When moving into a new home, one of the first tasks on your to-do list should be organizing your closet. After all, it can be difficult to find space for everything in your clothes, shoes, and accessories when you’re dealing with the boxes and piles that are inevitably left behind after a move. A closet is a reflection of our personality. It stores our secrets and tells the world who we are. More than any other room in the house, the closet needs to be functional and organized, or it can quickly become a mess. Here are some tips on how to organize your closet after a move:
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1. Declutter your clothing by category
Start by decluttering your clothes by category. This means going through your entire wardrobe and deciding what you’re going to keep, donate, or sell. If you have a lot of clothes, it might be helpful to divide them into categories such as work clothes, casual clothes, formal wear, etc. Once you’ve decluttered your clothes, it will be easier to see what you have and how much space you need to store everything.
2. Remove all the items from your closet
Next, empty your closet and give it a good cleaning. This will help you eliminate unwanted odors and remove any dust or debris that may have built up over time. Whether storing boxes or hanging clothes, make sure everything is clean and in good condition before putting it back into the closet.
3. Examine and mend the closet’s interior
Before you start moving your clothes into the closet:
Take a moment to inspect the interior.
Ensure that no nails or screws are sticking out and that the shelves are sturdy and level.
Check for any water damage or mold growth. If you find any damage, make sure to repair it before you start storing your clothes.
Create your ideal closet space.
Once your closet is decluttered and clean, it’s time to design a storage plan. This will help you maximize the space in your closet and ensure that everything has a designated place. For example, you might want to invest in some new hangers or install shelves to store boxes of clothes or shoes. This will help you figure out what goes where and how to maximize the space in your closet. Whether hanging clothes or storing boxes, take the time to design a storage solution that works for you. Whatever storage solutions you choose, ensure that they are efficient and tailored to your specific needs.
Once you’ve designed your ideal closet space, it’s time to start storing your clothes. Begin by hanging up any clothes that need to be hung, and then store the rest of your clothes by category. Keep similar items together. Keep your workout apparel separate from your pajamas, and organize all of your belts in the same location. Divide your clothes by season, such as summer clothes, winter clothes, etc. This will make it easy to find what you’re looking for when you need it.
5. Hang clothes that are delicate, fancy, or sturdy
When hanging your clothes, aim to hang anything delicate, fancy, or sturdy. This might include dresses, suits, or heavy jackets. If you don’t have enough space for all of your clothes in your closet, you can also consider installing a second rod at a lower level to give more space for lightweight items like t-shirts and tank tops.
6. Use hangers
Be sure to invest in some coordinating hangers to help keep your closet looking neat and tidy. Matching hangers will make it easier to find what you’re looking for, but they can also help create the illusion of a larger space. If you have heavy suits to hang, choose sturdy velvet hangers over the flimsy plastic ones, and avoid wooden hangers if you have a lot of slippery silk tops.
7. Stack thick items like denim and sweaters
If you have thick items like denim or sweaters, consider stacking them instead of hanging them. This will help save space and keep your clothes organized. Simply fold these items and stack them on a shelf or in a bin. Be sure to label each stack, so you know what’s inside.
8. Put t-shirts, pajamas, and workout clothing rolled in storage boxes
Consider rolling them into storage boxes if you don’t have enough space to hang all of your t-shirts, pajamas, and workout clothes. Cotton shirts, leggings, and polyester shorts are often thin and flexible, making them ideal for the roll-and-tuck technique. This can help you save room and keep your clothing neat. To do this, simply fold each item and then roll it up tightly. Be sure to label each box, so you know what’s inside.
When storing your clothes, be sure to keep your most-used items at eye level. This will help you save time and energy when getting dressed. If you have a lot of clothes, consider installing a second rod in your closet to store some of your less frequently used items up high.
10. Personalize your wardrobe with a color code
If you have a large closet with multiple shelves and rods, try to color-code it as much as possible. This will help you stay organized and make it easy to find what you’re looking for. For example, use one color for t-shirts, another for dresses and suits, and yet another for pants and skirts. You can also use color-coded hangers to make things even easier. You can keep your clothes in a rainbow color code order as ROYGBIV or any other system that works for you.
