Sort out your linen closet with these space-saving strategies.
Showing posts with label closet. Show all posts
Showing posts with label closet. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Monday, March 26, 2012
Perfecting the His and Her Closet
Can men and women share a closet? Read on...
Article taken off ivillage.com
Perfecting the His and Her Closet
Take Inventory
Before designing a closet, take account of your stuff, suggests Lisa Adams, of LA Closet Design. Count and measure the items you have and want to keep.
Adams also suggests considering your daily habits and preferences: “Ask yourself the following questions: Do you accessorize after you put your clothes on or simultaneously? Where should your pajamas and socks be relative to your bedroom and bathroom after taking a shower?”
Don’t forget special considerations like whether either of you is a frequent traveler, or whether your closet will include space for a vanity.
Do a Closet Purge
After taking inventory, don’t assume everything will fit. Sort through your clothes, creating piles to keep, donate and discard. Cleaning out rarely worn items will cut clutter and create more storage space for both of you. Your closet will feel bigger and you’ll feel happier.
Draw an Invisible Line
“Men and women can successfully share a closet if there is a ‘separation of space’ - meaning there is a general ‘his side’ and ‘her side,’” says Adams. “It helps couples from getting on top of each other when they are in the closet together.” Shared items like a mirror or bureau typically designate that ‘line.’
Remember That the Division of Closet Space Isn’t Equal
Women usually have more clothes and accessories than men. Which is why it’s not uncommon for women to use the larger side or to take over another closet in the house. It also means women usually get more shoe shelves – because it’s a necessity! Remember that men also need space for anything they collect, like watches or ties, Adams says.
Keep Things at Arm's Length
Before building anything, jot down both of your reachable hanging heights. Make sure your everyday items are within easy reach. If that’s impossible, use a step stool or pull-down hanging rods, Adams advises.
Use All Your Storage Space– Even Hard-to-Reach Spots
Don’t miss out on opportunities to stow away rarely used items on top closet shelves-- above the highest hanging rod. Use that space to store out-of-season clothing, photo albums, luggage and extra guest pillows or blankets.
Be Smart About Storing Accessories
Ties, belts, purses and shoes create the most clutter: Sliding shelves can be used for purses and undergarments, and hanging rods and hooks are perfect for dress scarves, belts, ties and hats. Closets by Design, a national closet design firm, says organizing the small stuff will help prevent clutter.
Make Sure You Can See Your Stuff
To make your closet beautiful and functional, you’ll need space so your accessories are visible. It’ll look fantastic but, more importantly, it’ll remind you of everything you’ve got so you don’t forget to wear what you have. Karen Rolleri of Organizeology, a Bay Area-based organizing and design firm, recommends shelves to display purses, hats, and shoes.
Get Creative With Shelves
Placing slanted shoe shelves under shorter garments (like shirts) will keep you from pushing aside clothes when searching. Although women tend to have more shoes than men, men’s shoes are usually wider and longer, so they’ll need more space than you think.
Keep Part of Your Dresser Top Clear
We often forget to use the top of a dresser as we get ready. “Make sure you preserve a place to lay down accessories while you put together an outfit,” suggests professional organizer Clare Kumar.
Incorporate a Full-Length Mirror
You’ll need a full-length mirror to see yourself-– and your whole outfit-- before starting the day. A mirror at the end of a shared closet can also help make it feel more spacious, Adams says.
Article taken off ivillage.com
Perfecting the His and Her Closet
Take Inventory
Before designing a closet, take account of your stuff, suggests Lisa Adams, of LA Closet Design. Count and measure the items you have and want to keep.
Adams also suggests considering your daily habits and preferences: “Ask yourself the following questions: Do you accessorize after you put your clothes on or simultaneously? Where should your pajamas and socks be relative to your bedroom and bathroom after taking a shower?”
Don’t forget special considerations like whether either of you is a frequent traveler, or whether your closet will include space for a vanity.
Do a Closet Purge
After taking inventory, don’t assume everything will fit. Sort through your clothes, creating piles to keep, donate and discard. Cleaning out rarely worn items will cut clutter and create more storage space for both of you. Your closet will feel bigger and you’ll feel happier.
Draw an Invisible Line
“Men and women can successfully share a closet if there is a ‘separation of space’ - meaning there is a general ‘his side’ and ‘her side,’” says Adams. “It helps couples from getting on top of each other when they are in the closet together.” Shared items like a mirror or bureau typically designate that ‘line.’
