Listen to the Experts in Closet Organizing

The Expert Guide to Organizing Your Closet
Runway / News
by Sharon Feiereisen
August 02, 2011
http://www.thefashionspot.com/runway-news/news/168261-the-expert-guide-to-organizing-your-closet

I live in a duplex apartment with incredibly high ceilings, I have three closets, two of which are floor-to-ceiling and one of which takes up an entire wall. You’d think with all of that closet space I’d have ample room for my sartorial indulgences, but unfortunately, at least in my case, room breeds clutter. After returning from Super Saturday in the Hamptons with four new dresses, three new pairs of shoes, two new tops, two pairs of pants, and a to-die-for Zimmermann bathing suit, I decided it was time to clean out my closets. My boyfriend, whose “closet” has been relegated to two plastic bins underneath the bed, was thrilled. Before tackling my wardrobe, I spoke to two experts in the field to get their tips on how to best go about organizing closet spaces.

Myclean.com, a New York-based website which offers users the ability to schedule customized cleaning appointments, home repairs, and personal organization sessions just brought professional organizer Lisa Jacobs on board and she outlined her must-dos for us:

    Remove all items from closet space. [note: this can be scary! If you’re like me and haven’t done this in years be prepared for dust tumbleweeds.]
    Purchase slim velvet hangers; choose a color that coordinates with the room's color scheme.
    Sort through all items to eliminate the unnecessary, so the necessary can speak. [note: this was the hardest for me — there’s nothing worse than getting rid of something with the price tags still hanging on, but if you’re never going to wear it, there really is little point in keeping it.]
    Shelves above rod ought to be outfitted with containers to stack from shelf to ceiling and can be in a variety of sizes.
    Left side of shelf ought be stacked with containers, right side with risers to maximize shelf space by creating double shelf. Use the area for handbags and larger items.
    Purchase shoe rack for floor space. No clothes should be placed on the floor.
    Discard all shoe boxes and handbag bags. [note: this one I have to politely disagree with; accessories should be protected and while dust bags and shoe boxes may not be space efficient, in my opinion, they’re essential for long wear.]
    Purchase plastic cart on wheels with drawers, remove any clothing on the floor and place this cart in its place to serve as dresser. Use for smaller items, random toiletries and papers.
    Purchase hanging bag with canvas shelves for t-shirts and sweaters.
    If there are closet doors, maximize space on inside doors, hanging bag for random shoes, accessories, pocketed canvas bag.

Barbara Reich, of Resourceful Consultants,  was also kind enough to share some of her tips for eliminating clutter. Reich has appeared on the Today Show, has been featured in the New York Times and New York Post, among other publications, and has been in the de-cluttering business for over a decade. She suggests:

    Take it out and shake it out.
        Take out all heavy winter coats and sweaters.
        Take out any clothes/shoes that you didn’t wear last year and can’t see yourself wearing this year.
        Take out any clothes/shoes that don’t fit, are in poor condition, will never fit, and are no longer in style. Be ruthless…

    Maintain and move.
        Assess whether any clothing maintenance is required on winter coats and sweaters…do buttons need tightening, do the coats need to be washed or professionally cleaned, are the sweaters pilled?
        Consider moving heavy clothing to another closet (rack in basement, another closet under bed storage).
        Make piles to donate, discard, take to cleaners, wash.

    Group like things together.
        Put all of your spring/summer sweaters together. Fold or hang by color.
        Do the same for pants, short sleeve tops, long sleeve tops.
        Hang as much as possible, it’s the easiest way to see what you have.

    Put what you wear most in “Prime Real Estate.”
        That means the things you wear most should be in the place that’s most accessible and easiest to reach.

    Make a list.
        Never buy without a plan.
        Did you discard something that needs to be replaced (i.e. white button down that was looking gray, white cardigan)?
        Is there something you really need?

    Getting organized is a big commitment, but staying organized takes 10 minutes or less a day. 
    Take the time to fold clothes properly before putting them away in your drawers or closet. [note: this is a major problem for me because I tend to be lax with folding and ironing, but this is truly crucial – there’s nothing worse than rushing only to realize the outfit you wanted to wear is too wrinkled to be seen in.]
    When you take something off a hanger, put the hanger at the front of your closet.  That way you know where all of the empty hangers are, and you’re more like to hang clothes when you can easily find a hanger.
    Maintain your clothes. Note when a button needs to be sewn or when a garment needs to be cleaned.
    When you buy new clothes, edit what you have to see if there’s anything that can be eliminated.
    If you’ve put something on twice and decided not to wear it twice, it’s time to say goodbye.
    The floor is not a place to store things.  Try to avoid having anything on the floor of your closet.

Now the big question – who’s going to help me take all of my discarded clothes to the Salvation Army?

