10 March, 2010

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Velvet Hangers Maximize Closet Space

The type of hanger you choose can make a big difference in the amount of closet space that you have. Use these tips to make the most of your closet space with space saving hangers and other closet accessories.

1) Pair tops and bottoms together. This can save you time when you are getting ready for work or for a night on the town. Pairing outfits together not only saves you time, but can double the space in your closet. You can use specialty suit hangers to hang the pants or skirt with the top that matches it best. You can also use cascading hooks or other hanger clips to make an outfit take up the space of one hanger.

2) Use hangers designed to hold multiples of each item to save more space. If you use pants hangers that allow you to hang a few pairs on one hanger, you can save a lot of room. You can use ones with clips or ones that simply drape over each other. Some will simply have hooks for you to hang a few hangers on one base. You can use these for skirts or any other item that can be draped.

3) Use bins for small items. This will make your closet look more organized by disguising what all you have in the closet. It’s also a lot easier to stay organized when everything has a place to go. Baskets or bins can go into cubby spaces, on shelves, or on the floor of the closet. You can color coordinate so that your sock bin is a different color than your husbands, or however you determine works best for you and your closet.

4) Sometimes using hangers for their specific purpose can help you save space. For example, suit hangers and coat hangers are usually curved to help you keep the shape of the shoulders of your heavier garments. This curvature helps the hangers to stay close together without wrinkling and cramming your clothes. Flat metal hangers and velvet hangers are very slim, fitting close together on the bar. The necks of high quality metal and velvet hangers are designed not to get crossed up on the bar, unlike those old flimsy wire hangers.

5) Using cascading hooks and finger clips on velvet hangers will allow you to customize the hangers to fit everything in your closet. Plus, they come in all kinds of colors and interesting prints to make your closet look great. Because they are space saving hangers, they will help you to efficiently organize your space while making it look great at the same time.

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.

27 February, 2010

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Making Use of Small Spaces

Life is so busy, that many people are turning to the simplicity of living with minimal stuff. Junk and clutter adds to the discouraging level of stress in our lives, so why not get rid of it? Many people have even traded in their giant homes for small, sensible living spaces. Whether you’ve decided to reduce your belongings and space, or you simply can’t afford to live anywhere except a small apartment, these tips will help you to enjoy the space that you have.

First, get rid of things that don’t enhance the space. Many things that we own turn out not to be as useful as we planned or take up to much space to be worth the “convenience” they were supposed to offer. Limiting your belongings so that you only own practical things will lighten the load in your apartment and your life.

Of course, you don’t want to just throw away everything and live with one plate and one cup. You should also surround yourself with things that inspire you. If you explore and search for items that are useful and also beautiful, you can really make your apartment or small home a personal retreat. Now, you’re probably saying to yourself that that is easier said than done, and you’re right.

Making your life more simplistic is a lifelong endeavor for some. It takes making a mental adjustment on the way that you see the world. It can be hard to resist things that you think you need. But, you’ve probably lived without it up until now. Before you buy something, ask yourself if there is any other way to get the use that the item offers without actually buying the item.

For example, you see a wine rack that would be beautiful in your kitchen, but deep down you know that it would take up some valuable counter space. But, society has conditioned you to constantly be a good consumer and fill your home with things. You’re fighting back, but you still want that wine rack. You go home and suddenly you’re not content with the wine sitting up beside the refrigerator any more. The product has accomplished its goal. It made you feel like you couldn’t live without it.

You really need to rebel against advertisements and figure out a way to be creative instead of spending a lot of money. If you really want to get the wine bottles off of the countertop, find another way. For example, you can easily install a wood shelf with slat dividers that hang down from your upper cabinets. Voila! Wine rack that didn’t cost but a couple of bucks and you’ve made more space on your counter than you had before.

Use your creativity to make space in other ways around your house. Get rid of things that aren’t necessary and consolidate items around your house. Do you really need to keep every book that you’ve ever read? Do you need all of those sheets that don’t fit the bed that you’re using now? Does your closet have clothes in it that you haven’t worn in forever? You can make space not only by getting rid of things, but by using sneaky ways of forcing it to happen. For example, those slim velvet hangers are the latest in space saving hangers, tripling space in your closet without getting rid of anything. If you really try, you can make a lot of use out of small spaces, without spending a lot of money.

