Do
you have lots of flip flops and seem to always be able to find just one, but
not the other? Here's a really fun and clever way to organize your flips... the
"My Pair Tree" flip flop holder. I recently purchased this at the
Container Store to use in my own home and I absolutely love it and I
know you will, too!
It holds up to 6 pairs of flips and it hangs
right in your closet on a hook or hanger or it can even be displayed on
the wall or behind a door. The strip comes in many colors to choose from
and it's very reasonably priced. This is the perfect solution for your
kids' flips, too! Don't have 6 pairs of flips? It can also be used for
holding sandals, jewelry, scarves, and more! For more information visit MyPairTree.com.
Disclaimer: All products mentioned in this blog are used personally by Always Organizing and no
payment is received to promote. I'm just happy to share products that I know work well for simplifying life.
Enjoy!
Did
you know that most people wear only 20% of their clothing 80% of the
time? That's a lot of time spent sifting through clothes you hardly wear
when trying to choose an outfit for the day.To help you clear the
clutter in your closet and discover what articles of clothing are that
20% for you, try this test. Every time you do laundry, hang
your clothes at one end of the closet. After a couple of months have passed this will give you a
pretty good idea of what you wear most. To get an even better
assessment, carry out the test for one whole year (through the entire
cycle of seasons).
Another Option: Tag each hanger with a post-it flag. Each time you wear an article of clothing, remove the tag. At the end of one year you'll easily be able to tell what you've worn and what you haven't worn by whether or not it still has a tag.
Guidelines for Letting Go: After one year has passed, it's pretty safe to let go of what you haven't worn. Still unsure? Put unworn clothes into a box and date it 6 months from now. Store the box in the garage or attic. If you haven't missed what's inside after 6 months has passed, take it directly to your favorite charity without opening the box.
Do you have storage or clothing closets in your home without doors? Do you find the contents distracting to look at? A simple solution is to hang a decorative curtain on a tension rod. It's a great way to hide all the stuff, while still being able to access everything easily when you need it. Tension rods can be found at any hardware or home furnishing store (as well as online). They come in different diameters, colors, and lengths (with most being expandable). In addition, they're super easy to install - no hardware or tools needed, leaving your walls hole-free. The fun part is choosing a curtain panel that you absolutely love. Make sure to measure before buying for the perfect fit. Hanging a curtain is a quick and easy, affordable way to spruce up any room!
With the changing of the seasons, now is the perfect time to relocate your summer clothes to maximize storage space in your closet for fall and winter clothes. Decide what you're not going to need for awhile and remove those items from your closet (i.e. bathing suits, shorts, summer shirts, flip flops, etc.). It's important to store your clothes properly to keep them safe and in an organized way so that you can easily find them again when the time comes. I recommend storing your clothes in clear plastic bins (one or two for each family member). They are perfect for keeping the bugs out and since they're clear, it's easy to see what 's inside.
Make sure your clothes are clean and dry before storing and throw in a few sachets of lavender or potpourri to keep them smelling fresh. Clearly label the bins and find a good place in your home to store them like under the bed, in a spare closet, under the staircase (if you have one), or put them up high on the upper shelf of your main closet. The cooler, darker, and dryer the place, the better.
In need of a great place to shop for organizing products for your home? Visit your local Bed, Bath, & Beyondstore (if you haven't already). It's one of my favorite places to shop for myself as well as for my clients.They have a fantastic selection of organizing products for the home, especially for the kitchen and closets. And the best part... they honor all original Bed, Bath, & Beyond coupons (expired or not) and you can use more than one coupon per visit! How cool is that?
Looking for a new way to store your bath towels? Limited on storage space in your linen closet? Instead of folding your bath towels, try rolling them. Rolled towels will store nicely in a large basket next to your bathtub or on a shelf stacked in a pyramid shape. Displaying neatly rolled bath towels will give a nice relaxing spa feel to your bathroom. Ahhh!! Prefer to keep your towels hidden? Rolling your towels (as opposed to folding) will save space no matter where you choose to store them.
Five Simple Steps to Getting the Closet You Desire
Step 1. Schedule a full day (or even a weekend).
Step 2. Take everything out of your closet (yes, everything!). Make sure you have room to put things temporarily. A bed works great.
Step 3. Pick up one article of clothing at a time and make a decision then and there. Ask yourself the following questions:
Have I worn it in the last year?
Do I love it?
Does it fit me now?
Does it make me feel good?
If you answer yes to all of the above questions... hang it back up. It's a keeper!
However, if you answer no to any of the above questions... it's time to let it go. If it's still in good condition (gently used), put it into a donation box (a bag will work, too). Give it to a friend or your favorite charity. If it's stained, has holes, or needs a zipper repaired (and you don't think you'll ever get around to fixing it), toss it.
As you're making decisions, keep in mind that your end goal is to only have clothing in your closet that suits your life now! There's no sense in keeping clothes that you might fit into some day, or clothes that you liked at one time, but not anymore, or clothes that were given to you as gifts that don't match your style. Make space in your closet for the clothes that are useful to you now!
If you absolutely cannot bear to part with it, put it in a box, date it 6 months from now, and store it out of site. The next time you encounter the box, look at the date. If the date has come and gone and you haven't missed it (be honest!), then it's safe to let it go. Do not open the box. Take the box directly to your car. The next time you're in town, drop it off at your favorite charity.
Step 4. In your closet, group similar items together. Essentially, categorize the 'Keepers' for fast grab-n-go. Sample categories might be: blouses, slacks, skirts, dresses, casual shirts, casual pants, jackets, etc. Once they're sorted into categories, sort them again by no sleeve to long sleeve, short skirts to longs skirts, and by color. This will give you an instant visual of everything in your closet. You will always know what you have and where to find it, making getting dressed in the morning (or anytime) a breeze.
Step 5. Clearing closet clutter is great; however, keeping it clutter free is another. Maintenance is key. Remember to always hang your clothes back up where they belong, keep a donation box nearby at all times, and once or twice a year (preferably at the change of the seasons) go through the steps again (yes, again!) You'll be glad you did and you'll feel free and fabulous!
BONUS TIPS!
For visual appeal, buy all white plastic hangers, or better yet, splurge on all wooden hangers (no more wire
hangers - they're great for dry cleaners only).
Make sure you have proper lighting.
Hang all of your clothes facing the same direction for a tidier look.
Button the second button on all shirts or jackets. This little trick will prevent hanger slip & slide.
Store seasonal clothes in a less accessible location. For example, in a clear labeled tote under the bed, in an empty suitcase, or in a clear labeled tote in the garage.
And if you're super motivated, paint the inside of your closet with a fresh coat of light-colored paint.
