Getting rid of clutter is one way to automatically make you feel calmer and help to eliminate stress.
Closets in dorm rooms and apartments are generally on the small side, so here are some tips for making the most of the space you have without spending money on pricey closet organization systems.
Pare down
The key to having an enviable closet is streamlining. This can be done easily by dividing your clothing into four piles: keep, save, fix and give away.
The keep pile is for items that get everyday use and are in season. Keep on display only what you wear on a regular basis and store the rest. Make sure the clothes are appropriate for the season and that they get used frequently.
The save pile is for items that are not worn often but you are not ready to give away quite yet. These items can go into storage, says Sam McCoubrey, the owner of Simplespace, a Montreal company who specializes in closet organization. He explains that it is best to find somewhere else to put your summer clothes and formal attire, whether it is in your parents’ basement or in bins under your bed. Any items you are keeping for sentimental value, like your old camp t-shirts or the dress you wore on the night you met your boyfriend, do not need to take up valuable closet space if they are no longer in rotation.
Any items that you love but that do not fit properly or have rips or tears in them should go into the fix pile. This also applies for sweaters with missing buttons, jeans that are out of style and anything you will not wear because it is not in perfect condition.
Try on all of the items you’re unsure about and get a friend to help you decide whether to keep or toss them. “Be serious about pruning,” says McCoubrey. “Try to avoid clutter. When in doubt, clear it out.”
If you have not worn something at least once in the past year, automatically put it in the give away pile. These pieces can either be donated to your local Value Village or you can organize a clothing swap with your friends. This can be a lot of fun, and you might be less reluctant to get rid of things if you know they will be enjoyed by one of your friends.
Colour code
Once you have decided what will be staying in your closet, take the time to display everything in an efficient and visually appealing way.
Buy matching hangers and get rid of the ones from the dry cleaner. It is time to invest in some slightly sturdier ones and having them all uniform will automatically make your space look more organized. You do not need to spend a fortune either ? Ikea and Dollarama both sell packs of hangers that are very affordable.
McCoubrey says that the key is being able to find things quickly so use a system that works for you. Organizing your clothes according to colour is not only efficient but also aesthetically pleasing. You can even take it a step further by organizing by type within each colour, something that is especially helpful if you are someone who wears a lot a particular colour.
Hang up as much of your clothing in the closet as possible since doing so makes it accessible and you will be more likely to forget about items if they are shoved at the back of drawers.
Use your wall space
McCoubrey advises taking advantage of the empty wall space inside your closet or on the back of your door to put up some hooks. You can hang scarves, belts and jewelry to best display them. This way you’ll be able to see and show off all your favourite accessories and they will be easily accessible.
Shoes
Like with your clothes, store your peep-toe stilettos and wedges elsewhere for the winter months. If you have been holding onto a pair of boots or heels that have fallen apart, make the decision to either throw them away or, if you can’t live without them, take them to a cobbler to have them resoled. You can actually save a lot of money by refurbishing the riding boots you bought last year rather than spending money on a new pair. Lining up your shoes on the floor of your closet will not only look tidy, but it can stop you from throwing other items on the floor.
Though this may sound like a lot of work, according to McCoubrey once you spend the initial time establishing an efficient system, it won’t be hard to maintain it.
“If you organize properly, you will never have to clean again.”
Quick tips
Keep
-Items you wear on an everyday basis
Tailor
-Items that are ripped or torn.
-Anything that is ill fitting but you can’t bear to part with
Store
-Items that are not in season
-Things that you are keeping for sentimental value
-Pieces that you only wear a couple of times a year
Give away
-Anything that is still in good condition but that you do not use