15 February, 2010

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How to Work with a Small Closet

Small closets can translate into big headaches. They get cram-packed with all sorts of things that don’t necessarily go in the closet. They can make you feel as if they wouldn’t hold what you needed them to, even if you got rid of as much stuff as possible. This is why you need to utilize some small closet organization tips. Make the most of the space that you have by using specialty hangers, space saving hangers, and velvet hangers. This can make your closet hold up to three times more clothing in an orderly way.

1) Just go ahead and empty everything out of the closet. There may be more junk in there than you realize. Separate everything into piles as it comes out. You will definitely need to begin by making some tough decisions about what you want to keep. If it’s questionable, go ahead and put it into a box. Store it in the garage, basement or attic for a while. If you don’t miss what’s in it after a year, donate it to charity. Sometimes a trial run of living without something will help you realize that you don’t need it. In the meantime, you can enjoy the increase in closet space.

2) Make special places for everything. If you have old year books, photos, computer equipment, luggage, and other items in your closet, then you need to either make a place for it, or get it out of there. Sometimes a trunk at the foot of the bed, an armoire, or a wardrobe can house these items and help you clear out space for your clothes in the closet.

3) Donate what you can to charity and then prepare for future donations. This will help you to keep your closet organized over time. You may decide to hang a bag on one side of your closet labeled “charity” so that you can toss things in it throughout the year. If you wear something and then decide that it just didn’t fit right, throw it in. If you swap out your winter wardrobe for your summer wardrobe, donate what you never wore that season. Keeping it in sight will keep organization on your mind all year long.

4) Once you’ve really thinned out the heard, you may still find that your closet is crowded with the things that you want to keep. Utilize specialty hangers to make up to three times more space on your hanging bar. Cascading hangers, skirt hangers, pants hangers, and other specialty hangers can allow you to hang up to six garments on one hanger. Cascading hangers can help you to get your outfits ready to wear by pairing up tops and bottoms. Use space saving hangers, like velvet hangers, for everything else. These non-slip hangers are great space savers, but are sturdy enough and attractive enough to provide you with years of closet bliss.

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.

8 February, 2010

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How to Organize Your Small Closet

Getting organized is a little work. The first step is making a commitment to get organized. The closet is a great place to begin. Your goals may include saving space, creating storage, or getting rid of excess clothing.

You can organize things yourself or hire a professional. Either way, it will be up to you to make the final decisions. Jot down notes, draw designs, and ask for other people’s opinions. Having a clear and concise plan will help you stay motivated to finish the task. Look online for ideas on how to handle your problem items.

Starting with bulky items is a good idea. First consider getting them out of your closet all together. Suitcases, camping equipment, blankets and other bulky things can usually be kept in a basement, garage, under the bed, or in a spare bedroom. Making room for the things that you use daily is a good plan.

Next, get rid of things that you don’t use. Remember to include shoes, dresses that are out of date, suits that are too tight, or clothes that fit, but you simply don’t prefer them. Most people hold on to items for years after they wear them for the last time. If there’s something that you don’t want to get rid of that you haven’t worn in a while, go ahead and wear it. See if you can remember why you don’t wear it and then decide whether or not to keep it.

Make spaces for hats, shoes, sweaters, suits, dresses and t-shirts. Your closet needs are personal and will differ from other people. A “one-size-fits-all” closet doesn’t always work out. Utilize adjustable shelving, bins, baskets, hooks and buckets to get the space organized.

Part of making the closet look nice is matching up the hardware. Hooks, drawer pulls, cabinet knobs, hangers and rods can all be updated to match. If you match your hangers, you’ll be surprised how much more uniform your closet looks. Choose hangers that are sturdy, save space, and do not damage your clothing. You may want coat hangers for suits and coats. They will help your heavier items keep their shape.

Choose hangers that don’t cross over each other on the bar. Old wire hangers are notorious for this and can make your closet look messy. Try the new space saving hangers
that are on the market. These velvet hangers grip clothing. They are slim enough to save as much space as wire hangers in your closet. However, they are much stronger. You can also buy specialty space saving hangers like pants hangers, skirt hangers, and dress hangers. You can get accessories like cascading hooks and finger clips to make even more efficient use of the space in your closet.

