Fall Layers Take Up a Lot of Space — Here’s What a Professional Organizer Recommends to Clear the Closet Chaos

The article discusses six key indicators that suggest it's time to reorganize one's closet, drawing insights from professional organizers Marisa Smith and Janelle Williams. These signs serve as practical cues for individuals to assess the state of their wardrobe and storage solutions. One primary sign is a persistent lack of storage space. Smith emphasizes that an overcrowded closet not only means items are forgotten but also indicates that the volume of clothing exceeds the available capacity. This situation often necessitates decluttering and adopting a “one-in, one-out” rule to manage inventory effectively. Reorganizing can also help individuals rediscover overlooked items, potentially reducing the need for new purchases. Another clear sign is the presence of clothes cluttered on the floor. Williams highlights this as a direct signal from the closet itself, indicating that it is too full to function properly, leading to spillover into other areas of the room. Such clutter suggests an urgent need for purging and systematic organization to restore order. Feeling uninspired or overwhelmed by one's wardrobe, despite having a full closet, is also a critical sign. Both experts note that a closet filled with clothes that no longer align with one's personal style or lifestyle can lead to dissatisfaction and difficulty in choosing outfits. Decluttering in this context helps in identifying cherished pieces and understanding evolving style preferences. The changing of seasons presents a natural opportunity for closet reorganization. Smith points out that seasonal transitions are ideal for evaluating what was worn, discarding unused items, and rotating wardrobes. This practice ensures that clothing is appropriate for the current weather and helps maintain an organized system. Significant changes in personal wardrobe preferences or lifestyle, such as a new job requiring a different dress code, also signal a need for reorganization. Taking inventory during these periods allows individuals to identify gaps in their wardrobe and make space for new items that reflect current needs and styles, making daily dressing more efficient. Finally, moving to a new home or selling an existing one is an opportune moment for a comprehensive closet overhaul. Rather than transporting unnecessary items, experts recommend decluttering beforehand. This process saves time and money, ensuring that only relevant and useful clothing is moved or retained, contributing to a more organized start in a new space. #ClosetOrganization #DeclutteringTips #HomeOrganizing #ProfessionalOrganizers #WardrobeManagement #SeasonalDecluttering

Fashion designers, whose professional lives revolve around clothing, possess a unique expertise in maintaining organized closets. Their approach emphasizes proper storage solutions rather than elaborate custom installations. Six notable designers—Clare Vivier, Nina Sarin Arias, Laura Cramer, Nathalie Saphier, Joyce Lee, and Oleema Miller—offer insights into their methods for keeping wardrobes neat and functional. For everyday items like T-shirts and gym wear, Laura Cramer, cofounder of Apiece Apart, recommends using baskets to prevent clutter and store folded clothes, particularly those that don't wrinkle easily. These woven plastic and reed baskets are practical for maximizing dresser space. When it comes to hangable garments, Clare Vivier, a Los Angeles designer, prefers acrylic skinny hangers, which allow for a greater number of clothes to be stored on racks compared to bulkier alternatives like wood or velvet hangers. Nathalie Saphier, founder of Replica of Los Angeles, utilizes stacked mesh drawer units to organize smaller items such as swimsuits, socks, hosiery, underwear, and tote bags. The mesh design allows for easy visibility and retrieval. For belts, Joyce Lee, head designer at Madewell, repurposes S-hooks, a method she observed her visuals team using. These hooks efficiently hang belts, and can also be used for caps, clutches, and scarves, saving significant space. For cold-weather accessories and travel essentials like eye masks, headphones, and cashmere wraps, Clare Vivier uses small baskets to prevent them from being left in disarray. Nina Sarin Arias, founder and creative director of ARIAS, opts for handmade, character-rich baskets, like those crafted from cotton rope, for these types of items. Saphier also champions a 42-pair shoe organizer featuring gray plastic hooks and telescopic tension poles, providing a vertical storage solution for an extensive shoe collection. Laura Cramer advises using the top of dressers or open shelves to display dainty accessories and collectibles, such as jewelry, buttons, and personal mementos, recommending shallow bowls and trays by ceramist Colleen Hennessey for this purpose. Oleema Miller, cofounder of MIKOH, stores bulkier statement jewelry in stackable acrylic drawers, which keep items separated, safe, and visibly displayed. For underwear drawers, Joyce Lee suggests fabric divided compartments to keep undergarments and socks tidy, ensuring they remain folded and organized. Seasonal items and spare linens, which are not part of daily wardrobes, are best stored separately. Lee recommends water-hyacinth bins placed under the bed for sheets, towels, and winter coats. Finally, for those with walk-in closets, Nina Sarin Arias highlights the utility of an ottoman or bench. This piece of furniture can serve as a space to lay out outfits, aid in packing, or function as a folding station on laundry day, enhancing the overall functionality and tidiness of the closet space. #ClosetOrganization #FashionDesignerTips #HomeOrganization #StorageSolutions #ClutterFree #SpaceSaving #WardrobeManagement #Decluttering