11. Make maximum use of your vertical storage space
If you don’t have a lot of floor space in your closet, maximize your vertical storage space. You can install additional shelves or rods above the ones currently there or hang stackable bins and organizers from the ceiling. Hang an over-the-door shoe rack on your room door, or hang it sideways on a tension rod. You may also build DIY shelves to store jewelry boxes or handbags in unused wall space. In addition to maximizing your storage space, maximizing your vertical storage can also help keep your clothes organized and easy to find.
Consider investing in drawer dividers if you find that your underwear and socks tend to get mixed up in your drawers. These can help keep your undergarments neatly organized, making finding what you’re looking for easier. You can buy drawer dividers at most home improvement stores or online, and they are often inexpensive and easy to install. Just be sure to measure your drawers and get dividers that are the right size for your space. With a little bit of effort, you can easily keep your undergarments neat and organized, even after a move.
13. Hang scarves on hangers
If you have a lot of scarves, consider hanging them on hangers. This will help keep them organized and wrinkle-free. You can buy special scarf hangers with multiple loops or rings or simply hang them on regular hangers. Just be sure not to hang them too close together, as this can cause them to become tangled.
14. Use Hooks to Hang Purses and Bags
If you have a lot of purses and bags, you may find that they take up a lot of space in your closet. A great way to save space and keep them organized is to use Command hooks to hang them from the back of your door or on the wall. This will keep them out of the way and easy to grab when you’re on the go. You can also use hooks to hang belts, ties, or other accessories.
15. Make the most of empty wall space by keeping jewelry and accessories
If you have empty wall space in your closet, put it to good use by hanging jewelry and accessories. This will help keep them organized and easy to find. You can buy special jewelry hangers or simply use hooks or nails to hang necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. You can also use a bulletin board or corkboard to hang pins and brooches or a pegboard to keep your belts and other accessories organized.
16. Organize your clothes in chronological order as you get ready
If you have trouble keeping your drawers organized, try organizing them in the order you get dressed. This means that your underwear and socks will be in one drawer, your shirts in another, and your pants in another. This can help you save time when getting dressed in the morning, as you won’t have to rummage through all of your drawers to find what you’re looking for. Plus, it will help keep your clothes organized and wrinkle-free.
Conclusion
Closet organization is a daunting task, but it’s important to get it done properly in order to make the most of your space. Above are a few methods for keeping your clothing neat and organized. By following these simple tips and with a little bit of effort, you can easily keep your closet organized and well-stocked, even after a move. Happy Moving!
You’ll need a clean, empty area to consider and visualize how you’ll re-organize your closet. Dust the shelves and hanging rods first. After that, use a vacuum or a broom and mop to clean the floor. Finally, use an all-purpose cleaner on the shelving, hanging rods, walls, and baseboards.
How long does it take to get organized a closet after a move?
The time it takes to organize your closet will depend on the size of your closet and how much stuff you have. If you’re starting with a clean, empty space, it shouldn’t take long to get everything organized. However, if you have a lot of clothes and accessories, it may take a bit longer to get everything sorted out. It should take about an hour to get a small closet organized and two to three hours for a larger one.
Is it better to organize the closet by color or style?
One of the most significant advantages of organizing your walk-in closet by color is that it makes it simpler to pick out clothing in the morning.
It depends on the material of your clothes. It is recommended that delicate materials such as silk, satin, or lace should be hung. Fabrics that are frequently starched should be hung (cotton dress shirts, etc.). To avoid stretching out, flexible, slinky, and elastic materials should be folded; most knitwear should also be folded.
Alex Sherr is the founder of My Long Distance Movers, a blog that provides moving information and resources for people who are relocating. He has more than two decades of experience in the moving and relocation industry, and he is passionate about helping people relocate smoothly and efficiently. When he's not writing or blogging, Alex enjoys spending time with his wife and two young children.
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