By Shayna Mace | Photo by James McCarthy
A larger closet might be on the wish list for many of us — but there are ways to make this space function better without a major remodel or expansion. And if you do have the space or flexibility to make some layout tweaks in your closet, we also have advice for that.
LOOK AT THE SPACE HOLISTICALLY
Ask yourself: What items take up the most space in my closet? What pieces do I reach for daily? How does the organization function overall? These questions can help you think critically about how you use this valuable space.
Chris Schmidt, production manager at Dream Closets (a division of Dream House Dream Kitchens), says many homeowners live with the closet they “inherited” from the previous homeowner, which may not necessarily match their needs.
“[Our customers] come to us saying, ‘you know, I’ve lived with this [space] but I have my own items … and my wardrobe has changed, and I would like to make the space more personalized for me,’” he says.
Schmidt explains that when working with a new customer, they start by doing a walk-through of the space to identify any pain points.
“We’d rather see the space the way you keep it as opposed to cleaned up, because obviously you wouldn’t need us to help you with closet organization!” he jokes.
GET STRATEGIC
Schmidt says they look for clues in the homeowner’s existing closet to formulate an optimal organization plan. A laundry basket underneath hanging clothing or a lack of space for folded items are prompts that the client could use a built-in spot for dirty laundry, or perhaps a set of drawers in their closet.
You, too, should think critically about what items you reach for daily or how you can declutter to make your closet function more efficiently. Once you start organizing, be deliberate about where you place items. For example, your most-worn pieces should be grouped together in a spot that’s easy for you to reach. (This might not be in the back of your closet!) Maybe special-occasion shoes are relegated to a guest or coat closet to give you a little more room — or donate them if you don’t wear them anymore.
Schmidt also notes the floor and the space between the ceiling and the closet’s can give you a tad more room: “There [might be] space that’s not utilized on the floor, or space between the closet’s top shelf and ceiling. You can gain another 10 inches of storage vertically on top to put shoe boxes or hats, et cetera.”
ORGANIZE!
Schmidt’s team has a wealth of options they employ for closet makeovers — namely, a signature system that uses a template to seamlessly hang rods, shelves and accessory hooks on the walls. This system allows his team to easily implement a customized solution for each customer. Other cool closet trends he’s seeing include LED-lit hanging rods and motion-activated lighting, and boutique-style closets where clothing and accessories are put on display in glass-front cabinets or in built-in islands.
Regardless, Schmidt has observed that once clients redo their closet, it usually shifts their mindset to be able to let go of more items.
“They’ve invested time and money in the space, and before you know it, the dozen garments they wanted to keep … they don’t really need those garments because they’re going to clutter up what they’ve invested time and money into organizing. It recalibrates how much you really need to hold on to things.”
WHAT TO KEEP, WHAT TO TOSS
Here are some questions to ask when decluttering your closet.
When you buy something new, remove something you don’t wear anymore. While this doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll free up space (you’re just swapping one item for another), it is a way to keep closet chaos a little under control.
Ask yourself: “Do I feel confident in this?” Would you wear this item to an important meeting, event or out with friends? Does it represent where you are in this stage of life? If you’re unsure or so-so about the piece, it may be time to donate it.
Does this item pair together with other pieces I have? Trendy items are fun, but a great pair of black trousers or neutral pumps gives you much more flexibility to build your outfit around those one-off, trendy pieces when needed.
