DIY Closet Techniques

There are millions of ways to organize a closet. Everyone is different, owns different things, and has different needs. We can look at the different closet plans that are out there for days without seeing the same thing twice. So, if you want to organize your closet, doing it yourself is the way to go. Only you know your tastes and how you would prefer things to be stored. Use these organizational ideas to help you decide which closet storage techniques will best fit your style and your closet.

1) Baskets are very useful for most people. They hold little things, keep them organized, and eliminate the need to install drawers. Baskets, buckets, and bins are great places to keep socks, underwear, mittens, books, camera equipment, mementos, and more. They give the closet more texture and break up the monotonous look of ordinary closets. They help you to stay organized while making things look nice and neat.

2) Special compartments can be put in your closet to hold things that need somewhere to go. You may want to store a laptop, some tall boots, your manicure/pedicure supplies, your child’s schoolwork, or a multitude of other things. Creating little spaces in the closet that are designated for these things will help you to keep your whole house in order.

3) Shelves are really useful. They allow you to fold some of your clothes instead of hanging everything. You can fold sweaters and t-shirts to leave room on the hanging bar for bulkier clothes, such as coats and suits. Shelves can sometimes help you to make better use of the space in the closet and give you storage areas as well.

4) Storage is important in any closet. A high shelf that goes all the way around the closet can be really useful. You can keep luggage, out of season clothing, purses, sports equipment and more on a high shelf so that it is safely stored away.

5) Specialty racks for shoes or baseball caps can keep the clutter to a minimum. Use the back of the closet door to keep the bulk of the closet area clear. You may decide to move your hanging bar up so that you have more room underneath for shoes or laundry baskets. A tie rack, belt rack, scarf hanger, and some heavy duty hooks can help you keep your closet organized.

6) Hangers make all the difference in a closet. There’s nothing worse than having your clothes ruined by a shotty hanger. Use high quality hangers, such as a wood hanger or coat hanger. Another option is to go with some sturdy clothes hangers that maximize space. These can double or triple the space that you have on the bar!

Getting your closet organized and keeping it that way is a snap when you use the techniques that work for you and your closet.

About the Author: Joe Granville is on the staff of Only Hangers, a leading online resource for wood hangers, coat hangers and all types of clothes hangers which is recognized for the excellent quality and value of its wood hanger and coat hanger offerings. For more information, please visit http://www.onlyhangers.com.

DIY Closet Organization Ideas

Many people realize that their closet isn’t working when it gets overcrowded and disorganized. Closets that make insufficient use of space can be frustrating and overwhelming. Use these ideas to get your closet under control and your home back in order.

1) Lots of people are turning away from bulky, expensive furniture for clothes storage and vamping up their closets instead. Storing everything in drawers can cause them to become wrinkled. You have to cram things in once the drawer is full. Then, you have to rummage through, unfolding and wrinkling items in order to find what you’re looking for. Having everything out in front of you in a closet is a great way to make managing your wardrobe more efficient and effective.

2) Take a look at how you do things. Do you fold your t-shirts? Hang only button-down shirts and sweaters? Do you keep your socks in your closet? Your personal needs should be considered before you design a closet system. Using shelves is one way to make room for winter and summer clothes, so that you don’t have to switch out wardrobes when the seasons change. This can significantly cut down on the labor and storage space that it takes to swap out clothing every few months.

3) Here’s an example of a closet that holds winter and summer clothes. Start with two hanging bars on one side. This will be where all of your pants, long sleeved shirts, dresses, suits, and coats will go. On the other side of the closet, you can install all shelves. Fold and stack all of your t-shirts on one shelf. If you share a closet with someone, divide the shelf so that it can keep your shirts separate. Now, use the next shelf for shorts and sportswear. Use baskets and bins for socks, underwear, swimwear, gloves, hats, or whatever else you have that needs to be separated.

4) Continue organizing by making space for all of the little things that you keep in your closet. Use hooks for things like robes, baseball caps, and purses. Use specialty hangers for scarves, belts, ties, and skirts. Your clothes hangers can make a big difference in how much you are able to keep in your closet. A sturdy wood hanger or coat hanger should be used for heavier coats and suits. However, you can use hangers that save more space, like cascading hangers or slim hangers. With the right arrangement and the right closet accessories, you can have the organized space that you dream of!

About the Author: Joe Granville is on the staff of Only Hangers, a leading online resource for wood hangers, coat hangers and all types of clothes hangers which is recognized for the excellent quality and value of its wood hanger and coat hanger offerings. For more information, please visit http://www.onlyhangers.com.

Top DIY Projects: Storage

There is nothing more rewarding than doing a job well and doing it yourself. Do it yourself projects have become increasingly popular over the last few years. This isn’t only because it generally costs less to do the job yourself, but because it gives you a great sense of accomplishment and pride to complete a task yourself. Not only that, but you can get away from the cookie-cutter world of manufactured products and really personalize your home.

