Cluttered drawers? Shoes strewn across the floor? Hanger space dwindling?  It’s time to get organized! I recently contributed to a MyDomaine article about closet organization and I thought I’d give CLOSETPHILE readers my takes on some of the tips and tricks mentioned in the article as we start to think about the seasons transitioning. 

Color Code --  While I think sorting garments by color can make sense, my philosophy is to organize based on your inventory, style and function.  So for some, it might be color; for others, it might be brand. Then from there, you can continue to organize by sleeve length, body length and color.  Don’t be afraid to create sections within each hanging category based on formality or function (ie. workout, lounge, black tie, etc.), if that suits your lifestyle. 

Invest in New Hangers -- I can’t stress this enough...ditch mismatched hangers like the wire hangers from the dry cleaners or plastic hangers from retail store purchases. They’ll only make your space look and feel more cluttered. Replace them with uniform hangers like wood or velvet.  This will help streamline your closet instantly! If you want to take it a step further, invest in hangers specific to your garments. LA Closet Design’s online store sells a variety of hangers, including sweater, lingerie, pant, coat, and tiered to help you hang like a pro! 

Invest in Organization -- I’m fully on board with this notion. When you invest in tools to help you get and stay organized, you have a lifelong system that feels manageable. At a minimum, I recommend investing in uniform hangers, storage containers for things like jewelry, sunglasses, and boxes for off-season items.  LA Closet Design’s online store offers several options, like acrylic accessories trays, leather storage boxes and velvet hangers, all of which will keep you organized throughout the year and beyond. 

Lay Out Everything You Have -- Have you ever done a closet clean and found pieces you totally forgot you had?  It’s important to take inventory and understand what you actually own. You can’t get fully organized until you know what you’re working with! Don’t be afraid to make simple tweaks in your closet (ie. incorporating a hanging rod, adding or removing shelves, etc.) to accommodate your specific wardrobe needs. And, actively edit so you’re not stuck with an ongoing overflow situation!

Stay on Top of It --  I am definitely a proponent of this tip!  I help clients do this by including waste baskets or hampers with liners to sort various items (ie. laundry, dry cleaning, editing, tailoring, etc.).  Dedicated staging areas and valet hooks are also great to hang items that need tailoring or steaming. That way, if you pull out an item that doesn’t fit or has a rip, you can immediately take action by putting it into the respective spot — NOT back into your closet! 

Sort Your Shoes -- Think about adjusting your shoe shelves based on the types and heights of your shoes. If you have deep shelves that do not pull-out, then I recommend organizing footwear with the left pairs in the first row and the right pairs in the back row.  That way, you can see every shoe you own at first glance. For boots, I like to install rods and add boot trees; the boot trees slide into the boots and the hooks attach to the rod.  It helps to maintain the shape of the boots and allows you to see them! For flats and flip flops (that you might not want to see), place them into cubbies or baskets to maximize space. 

Think Vertically -- I can’t tell you how often I see people not maximizing the height of their closet.  If your closet stops short of the ceiling, opt to add storage options that can help fill the gap.