subject: De-Clutter a Walk-In Closet [print this page] De-Clutter a Walk-In Closet De-Clutter a Walk-In Closet
A walk-in closet can be very useful. You have more space than you think in there. Most people do not make the best use of the space that they have, and it ends up cluttered and disorganized no matter what you do. Determining the best use of space is the first thing that you should do when determining the layout of your walk-in closet.
The first step is to get rid of all that excess clutter. When you have a walk-in, it's easy to store a box of junk up on that shelf. You have probably put a few boxes up there over the years and never looked in them again. Getting rid of miscellaneous stuff will clear out some space for the things that you actually need.
The second step is to get rid of excess clothing. Think about what you actually wear as you go through your clothes. Do you avoid certain items when it's time to get dressed? Some clothing is hard to get rid of because we really like how it looks, or we can't bear to get rid of something that we paid a lot for, or we just have trouble getting rid of things that are in good shape, period. You have to change your way of thinking. Most people only wear 25% of their clothing. The rest is just renting space in your closet. Think about how much space something is "costing" you and get rid of everything that you can possibly live without.
If you're unsure about giving away clothing, you can bag it up and store it in the attic, garage, or basement for one year. Date the bag so that you know when a year has passed. If you can't remember what's in there, donate it. If you don't miss anything in particular, get rid of it. Enjoy having a closet that isn't packed with clothes that don't fit quite right, don't match anything else, or are simply out of style.
Be picky about what goes back into your closet. You may decide to store formal wear, your wedding dress, or interview suits in a separate area so that they are not robbing you of everyday space. A rolling garment rack is a good way to keep these special occasion outfits protected while in storage.
Hang the things that you use the most on special, high quality clothes hangers. A sturdy hanger, like a wood hanger or coat hanger, is great for helping your clothes keep their shape. Some hangers can help you to coordinate outfits and save space. Be selective about what items are allowed to occupy space in your closet. Clearly label storage items that must stored. When you have the space that you need, your closet will stay more organized than ever before.
