How Organizing Your Closets Can Change Your Life

OK, so that sounds like a stretch, right?  Well maybe and maybe not.

Not if you are someone that gets stressed out when they have too much clutter in their line of sight. Not if you think you have a ton of clothes, but you can’t find anything to wear to work in the morning. Not if it takes you more than five minutes to find a pair of socks to wear.

If I sound like I’m talking from experience, you are correct. I’ve gotten to the point where I know that de-cluttering my home will definitely change my life in many ways; I just have to figure out how to accomplish this feat.

I still haven’t figured out how some of us can be so on top of things in some areas of our lives (work, getting kids where they need to go) and so totally helpless in other areas. Some experts believe that it’s all about letting go of baggage in our lives – maybe so. I’m starting to believe that it’s got more to do with setting priorities and getting ourselves up toward the top of that list.

My latest plan for cleaning out my closets and other areas of my house involves setting aside small chunks of time to start chipping away at the problem. So far these little chores get written on the to-do list each weekend, but sadly get bumped in favor of other items – usually determined by which family member is screaming the loudest.

Oh well, my next strategy includes attaching a reward to the small chores. I still have this unshakable hope that once I start on one of these little tasks, I will be swept up in the magic and will not stop until I’m done. We’ll see.

So I am going to think of small but fun rewards to bribe myself to at least get started on de-cluttering my worst mess – the basement. I’m not going to worry that bribery is a strategy that most people use on small children, not on themselves. Maybe I should come up with a better word or phrase. OK, I’m making a deal with myself. Still sounds stupid but I’m still hoping for success.

I’m sorry if you are reading this hoping to find out how organizing your closet will change your life. I chose that title and started writing because I am positive that it will change my life – I just cannot say how quite yet – Maybe next Monday…

November 9th, 2009 | Tags: , , , , | Category: Advice | Leave a comment

Selecting the Right Closet Organizer

If you have completed the first steps to an organized closet – including purging your closet “stuff” and deciding what type of storage devices you will need  (ie six feet of hanging space and at least 10 shelves and 5 drawers and something to hold 15 pairs of shoes) then you are ready to get down to the serious business of purchasing a closet organization system.

If you are still up in the air about hiring a closet specialist you may want to talk to a couple of these people to see if they give free estimates. This would give you a good idea if their services are in your budget. If you can afford to hire a professional, you will undoubtedly end up with a personalized closet space that you will be happy with.

If you decide to do it yourself then gather up your list of needs and the measurements of your space and either head over to your local home improvement super store or sit down with your computer for a little online research. Although you will find more options online, sometimes it helps to see the closet organizers in person – so if you’re not in a big hurry it may help to check out some real live samples.

If you don’t want to spend a lot and/or do not want a permanent structure in your closet, than a wire closet organizer may be the way to go. These are easy to install and take apart and can be added to at a later date.

If you want a more permanent solution you can check out the Rubbermaid closet organizers or take a look at some of the wooden styles. Rubbermaid has been making closet organizers for years and has built a solid reputation for manufacturing durable products. Their systems are versatile, easy to install and easy to clean.

Some people prefer the look of a closet organizer made of wood. You will be able to find systems made of all types of wood, in all price ranges. Again, you will have the option of starting with a basic closet organization system and then adding on to it if necessary.

Once you have organized one closet, you may find that you want to keep going to organize other areas of your home. It is a great stress reliever to get rid of clutter, especially in the places we want to relax and unwind.

November 5th, 2009 | Tags: , , , , , , | Category: Choosing | Leave a comment

How to Choose a Closet Organizer – The First Steps

Once you have decided that your closet needs help there are a few simple steps to pinpoint the best solution.

The first step is always to clean out the closet of all the items that you do not need or want. If you are dealing with a very cluttered closet you may have a lot of purging to do. If you still have too much to fit in your space after a good purging, then you may simply need to find another home for some of the stuff.

If this is the case with a bedroom closet than you may have to utilize another closet or purchase a portable closet or wardrobe. While installing a closet organizer system will definitely gain you some space, there is a limit to the magic. If you have too many clothes you may have to rotate your winter/summer wardrobes.

You may also have a hall closet that has become a home for too many things over the years. While you are purging also consider whether some items that do not need to be readily accessible can be stored in a different place.

Once you have determined which items are to be stored in your newly organized space, take a look at how they will best be organized. Do you need shelves? Maybe some type of shoe rack? At this point try to be honest about the way you usually put things away. Are you the type that always hangs up your clothes on hangers – or would some open shelves get used more often? Do you really need a few hooks to hang up your favorite items quickly.

Once you have thought through how you will use the space and what items will be stored, you are ready to make a list of what types of storage devices you will need. This is a good time to take some measurements too. If possible, it is a good idea to draw up a plan for your closet, even if it is just a rough sketch. Keep going back to look at your stuff to see how much needs to be hanging and how much folded on shelves.

Once you have completed these initial steps you are ready to think about what type of closet organizers will work best for you. Read on for more helpful information on selecting the right closet organizer.

November 2nd, 2009 | Tags: , , , , , | Category: Choosing | Leave a comment
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