 Out with the old:
aCarefully check over your winter clothing. Anything that needs to be mended or dry-cleaned should be taken care of now, before it goes into storage. Wash everything before storing, clean and polish shoes and boots.
aWhen doing your children's clothing, have them try things on - if it isn't likely to fit next fall, pass it on to a friend, relative or charity.
aAnything that you didn't wear this year should probably go to charity, unless it is a special occasion outfit, and you didn't have the occasion. Really think about it - are you likely to need it again? If not, out it goes.
aMake a list of any items needed for next fall - you may be able to find inexpensive snow pants, sweaters, etc. over the summer, and if you know what you need you can take advantage of the sales. Don't buy blindly.
aStore your clothing carefully - protect from insects, dampness, crushing - you will know what the problems are in your home. If possible keep clothes out of a damp basement. If you are storing in boxes, seal them carefully to prevent moth infestations. Depending on your storage space, you may just have to move one season to the back of the closets, and bring the new one to the front. The main point is to take care of you clothes - you want them to last until you decide you don't like them anymore!
aOnce you have the winter stuff out, give your closets and drawers a good cleaning - vacuum them out, dust the shelves, change shelf paper or drawer liners if you use them. Now you're ready for the new season!
aInstall closet organizers, if you don't already have them. They can double or triple your useable closet space, and they come in a range of prices, from about $40 for a small, do-it-yourself one to $thousands for custom designed and installed systems.
|
|
In with the new:
aSort again - if it doesn't fit, doesn't match anything, you don't like it - give it away. Don't put anything into your closets and drawers that you aren't going to wear. Your clothing will last longer if it is not all scrunched together, so do yourself and your clothes a favour - only keep the stuff you like!
aWith children's clothing - have them try it on - too small? they don't like it? Out it goes.
aWhile you are pulling out the new season's clothing, sort it - some people sort by colour, some sort into outfits. Whichever you choose to do, pay attention to how you will wear your clothes. Do you have three gorgeous green shirts, and nothing to wear them with?
aThis is the time to start a shopping list. Planning now will save you money later. Once you have decided where the gaps are in your wardrobe you can go shopping with a purpose and only buy what you need.
aPut your clothes into your drawers or closets systematically. Hang similar items together, and they will be easier to find. If you have lots of one type of item, sort by colour - then when you want the short-sleeved white blouse with the embroidered collar, you'll know where to find it.
aShoes are always a challenge - check out storage departments in your local stores and see what kind of shoe organizer would work for yuo. If you have wall space, consider a wall-mounted shoe tree. If you have limited floor space, consider stacking units. You may have hanging space in your closet - try a shoe bag that hangs from your closet rod. For children's shoes, make sure they are easily accessable.
|
That should get you on the road to a well-organized closet
- for more inspiration check out the Lee Rowan web-site - they'll even
custom design a closet for you!
Happy Organizing,
Laurene Livesey Park
|
