I talk a lot on this here blog about creating an optimal wardrobe – pieces you love, things you use often, getting the right fit, getting rid of things when they’re not for you anymore. But lately – maybe since I just moved into a new space and therefore am in nesting overdrive – I’ve been thinking about clothing storage. After all, you’ve curated an awesome wardrobe, so you want to treat it with the respect it deserves, so you can get the most mileage possible from it.

So, with that in mind, here are some of my favorite closet organization magic. Go get organized, kiddos.

  • Put a light in the closet. Even if it’s not a walk-in, it still helps to be able to see everything.

  • Figure out a way to denote what needs to be mended. In an ideal world, we’d replace a button the moment it’s lost and bind a torn seam within a day, but life gets in the way, especially when your tailoring trickery is going to take a long time or a ton of effort. And it’s so easy to throw your tattered clothes into a pile to get to later, but guess what: the pile is clutter. So tag the hangers of the things you need to fix up somehow. Wrap them with a piece of electrical tape, or put the hangers on the rod in the opposite direction. I actually have two closet bars, one behind the other, and all my to-mend stuff hangs on the front bar, so I see it first whenever I go get dressed.

  • Think sectionally. Store things up or down as needed. if the majority of your clothing is short, consider one of those double hanging closet rods that hang at half-height from the actual closet bar. Install shelving overhead, if there’s space, and use it for hats, accessories, and out-of-season clothing.

  • Keep your drawers neat . . . really neat. I live and die by those diamond drawer separators – they keep my stuff looking neat, so if I need to find my short black slip, I’m not rifling around my lingerie drawer for ten minutes pulling out every black bra and long black slip I own.

  • Remember that the door is part of the closet. This doesn’t apply so much if you have a sliding door, but if your closet door is of the regular hinged variety, consider over-the-door storage for undies, scarves, tights, socks, ties, hats, etc. I don’t typically recommend the over-the-door shoe holders, because shoes are heavy enough to pull a door open, but here’s a secret: I’ve got this organizer that most people use for spices in my Amazon basket, and I’m waiting to click “Buy” on my next payday. [Yes. I do get that excited about organizing. Shut up.]

  • All your hangers should be the same type.This lends to a neater appearance in the closet, making it that much more pleasant. And if those identical hangers end up being non-slip velvet hangers or wooden hangers, all the better.

  • Be realistic about what you actually have the space to store. The key to an organized closet is not to overstuff it. This means owning fewer than ten dresses if ten is all you have the space to hang. If you crave new things, practice one in, one out: for every new dress you get, you have to pass one on to a friend or give it to charity.

Later in the week, after I do some more unpacking, I’ll have photos to show you of my new closet. Because honestly? It’s kind of kickass.

What does your closet look like? Do you keep it obsessively organized? Care to share pics?

Related posts:

  1. How I’m Making 2010 Better than 2009
  2. How to Clean Out Your Closet
  3. Throwback Thursday: How to Clean Out Your Closet