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Coming out of the (Clothes) Closet: Get Your Closet Organized Tonight

© Anna-Marie Hawthorne

When you open your closet, do you wince and assume the position-hands crossed over your head, shielding your noggin from an avalanche of boxes and blankets? An overstuffed closet costs time and money. You have no idea what's back there because you can't get to it. And what you can see is wrinkled and difficult to retrieve. You end up wearing the same tired outfits because you pull your outfits only from the newly replaced clothes in the front, eliminating all variety in your daily wardrobe. You buy more things than you need when you have no idea where anything is. A simple afternoon of closet organizing can transform your "health hazard" into a closet that is neat and functional.

1. Take stock. Look and see what you have where. Why is it there? What is and isn't working for you in there? Think about what you need your closet to do. Do you need to store things, or is it strictly for clothes? Does it double as a dressing area? These are important questions whose answers will help you create a closet that works for your lifestyle.

2. Empty everything. This step can cause some anxiety. If you have ever done this you understand what I'm talking about. You will wonder how on earth all that stuff fit into that small space. As you remove things, put them into like piles-shoes, winter clothes, summer clothes, and give away.

This is a good time to purge your closet of uncomfortable clothes, frayed belts, broken or worn out shoes and those double-knits you have been keeping for that inevitable return to fashion. Forget it. If it doesn't fit and make you feel good, get rid of it. It's better to have a few outfits that make you feel and look great than to have a closet filled with outdated, ill-fitting garments.

3. Set zones. As with organizing any other space, take the time to set zones in your closet. This means that you make areas for everything that you need your space for-storage up top, long and short garments, shoes, accessories and seating (if your are fortunate enough to have that much space). Decide where things work the best, and rearrange if necessary.

I also recommend creating a "maintenance zone." Fill a small storage box or drawstring bag with essentials-shoe shine kit, small sewing kit, clear polish (for hose runs), lint brush-and keep handy on a shelf or a hook.