Positively Chic: 10/13/14

Tips from Birdie Brennan, Professional Organizer

(the first certified professional organizer in Central Ohio)

I've always considered myself an organized person, but I didn't know organization until I met and worked with Birdie. She has created space where I didn't think it was even possible.

Recently, I had the opportunity to talk with Birdie (okay, it was while we took a break from organizing my garage) about her top tips for organizing your clothes closet.

When organizing your clothes closet:

Keep only what you love and wear. Be honest. Be brutal. Remember, your goal is to make it easy to get dressed and out the door.

Organize your clothes -- either by color or by like items.

I group items by color and put like items together in the same section.

For example, I have all my black pieces together,

with sleeveless black shirts together, long sleeved black shirts together, etc.

A little OCD you say? Perhaps, but it helps me get ready in record time in the morning,

and it just feels right.

Give every item a specific "home."

Put items back "home" when you're not using it. Yes, I'm talking to you.

Use the same type of clothes hanger to create an organized appearance.

Keep a bag in your closet to make it easy to gather donations.

If you put something on and it just doesn't fit the way it used to, put it in the bag.

When the bag is full, take it to a donation site or your favorite resale shop.

Use attractive containers to hold like-items (think t-shirts, jeans, socks, etc.).

Use vertical space.

Move your existing rod and add an additional rod to double your hanging space. Add shelves above, even if you thing it is too tall. Store seldom used items up and out of the way. Use an over-the-door shoe holder behind the door or attach it to the wall to use otherwise unusable wall space. It's not just for shoes! It can hold belts, scarves, jewelry, undergarments, and, yes -- shoes.

Install hooks on unused wall space for belts, ties, etc.

When you have folded clothes on shelves, don't pile above six high. Use shelf dividers to keep piles neat.

Work with your natural habits. If you normally kick shoes off on the floor of the closet, put them on open shelves on the floor of the closet.

Don't forget about your laundry process. Have laundry baskets or sorters that fit how you do laundry. Do you need individual laundry baskets for each member of your family? Or different laundry baskets for different types of laundry?

Closet not big enough?

Flashback: Do you remember when Carrie and Mr. Big first toured the apartment they would eventually buy together? Carrie was in complete awe--until she saw the insanely small closet space. She remarked "Well, now I understand the divorce." Later, when Mr. Big unveils the remodeled closet (the fashionista's substitute for an engagement ring) complete with glass enclosed wardrobes and shoe closets, she is too amazed to speak.

Photo Courtesy of New Line Cinema

You may not have a Mr. Big-style closet remodel, but Birdie says, get creative! Figure out a category of clothing that can live somewhere else. You could put cocktail attire in a guest closet. Of course, that is assuming you don't partake in cocktail parties on a regular basis (or at least not always in a cocktail dress!).

If you can't bring yourself to part with a piece (or several!) of clothing, hang them the opposite way. At the end of the season, it's easy to identify the clothes that you didn't wear. Get rid of them! Remember, clearing out something you don't wear will leave room to add something you will wear. Read: Justifiable reason to shop.