Have you ever spent too much time digging in drawers looking for a certain t-shirt or fumbling through the closet hangers to find that favorite pant?  If so, it’s time for an intervention.  Don’t worry.  Your efforts will result in a less-chaotic environment and be a huge time saver on those mornings you’re trying to rush out the door looking oh-so-professional.

Rid Yourself of the Old How do you decide what to toss?  A good rule-of-thumb is to start with garments you haven’t worn in more than a year.  The reality is if you haven’t worn it in that amount of time then you won’t be wearing it in the future.

Know When To Fold ‘Em Bulkier items like jeans and sweaters store well folded.  Make small stacks to reduce the weight.  This combined with alternating the garments from top-to-bottom and bottom-to-top prevent them from toppling over.  Shelf dividers are a great way to keep stacks divided and more manageable.

Drawer Tips Put like items in a drawer and use the bottom drawers for items you don’t reach for often.
Socks: Most people roll them together, but this makes them lose their elasticity. Simply combine the pair and fold in half.
Pantyhose: Roll from the feet toward the waistband and fold over the opening to keep them from unrolling.

Hanging Organize your hanging garments by garment type.  For example, all woven shirts together, then knit shirts, pants, etc.  After that, you can organize further by color or casual to dressy.

Knit Tops: Stretchy knit fabrics can often get “shoulder bumps” if you put on a hanger the traditional way.  To avoid this, fold the garment lengthwise then fold over the hanger.  For sweaters, drape around the shoulders of the hanger.

Pants: For a creased pant, fold on the crease and hang from the bottom hem or folded over a hanger.  Pants without a crease can be stored open using a clip hanger at the waistband.

Purses Always empty contents of the purse before storage. If space allows, display them on a shelf with tissue paper stuffing to hold their shape.

Other Storage Options

• Vintage chests and suitcases are decorative and double up as storage. They are a great place to store seasonal clothing.
• Garment racks are another way to store clothes that do not fit in the closet.
• Wardrobes can be pricey, but they offer another place to store your clothes in shelves or on a rack.