Remember That the Division of Closet Space Isn’t Equal
Women usually have more clothes and accessories than men. Which is why it’s not uncommon for women to use the larger side or to take over another closet in the house. It also means women usually get more shoe shelves – because it’s a necessity! Remember that men also need space for anything they collect, like watches or ties, Adams says.
Keep Things at Arm's Length
Before building anything, jot down both of your reachable hanging heights. Make sure your everyday items are within easy reach. If that’s impossible, use a step stool or pull-down hanging rods, Adams advises.
Use All Your Storage Space– Even Hard-to-Reach Spots
Don’t miss out on opportunities to stow away rarely used items on top closet shelves-- above the highest hanging rod. Use that space to store out-of-season clothing, photo albums, luggage and extra guest pillows or blankets.
Be Smart About Storing Accessories
Ties, belts, purses and shoes create the most clutter: Sliding shelves can be used for purses and undergarments, and hanging rods and hooks are perfect for dress scarves, belts, ties and hats. Closets by Design, a national closet design firm, says organizing the small stuff will help prevent clutter.
Make Sure You Can See Your Stuff
To make your closet beautiful and functional, you’ll need space so your accessories are visible. It’ll look fantastic but, more importantly, it’ll remind you of everything you’ve got so you don’t forget to wear what you have. Karen Rolleri of Organizeology, a Bay Area-based organizing and design firm, recommends shelves to display purses, hats, and shoes.
Get Creative With Shelves
Placing slanted shoe shelves under shorter garments (like shirts) will keep you from pushing aside clothes when searching. Although women tend to have more shoes than men, men’s shoes are usually wider and longer, so they’ll need more space than you think.
Keep Part of Your Dresser Top Clear
We often forget to use the top of a dresser as we get ready. “Make sure you preserve a place to lay down accessories while you put together an outfit,” suggests professional organizer Clare Kumar.
Incorporate a Full-Length Mirror
You’ll need a full-length mirror to see yourself-– and your whole outfit-- before starting the day. A mirror at the end of a shared closet can also help make it feel more spacious, Adams says.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Free Up Closet Space
How to free up your closet?
Article taken off goodhousekeeping.com
Free Up Closet Space
When it comes to closets, those in the bedroom usually get all the love. But the ones that store linens, outerwear, and housewares need attention, too. Here's how to organize them so you can find anything with ease.
Neat Tweaks
Shape up three problem zones
1. The Linen Closet
It can go from orderly to out of sorts fast
Start at the top Put clean out-of-season covers out of sight on the top shelf. But don't stash them in their original plastic packaging--it prevents the fabric from "breathing" and can lead to mildew. Just fold, or cinch in a cotton or mesh drawstring laundry bag (about $5 at home stores) to keep them tidy without trapping moisture.
Straighten out the shelves Try clip-on shelf dividers (about $8 for two), to keep stacks from toppling; bins to hold overflow toiletries or toilet paper; and adhesive labels for shelf edges. To make linen piles even less jumble-prone, here's how to fold:
Towels GHRI's linen gurus fold theirs into thirds. Why? They fit better in the closet and look nicer when put out. Organize by set rather than by type, so they'll be grab-and-go. (Place washcloths flat on top or folded in a bin to the side so they won't get lost.)
Sheets Place the flat and fitted ones, folded, inside the pillowcases to save space. To keep sets' sizes straight, color-code the tags with a permanent-marker dot and group accordingly as they come out of the wash.
2. The Broom Closet
A.k.a. "the junk closet," it could use more method, less madness
Tame long-handled mopsand brooms Use a holder like Oxo's Expandable Wall-Mounted Organizer ($20; oxo.com), or hang them between the pegs in a peg rack. Another idea: Repurpose a tall, narrow hamper or trash can.
Corral cleaning products Use a milk crate, a storage cube, or an empty bucket. Casabella's bucket and add-on caddy ($17 for both; casabella.com) nest together for storage.
Don't lose your tools Put hammers and the like in an inexpensive toolbox, or use shoeboxes or plastic bins. Clear containers can hold spare lightbulbs, extension cords, etc., so you can more easily spot what you've got.
Leave the vac for last Be sure to allow enough space for it, but wheel it in there at the end for easier access.
3. The Coat Closet
Storage is often lacking, and weather-wet items can't just be stuck back in
Change how you hang For space savings and less hanger slippage (read: no coats heaped on the floor), try slim-yet-sturdy flocked Huggable Hangers (above, $30 for 30; hsn.com).