Every family has different needs and every home is unique. One glaring problem with homes that is consistent across the board is storage. Homes are built with just a few cabinets and a few small closets. However, the amount of possessions that we have can be staggering. We don’t want everything out in the open because it makes our house look cluttered. When you can’t find places to put things, they end up in boxes or out where they can get mixed up with other things. Finding what you need and keeping your house clean can seem impossible if you don’t have enough storage space.

There are many DIY projects that can help you make the most of the space that you have. You can organize living room areas by installing some shelves. Some people even put shelves up high by the ceiling or over doors to hold books and things that they don’t use very often. Mementos and other decorative items can be kept out of children’s reach while giving the room texture and depth, much like crown moulding does.

Another place in the home that is generally lacking in storage is the kitchen. It’s not so much that the space isn’t there as it is that the space inside the cabinets is wasted. Many kitchens have blind corner cabinets where they wrap around a corner. Sometimes there is only one door to this corner, leaving a lot of the space in there empty, because you can’t see what you need in there or you simply can’t reach it. Blind corners can be conquered with sliding shelves or a lazy suzan addition. Other cabinets, especially bottom cabinets, could usually use some extra shelves or sliding drawers to utilize the space more efficiently.

The last areas of the home that need to be more efficiently designed are the closets. Closets are notorious for wasting valuable storage space in the home. There are usually a few feet unused at the top and front sides of the closet. Creating a useful and personalized design for your closet can make a huge difference. Many people choose the closet for their DIY project because it’s generally easy, incredibly useful, and really rewarding. When you’re done, make your new closet look great by investing a little in some quality clothes hangers.
Hangers really finish out the closet. A quality wood hanger or coat hanger can add a lot of style and luxury to your closet.

DIY projects that create storage can make your whole house seem more inviting and useful. Get started on yours today!

About the Author: Joe Granville is on the staff of Only Hangers, a leading online resource for wood hangers, coat hangers and all types of clothes hangers which is recognized for the excellent quality and value of its wood hanger and coat hanger offerings. For more information, please visit http://www.onlyhangers.com.

How to Protect Clothes in the Closet

You may think that your clothes will stay clean and protected in the closet, but there are many things that can damage your clothing. Use these tips and preparations to make sure that your clothes don’t smell musty, sustain insect damage, get molded or mildewed, or get misshapen by below-par hangers. Don’t risk one of your biggest investments by leaving your wardrobe’s protection up to chance. Follow these steps to ensure their safe storage.

1) Most people will notice a musty smell on their clothes if they sit in storage for too long. This smell is actually mold growing on the clothes. Fabrics can absorb moisture from the air. When we seal them up, the moisture can grow into mold and mildew. To sidestep this problem, you should store your clothes with cedar hangers or cedar accessories. Cedar absorbs moisture and keeps clothes smelling fresh. You can use dryer sheets for freshness. Just make sure that they don’t actually touch your clothes because they can leave a waxy deposit.

2) Insect damage to clothing is more common than you might think. Most people associate moth damage with old closet full of wool clothing. However, there are many fabrics that moths can eat. It is actually your body oil that they are attracted to. If you wear a suit, sweater, dress or coat and then hang it back on the hanger, moths will be attracted to the smell. They will lay their eggs there and disappear. So, even though you may not see any moths, the larvae will be there, feeding on your clothes. Cedar helps repel moths. Having clothing cleaned before you put it back in the closet is a good idea too.

3) Many people use those old wire hangers because it’s what they got at the cleaners, or they’re trying to save space and money. However, those old hangers have edges and points that snag and tear clothes. They get all crossed up on the bar and even bend to let your heavier items end up on the floor. They also cause the shoulders of your coats and suits to lose their shape and look shabby. Investing in some nicer clothes hangers will save you money in the long run. A nice wood hanger or coat hanger will help your clothes to keep their shape. They will also help your clothes to stay slightly separated on the bar so that they don’t get wrinkled or crossed up. Sturdy clothes hangers also make your closet look spectacular. You can save space by using suit hangers or other specialty clothes hangers that allow you to hang more than one item on each hanger.

About the Author: Joe Granville is on the staff of Only Hangers, a leading online resource for wood hangers, coat hangers and all types of clothes hangers which is recognized for the excellent quality and value of its wood hanger and coat hanger offerings. For more information, please visit http://www.onlyhangers.com.

Home Organization Closets

Anytime you’re looking to organize your home, the closet is a great place to start. There are a lot of options when it comes to closet organization. Depending on the space that you have and your budget, you could make great use of hooks, shelves, drawers, additional hanging bars, and cabinets. Additionally, you can create extra space or spruce up the look of your closet by investing a little in high quality hangers.

