How to Arrange a Closet Organizer

If your clothing closet, broom closet, and coat closet are a little messy, don't worry! By carefully planning your new closet organization system, you can double, or even triple your closet storage space. Many specialized components are available to fit your storage needs, and there are some easy steps for putting them to their best use.

Step 1: Empty the closet. You can't start with a clean slate if it's not really clean, so take everything out of your closet. Feel free to toss or give away anything that you no longer use. This will make the closet organization process easier!

Step 2: Measure the space. This will help you to maximize your storage potential, and you will know exactly what you are working with in order to get the most accomplished.

Step 3: Sketch the space on a piece of paper. No, it doesn't have to be fancy. But, this way you can visually see measurements and will be better able to shop for the perfect components. Graph paper works best!

Step 4: Decide what type of storage you need. Do you need six short straight shelves in the hallway closet, or do you need shirt and pant storage in your bedroom closet? For example, if you have more shoes than shirts, plan accordingly by finding plenty of shoe shelving . If you don't like to fold anything, then too much shelf space may be a waste for you.

Conside these various types of storage:

• Shoe cubes or shoe shelving
• Tiered tie or belt rack
• Drawers for organizing smaller items or hiding personal effects
• Over-the-door hooks, for shoes, robes or belts

Step 5: Short hanging versus long hanging. Short hanging (or double hanging) involves positioning one clothes rod directly below another one and separating them by about 3 or 4 feet. This will allow you to hang shirts, skirts, and folded pants easily. Long hanging space allows at least 5 feet for hanging dresses, straight-hung slacks and overcoats. A child's closet will even allow triple hanging, as their clothes take up minimal space.

Step 6: Browse and shop. Look for an ideal closet organizer to fit your space. You will either find an existing system that works great for you, or you may want to piece one together on your own. Either way, remember to choose something that will last so that you won't have to rearrange any time soon.

Step 7: Think floor to ceiling, wall to wall. Once you have an idea of how much space is available and what you need storage for, fill it up. On the drawing of your closet space, use a pencil and try piecing together different components that you have found in your research. Fill up your space with shelving, clothing rods, and more while keeping in mind how much space you want between your top shelf and your ceiling, and between other components.

Step 8: Design in chunks. While planning the filling of your closet in an organized manner, try to design in chunks. Rather than connecting 6 feet of hanging space and then 4 feet of drawers, try to fit drawers between hanging space. The purpose of this is to visually organize types of clothing and to separate your casual sweaters from your business suits or fancy dresses.

Step 9: Purchase and install your new system. If the system came with instructions, be sure to follow those. If you pieced together your own system, check out the installation article on this website for more inspiration.

Step 10: Enjoy. With all of that hard work, you can forget about your formerly chaotic closet and enjoy your newfound closet organization.