I have little space in my closet. How can I make more room for other things that need to go in it, like shoes, my purses, etc.
By Danette from Evergreen Park, IL
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I have the same problem only I have to use half of my closet for storing things like the Christmas tree. I have one of those over the door shoe racks, the metal kind that has kind of foot shaped thing to hand shoes on, I also hang my purses on that. You can get under the bed storage units special for shoes. I have also seen something that looks like a bed skirt that has compartments in it for shoes, purses, etc. Then there is another solution, get rid of some things.
Do what ever works best for you. Not everybody likes the same thing.
I just gave away all my cheap plastic clothes hangers and purchased some from Bed, Bath, and Beyond called Razor Thin. A box of 50 is $19.99 and I used an expired $5.00 coupon (they take expired ones). They take up so much less room and look much nicer than the plastic ones. Just a little thing but now I have one side of my closet free of clothes.
I recently redid my closet. I installed two ventilated wire shelves. One as high as I could reach (for shirts,etc.)(If you aren't very tall, keep a little footstool in the closet.) and one below (for slacks). I measured about how long an average blouse was and installed the second shelf an inch or so below that measurement. Be sure when you measure that the slacks clear the floor. If you need a longer space for dresses, don't make the second shelf as long as the first. (Home Depot sells ventilated wire closet systems and there is a rod you can buy to support the shorter shelf since it won't be near a wall.) (You can use it to help support the upper shelf.) This should free up some space. I then added one of those stackable shoe cubbies. You can get some clear plastic containers for your purses. Your purse can be seen, yet stacked and protected from dust.
A few other things to consider, Danette: The clothes hangers that store about five pairs of skirts or pants, even though they cost more, really save a lot of space in closets. A hanger style shoe storage unit allows you to keep the most used shoes within easy access and the less used shoes can be stored on the floor or on high shelves in shoe boxes (which also help them stay clean) with a simple photo, (regular copy paper print, don't waste money on photo quality paper) of each shoe taped to the box for easy recognition.
Similarly, place smaller purses within larger purses and take a picture and print out a thumb nail photo page of all bags included to attach to the largest purses and bags as you hang the largest ones somewhere in the closet. Buy an appropriately sized plastic bin for other accessories (scarves, belts, etc.) and do the same thing with the thumb nail photos on cheap copy paper. This idea will not only save you space, it will be a constant visual reminder of all that you have to consider putting together for a good look.
I'm not so good about this next suggestion, but my sister swears by it: Every time you buy a new item, (clothes, purses, shoes, accessories, etc.,) get rid of an older item and donate it to a good charity. Then again, I have more closet storage than she does so maybe that's a moot point! :-) Good luck!
For extra items like socks, undershirts, and the like, I simply put them in plastic grocery bags and hang them on hooks, nails, or hangers on bare areas of my closet wall. You can usually see what is in the bags pretty easily or you can use magic markers to write on the bags. Not too attractive but close to free.
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I need help organizing my closet. Should I sort my blouses/tops by color, or by style and fabric? Thanks.
By Maryeileen from Brooklyn, OH
Both color and style, including by short or long sleeve. If it were me, I'd ask myself, "Do I first look for something in a color I like or by the style, or by short or long sleeve?"
Most people find it's easier to find something by color. Then if you have multiples in the same color (like I have at least 20 tops in black) also sort by sleeve length or whatever.
But I like to sort by item: starting from left to right, I hang coats and sweaters, then dresses long to short, then skirts, then pants, and then tops. But if I have an outfit that goes together (like a jogging suit top and bottom, etc.) I'll hang them on the same hanger with the top hung over the pants.
What it comes down to is what's the easiest way for your to quickly find your item then easily put it away. It's like everything else, everyone has an opinion, but it's all about what's easiest for you! (10/12/2009)
By Cyinda
If like me you like the seasonal items grouped. Luckily I have 5 bedrooms and live alone so I can pretty much hang anything anywhere I want.
I use one closet for just coats and jackets at one end
and because I seldom wear a dress anymore (but still have them) I put them in the opposite end of the coat/jacket closet.
In my master bedroom closet I found that after I hung all my tops and organized them, there was a lot of unused space below it so slid in a 2 rod rack that the back rack is higher (for pants) and the lower is for tops.
I'm not sleeping in my master bedroom yet due to no furniture (it's my PC space for now) so my night clothes get one end of the closet and the other end is for clothing I wear a lot for house duties in what will someday be a guest room.
I bought several canvas over-the-door storage containers that are great.They open for use into rectangular boxes open at the top. In those I keep scarves, gloves, and other items I want sometimes spur of the moment.
The best single inexpensive item for the closet is simple deco chain. We have it here in brass color, black, and white. Get some cut about 1/2 the height of your closet and in the back or front to the side of a door (if you don't have a double wide sliding closet door) hammer a nail (or screwdriver/screw) into the wall as near up as you need it and can reach to hang the chain from.
It's amazing how much weight you can suspend from that piece of chain!
Also, chain cut into 3-4 link sections to slip over hangers to hang extra pieces of clothing you want to wear as a set.
(10/14/2009)