Organizing your closets can be some work, but the effort will be well rewarded with the time that you save and the organization that you are able to maintain.

1 February, 2010

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More Space Saving Tricks for Your Home

Small homes and apartments can be so hard to keep clean because of the limited space that you have to stay organized. It can become a necessity instead of a luxury to have an organized home if you live in a small space. Living in small spaces makes it so that you have to get creative and use your imagination. You can also use these tips to get you started on your way to finding all of that storage space that may be right in front of you!

1) Furniture can be your best friend in a small home. If you can, invest in furniture that has built in storage. It could be that the arm rest opens up to reveal storage for magazines, remotes, and hidden cup holders. Or, you can find coffee tables that open up to reveal storage inside. You can even use a trunk instead of a coffee table to keep books, photo albums, and throw blankets. Ottomans and end tables can also open up to reveal storage.

2) Install shelves all over the place. Installing a shelf over each doorway of your home gives you a convenient place to display photos or memorabilia. But, you can also use that space for storing books. You can store smaller things inside of interesting containers that compliment your décor. You can also use that space for baskets or bins that hide everyday items, like camera chargers, video games, or office supplies.

3) Shelves can also easily be installed in other neglected areas. Up each side of your fireplace, underneath windows, and in unused corners of the room can all be utilized as storage space. Shelves are a great way to add storage space for very little money. You may only need the board and brackets to make the shelf look nice. Paint them black if you want them to blend in with darker surroundings or pop out as a contemporary accent.

4) Make the space look bigger than it is by using sheers instead of curtains, adding light sources around the room, and leaving the space simple. Busy fabrics and decorations can make a space seemed more closed in. However, using them as accents will actually make a space look larger if they are in contrast to lighter colors surrounding them.

5) Utilize your closets to their full potential. Most closets have a design that wastes the space that they have to offer. Use that area up high on all sides of the closet. Use those neglected front corners for shelves and cubbies. Figure out how to most effectively use shelves and bars for making the space work for you. Use space saving hangers, like velvet hangers, to maximize space on the bar when you’re done.

21 January, 2010

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Space Saving Tips and Ideas

Do you live in a small apartment or home that just doesn’t have enough space? The good news is that every home, no matter how small, has potential storage space that we just don’t use or notice. With these space saving tips, you can discover the storage space that you didn’t know you had.

1) Reuse containers that your food comes in if you are able to wash it. Butter tubs can be used for craft supplies, two liter soda bottles can be used for dispensing yarn, oatmeal canisters can be used for toys. The possibilities are endless and you can make space by organizing all of those little things that can make an area turn into a heap of junk.

2) Make space under the bed and furniture. Risers are readily available and are so useful when it comes to making space. Risers are plastic stands that go under the legs and feet of your beds, couches, end tables and more. You can raise up an end table, cover it with a table cloth or sheet, and have instant living room storage underneath. By raising up your couch, you can store things under it. You can store toys, large shallow containers filled with winter coats, art supplies, or even your broom. You can do the same thing with your beds, making instant space for storing out of season clothes, books, files, shoes, or anything else.

3) Installing small shelves in the kitchen can double your pantry space. Start by cutting and staining boards that are 6” wide. Install them about 8” apart on a side wall of your kitchen. These are perfect for storing all of your canned goods, freeing up cabinet space. You can install doors on the front, a sheer curtain, or just leave it open to give your kitchen that charming country feel.

4) Use bags that you can suck the air out of with your vacuum for storing bulky clothes and linens. These space saving bags can save up to 80% of the little space that you have available. You can stack thick comforters, sweaters, sheets and more in a fraction of the space that they took up in the linen closet. Another benefit of this is that they come out smelling as nice as when you put them in!

5) Get rid of whatever junk you can. We tend to hoard things that we think we can use later. Donate extra office supplies to your local school or church. Clothing can be donated to help clear out space in your closet. Once you get it cleared out, you can still save more closet space by using space saving hangers, like velvet hangers to maximize the space that you have left.

