Growing up in Westchester, NY, I love the month of October. Temperature and time changes producing a kaleidoscopic rainbow of foliage hues, Pumpkin Spice Lattes, Hall-O-Ween and some… some still celebrate Columbus Day. Wardrobe swapping from spring to fall fashions…. It’s also the final month of the presidential election, with the stakes higher than ever.
Clearing and organizing closets is one of my A specialties. These hacks will help you repurpose your wardrobe, accessories and shoes.
CLOSET MAKEOVER HACKS Based on my S.M.A.R.T system of decluttering ANY space…
S= Start simply. For your closet, simply start by making your bed to provide an open and clear space to place your clothes on, hangers and all.
M= Mindset. Put on your fave playlist and let the music inspire you. Have a fave beverage, and wear comfy clothes with closed toe shoes for “dropsies.”
A= Action. Use black garbage bags for discards (garbage). Use white trash bags for donations.
R= Reuse, Repurpose, Recycle. Consider items that may be repurposed for say, fabric for pillows, or shorten a long dress. There are a lot of creative ways to have your wardrobe repurposed, I just suggest you be OPEN to the CREATIVE possibilities.
Here’s how I clear a closet for a more room makeover: To help you focus on your clothes, use all the same hangers. I’ve been using the velvety “Huggable Hangers” introduces by Joy Mangano. They are thin, yet strong, therefore giving you more space. Available everywhere in just about every color.
Next, clear out a whole side of your closet, all the hanging items, out of the closet, onto the bed. This is lifting time,
not decision time – simply PILE HIGH your wardrobe on your bed, hangers and all. The goal is to have a “clean slate canvas” with which to work. If you are drowning in clothes, this process may require a friend’s help, or pace yourself with the lifting and moving. If you can empty out the entire contents completely, all at once and it’s not daunting, this is ideal. Usually, I work first with the hangable items, and determine if any shelves or rods need adjusting – and then adjust.
Recently, I was on a closet assignment, with the owner indicating that her longer items on a top rod were unreachable, and so we simply lowered the rod about 6-8 inches, and viola: reachable tops. We moved the longer dresses to another area where this problem was solved.
When we are ready, it’s time for your own “fashion show!” Item by item, in front of a mirror, with a friend, or simply on your own, look at each item, and decide if it’s a keeper or a donation. How to decide? A worn-out but favorite item may now be ready for donation. It’s been a wonderful item, but over time, it’s filled with pills, pulls and spots (so… GET RID OF IT). If it’s an older style, out of date, never worn and never will be, or it’s a previous larger size than you now wear, or opposite, too snug, why continue aggravating yourself with “that was then, this is now” guilt? Give it away, allowing room for better fitting clothes. DONATE.
You may like and want to keep EV- ERYTHING, but in my experience, even going through your wardrobe without a need to let go, helps you appreciate your things, with a new view of your fashions. “I’ve been looking all over for that top,” or “that’s where those shoes are,” is often a response I get while repurposing a closet. It’s fun to REDISCOVER and RE- CALL where and when you purchased your stuff. It’s cathartic. It’s invigorating, and it’s a healthy way to redo your space for maximum impact. It’s also a great time to clear out the dust bunnies and accumulated dirt along the baseboards.
The by-product of purging older, out of date, or worn items is that you are creating room for NEW items: VIOLA, a reward built into your donating mind set!
Filling up that white donation bag(s) is altruistic. You will feel “lighter” by letting go… so others can enjoy gently worn fashions, that frankly, you just don’t wear or care much about. With same hangers and clothes back on the rods, what about hats, wigs, purses and shoes? Same process. I recommend a clean sweep, and bring out onto the bed any/all of a category. Review your items, decide about style, look and feel. Do you have ample room to keep all these lovely items? (most would say NO WAY).
Do you require a new set up, a new storage product to better organize and protect your shoes and purses? Once you see what you are keeping, THAT’S WHEN you get additional storage solutions. This way you have a custom fit, with room to ADD new items!!!
I often take BEFORE/AFTER pix to show myself, my clients and others what is possible in a streamlined process. Taking on jewelry display and storage is clutter clearing for another time.
In conclusion, as I’m putting together my first book on home organizing, I’m delighted to have found a passion of service that truly helps others.
The S.M.A.R.T system? What’s the T stand for?
T= TRANSFORMATION – that’s the feeling of joy you feel by letting go. So if you’re suffering with TMS (Too Much Stuff), follow the hacks above and see how you do.
Need help or guidance? I’m just a phone call away. Call me, let’s tlk about your project. 561-706-7779. Here to help with a free consultation.
Remember, you’ll feel better by taking action steps… and as I always say,
CLEAR THE CLUTTER… CLEAR THE MIND™
