Extra solutions for problem closets
January 6, 2009 by Jennifer Chait
Filed under Home & Living
If you’re working on getting your closets organized, and following all the basic tips, but still having problems, here are some ideas…
1. Consider moving your closet out of the closet. Get an inexpensive wardrobe. IKEA has the best looking inexpensive wardrobes, such as this Aneboda Wardrobe shown below (a steal at under $100).
2. A dresser works well too, but not quite as well, because it won’t allow you to hang stuff.
3. Use an over the door shoe holder vs. keeping your shoes in your closet. I don’t love the look of having shoes hanging out, but if your closet is stuffed to the max, this may be your only option.
4. Move heavy outerwear to a hall closet. Most hall closets are underused, and usually have hanging space to spare.
5. Your closet may not actually be as bad as you think. You might just have the wrong system. Make sure your items are easy to find; hang like colors together, or like styles, depending on what’s easier for you. Sometimes, you may have organized your closet, but you just need to tweak it in a way that allows you to find your clothes faster.
For icky smells:
- Hang a dryer sheet.
- Hang a cedar block.
- Hang a lavender sachet.
- Drop a few drops of essential oil onto a washcloth (an old one) and hang that in your closet.
Are you organizing your closets for the new year? How’s that going for you?
You forgot to mention all the other creative ways to keep shoes out of the closet besides having to look at them on the back of the door. A few I’ve tried (and liked) include:
I put a hinged wicker box about 14″ square near the front door, and that could hold a lot of shoes.
I line up shoes neatly under the edge of the bed (its a good height for shoes…)
I put one of those 3″ wide closet organizers designed for shoes under the back of my desk, which was convenient since I often take off my shoes at the desk.
And of course any sort of tactful shoe storage furniture would get the shoes out of the closet as well (space permitting) whether you place them near the front entry or near the closet in the bedroom.
Great suggestions – except I couldn’t keep shoes at my desk, it would drive me insane. Also, I usually have futons, so under the bed in never an option for me. However, these solutions will work nicely for many people I think.
I totally agree that getting shoes out of the closet, say to a mudroom type zone would be best, but it can be hard to get folks to do that. Some people (thinking of my sis) like to randomly try on shoes with outfits. I guess it depends on your style needs
I like most shoe storage, so long as it hides them. That’s my issue with the door hanger, I don’t love seeing shoes hanging around.
Thanks for your great comment – good stuff.