Most closets get packed full over time. People need a place to store things out of sight and the closet is often the target. Ideally, we would not store things in our closets. We would only have the clothing and shoes in there that we need fairly regularly. But, sometimes that’s just not possible. So, we need to figure out ways to more efficiently and effectively use the little closet space that we have.
Baskets and bins are becoming very popular because they keep smaller items organized and out of sight, but they are still accessible. Use them for socks, underwear, belts, ties, or whatever you need to keep in the closet that doesn’t hang. A small series of shelves in the front corner of the closet can hold all of these bins and baskets, making them easily accessible, giving everything its own place, and not taking up hardly any space.
You can use plastic containers that close and stack for lots of things. Pictures, stockings, jewelry, art supplies, and more can be stored in easily accessed containers. You can stack these high on a shelf and they don’t take up much space at all. Use clear plastic containers so that you can see what is inside. Or, you can label them.
You can also use clear plastic boxes for shoes. Stackable ones can be stacked on the floor, you don’t even need a shelf for them. Keeping your shoes in boxes like this will keep your shoes from losing a mate, getting crushed and misshapen by other shoes, and from getting dusty and scuffed. They are so easy to find and you can even categorize them for easier use. Dress shoes can go in one section, work shoes in another, and casual shoes in another section.
Shoes are often in a pile at the bottom of the closet. If you don’t put them into boxes, then you should get an over-the-door organizer that holds a lot of shoes. If you have accordion doors, then try installing a shelf at the bottom of the closet. A low shelf will double the amount of space you have for shoes without taking up much space.
For your clothes that hang, there are quite a few options. You can invest a little in some cascading hangers that allow you to hang a few like items on one hanger. There are many space saving hangers on the market today. One of the best designs is in the velvet hanger. These hangers are slim, strong, and have a soft, non-slip surface. They look nice, last long, and help you clothes to hang in a way that they don’t take up much space, but they also don’t get smashed together or crossed up on the bar.
Saving space with closet accessories and space saving hangers, like the velvet hangers, in your closet will help you make room for all of those things that you need to store without investing a lot in the endeavor.
About the Author: Rick Miller is on the staff of Only Slimline Hangers, a leading online resource for velvet hangers which are space saving hangers, non slip hangers and slim line hangers. For more information, please visit http://www.onlyslimlinehangers.com.