15 January, 2010

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How to Create Efficient Closet Space

If you’re like most people, the closet is the biggest challenge when it comes to staying organized. The closet can be so frustrating, especially if you are limited on space. Use these expert tips for getting your closet organized, developing efficient ways to save space, and getting your closet to where you can keep it organized.

1) Get rid of the excess! This can actually be the hardest step. Our clothes remind us of people, events, or times in our lives. It’s hard to let go of the memories and part with the pieces of our wardrobe that harbor them. But, there is a solution. If you’re having trouble getting rid of clothing because of sentimental value, take photos. You can create an album that you keep in your closet. You can even cut a piece of material, save a ribbon, or decorate the page with the buttons from the article of clothing. This album will take up a fraction of the space and the memory of the clothing will be preserved.

2) Your goal should be to plan a space for everything. Belts should be on a belt rack or belt hanger. Ties should be rolled neatly in a shallow drawer, hung on the wall or on a tie hanger. Even scarves and stockings can be hung on a scarf hanger, which is a wooden hanger with smoothly bored holes that won’t snag delicate fabrics.

3) Separate items into different containers. Don’t put all of your small items in one drawer unless you have a drawer organizer. This just junks up the little space that you have. Everything gets mixed up, buried underneath each other, and becomes unusable. Utilize buckets, bins, baskets, dividers, whatever you need to make a place for each thing. Buckets are great for socks, underwear, pajamas, and more. Most people can find a foot of space to build or install a cubby system to hold all of these buckets and baskets, keeping their closet organized.

4) Utilize door space by purchasing an over-the-door organizer that helps you tackle problem articles. For most people, it’s shoes. But for you, it may be hats that are the problem, hair accessories, or other small items that take up space in the closet.

5) Make use of space saving hangers. Many specialty hangers will allow you to hang multiple items on one hanger. Sometimes these are called cascading hangers, or you can buy cascading hooks to add to your space saving hangers. Retailers use this trick all the time and it is equally as effective in your home. You can double the space in your closet instantly. Other space saving hangers are velvet hangers with a flat design. They grip clothes, fit very closely together, are super thin, but are very strong and attractive. Long gone are the days when we have to use wire hangers to save space.

6 January, 2010

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Minimalistic Living Ideas

Whether you are a minimalist by choice or forced to reduce your possessions because of limited space, you may benefit from these ideas for making space in your home by reducing clutter, optimizing the space that you have, and creating versatility in your storage areas. Keeping things simple can be a rewarding venture, both physically and spiritually.

Many people who rid themselves of excess possessions find that their life is less cluttered, less complicated, more predictable, and more comforting. Minimalists report that it is much easier to organize and the simple life has many rewards.

Simplifying your life can even have financial rewards. As your priorities shift from buying things that you like to only buying things that you need, you’ll notice yourself getting pickier about what you buy. You will not want to clutter up your limited or organized space, so you will only buy things that fit, are of a high enough quality to last, and that you know you’ll love. Buying only quality products may seem more expensive, but the money you save on frivolous spending and replacing junk will more than cover the few investments that you make.

Once you’ve decided to go minimal, it is time to get rid of the excess. Trim the fat, so to speak. Go through different areas of your house and concentrate on one area at a time. Ask yourself as you go how much you use certain items. Is it enough to warrant keeping it forever? Is it worthy of your limited storage space? Can you donate it to charity, friends or family? There are usually problem areas in the home that are actually unnecessary. Declutter your counter spaces, shelves, kitchen drawers, bedside table, and cabinets.

When you’re done, assess how much space you actually have. You may want to set goals for yourself. For example, you may decide to implement the two week rule with your wardrobe. Force yourself to choose your favorite two week wardrobe for each season and toss the rest. Choose two weeks of casual clothes, two weeks of work clothes, and two weeks of dress clothes. Keep fourteen pairs of socks and underwear, a brown belt and a black belt, and so on. If you add new clothing to your wardrobe, you have to get rid of something older that you don’t wear as much.

This may seem like a small amount of clothes, but you may be surprised how much space those two week wardrobes can take up. You can minimalize the space that your clothes take up by using space saving hangers, like slim velvet hangers. These specialty hangers allow you to hang a lot of clothing in a small space, without sacrificing quality like you would with wire or plastic hangers. By saving space with your space saving hangers, you can make room for more storage in your closet. You may decide to get rid of bulky dressers and keep all of your clothes in a closet system that effectively manages the space that you have.

