.: The Best Hangers :.
Every great closet is built upon a set of good hangers; after
all, they are what maintain the bulk of your wardrobe. Start
by scrapping flimsy, metal hangers you bring home from the dry
cleaners.
For those with the space and money, invest in curved Natural
Hardwood Hangers. They're the one thing in your closet
guaranteed to outlast trends, seasons and weight fluctuations.
Own at least as many of these as you have pantsuits, blazers
and outerwear. On a budget? Get 8
for $4 at Ikea.
Heavy-duty
tubular hangers are an all-around favorite; they're ideal
for T-shirts or casual apparel, and are perfect for people
on a budget. If you don't mind investing a little more, we
recommend Soft-Touch
Hangers; sturdy, garment-friendly hangers with non-slip
grips to keep everything safe and in place.
As a rule, clothes should hang at least one inch apart, but
if you have a small closet that's not always possible. The solution?
Mary Danowski Paguaga of SOS
MARY Organization + Design says, "Always double hang. Hold
a hanger as high as you can reach: that's where the top bar goes.
This increases your reachable/visible/useable space phenomenally." Otherwise,
we suggest buying cascading
pantsuit hangers, Swing-Arm
skirt hangers and Tiered
Blouse Trees that cleverly hold as many as six garments
at a time.
Finally, satin
padded hangers don't just look pretty, they're necessary
for treating delicate fabrics with care, such as velvet, silk,
satin, chiffon or taffeta. Buy as many as you need to properly
hang all of your high-end garments and vintage finds.
.: Shoe Storage Solutions :.
Shoe Wheel
The average woman owns about 60 pairs of shoes. What's the best
way to store them? It all depends on the size of your closet
and the quantity of in-season shoes which you need to access
on a daily basis.
One of our favorite finds is the Shoe
Wheel. While terribly impractical for tiny spaces, it's
a find that lovers of modern art cannot pass up. The adjustable
design holds up to 17 pairs of heels, 30 pairs of sandals or
25 pairs of flats and sneakers.
For something more practical -- and a lot more classic in appearance
-- we suggest a beautiful Cherry
Wood shoe cubby that holds up to 30 pairs of shoes. Keep
it near your entryway or in the closet. Either way you have fast
access to all your favorites, and if you have open slots, you
can use them to store other items like handbags.
Pinched for space? Keep in season styles on an expandable
shoe hanger on
the back of your closet door (also perfect for renters who
don't want to lose their deposit from altering a closet). Store
out of season kicks in clear,
stackable boxes in an attic or linen closet.
Expandable shoe racks are also good options for renters, people
tight on space and anyone with a limited budget. Just remember
that because they are open and sit on the floor, they are more
prone to collecting dust. Our pick is the fashionable looking Urbana
non-slip 30-pair shoe rack.
.: Folding vs. Hanging :.
Clothes & Accessories
Cedar Lined Canvas Hanging Sweater Organizer
Knitwear (sweaters, tanks, certain dresses) should always be
folded, as should denim and fancy embellished dresses (hanging
them can mishape the body and stretch out the straps). This Cedar
Lined Canvas Hanging Sweater Organizer creates an easily
accessible place for folded things in your closet and it keeps
clothes smelling fresh.
As for scarves, shawls, hats and gloves, we love boxes for off-season
storage -- these colorful
plastic organizer boxes do the trick -- and during winter,
this multi-purpose Komplement
hanger is a real space saver. Belts should be hung on a belt
hanger to keep their shape.
When it comes to undergarments and hosiery, make moveable "drawers" out
of these Faux
Leather Trays from Target and help keep socks, hose and
undies separate with this nifty Drawer
Cubicle.
Last but not least, know how
to care for your handbags. In order to maintain the shape
and prolong the life of your handbags, it's important that
you not hang them, but rather box
them or bag
them -- most importantly it keeps them from getting quished
or collecting dust.
