Tips from a Pro – 10 Tips for Organizing Your Closet

Eliminate frustration and save time with a place for everything

This closet features drawers for socks and underwear, with plenty of eye-level open shelving for shoes. More shelving behind the glass doors can be used for sweaters and other folded items.

For an insider’s look on closet organization, we tapped Bob Lewis, CEO and president of Closet & Storage Concepts, a company that manufactures and installs a wide variety of custom closet, garage, laundry room, pantry, home office, wall bed and other home storage products. The company is headquartered in West Berlin, just opened a new 1,400-square-foot showroom in Marlton, New Jersey, and has another New Jersey store in Fairfield.

Here are Lewis’s top tips for planning a closet:

1. Use double-hang bars whenever possible.

Most hanging garments are shirts, blouses, slacks and skirts so they can be hung over each other, with one higher bar and one lower bar, making your closet space double instantly. Hang like items with each other, for example, blouses with blouses, slacks with slacks.

2. Place folded items such as sweaters and T-shirts on adjustable shelves so you can keep the stacks manageable.

Don’t put them in drawers where they become wrinkled. Remember: Out of sight is out of mind.

Shelf dividers make maximum use of a small storage space.

3. Use a valet rod to hang what you plan to wear the next day.

You’ll save time in the morning when the decision is already made.

4. Place all of your shoes on adjustable shelves and keep the ones in season at eye level.

Nothing is more difficult than sorting through a jumbled pile of shoes on the floor at 7 a.m.

5. Use pull-out drawers for socks and underwear.

Choose drawers that are no deeper than 8 inches so you don’t have to dig to find that coveted sock. Shallow drawers eliminate this issue.

6. Pull-out baskets are great for storing items to be dry-cleaned.

Once you’ve worn a garment, place it in the basket to transport easily to the cleaner.

7. Purchase the right hangers for the right types of clothing.

Pant and skirt hangers are shorter in height so they save space.

Slanted shelving provides good visibility for shoes. The center island is great for getting ready in the morning.

8. Put hooks on any wall that is empty and can’t be used for rods or shelving.

They’re great for handbags, belts and scarves.

9. If you haven’t worn something in a year, donate it.

Your favorite local charity will surely appreciate a donation of once-loved clothes.

10. The old saying is true: “A place for everything and everything in its place.”

Once you’re organized, stay organized!

See more from Closet & Storage Concepts at www.closetandstorageconcepts.com

Editor’s note: Be sure to check out Bob Lewis’s advice on organizing kitchen pantries on our blog!