Even though every season has a full list of chores to do,
most people tend to tackle closets in the spring. I did manage to re-organize
one of our smaller closets this spring, but then I became overwhelmed with our
overrun bedrooms closets and stopped. Now that it’s time to pack away warm
season clothes, I knew I had to tackle fall closet organization this fall and
now, thanks to Christina
Giaquinto, home organization expert with Modular Closets. I’ve got expert help in the form of her five
tips she’s sharing here today. Let’s tackle this task once and for all with Christina’s
help.
My thanks to Christina Giaquinto for guest posting today. All
images and copy are hers. No compensation was given. All opinions and love of organized
closets are my own.
Before we get to the organization tips, let’s meet our expert: Christina
Giaquinto.
About
Christina Giaquinto:
Christina Giaquinto is a Professional Organizer
and Brand Ambassador for Modular Closets. Having
run her own organizing business for several years, Christina focuses on giving
her clients the tools, methods, and techniques for maintaining their spaces.
Her work has been featured on sites like Popsugar, Women's Health, and
Yahoo!
About
Modular Closets:
Modular Closets are high-quality and
easy-to-design closet systems made in the USA you can order, assemble, and
install yourself, in no time at all. Using closet modules (closet pieces you
can mix & match to design your own modular closet), homeowners everywhere
are empowered to achieve a true custom closet look- for nearly 40% less than
standard custom closets.
Let’s Get Organized Closets
with Christina.
The first
step is to plan ahead! Christina states: The whole process of organizing your closet can be a bit
overwhelming. That’s why I suggest that you create a plan for the project
before you move a single piece of clothing. Having every single detail of the transformation
nailed down isn’t all that important, but, if you have a clear path to your
desired result, it can make the process seem less daunting.
Make a checklist so that
with every step crossed-off, you can feel more confident knowing that your
closet dreams are just that much closer.
Your checklist may be a
bit different, but mine might look like this:
- Empty
absolutely everything out of your closet.
- Categorize all of the piles.
- Declutter your piles.
- Design your closet according to what
you have left.
- Put everything back and see it
transformed!
To get a better idea of the process, let’s take a closer look
at those steps!
Emptying Out Your Closet:
When I say
take everything out, I mean everything. Make it look like it did before you
moved in. There is something exciting and refreshing about a blank slate so
take advantage of this and make sure it’s clean and fresh! This is a big step
so celebrate your accomplishment! (whether that’s a trip to Starbucks or a pat
on the back is up to you!)
Categorizing Everything into Piles:
Taking the
time to organize the clothes and items as you take them out of the closet will
save you time and hassle. This step is essential for when you are designing
your closet. Make sure that every pile is categorized and labeled with either
post-its or scrap paper. I suggest using sharpies or bold markers so that every
pile is clearly labeled.
De-Clutter:
Once
everything is labeled, go through each section, and decide what you want to
keep, what you can donate, and what you need to get rid of. This can be the
most difficult step, so I have provided some bonus tips for that too!
Bonus Mindset tips:
Show yourself grace. Some may say it's
just clothing, but your clothes represent your style, personality, and you also
may have memories attached to certain pieces. So, it is ok if you find it
difficult to let go.
Show yourself compassion. If you are having
a difficult time. If this is particularly hard for you, ask a friend or family
member to be there with you. It's helpful if the person helping doesn't have an
emotional attachment to the space you are cleaning out.
Be frugal-minded. It’s common to
keep endless clothes while working towards a healthier lifestyle. Keep one pair
of jeans as motivation so you can celebrate when they fit (because they will!
If you can organize your closet, you can do anything). Holding on to a large
wardrobe of clothes that don’t fit, just adds clutter and stress. Part of
working towards a healthy lifestyle is reducing stress, and a cluttered closet
definitely contributes to that.
Change your perspective. You are not
wasting money or throwing away clothes. You can help others by donating your
clothes so others can wear them. Think about how much better it feels to know
someone else will feel happiness wearing the item rather than it sitting in
your closet for another year.
Design Your Closet:
When you have decluttered, you will be able to
see what you have left and be able to design our closet from there. Keep in
mind the categories that you have made. For example, if you have mostly blouses
and pants, then a double hang would be a perfect fit for you. But, if most of your
wardrobe consists of dresses, a long hang may be a better option. No two
closets are the same because no two people are the same. Your closet should be
functionally designed for your life.
Put Everything Back:
You finally made it to the fun part! You should be so
proud of yourself for getting to this point and not giving up. It is time to
look at your newly designed closet and put all your clothes and items back in
their new home.
Keep all your categories together. All those piles that
you made should now go back into the closet and stay together.
Color coordinate. By keeping your
clothes color-coordinated it not only looks beautiful, but it helps you easily
find your clothes and helps when putting away the laundry. It's another tool
that keeps your closet organized and your life less stressful.
Use drawer dividers to separate like
items. For
example, if you have a drawer with workout clothes and it's divided into two,
you can put workout pants on one side and t-shirts on the other side. This
keeps everything workout-related in one drawer, but the drawer divider allows
it to be subcategorized.
Label bins and drawers. Labeling allows you to see exactly what the
drawer or bin has. Label the inside lip of the drawer to see it right away, or
the back of the drawer if it pulls out all the way. You should also label your
bins. If you have your seasonal clothes in a bin, or travel bags, etc., those
should be labeled so you know exactly where they are.
That’s it! You
did it! You now have an organized closet and a system in place to keep them
that way.
My Thoughts:
I'm simply blown away by Christina's closets and tips! Each photo is a beautiful representation of a perfectly organized closet that's also stylish. Having a closet like this to walk into everyday would certain put me in a good mood and make me want to keep it clean and organized.
The hardest part for me, and probably you too if you are reading this is getting started. It seems so monumental! I've decided to carve out time over the weekend to start pulling items off the floor of my closet and work my way throw it. If I can find enough clear space to work, I'll continue and around each section of my closet while keeping Christina's tips top of mind. Especially the mindset bonus tips!
Please share
in comments: Which tip did you find most helpful to organize your closets this
fall?
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