get a shoe rack and a hamper.  No, for some reason I don’t have a hamper – I have always just used the clothes baskets.  The shoe rack will help me get my work shoes, yard shoes, and everyday shoes out of the entry way to my house.

Don’t let your closet organization system get away from you.  They provide plenty of shelving and rods to take care of your clothing and other items, and it is very easy to just start hanging things in a very unorganized manner and randomly laying things on the shelves.  A clean clutter-free closet helps provide a stress free morning when looking for clothes.

– J

Related posts:

1. Taming Your Closet Organizer
2. What About My Linen Closet?
3. Using Organizer Boxes