This week I wanted to write about closet storage and share the organizing methodologies and tips I find most helpful and use everyday.
Most closets are like large boxes. How do you effectively organize all of your belongings in this three dimensional space? (By using the word effectively, I mean the items are ordered and accessible.) It is like a 3-D puzzle, and making it all fit can challenging. Here is the process I use when I am tackling a new organizing project. (This an “after” coat closet picture. I totally forgot to take a “before pic” as we started hauling everything out.)
1. Assess your space to get an idea of how much room you have and how much you don’t have.
Pull everything out of that messy closet.
Measure and note how much space you have.
Draw a sketch of your space and note height, width, depth, and any other funky design challenges, like a sloped ceiling. Your sketch doesn’t have to be to scale or straight, just write the measurements along sides of your box drawing.
2. Assess what you have and decide what you need.
Do you absolutely need it? Have you used it in the last 6 months? If not pitch it (donate, recycle, gift, sell or trash it.)
Sort the “keep” pile and put like items with like items.
3. Make an organizing plan.
Assess the size and shape of the items in the keep-pile. For example, we have long coats, short coats, large sports equipment, flat tool boxes, small first-aid items, and miscellaneous small kid travel items. (We keep our shoes and kids’ jackets in another space and our winter items have been packed away.)
Decide what kind of organizers you need to create “homes” for the keep-pile items that will live in this closet. (Re-located all items that will “live” elsewhere.) I decided I needed a space at least 58″ tall to hang the long coats and a space at least 35″ high to hang the short coats. I needed bin-with-lids (toddler protection) for the small kid-travel items and first-aid items, and these needed to be less accessible. I also needed shelf space to store our tool boxes which get frequent use.
Draw in your closet sketch the shelving, drawers, hooks, and bin storage you need to organize the keep-pile. (Your sketch need not be to scale but do note your measurements. Remember door jams can inhibit drawers and you need to plan for pull-out space. Bins also need pull-out space. Hanging coats need approximately 6″ of width per coat. Hooks also need depth, depending on what you are hanging.)
Decide on a budget. Do some research on the Internet and note prices and dimensions of the organizing systems you want to install.
4. Shop and collect
Bring a tape measure, your planning notebook with your shopping list (see my NOTE below), calculator, pen, and coupons. Try to leave the kids at home. The last thing you want is five 1lb boxes of galvanized 6p finishing nails mysteriously materializing in your basket when you are trying to find the perfect deep and narrow pink plastic storage bins.
Re-purpose storage containers you already have or craft new ones. Wrap sturdy shoe boxes in fabric or pretty contact paper. You can sew your own padded hangers or comforter storage sacks. Also remember the inexpensive stores like the dollar store and check Free-Cycle for treasures in your area.
Remember to buy appropriate wall mounting hardware for different surfaces like drywall, concrete, brick, tile, etc.
5. Install
Install your closet organizing hardware. (I definitely needed multiple trips to the hardware store to finish my projects. Don’t be afraid to under-buy or return things.)
Replace the items in your keep-pile on the shelves, hangers, and in bins.
Label your bins and hanging items as needed.
6. Stand back and view your handiwork!
Enjoy your new organized space, and remember to tell other family members and users of your space that they need to observe your organizational system too.
Periodically reassess whether your space is still working for you or not. If not, make a new organizing plan and modify your space to fit your new needs.
Note:
1. Use a composition book to note your home organizing projects. I keep all of my measurements, design sketches, Internet research, and materials lists for my interior design and decorating projects in one blue notebook. If I get interrupted and need to delay the project, I can look in my notebook to see what the dimensions were for that window and what I where I left off organizing my under-the-kitchen-sink space.
2. Use vertical space wisely. Try to create compartments that closely fit the items you are planning to store. Dead space above a row of books on a shelf is space wasted. Install another shelf to hold more books, or store something taller in that compartment. (It looks like there is a bit of dead space in my coat closet, but I actually found that there is not a lot that I need to store in this space, so it is actually extra space!)
3. Create a closet organizing system that is adaptable. Will your kids’ coats get longer? Will your needs vary by season, for example, will you store bike helmets in the summer and that inflatable snow tube in the winter? Create a space that can change with your family.
The rest of this week will be devoted to organizing the other storage spaces . My son’s bedroom closet is up next, then it is on to the storage room, and space under the sinks. I also plan to offer you a few easy crafty organizing projects you can do to organize your home! So stay tuned!
Do you have a coat closet near your front door? What do you keep in this space? Comment below and share your great entryway organizing tips?
Hi Abbie, You will be so proud of me…I organized something! Ha Ha! I think you inspired me! I am posting about it tomorrow.
As far as front hall closets…we had to turn ours into a pantry. Our kitchen is tiny. We bought a wooden shelving unit that fit perfectly by some miracle.
How is it that you are so organized? I think I am missing that gene.
Take care, Kim