Don't waste door space Install a shoe rack like Elfa's two-pair, screw-on model ($10; containerstore.com) on the door to hold wet, muddy pairs. Over-door hooks handle hats, scarves, guests' coats, etc.--even damp ones.
clos.et/ n./ It means "private enclosed room," but these three types are visited often. The #1 rule: Make your most-used items easiest to get
What to Purge
Towels & Sheets
On laundry day, take a hard look at what's left in the linen closet (and may have been lingering for years). Then repurpose it as rags or press cloths, stash in the car for padding cargo or cleaning spills, or donate to an animal shelter for use as pet bedding.
Housewares
Consider whether space hogs (the ironing board) should really be in the broom closet. Combustibles (like propane) or potential noxious-gas emitters (like paints or solvents) shouldn't even be in the house. As you use tools and cleaners, donate or properly dispose of superfluous multiples.
Coats
New rule: Two coats per person stay in the entryway closet. All others should go to respective bedrooms or the "overflow" closet (usually the guest room's) or be donated.
Article taken off goodhousekeeping.com
Free Up Closet Space
When it comes to closets, those in the bedroom usually get all the love. But the ones that store linens, outerwear, and housewares need attention, too. Here's how to organize them so you can find anything with ease.
Neat Tweaks
Shape up three problem zones
1. The Linen Closet
It can go from orderly to out of sorts fast
Start at the top Put clean out-of-season covers out of sight on the top shelf. But don't stash them in their original plastic packaging--it prevents the fabric from "breathing" and can lead to mildew. Just fold, or cinch in a cotton or mesh drawstring laundry bag (about $5 at home stores) to keep them tidy without trapping moisture.
Straighten out the shelves Try clip-on shelf dividers (about $8 for two), to keep stacks from toppling; bins to hold overflow toiletries or toilet paper; and adhesive labels for shelf edges. To make linen piles even less jumble-prone, here's how to fold:
Towels GHRI's linen gurus fold theirs into thirds. Why? They fit better in the closet and look nicer when put out. Organize by set rather than by type, so they'll be grab-and-go. (Place washcloths flat on top or folded in a bin to the side so they won't get lost.)
Sheets Place the flat and fitted ones, folded, inside the pillowcases to save space. To keep sets' sizes straight, color-code the tags with a permanent-marker dot and group accordingly as they come out of the wash.
2. The Broom Closet
A.k.a. "the junk closet," it could use more method, less madness
Tame long-handled mopsand brooms Use a holder like Oxo's Expandable Wall-Mounted Organizer ($20; oxo.com), or hang them between the pegs in a peg rack. Another idea: Repurpose a tall, narrow hamper or trash can.
Corral cleaning products Use a milk crate, a storage cube, or an empty bucket. Casabella's bucket and add-on caddy ($17 for both; casabella.com) nest together for storage.
Don't lose your tools Put hammers and the like in an inexpensive toolbox, or use shoeboxes or plastic bins. Clear containers can hold spare lightbulbs, extension cords, etc., so you can more easily spot what you've got.
Leave the vac for last Be sure to allow enough space for it, but wheel it in there at the end for easier access.
3. The Coat Closet
Storage is often lacking, and weather-wet items can't just be stuck back in
Change how you hang For space savings and less hanger slippage (read: no coats heaped on the floor), try slim-yet-sturdy flocked Huggable Hangers (above, $30 for 30; hsn.com).
Don't waste door space Install a shoe rack like Elfa's two-pair, screw-on model ($10; containerstore.com) on the door to hold wet, muddy pairs. Over-door hooks handle hats, scarves, guests' coats, etc.--even damp ones.
clos.et/ n./ It means "private enclosed room," but these three types are visited often. The #1 rule: Make your most-used items easiest to get
What to Purge
Towels & Sheets
On laundry day, take a hard look at what's left in the linen closet (and may have been lingering for years). Then repurpose it as rags or press cloths, stash in the car for padding cargo or cleaning spills, or donate to an animal shelter for use as pet bedding.
Housewares
Consider whether space hogs (the ironing board) should really be in the broom closet. Combustibles (like propane) or potential noxious-gas emitters (like paints or solvents) shouldn't even be in the house. As you use tools and cleaners, donate or properly dispose of superfluous multiples.
Coats
New rule: Two coats per person stay in the entryway closet. All others should go to respective bedrooms or the "overflow" closet (usually the guest room's) or be donated.
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