You may be surprised about what all you can do with your space, even if it is small. Closets can get crammed full and make you feel like the space is inadequate. However, if you take a few steps towards getting the junk cleared and installing some helpful additions, your closet could become a space that you are thankful to have.

Closet organization specialists strive to make the most of the available space. Vertical space is often ignored or wasted in traditional closets. You will need to empty your closet to assess the area and decide which closet arrangement will work best for you.

First you need to remove clutter and go through storage boxes. We usually need our closets to store our out of season clothing, but end up using them to store everything from tax paperwork to extra light bulbs. By clearing everything out, you’ll be able to determine just what you want to keep in the closet and what you can afford to get rid of. Finding new spaces for these extra items can be challenging, but don’t worry.

You can store out of season clothing elsewhere if you really don’t have anywhere else to keep your extra household supplies. Most people utilize the space underneath the bed to store their extra clothes. You can buy shallow, yet large, containers that fit this space perfectly. You can use bed risers to make even more hidden space in your bedroom. Other options include rolling garment racks or armoires to store extra clothing.

To utilize wasted space, consider adding another shelf up high in the closet for rarely used items. If you move your shelves upward, you might make room for an extra hanging bar. Extra bars or shelves can be installed on either side of the closet as well. Moving the bars back closer to the back wall can reveal hidden space at the front of the closet.

When you get the arrangement that you want, be selective about what you put back in. Give as much as possible to charity. If you still need to save space, invest in hangers that help you to do so. Slim or flat hangers work great. Other specialty hangers will give you special places to keep ties, belts, skirts, and lingerie. Your clothes hangers may be your greatest closet investment. A nice wood hanger makes your closet look sophisticated while adding style and longevity to your investment. Remember to use a coat hanger for your coats and suits so that they don’t get misshapen at the shoulders.

When your closet is updated to accommodate the things that you use most, you’ll be on your way to a more organized and efficient home.

About the Author: Joe Granville is on the staff of Only Hangers, a leading online resource for wood hangers, coat hangers and all types of clothes hangers which is recognized for the excellent quality and value of its wood hanger and coat hanger offerings. For more information, please visit http://www.onlyhangers.com.

Instant Closet Storage

Creating closet storage is a great way to get your home organized and even add selling value to your home. Most people have things stored that they haven’t used or even looked at in years. Decluttering is the first step to organizing your closet and creating extra space for the things that you actually need to store.

Take an objective look at your closet contents and start to analyze what you actually need. Empty the closet and categorize each group of items. You can use your bed or floor to make space for the organization project. Make one group of things items that you know you need and use. You may have a lot of stuff that you know you want to keep but you realize that it is taking up too much room. Separate these things into another pile and set it aside for later.

When you’re going through your clothes and shoes, get rid of ones that you haven’t worn in a year. Shoes may be hard to get rid of, but go ahead and ditch them if they are scuffed, too tight, are out of style, or you just never seem to wear them. Clothing can go out of style so quickly that you may have lots of usable clothes that you are never in the mood to wear.

Do a little research and find a consignment shop or resale shop in your area that may want to buy these usable items from you. You may be able to sell large lots of clothes or name brand items online. Anything that doesn’t sell can be given away or donated to a charity. You may even decide to have a garage sale and use the money to update your closet storage.

You can now take a look at the pile of things that you have been storing that may not belong in the closet. Old paperwork, statements, photo albums, and sports equipment can be kept elsewhere. Go through those old boxes and be selective about what you keep. You may want to invest in a bookshelf for books, files, and photos. Other things can be kept in the attic, garage, or basement, freeing up lots of storage space in your closet.

The next step is to develop a closet system that accommodates what you have left. Consider little space saving options that will actually give you more room than you need. For example, if you move your hanging bar up, you may have room for a double shoe rack underneath, instead of a single one, doubling your shoe storage. You can install wire shelving that allows you to hang clothing from anywhere. You can double up your hanging space and shelf space by using a simple closet system that utilizes vertical space and the depth of your closet.

Update the closet with hooks for robes, purses, and tote bags. Install a hat rack, use scarf, belt, and tie hangers. Make a place for everything. You can even use clothes hangers that save space by allowing you to hang multiple items on each hanger. Use a nice wood hanger or coat hanger for nicer clothes that need to keep their shape at the shoulders. When your closet is organized and has more usable storage space, you can store your out of season clothing with ease, making it easier to stay organized once you get that way.

About the Author: Joe Granville is on the staff of Only Hangers, a leading online resource for wood hangers, coat hangers and all types of clothes hangers which is recognized for the excellent quality and value of its wood hanger and coat hanger offerings. For more information, please visit http://www.onlyhangers.com.