10 Stylist-approved Closet Organization Tips to Live by
Over the course of my almost 15-year styling career, I've reviewed, edited and organized hundreds of closets. Each was unique in its own way - just like the clients who curated them. But, my approach to making sense of them has always been the same:
1. Hang, fold and store like with like.
Place tops with tops, pants with pants, skirts with skirts, and on and on.
2. Finished #1? Now sub-categorize to further refine.
Place sleeveless tops with sleeveless tops, work pants with work pants, clutches with clutches, etc. Unless each subcategory has a lot of content, don’t go into so much detail that you have a hard time maintaining the system.
3. Within each of the above sub-categories, catalogue by color.
I tend to start with neutrals (whites to browns to greys to blacks) and then tackle the rainbow (ROYGBIV) because most people rely heavily on their neutrals when getting dressed. However, if you’re someone who lives for color and dresses accordingly, then prioritize the rainbow.
4. Remove nostalgia clothing.
If it's not part of your functional, wearable wardrobe, it needs to be stored elsewhere. If it marks a special memory or event, keep it! But, place it in a bin or vacuum storage bag to be stored in the attic or in the guest bedroom closet or, literally anywhere else. Remove all roadblocks to quick and stress-free outfit creation!
5. Invest in one style of hanger.
Reduce the visual clutter to help keep your focus on the task at hand - getting dressed! Also, certain hangers can help you buy back some much needed space and others can help you keep silky garments from slithering to the floor. Solve two (or more) problems with one solution, depending on your needs.
6. Bestow oft-used categories with prime real estate and minimize categories that get less play.
Are dresses your go-to choice? Keep them front and center and stow pants towards the back of the closet. Live for knitwear? Display those beautiful sweaters on shelves someone else might use for books and framed photos.
7. Store items so that they can live their longest, best lives and, in turn, help you to dress for success.
Stuff your handbags and boots to avoid unsightly wrinkles, creases and bends. Avoid hanging knitwear that can become stretched and misshapen over time. Take care when folding and hanging items so they are wrinkle-free and ready for future wears.
8. Containment is key.
Depending on your home’s unique storage solutions, you may need to call in some reinforcements. Flush in shelves, but need a home for items that are not shelf-friendly? Use bins and baskets to contain small items likes socks and underwear that struggle to be stored on shelves by themselves. Have big, deep drawers that need to house multiple categories? Use drawer dividers to reduce visual clutter.
9. Don’t overlook the accessories.
There is a lot to consider when selecting the right color, scale, weight and length of the appropriate accessory for any given look, but the first step in that process is being able to see and easily browse your options. That’s hard to do if your jewelry is stored in the individual boxes it came in and is shoved in a bin under the bed…We love these customizable Stackers from The Container Store to neatly contain all of your jewelry. Add in shelf dividers to store your handbags upright making them easy to see.
10. Buy a steamer and use it.
While one could argue that this isn’t an organization tip, I would counter by saying that having the tools you need to do a job right is at the core of being organized. With a quick-heating steamer on hand, a wrinkled garment will never derail your outfit again!
These suggestions may seem simple and even subtle in their impact, but I can promise you that as a collective group they will have a tremendous effect on your ability to think clearly and make thoughtful, stress-free decisions when getting dressed – whether its for a trip to the grocery store or a job interview. Who doesn’t want that?
