Have you been avoiding your closet; afraid to open it because it seems to have an air of gloom, resembling something more like where Jimmy Hoffa was buried than a home storage space? Not to worry, here is a simple and easy plan to help you get your closet uncluttered and organized.
The first step in tackling the closet that looks like it has been hit by a natural disaster, as daunting as it may seem, it to simply pull everything in there out and toss what you do not need. Now if you are a pack rat like me, you may find that part a bit of a challenge so here is a good rule of thumb for all of you fellow pack rats: If it is something that you have not used, or even seen, in the past three years and if it holds no major sentimental value that things such as photographs or heirlooms do then toss it or donate it to a charity or thrift store.
The next thing you need to do to organize that messy closet is to evaluate the items that you have. This will help you to decide how to best arrange your belongings in a manner that gives you easy access but maximizes your storage space.
Now, select the items you will need to help you organize your closet. For example, if your closet inhabitants are mainly clothes, such as pants, skirts, jackets, etc. with few dresses, then you will want to install two closet rods. Placing one at the top of the closet and a second mid way down will help you to take full advantage of the space that you have and double your hanger storage capacity. You can also use a tie rack or hanging shoe carousel to help you store the accessories in a neat manner. If your closet is for boxed items and odds and ends, then you may want to remove any rods that you currently have and install shelving or if you are not exactly the handy sort, you can buy pre-built closet storage units that will give you plenty of ways to store your belongings without simply piling everything on top of one another. This way you can easily access items on the bottom without fear of an impending avalanche.
Before you know it, your cluttered closet will be transformed into a haven of organization and you will be amazed at how easily you can actually find what you need. And to help you get and stay organized keep these final tips in mind:
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If storing blankets, winter coats, etc. consider using vacuum bags that will help you minimize the space that these bulky items take up and will keep them safe from litter critters that like to munch holes in them.
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Using your closet to store documents and files? Then be sure to use sturdy file boxes instead of placing your paperwork in to the closet loosely. Dating and labeling the boxes, then arranging them with the older, or infrequently used items towards the bottom with the newer items that you will need to access more frequently on top to help you locate things quickly in your closet when you need to
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When you need to keep important papers and irreplaceable items such as birth certificates, wills, negatives, and family photos in your closet, be sure to use a fireproof lock box so that if the worse should happen, your essential items will be secure. This also makes them easy to find when you need your documents in a pinch.
