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Last year, Julia Fox gave us a tour of her mouse-friendly apartment, and the patron saint of neatness, Marie Kondo, said she’d “kind of given up” on religious tidying. Even though the world’s axis is tilting toward mess, we’re guessing, if you’re reading this, you aren’t quite ready to join the sloven throngs just yet. Still, cleaning out your closet can be a daunting task — especially if you’re tying it up with any kind of New Year’s resolution.
The best closet-organization ideas don’t demand a purging en masse; instead, they give your favorite seasonal pieces room to breathe. What’s more, some practical storage products are chic enough to make for savvy home décor gifts. (You know, in case someone in your life needs a nudge toward neatness.) To help us get things sorted, we spoke to pro organizers Jamie Hord, founder of Horderly, and Lisa Adams, CEO and designer at LA Closet Design.
FAQs
What’s the best way to organize a closet?
For those who don’t need professional cleanup help (no shame if you do), Hord and Adams suggest a five-step approach. Here’s a summary of their methods.
1. Pull out and sort. “The first step to reorganizing your closet is to declutter,” says Adams.
2. Make “keep,” “toss,” and “donate” piles. If you have trouble letting go, Hord says to ask yourself the right (albeit tough) questions: Do you have better or similar? Would you purchase it today? Does it look old or is it damaged? Step 2a: Categorize the clothing that makes the cut. Adams says that once you have the types down, you should take the extra effort to organize by color. (“This will make it easier to find what you’re looking for.”)
3. Strategize. Determine the best place for everything to live. “Keep ‘prime real estate’ in mind and put items not used often or off-season up high or down low,” says Hord.
4. Organize (with help). Both of our experts recommend purchasing organizing products and containers that will make your space beautiful, so you’re encouraged to keep it tidy. Per Hord, labeling is especially helpful in shared spaces or if someone else is putting away your clothes.
5. Maintain. “Make it a habit to regularly maintain your closet,” says Adams. Each seasonal change is the perfect time to reassess what is and isn’t working in your closet.
How do you maintain a clean closet?
Adams says sticking to your newfound system will get easier over time. She notes that one of the easiest things to do is “treat dry cleaning like groceries” and put things away as soon as you get home.
Because we’re not all as organizationally gifted as Hord, Adams, or Marie Kondo’s 2-year-old (at least in a previous life), we’ve put together a list of products to help overhaul your wardrobe. Your mornings — and your headspace — will be better for it.
Upgrade to Velvet Hangers
Both of our experts recommended velvet-covered hangers as the first product to invest in. These cling to even the most slippery clothes — and when you do ever see a near-unanimous five-star rating on Amazon?
At the Very Least, Make Sure They’re Slim
If velvet is too plush for you, Hord recommends slim rubberized hangers or these wooden hangers to get the most rack space without compromising your aesthetic.
Pretend It’s Retail
These rod dividers will keep your closet looking like a clothing-store rack. But now, if you surreptitiously slip something in the wrong section, you’re only fooling yourself. Hord says to pop one of these in front of each category of clothing in your closet — whether hanging or folded.
Turn Clothing Into Cutlery
These organizers will neatly divide any drawer, so you can separate your socks from your bras. Adams notes, “These are perfect for jewelry, sunglasses, and other smaller accessories that might get lost or damaged if left loose.”
Start Thinking Seasonally
Both of our experts recommend putting clothing away each season. If you have a garage, a large bin with clear panels can help you stay organized, while soft-sided containers look nice enough to be kept in a hallway closet or spare room.
Make a Blanket Bank
The same principle from the previous section applies to your bedding and throws. Do you use flannel bedding in the winter and linen sheets come spring? Does your weighted blanket take up crucial sofa space when guests are over? Stockpile. Bearaby faithfuls will be happy to know that a perfectly sized Nap Wrap storage bag will help you keep your emotional-support blanket clean. For longer-term storage, places like The White Company, Lands’ End, and The Company Store make bags that you can label.
Put Bins Under the Bed
If you’re lacking in square footage, extend your closet’s footprint to the (likely underused) area beneath your bed. The key is investing in a storage solution that you won’t mind seeing.
Divide and Conquer
Use vertical space wisely and invest in shelf dividers that’ll help keep stacks of clothing upright and organized. Adams says they’re great for keeping purses, bags, and hats in order.
Clear Things Up
If you want to pack your clothes for a cleaner look, transparent boxes are the way to go. Sturdy and just opaque enough, these will ensure you never have to wonder where you stashed that swimsuit.
Get a Ziploc Bag for Your Stuff
Attach these bags to any vacuum and you’ll be able to compress big items like sweaters, coats, and duvets into shrunken plastic packets.
Plump Up Your Purses
Adams says these come in a variety of shapes and sizes to fit different handbags, and they’re typically made from soft, breathable materials. “Some even come with a scent or fragrance to keep your bag smelling fresh,” she says.
Shape Up Your Boots
Slouchy boots? In your closet? The Virgo sun, rising, or moon in you simply won’t allow it. Hord recommends these shapers to keep floppy and unstructured boots as God intended them, which will not only clear up space but keep them looking new longer.
Store on the Closet Door
Hord says, “Don’t forget to utilize the inside of your door or any available wall space — this can create more prime real estate that you may need.”
Make Baskets Your Friends
Use them for headbands, ties, socks, or anything that won’t fit in your dresser. Psst … there’s value in having an entirely opaque storage solution (hello, vibrators and other unmentionables).
Get a Fancy Clothing Receptacle
Something simple, roomy, and sleek enough to fit in the corner of a walk-in closet, bathroom, or bedroom and store all your linens, clothes, or even weighted blankets.
Become a Type-A Labeler
You heard the experts! Whether you’re putting everything away yourself or your partner is the only one who can reach those bins, these labels can be repurposed for use on several types of baskets.
Put Trinkets in a Tray
You won’t always have time to place your jewelry just so, so invest in a tray— bonus points for one with a top to hide your tangled shame.
Just Install Hooks
A series of hooks for your most-used bags will be well worth your landlord’s inevitable wrath.
Surrender to the Closet Kit
If you’re on the verge of asking for professional help but can’t front the cost, a closet kit can be a shortcut to tidiness.
Our experts:
- Jamie Hord, founder of Horderly Professional Organizing
- Lisa Adams, CEO and designer at LA Closet Design
