BLOG: Clear Out Clutter with Quick Closet Makeover

This week is “Clean Out Your Closet Week.” Let’s face it, our closets tend to take a lot of abuse. We have a tendency to stuff them full of any manner of things in order for the rest of our home to look organized and tidy.

Now that Spring is here, let’s start with a quick coat closet makeover. Begin by pulling everything out – coats, boots, umbrellas, tote bags, backpacks, papers, toys, vacuum, and anything else you have hiding in there. As you’re pulling the coats out, keep only those that you truly wear and need. Toss any that are torn or have broken zippers. What about those hats, scarves, and boots? Toss any that are torn, soiled, or damaged. Keep only those hats, coats, scarves, and boots you wear and need, and place the rest in a donate bag for your local charity.

Next, sort through the tote bags and backpacks. Are any soiled, damaged, or have broken handles or zippers? Toss those and keep only the ones in good shape. How about the umbrellas? Do they open properly? Do any have broken spokes?

Remove papers, toys, and other items that don’t belong in the coat closet. Place in a “route out” box to handle at the conclusion of this project.

Before re-populating the coat closet, give it a quick vacuum and dusting. Now you’re ready to begin putting the coats and associated items back. Be sure coats are hung on heavy-duty hangers. If you have young children in your home, consider installing an adjustable extendable closet rod, available for about $15.00 from Kmart in Edgewater, so coats and jackets don’t end up on the floor or tossed onto furniture. Adult jackets can be hung from the upper rod, while children can hang their coats from the lower rod. Hang longer coats next to the double-hung coats. Place boots in pairs on the floor of the closet.

You’re almost done! Now, using the medium-size MadeSmart baskets available at Kmart for about $6.50 each, label a basket for each family member, place their hat, scarf, and gloves in the respective basket and store on the top shelf of the closet. Place umbrellas in a plastic waste basket and tuck inside the closet. Consider how would you like to store the totes and backpacks - hanging from a hook or tossed into a large basket. Or, would you prefer that they be stored elsewhere?

Put the vacuum back inside the closet. Put away items in the “route out” box (papers go to the office, toys to the play room or child’s bedroom, etc.). Put donate items in your car to drop off or arrange for a charity pick-up.

Congratulations! You’re coat closet is now organized!