Save space, save time, save money, and reduce stress by minimalizing your home this year.

31 December, 2009

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Space Saving Hanger Tricks for Your Closet

Is your closet becoming a nightmare? Many people struggle with having a closet that is too small, too cramped, and way overfilled. If you’re tired of digging for what you need then it is time to make a change. Organizing everything and getting rid of excess clothing can help, but sometimes that’s just not enough. There are lots of ways to make space in a cramped closet, including updating your clothes hangers.

First you have to clear out all of that old junk. Some people store things for decades without ever looking through what they have. Boxes of books, photos, old clothes, and keepsakes can overrun your closet, leaving you no room for the things that you actually use. If this is the case in your closet, it is time to take action.

Pull everything out of the closet and start going through all of those old boxes. Many times, we store things that seem important at the time, but later we realize that we are never actually going to use them. Additionally, some of those things that we do want to keep can be kept elsewhere. See if you can make room in the basement, a spare bedroom, under the bed, or in the garage. If you have to, try to install some cabinets or shelves outside of the closet for storage. Give away and throw away all that you can.

Next, you need to prepare your closet for maintenance. If you can’t maintain the organization that you worked so hard on, then you’ll find yourself right back where you started. After the junk is cleared out, you may notice that your next closet dilemma is your out-of-season clothing. You need to have a plan.

Label containers so that you don’t end up digging through the wrong ones in a hurry, leaving them torn apart all over your closet. Separate things as much as possible and label them accordingly. You may have a box for jeans, one for sweatshirts, one for pajamas, etc. Keeping things separated helps to keep things organized, but also forces you to use multiple small containers that are easy to store, instead of giant boxes.

Now you should only have the clothing and shoes that you are going to wear this season left out. If it still seems like too much for your closet, then you need to update your hangers. Using space saving hangers can triple the amount of space in your closet. These velvet hangers are sturdy, but fit flat together, saving space and preventing wrinkles. They don’t get bent or tangled like wire hangers and can be a valuable addition to your closet. They also have cascading hooks, clips, and specialty designs that hold certain clothes delicately, yet firmly, so that everything in your closet is organized and neat.

23 December, 2009

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Living with Small Storage Spaces

Living in a small apartment or home with limited storage space is a challenge to say the least. Figuring out what to do with all of your stuff can be hard. The key to living with little or no storage is to organize, throw out what you don’t need, and learn how to be creative with storage.

You will first want to thin the herd. Many people have way too many possessions, and especially clothing. If you’re living in a small space, it is best to adopt a minimalist attitude. Try to set limits for yourself on how much stuff you are allowed to own. Organization is much easier if you don’t have way too much stuff.

It is important in small living spaces to create storage around the home. You’ll need to find hiding places for things, so you may want to purchase furniture that doubles as storage. For example, instead of a standard coffee table, you may want one that has storage inside, more like a chest. You can do the same with end tables and ottomans. Many chairs and couches now have arms that lift up to reveal secret storage. Instead of a decorative table at the entrance of your home, you can use a table with cabinets underneath. You can add a wood medicine cabinet to the wall for things that don’t fit in your kitchen cabinet, like spices.

Now for your closets. Try to maximize the space by using space saving hangers, like velvet hangers. They come in many different styles to accommodate your wardrobe. There are cascading hanger hooks which allow you to hang tops and bottoms in the space of one slim hanger. Velvet hangers grip clothing without damaging delicate fabrics. They have a flat design that makes your clothing hang very close together. Ordinary slim hangers are often flimsy and bend or break under the weight of heavier things, like coats and suits. Flat velvet hangers offer slim design and strength that you will love.

Other types of velvet hangers include skirt hangers and pants hangers. They will hold around five pairs of pants on each hanger, so you can essentially hold an entire wardrobe of pants on two or three hangers. You can eliminate the need for drawers and shelves in about three inches of bar space! Finger clips and other accessories make it possible for you to hang just about anything on space saving hangers, freeing up the closet space that you so desperately need.

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