Tricks of the Closet Pros

If you're like a lot of working adults, hiring a professional closet organizer may be looking more and more like a necessity and less like a luxury. But if spending the money on a closet pro is out of the question, then you may be looking for some ideas on how to do this yourself. Plus, doing it yourself will help you to learn how to get organized and stay that way. So much of your input is needed by a professional organizer to get the closet how you will like it, that many people end up feeling like they should have just saved the money and done it themselves. Use these tips to get your closet organized how you like it without hiring a pro.

1) Categorizing is always the first step. You will have to assess what your belonging are before you can even begin to dream about what type of space you will need. Professional organizers always ask that you get rid of any junk that you believe you can live without. By clearing out the clutter, you can take a realistic look at what you own, how you will divide it up, and how much space you will need for each type of clothing or item.

2) Shoes are often a problem in closets. If you don't use that little shoe rack that sits in the bottom of your closet, get rid of it, or try hanging it on the wall. Clear shoe boxes are best for storing a lot of shoes. They are easy to access and keep your shoes free of dust. They also protect your shoes from getting scuffed or crushed by other shoes and closet items. Utilizing the space on the back of the closet door is also an option. Figuring out what to do with your shoes may have to come after you get other areas of the closet done so that you know what type of space you have.

3) Professional organizers will also look at the best way to store the clothing that you want to keep. Consider drawers, a shelf, a bin, a basket, or a specialty hanger for small items like ties, belts, socks and swimwear. If you're trying to save space or money, a hanger might be better than a basket. If you are going for more luxury or concealed storage, then drawers might be a better choice. Go through each type of clothing and decide if you should hang it or stack it on a shelf. Your choices may depend on how much you use something, whether or not you want to keep it wrinkle-free, or it may simply come down to cost or space.

4) For the items you want to hang, a professional organizer will determine which type of hanger best suits your needs. You can do a little research in this area on your own and figure out which clothes hangers are right for you. There are many types to choose from and each one is designed for a specific use. You can choose cedar hangers for freshness, or flat hangers for space. Some are curved to help suits and coats hold their shape.

When everything is in an efficient space and you have the right hangers for your needs, your closet will be as organized as any pro could make it!