A well-organized closet offers significant benefits, reducing stress when choosing outfits, preventing wrinkled clothing, and even saving money by avoiding duplicate purchases. Many common closet organization mistakes can lead to disarray, but these issues often come with straightforward solutions. Professional organizer Nicole Gabai and Amanda Wiss, founder of Urban Clarity, offer insights into common pitfalls and how to rectify them. One fundamental mistake is failing to group like items. Gabai emphasizes the importance of dividing a closet into sections and zones, such as grouping activewear or formal wear. This sectional organizing allows for easier selection and a more efficient wardrobe. Closely related is the error of assigning equal importance to all objects. Items used frequently, like daily business casual attire, should be easily accessible, while less frequently used items can be stored further back. Storing clothes from every season together is another common misstep. If space permits, Wiss suggests moving out-of-season garments to alternative storage like bins on top shelves or under the bed. This maximizes valuable closet space for current-season clothing. A critical planning error is buying storage solutions before properly planning and measuring. Gabai advises organizing clothes into like groups (e.g., all shirts, all dresses) and then categorizing them further (e.g., long-sleeved, short-sleeved shirts). This detailed sorting reveals the exact quantity and type of storage needed, preventing impulse purchases of ill-fitting organizational tools. Not organizing based on personal preferences can lead to ineffective systems. While aesthetically pleasing layouts from social media might be tempting, Gabai highlights the importance of considering individual habits. For example, if someone tends to lose items in drawers, shelving might be a more effective solution. Another common mistake is utilizing valuable closet floor space for shoe storage. Wiss suggests vertical stacking tiers or over-the-door shoe organizers to free up floor space for larger storage solutions like dressers. Holding onto unworn or unused items is a significant contributor to clutter. Gabai recommends donating clothes not worn in one to two years or discarding stained or torn garments. She notes that most people wear only about 20% of their wardrobe, encouraging self-reflection with questions like: "Does it fit? Do you love it? Does it love you back?" If an item doesn't fit or flatter, it's time to let it go. Improper hanger usage can also damage clothes and lead to disorganization. Wiss advises folding pants vertically with back pockets facing out to maintain their shape and prevent snags. For tops, utilizing the garment's extra support straps prevents slippage and protects delicate fabrics. Storing clothing in cardboard boxes is another pitfall, as the cardboard and glue can transfer odors to clothes that are difficult to remove. Finally, allowing random items to accumulate in the closet indicates a need for reassessment. Gabai suggests identifying what is accumulating, determining its appropriate section, and deciding where it truly belongs to maintain an organized space. #ClosetOrganization #HomeOrganization #StorageSolutions #Decluttering #WardrobeManagement #OrganizationalMistakes #ExpertTips #SeasonalStorage

A cramped closet is not only unsightly but also makes it difficult to locate items and can potentially damage garments. Professional organizer Jessica Litman, owner of The Organized Mama Co., identifies six common issues contributing to a cluttered closet and provides practical solutions. Regularly assessing and decluttering your wardrobe is crucial for preventing excessive clothing buildup. This practice not only creates a more spacious closet environment but also safeguards your clothing and streamlines your morning routine. One primary cause of a cramped closet is keeping clothes that no longer fit. Litman explains that individuals often retain items from past life stages, like high school or pre-children, even after acquiring new clothing. These ill-fitting garments occupy valuable space without serving a current purpose. Removing them is an essential step towards optimizing closet space. Another factor is holding onto individual pieces that no longer form a complete outfit. A shirt might be kept even if the pants it was once paired with are gone, leading to orphaned items that take up space unnecessarily. Litman suggests that organizing clothes by outfit can help ensure that all items are functional and can be combined into wearable ensembles. An excessive volume of clothing, regardless of how well it's arranged, inevitably makes a closet feel full and restricts airflow. This can lead to garments being squashed, snagged, or creased, requiring more frequent washing, ironing, or even premature replacement. Creating space for clothes to 'breathe' is vital for their longevity and accessibility. The absence of a dedicated donation bag within the closet itself can contribute significantly to clutter. Litman recommends keeping a donation bag handy to immediately deposit unwanted or unworn items as they are encountered during daily routines. This proactive approach helps maintain a clutter-free space without the overwhelming task of a complete closet overhaul. Mismatched hangers are another common culprit. They create visual disarray and can physically consume more rail space than necessary. Switching to a uniform set of slim hangers can dramatically improve both the aesthetic and functional capacity of a closet, a tip beneficial for both small closets and larger walk-in wardrobes alike. Finally, neglecting to conduct regular inventory of your closet perpetuates clutter. Litman advises establishing a 'maybe' bin in addition to a 'donate' bin for items you are unsure about keeping. This bin can be stored elsewhere in the home, and items within it should be re-evaluated periodically, perhaps monthly or seasonally. Setting a reminder for these check-ins can prevent the 'maybe' pile from becoming a permanent fixture and ultimately help maintain a spacious and organized closet. #ClosetOrganization #DeclutteringTips #HomeOrganization #WardrobeManagement #SmallSpaceSolutions #InteriorDesignTips #StorageSolutions

