How to Arrange a Closet Organizer

Making the best of your closet organizer

If your closets are a little messy, don't worry! With a little careful planning, your new closet organizer system can double your closet storage space. Many specialized organizer components are available to fit your storage needs, and there are some easy steps to follow in order to put them to their best use.

Step 1: Make a commitment to have an organized space with a closet organizer. Take control and take back your space with a little help from a closet organizer. Very little will be accomplished without this decision.

Step 2: Empty your closet. You can't start with a clean slate if it's not really clean, so go ahead and start by taking everything out of your closet. Toss or give away anything that is no longer of use to you. This will help get you started with your closet organizer.

Step 3: Measure your space for your organizer. This helps you maximize your storage potential, and you'll know exactly what you are working with in order to get the most accomplished with your closet organizer.

Step 4: Sketch out the organizer space on a piece of paper. It doesn't have to be fancy. But, this way, you can visually see measurements of your organizer and will be better able to shop for the perfect components. Graph paper usually works best when planning your closet organizer.

Step 5: Decide what storage you need before purchasing an organizer. Do you need short shelves in the hallway closet or shirt and pant storage in your bedroom closet? If you have more shoes than shirts, plan your closet organizer accordingly by finding plenty of shoe shelving. If you don't like to fold anything, then an abundance of shelf space may be wasteful. With little ones, perhaps you ought to look into closet organizers for children.

There are various types of closet organizers available:

Shoe cubes or shelving

Tiered tie or belt racks

Drawers for smaller or personal items

Over-the-door hooks for shoes, robes, or belts

Different brands include the Stanley closet organizer and Rubbermaid closet organizer.

Step 6: Short hanging vs. long hanging. A short hanging (or double hanging) closet organizer system involves positioning one clothing rod directly below another and separating them by three or four feet. This allows you to easily hang shirts, skirts and folded pants. A long hanging organizer allows at least five feet for hanging dresses, slacks and overcoats. A child's closet may even beg for triple hanging, as their clothes take up minimal space.

Step 7: Browse and shop around. Look for the ideal closet organizer to fit your space. Either you'll find an organizer 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 awhile so that you won't have to rearrange things for a long time.

Step 8: Think about floor to ceiling and wall-to-wall. Once you know what space is available and what you need storage for, fill it up. On the drawing of your closet organizer plans, try piecing together different storage option components that you have found in your research. Use shelving, clothing rods and more while keeping in mind how much space you want between your top shelf and ceiling not to mention between other closet organizer components.

Step 9: Design in segments. While planning your closet organizer, try to design in segments. Rather than connecting all six feet of hanging space and then four feet of drawers, try to fit in two feet of closet drawer organizers between two sections of two feet of hanging space. This will help to visually organize types of clothing and to separate your casual clothing from your business and dress clothes.

Step 10: Purchase and install your new custom closet organizer system. If the closet organizer kits or system came with instructions, follow those. If you created your own system, check out the installation article on this Web site for more inspiration.

Step 11: Relax and enjoy. With all that hard work, you deserve to enjoy the cleanliness of your new closet organizer. Enjoy the satisfaction of a tidy space, and best of luck keeping it clean.

More information on closet organizers