What is a Perfect Closet?
Why does a clean, orderly closet feel like a huge point in the “win” column for so many of us? Opening the doors to space managed well, finding what you want with little effort and putting things away without having to “tetris” them in creates a haven of zen in your life. Here are five things that make up the anatomy of the perfect closet, and they’re all within reach!
Uncluttered
This may seem like a contender for “most obvious statement of the year,” but it’s always the right place to start. Before worrying about which closet organization system is right for you, you need to know exactly what you’re dealing with. This means pulling everything out, purging the things that you never wear (or never should wear), moving seasonal items into alternative storage, and paring down what stays in the closet to the reasonable minimum. Just decluttering the closet may be enough to make it feel perfect, so if the project stalls after this first step, you’ll still feel great about the effort invested.
Uniform Hangers
If your hanger collection is a hodge-podge of wire hangers from the dry cleaner and an assortment of mismatched hangers that reflect different phases of your life, it’s time for an upgrade. This does not have to be expensive! You can stock up on white plastic hangers at Target or Wal-Mart, or go for velvety thin hangers from Amazon (50 for about $25!). Getting your hangers in order will look good, and it will also help minimize tangles.
Solution For Shoes
You may not have room to install rotating shoe shelves (or the resources to build them), but taking a step that works with your space and your budget to keep your shoes from living in a pile will help keep your closet clean and protect the footwear you’ve spent money on. Small closets with hinged doors are good candidates for over-the-door shoe organizers, which can cost less than $10. Tall closets with high hanging bars can usually accommodate shoe racks under hanging clothes. Long closets are good candidates for shoe organizers that hang from the clothing bar. If your closet will accommodate shelves on which to display boxed shoes, this is always a winner.
Accommodates long and short hanging garments
If your long dresses are always pooling on the floor while your shirts dangle above unused space, you’ve probably got an older closet with a single hanging bar that isn’t quite as high up as it could be. It’s time to replace it, and you can either buy a kit to do it yourself or call in the experts to do it for you. If you’re handy, the D.I.Y. options can be very affordable without compromising on quality. (Rubbermaid’s “Configurations” system is a popular option for this.) If you aren’t handy, you can work with an expert to design a system that works perfectly for your space.
Functional Doors
Rolling closet doors that have lost wheels or fallen off their tracks are a feature of more homes than you might imagine. This is one of those repairs that tends to slip until it becomes so routine to fight the closet door that folks forget it doesn’t have to be that way. Taking the time to make needed repairs to closet doors, or spending the money to have them repaired or replaced, will improve your quality of life immeasurably! If one of the first things you do every day is become frustrated by a stuck closet door, you’re likely taking that frustration into the next part of your day. Imagine letting that go! New closet doors don’t have to be expensive, and doors aren’t your only option. Consider replacing your closet doors with long curtains for an airier look and easier access.
Hopefully, this list has given you the road map you need. Take it one step at a time, and consider celebrating with a “viewing” for friends when you’ve achieved closet zen!
Jessica Kane is a professional writer who has an interest in keeping things organized and in order. She currently writes for FlexCon, a leading vendor of corrugated plastic bins and boxes.