Out of the Closet

Re-organisation advice which has simplified my life

I’ve read articles about people getting in experts to help them organise their lives, it always sounded like money for old rope. My friends ask me round when they’re downsizing or moving, I’m able to help them be ruthless, to advise on the ‘keep or throw’ decisions.

With their possessions thinned, their lives streamlined, the ‘chi’ could flow freely in their homes. My bonus was I also came away with a few of my friends’ unwanted ‘treasures’ — it’s no secret I’m a second-hand fan who enjoys an up-cycling project.

If I’m honest, I’m less good at being ruthless with my own accumulated stuff. I tend to hold onto things ‘just in case’, but decisiveness is required, space is not unlimited. When lockdown forced me to create a workspace at home it was time to hark back to the mantras used by the experts:

Keep only what you consider beautiful or useful

Forget other people’s taste, be honest with yourself. Has your style evolved since the object came into your life? Do you consider it beautiful now? Some things have a sentimental value, but as you can’t keep everything, would a photograph of the item (in use) work as a reminder of those happy memories?

Take any usable items you don’t intend to keep to a charity shop or get rid of them via selling or swapping sites. I use one which can be kept local so I specify my buyers must collect. There are others where you post or courier the item.

If you’re keeping an item because it’s useful, ask yourself if it duplicates the function of something else you own. Keep the best version, and pass on the other one, maybe somebody else can benefit.

Group clothes by colour

I used to have wardrobes with just one hanging rail and a shelf above it in my bedroom. When I treated myself to new wardrobes with customised carcasses they have been an epiphany. Now that I hang up as many clothes as possible, grouping them by colour, choosing what to wear is done in half the time. On the shelves I use lidded boxes to store handbags.

I bought compartmentalised organisers which fit in drawers and now socks, tights, scarves and underwear are also grouped by colour and style.

Before the new wardrobes were built, I was struggling to thin out my clothes. My conscience made up excuses:

I might wear that: for an interview/ if it gets really hot or cold/ for walking the dog

But once those beautiful wardrobes were in place, I was better motivated to prune my clothes ruthlessly. Occasional outfits had to earn their place. Only the nicest, best fitting garments and accessories were allowed to grace the pristine rails and shelves. On that note, treat yourself to new hangers. Ones covered in flock stop your clothes slipping, those with crocodile clips grip the waistband of trousers or skirts. Hangers with a flatter design give you more hanging space.

Wearable clothes you don’t keep, take to charity shops

Occasional clothes you need but wear rarely (formal wear, winter coats) will benefit from hanging garment bags to keep them dust free —up-grade from those plastic bags provided by the dry cleaners!

Store shoes that you want to keep pristine in boxes. Buy special shoe boxes and fix a picture of the shoes to the outside, or a solution for trainer fanatics is clear lidded airtight boxes, so the contents can be seen. Its important for the boxes to be stackable, to make the most of floor or high level wardrobe space.

Long boots benefit from been kept ‘leg’ shaped, boot trees are great or you could stuff knee high socks with tissue paper or balled up carrier bags. Boots that get muddy do well stored upside down on a rack of long pegs — keep them just inside your external door so you can put them on or take them off without tracking mud.

Keep a step stool nearby

If your wardrobes go right up to the ceiling, then use all the space. High up is obviously where you store things you need less often, for instance hats or swim suits. To reach everything easily, keep a step stool in your wardrobe, preferably one that folds flat.

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