MY THOUGHTS

Believe me-truing out these  tips in closet organizing is more than just a challenge.  Closet organizing is a test.  It's a test of what you value the most.  I've always been a stickler for closet organizing.  I believe I have acquired the skills for making space available.  But my real problem was not the lack of ability to organize closets.  My problem has always been filling them up.  It's so easy to buy and shop and load up your house with things.  Giving them up is not as easy as that.  There is one thing I tell myself when taking on the task of closet organizing- someone else can have better use of whatever it is I have not used for a long time.

SIGNS THAT YOU ARE A HOARDER?

 From the Article 'Too Much Stuff? It Could Be Compulsive Hoarding'
Learn Whether Your Messy Habits Are Those of A Compulsive Hoarder
By Stephanie Schorow, Special to Lifescript
Published August 9, 2011
From www.lifescript.com

10 Signs You Could Be a Hoarder

Could you, or someone you love, have a hoarding problem? Watch out for these red flags. (These were adopted in part from the workbook “Compulsive Hoarding and Acquiring” by Steketee and Frost.)

1. Acquiring objects brings a rush. Many hoarders report feeling powerful joy from finding a bargain or rescuing what they perceive as a useful item from the trash.

2. You have trouble finding things. Hoarders often can’t locate items or even enjoy them. Sometimes they don’t take purchases out of the bag.

3. Throwing things out upsets you. Hoarders let items pile up to avoid the emotional distress of discarding them.

4. Fix-it projects pile up faster than you can repair them. Hoarders intend to mend broken items but never get to them.

5. You avoid having visitors. Many compulsive hoarders find excuses for keeping guests out of their homes.

6. You put off repairs because your house is a mess. Hoarders are often too embarrassed to open their door to a plumber, carpenter or landlord.

7. You’re saving items because they might be useful or valuable someday. Hoarders place value on items that are worthless or of little value.

8. You’ve maxed out credit cards. Hoarders can’t resist sales and bargains – even for non-essential or frivolous items – and will spend themselves into bankruptcy.

9. You’re afraid to throw out old newspapers or magazines because you might miss something important. Hoarders often convince themselves that they need to save every publication that comes into their home. Or they save articles they think will interest others but never get around to sharing them. (This often leads to dangerous piles of combustible material.)

10. You can’t use rooms in your house because of clutter. If you can’t cook in your kitchen because of all the items stored in it or sleep in your bed because it’s covered with clothes, you’re entering hoarding territory.

Stephanie Schorow is a Boston-based freelance writer.

For more information, visit our Mental Health Center.

MY THOUGHTS

I'm so happy I am way past this stage.  It's a sick way of living.  Can you imagine buying things you cannot enjoy because you can't find them?

CLOSET CLOGGING HABITS TO BREAK

Attention Shoppers! 3 Closet Clogging Habits to Break Now
Oprah and O's creative director, Adam Glassman, know—these three habits are the quickest way to clog your closet.
By Adam Glassman
O, The Oprah Magazine  |  From the March 2010 issue of O, The Oprah Magazine

1. DON'T BUILD A WARDROBE BASED ON FANTASY

Oprah: "I bought a lot of little bags when I thought I was going to be a 'lady who lunches.' I've never been one, but I've always liked the idea and longed for that life. There's something about dressing up and being ladies—it's like playing house."

Adam Says: "Fashion can help you create an image, but be honest about your lifestyle. Do you really need yachting clothes when you never set foot on a boat? When buying an item, if you can answer 'Where am I going in this?' with at least four legitimate places, you have my blessing."


2. DON'T BUY YOUR FAVORITES OVER AND OVER AND OVER

Oprah: "This suit, I don't know why I have it. I've never even worn it. But when my favorite designer, Gianfranco Ferré, was alive, I never went to Los Angeles or New York without going to his store."

Adam Says: "There is absolutely nothing wrong with having a go-to brand or ensemble. But if you're buying multiples of things, ask yourself: "How many black pants or little gray sweaters do I really need?" Invest in a few high-quality pieces; better craftsmanship and fabrics always last longer."

3. DON'T SHOP FOR THE BEAUTIFUL BUT IMPRACTICAL

Oprah: "I was at Bergdorf Goodman one day, coming up the escalator. And these boots said, 'Helloooo, Opraaaaah.' But did I wear them once? No. I bought them because they were beautiful—because I wanted to look at them."

Adam Says: "I call this trophy shopping. Before you buy, take stock of your closet: What are you missing? Shop for those pieces before impractical items. As for 'closet jewelry'? Hang a few gorgeous items on your closet door, just to make yourself smile."

