Many of us make the mistake of thinking that storage is a no-brainer. But a few mistakes can hold you back from the ideal organizing situation. For example, not rotating items with use or season. Luckily, some storage mistakes can be fixed. Here’s a quick fix for overstuffed closets. Start by taking out everything that’s currently not in season. Coats, jackets, shoes, and other seasonal items that don’t need to take up precious storage space all year long. Utilize your under-bed space or upper shelves for out-of-season items to free up drawers and racks for things you will actually need in the near future. Remember when you purchased a new set of gloves and those jeans simply because you were unable to find the pair from last year, only to find them a week later? Yes, it happens to a lot of us. Take some time this year to think through how you store out-of-season clothing and outerwear, and you’ll no longer be buying extra gloves and jeans that are hidden in your closet.
First thing first: make sure clothing and outerwear are freshly clean before packing it away. Spot treat any stains and launder any washable items. Pack coats and jackets away in a cool, dark spot. Place garments that you know won’t be worn in the next six months in an acid-free garment bag and hang it at the back of a closet. This simple step will ensure that your clothing and outerwear is ready when the warm or cold days make their appearance.
Separate and Group Clothing By Season
If you don’t want to go through the headache of physically packing away out-of-season clothing, simply group like items together and rotate out-of-season clothing to the back of the closet. This is an easy, efficient, and quick method that works well if you live in an area where the weather changes quickly. You don’t want to be searching for that sweater when the weather turns. Pro-tip: if you have kids, consider using color-coded hangers to keep warmer and cooler clothing separate.
Hanging
Make it a habit to use hanging storage to store your family’s seasonal accessories. Make it fun! Give each family member a drawer or shelf, and you’ll limit the time it takes to find those gloves or hats at the beginning of the season. Separating accessories by family members keeps everything easily identifiable and makes it simple for everyone to put their accessories away in their designated space.
Lastly, plan, prep, go. Take the time to think through your organization before or as you transition your fall and winter clothing. With a little planning and preparation, storing and locating every last item will be simpler and everything will be easily located. Taking the time to properly store out-of-season clothing and outerwear will not only save time but will also ensure your clothing is ready to wear the next season.