Many people find that their closets are overflowing and disorganized, even after attempting to organize them. This article, featuring insights from Katia Basley, founder of Vision & Hammer, a home organization and interior design studio, addresses common mistakes people make when organizing their closets and offers practical solutions. These tips are beneficial for any closet size, from small to large walk-ins, aiming to create a tidy and functional space. One common error is believing that effective organization necessitates discarding everything and starting anew. Basley advises against this, emphasizing that getting organized doesn't require drastic decluttering. Instead, she suggests creating a smart disposal system, such as keeping a donation bag in the closet to collect unused items over time without the pressure of an immediate purge. Another frequent mistake is prematurely purchasing new organizing materials. Many are tempted by appealing storage solutions but often buy items that are unsuitable for their space, leading to more clutter. Basley recommends taking inventory of existing items and measuring the space first. This approach ensures that any new purchases are functional and fit cohesively within the closet. Before buying, assess what you already own and conduct thorough research to ensure new additions enhance, rather than hinder, organization. The article also highlights the error of trying to organize an entire closet at once. This often leads to overwhelm and can prevent a space from ever truly becoming organized. Basley suggests a more manageable approach: taking small, incremental steps. By breaking down the task into smaller parts, individuals can achieve a sense of accomplishment and maintain motivation over time. Neglecting proper clothing care based on material is another oversight. Different fabrics and garment types require specific storage methods (folding vs. hanging) to prevent damage. Basley advises considering the material and structure of each item to store them appropriately, even if it requires creativity in smaller spaces. Wasted wall space is a missed opportunity for storage. Many people only rely on drawers and rods, overlooking vertical storage potential. Basley encourages utilizing hooks and other hanging solutions on walls, especially in small closets, for items like hats, scarves, or robes, thereby maximizing available space. A lack of visibility within the closet can lead to forgotten items. While baskets can look appealing, if their contents are hidden, those items often go unused. Basley suggests using labels for bins and maintaining uniform hanger sizes for hung clothes to ensure everything is easily visible and accessible. Assuming a closet organization system is permanent is a common misconception. Closets should adapt to seasonal changes, particularly in regions with varying weather. Basley advocates for seasonal storage, cycling out-of-season clothes to less accessible areas like high shelves, attics, or basements, and keeping current seasonal wear readily available. This method reduces the burden on the main closet and ensures practicality. Poor shoe storage, particularly keeping shoes on the floor in a disorganized manner, is another pitfall. Basley recommends storing infrequently worn shoes higher up and stacking sandals and flats to save space. She also suggests organizing shoes by category first, then by color, rather than solely by color, to enhance functionality. Finally, the article addresses incorrect garment placement based on body wear. People often place pants on lower rods and shelves. Basley challenges this, suggesting that slimmer items like pants and short skirts should be hung on upper rods to make the closet feel more spacious, while bulkier items like sweaters and jackets can go on lower rods. The ideal shelf depth is also emphasized, with Basley recommending 14 to 16 inches, as this accommodates most store-bought bins and prevents items from toppling. By avoiding these common mistakes and adopting Basley's practical advice, anyone can achieve a more organized, functional, and visually appealing closet space. #ClosetOrganization #HomeOrganization #DeclutteringTips #StorageSolutions #ClosetDesign #OrganizationalMistakes #SeasonalStorage #SpaceSaving #HomeDecor