MY THOUGHTS

i wish i can say i am not guilty.  there was a time i looked around my house and i hated myself. for accumulating so much, for getting things that were not really needed.  i've long since given up those things that cluttered my life.  but i still have a lot to let go of.  a garage sale - that's what i need to plan for.

Bump up your wardrobe by 'shopping your closet'

Bump up your wardrobe by 'shopping your closet'

Published: Friday, September 24, 2010, 10:00 AM Updated: Friday, September 24, 2010, 2:59 PM
By Kiley Kievit

It’s a true moment of terror for women: You have a dinner party or wedding or trip to the grocery store to make, and nothing that will work in your closet.  Oh, it’s not empty, but the degree of difficulty in finding the perfect outfit there might as well make it as desolate as the Sahara.

But with a less-than-booming economy, the idea of “shopping your closet” has captured the attention of consumers determined to be careful with their hard-earned cash, supplying countless segments for morning-show TV and newspaper and magazine articles.

Americans determined to kick their shopping “addiction” have signed on for campaigns like sixitemsorless.com, which challenges people to wear just six items of clothing (not counting shoes or underwear) for 30 days. There’s even been a book written about the shop-your-closet concept.

But how to decide what to donate? And what to do with what you keep?

Think classic
That’s not to say that every closet is laden with treasures, but there are key pieces to be found that will fit today’s styles. “There are things in your closet you can adapt to the current trends,” says Peggy Syrowik, manager of the Coldwater Creek store at the Crossroads Mall. “Boxy blazers are out — wearing a well-cut blazer instead can dress up jeans. Long, bangled jewelry is back. When looking through your closet, just be
savvy about what you have and how you can make it work for you.”

Jackets, belts, leggings and accessories can update a woman’s everyday look, and are versatile enough
to work with most anything. “Right now, the look that’s in is long and lean,” says Syrowik. “Pair a long sweater with leggings or ‘jeggings’ (denim leggings). Just make sure you’re comfortable and that everything fits you well.”

Style mavens suggest thinking classic, rather than trendy.
“I definitely think a man’s white button-down shirt is a great piece to have, because you can either dress it up or down with jeans or a skirt,” says Lauren Worgess, owner of Loved Consignment Boutique on E. South Street in Kalamazoo. She says that a black blazer is also a great item to hold on to, since it can be thrown on over a white shirt, T-shirt or tank top — items “everybody has.”

Another top pick to scrounge the closet for: A black dress.
“A black dress is a great thing to have,” Worgess says. She suggests kicking it up with a pair of funky shoes, a belt, long jewelry or a jacket over the top.

One warning: Don’t over-accessorize.
“I’m really not a fan of the matching handbag to shoes to shirt,” she says. “Also, in the past 10
years, trends have really been picking up, and you want to avoid putting too many together.”

‘Shopping your closet’
It’s one thing to know what to look for in the closet and how to use it to the best advantage. For some, it might be a whole different concept to actually find those items. The book “Shop Your Closet: The Ultimate Guide to Organizing Your Closet with Style,” by Melanie Charlton Fascitelli, touts the benefit of clearing out the clutter. Simply stated, clutter takes up valuable closet space, mashing the good with the bad and confusing any efforts to shop your closet successfully.

“Anything that doesn’t fit you well should go, as well as anything that’s really, really dated,”

Syrowik says. “Get rid of things you wouldn’t miss, things you never wear, and look at the things you’re holding on to. A lot of times women will keep things in their closet, thinking, ‘I’ll wear it someday,’ but think about why you’re not wearing it now. It probably either doesn’t fit well or doesn’t go with any of your other clothes and needs to go.”  (Getting rid of it doesn’t have to mean tossing it in the trash. Depending on the condition, items can either be sold on consignment or donated to a charity such as the Salvation Army or Goodwill.)

By sorting through a closet’s inventory, you’ll be able to see what’s worth keeping — accessories, a
great black dress, a fabulous coat — and what needs to head out the door.

Get rid of anything kitschy: “Kitty-head sweaters, Christmas-tree sweaters — they need to go. Unless
you’re a kindergarten teacher ... get rid of them,” Syrowik says.

Anything that’s too small, too big, really out of style or damaged has no place in the closet. Keeping — or worse, wearing — clothes that do little for the body or self-esteem should be avoided at all costs.

Most important, women should feel good about their clothes, wearing items that are comfortable and a
good fit, Worgess says, and they should keep this in mind while shopping for future items — in their
closet or at a store.

“I’m a big fan of seeing clothes that fit,” she says. “I don’t think enough people tailor their clothes, and tailors can do amazing things.”  She adds that tailoring pieces that fit a little big means one more item in the closet — almost as good as brand new.

Related topics: Kalamazoo Style, Kalamazoo Your Home

MY THOUGHTS

i promise to do this next week. make some sense out of my closet again. i have so many things to let go of. it's time.