Manage Your Life

Monday, November 30, 2009

13 ways to declutter your closet

By Cristina Schreil


Wardrobe Organizing 101

If the over-the-door shoe rack isn’t enough to cut your closet clutter, don’t just shut the door and walk away. Getting your life in order is easier than you may think. The following 13 innovative organizers help put everything, from coats to belts, in their rightful place. These unique ways to stack, hang and group your garments will maximize every inch of space—no matter your closet’s size.



Hold Together Your Hat Collection

Display your team spirit while keeping your family’s baseball hat collection in order with this handy holder that slings over the back of any door. Each rack holds up to 18 caps and keeps hats from getting crushed in drawers or cabinets. The CapRack18, $12.49; StacksandStacks.com



Preserve Pant Pleats

Tired of wrinkles ruining your dress pants? Instead of cramming them in with the rest of your wardrobe, give your slacks their own area with this space-saving pants organizer from Rubbermaid. Seven nonslip rods each secure a pair of pants, and slide out individually for easy access to the right pair. Better yet, it’s easy to install—just hinge it onto any existing shelf unit. Rubbermaid Sliding Pant Organizer, $29; Walmart.com


Make Laundry Day a Breeze

If your laundry is taking up too much space, ditch the clunky hamper in favor of this durable canvas bag. The built-in hanger means it can dangle almost unnoticed amidst your wardrobe. A convenient carrying strap makes trips to the laundry room easier, and a zippered back allows clothes to tumble out easily into the wash. Hanging Hamper, $12.99; Organize.com



Display Your Odds and Ends

No matter how organized you try to be, there will always be items without a clear home. Instead of shoving them chaotically into a drawer, save space with this hanging mesh organizer. The see-through design lets you display your otherwise forgotten treasures and quickly grab for what you need. Slide it over your closet rod, to easily match your purses and belts with your outfit. Hanging Store-All Organizer, $19.99; ClosetOrganizerSource.com


Take Your Shoes for a Spin

Shoes are a beautiful thing, so put them on display with the Shoe Wheel, a clever device that resembles a hamster’s wheel. Its 20 expandable pockets condense up to 30 pairs of shoes into only 30 inches of space, automatically adding extra room to your closet. Whether you’re reaching for pumps, flats or sneakers, just spin the wheel—who knew being organized could be so fun?
Shoe Wheel, $65; RakkuDesigns.com


Minimize Wardrobe Bulk

The Wonder Hanger lets you hang your shirts, jackets and pants vertically on one hanger, instead of hanging each garment side by side, and its strong metal frame supports up to 30 pounds of clothing. With individual rungs that let you hang 36 items of clothing and six Wonder Hangers in each package, this innovative item might live up to its claim and triple your closet space in a snap. Wonder Hanger Platinum, $14.99 for six; BedBathandBeyond.com


Tidy Those Ties

Tie collections are tricky to tame—a bulky holder can take up too much space and a flimsy organizer can send your ties to the floor. Luckily, we found this 16-Hook Spinning Tie Hanger, which showcases all of your husband’s ties on a simple yet durable hanging carousel. Each spoke, which can also double as a handy belt holder, swivels independently, letting you grab the right one easily. 16-Hook Spinning Tie Hanger, $9.99; OrganizeIt.com


Pack Away Your Purses

Chances are you own more clutches, satchels, totes and wallets than you can keep track of. But with this convenient way to arrange your collection, last-minute accessorizing is simpler than ever. By grouping your purses on sturdy canvas shelves or in flexible side pouches, this hanging organizer brings your fashionable accent pieces to eye level. Two secure hooks can support the weight of up to 10 large bags. Canvas Hanging Purse Organizer, $15.99; OrganizeIt.com


Simplify Your Sweaters

It only takes a few sweaters to add a whole lot of bulk to a closet space. Why litter your shelves with clunky sweater stacks when you can use these sleek canvas cubbies? Six shelves let you group your sweaters according to color, knit or season, making finding just what you’re looking for simple. Shelf Canvas Sweater Organizer, $15.15; Amazon.com



Combat Coat Confusion

As winter approaches, it will soon be time to dig up your family’s coats and have them handy for the cold days. Before you buy an imposing coat rack or cram your heavy coats into half of your closet space, consider a sleeker design. This sturdy set of stainless steel pegs hangs over the back of any door, saving space and freeing up hangers for the rest of your wardrobe. Over the Door Coat Rack, $21.99; Organize.com


Make Your Belts Behave

Small items can be the trickiest to store, often robbing precious space for garments and other accessories. The tough leathery material of belts makes folding them impossible, so your best bet is to hang them. We’re fond of this inventive, practical design that holds up to 40 belts on suspended rings. A sturdy hanger holds it all together, only taking up three inches of space. Round-A-Belt Accessory Organizer, $8.49; Organize.com


Divide and Conquer

Shelves are handy for storage, but items can easily fall into chaos. Prevent T-shirts from trespassing into tank-top territory with these chrome dividers. Each thin divider slides conveniently over your shelf, creating virtually unnoticeable walls between each stack of clothing. Large Curved Chrome Shelf Dividers, $9.99 for two; SpaceSavers.com


Straighten Up Your Shoes

Straighten Up Your Shoes


Straighten Up Your Shoes

A shoe shopping addiction can wreak havoc on valuable closet space. Try these sturdy collapsible canvas storage boxes to neatly group and stack your footwear. Two size options let you create separate stacks, so you can separate heels from hiking boots. Clear plastic windows help you find the right pair in a flash. Vision Canvas Shoe Boxes, prices start at $9.99; OrganizeIt.com

Related Articles at WomansDay.com:

12 Reasons to Unclutter Your Space

5 Common Clutter Culprits

Make Your Own Storage Solutions
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From the Community…

Comments 1-3 of 3
  • haley's Avatar
    Posted by haley Tue Nov 3, 2009 6:28am PST

    some really good ideas here!

    Report Abuse
  • Lanie's Avatar
    Posted by Lanie Tue Nov 3, 2009 9:26am PST

    I use a tie carousel like pictured above for my bras! It saved me a ton of drawer space and I don't have to damage the cup shape!

    Report Abuse
  • vixenvena's Avatar
    Posted by vixenvena Tue Nov 3, 2009 9:44am PST

    OMG! A hamster wheel for my shoes! These boots are going to spin all over you!

    Report Abuse
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