Decor Girl

Closets come in all shapes and sizes and while many long for the over sized walk-in luxo pad, this option is not always our reality.  Small closets can be just as fabulous.  With a few easy adjustments, closet nirvana can be closer than you think. Install a second hanging bar in existing closet.  Most of our wardrobes are made of items which do not require the full height of hanging space.  Limit long hanging items to a small area and double hanging space everywhere else. In this closet the top bar was raised 8″ and a new bottom bar was installed at 36″ off the ground.  What was 4 feet of hanging space is now 8 feet of much more efficient space.One surefire way to makeover a closet is to get the right hanger for the right item and coordinate so they are all the same color and material.  These wood hangers are available from Hangers Direct which has oodles of coordinating hanger options – painted & monogrammed too!  The Order Obsessed has a great post on this.Photo via Closets Organizer

There are no rules which limit closets to hanging storage only.  Utilize and closet organizing bins, baskets, drawers and shelving to make your closet work for your needs.  In this infant closet, the hangers are at adult level and allow for ample storage below and around.  This makes great use underutilized space, besides dressers for baby rooms are costly for a short term use. Photo via Only the Marvelous

How exciting to walk into this shoe closet everyday!  OMG blogger Joanne Ladrido has what can only be described as the most marvelous shoe closet.  Of course the shoes are fab, but it is the organization which makes you want to go in and grab a pair. Think like a retailer and merchandise your closets (clothing, craft or otherwise) to make it easy to shop.  The less time it takes to do a quick take on what you have, makes it easy to get dressed rather than hunting through the rack only to find the blouse you had your heart set on is at the cleaners. Photo via Steven Gambrel / S.R. Gambrel Inc.

All of these tips are doable in a day or as a full out weekend project – more or less depending on the closet.  The point is it is easy to makeover a closet.  Other than buying all new matching hangers or adding necessary storage accoutrements, this can also be a low cost project too.

If I can add one more feel good tip while conducting a closet makeover: Donate items in wearable condition if you haven’t worn them in 12 months.  Unless it is a special event item, clothing out of the yearly rotation rarely gets worn again because we are onto the next thing.