As an organizer, I would say the master bedroom/closet area is one of the most popular areas I get called to work in. Today, I’m going to give you 3 tips for organizing a bedroom and closet. Remember, just a little bit of work in these areas can make a HUGE difference! Let’s start in the closet and work our way out.
Typically, when I work in a bedroom closet I pull everything out (tip #2 from my first blog post) and my client and I go through everything together. After sorting between the “donate”, “throw away” and “keep” piles, whatever is in the “keep” pile goes back into the closet. I create personalized zones in the closet and then fill those zones with the appropriate clothes, always keeping similar styles together (‘like with like’ aka tip #3 from my first blog post).
So what exactly does that mean? Well, it’s difficult to say because how each zone gets organized is different for each person depending on what they can maintain in their closet. It may mean having very general categories: all dresses together, all skirts together, all tops together, etc. Or it may mean getting more focused with sub-categories, i.e. shirts: by sleeve length (long – short), style (fancy – casual) or color; dresses: by sleeve length (long – strapless), skirt length (long – short), style (fancy – casual) or color; bottoms: Length (long – shorts), style (fancy – jeans) or color, etc. Once you have pulled everything out and know what is going back in, figure out which method will work best for you and put your clothes back in accordingly. Remember, these categories can be as broad or as narrow as you want so take ownership and make your closet what you want it and need it to be.
My second tip takes us under the bed. This is valuable storage space that most people don’t think about or don’t utilize properly. Instead of just shoving whatever you have under your bed, first consider what is getting stored and then find the best container . One option is a simple clear, plastic bin. You can pick one of these up at any discount store (like Wal-Mart or Target). If you like the idea of using a bin but don’t want to see the random items inside you can choose a different color to help camouflage or one that’s not transparent. There’s also plenty of trendier options to choose from – wooden storage boxes, designer boxes, roller “drawers”, or even DIY storage with cardboard boxes and wrapping paper. Just google search “under the bed storage” and you’ll see all the creative ways people use this space. Whatever your budget or taste there is something that will work. So dig down deep (or in this case, reach far to the middle of the floor under your bed) and make it happen.
My final tip for the bedroom is to find a space for everything . Your bedroom should be a place you go to relax. If it causes you to feel stress then something is wrong. So address it. If you always throw your clothes on the floor at the end of the day, keep a hamper in your room so they end up in there. If you like to look at books or magazines in bed, make a holder for them on the side of your nightstand using a wire basket and command hook to keep the top of your nightstand clear. Ladies, have a space to hold your jewelry and keep it close to where you normally take it off. This may be an actual jewelry box on the dresser, a DIY jewelry holder on the wall or a simple bowl or ring holder in the bathroom. Gentlemen…. I’m not married so I don’t know what bad habits you may have that are specific to the male gender alone, but
whatever they may be remember figure out how to address the issue and DO IT. Designated spots can help even the messiest person keep things contained, and when it comes to organizing, containment is key.
Okay, before acting on these tips go back and re-read my first blog post and then step into your bedroom and make it happen.
Post by Jenna Nelson of Top Shelf Organizing