How to Achieve a Successful Closet Makeover
Is your closet a terrifying black hole where clothes disappear, shoes multiply, and the lone sock population continues to grow? If so—or even if you’ve come down with the sick-of-my-closet blues—it might be time for a closet makeover. But before you dive in headfirst, let’s talk strategy. This blog can help you avoid being buried under a mountain of sweaters questioning your life choices.
Step 1: Accept That This Will Be a Journey
Whether you’re doing a full-scale makeover or just trying to make better sense of what you’ve got, closet makeovers are not a “quick 10-minute tidy-up” situation. Closets aren’t as expensive or complex as a kitchen reno, but you should treat them as a full-blown event. Grab some snacks, good music, take a deep breath and let’s get ready to dive in!
Step 2: Take Everything Out (Yes, Everything)
If you think you can clean and organize your closet without removing everything first, let me stop you right there. Take it all out. Pile it on your bed. Stare at it in disbelief and wonder how on earth you accumulated this many T-shirts, yoga pants, shoes, or whatever your wardrobe weaknesses are.
Step 3: Sort Like a Pro (or Like You’re on a Reality Show)
Now, it’s decision time. Make three piles: Keep, Donate, and What Was I Thinking? Be honest. If it doesn’t fit, if you haven’t worn it in a year, it’s time to let it go. If you’re keeping an item purely for sentimental reasons, proceed with caution and limit the amount of sentimentality you’re willing to allow. Sentimentality takes up space!
Step 4: Evaluate Your Space
With your closet now empty, take a moment to assess what’s working and what isn’t. Do you need more shelves? A shoe rack? Hooks for bags? A full walk-in closet upgrade? We spend a lot of time in our closets, so take time to consider lasting changes that you’ll enjoy for years to come. Budget allowing, of course.
Step 5: Get the Right Storage Solutions
Matching hangers, clear bins, drawer dividers…this is where you set yourself up for long-term success. No more avalanche of scarves every time you open the door. If you don’t have money for the expensive closet systems, nothing is stopping you from learning from them. Go on line or in person and capture ideas you can put to use in your closet.
Step 6: Organize Like You Mean It
Put everything back in a way that makes sense for your daily routine. Arrange clothes by category or color, store out-of-season items elsewhere, and create designated spots for shoes, bags, and accessories. Make sure to consult with anyone else sharing the closet with you.
Step 7: Admire Your Work (and Make a Promise to Keep It This Way)
Step back and take in the beauty of your newly organized closet. Bask in the joy of actually seeing all your clothes. Swear to yourself that you’ll never let it get out of control again. That may be a lie, but you should enjoy the moment.
Step 8: Celebrate!
You did it! Reward yourself with a glass of wine, a new outfit (you just made space for it, after all), or a well-deserved nap.gg
Now, what will you do next to love where you live?
Please feel free to reach out to us at The Redesign Habit and ask questions or simply share a project that you are working on or have completed.
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