That’s it! It’s mid-April. The time has come for me to do the twice yearly CLOSET SWITCH! I’m a couple weeks late actually. It has become the family joke because this process takes me so long. I am very methodical, and it takes a good portion of a day because I’m spring cleaning too. A girl has the right to spend time with her clothes! That’s what I tell the men in my family who laugh at my system. Besides, the time I put in now will pay off later. If you have a large closet where you can keep all your clothes together. I’m envious. If your spacious closet keeps all your clothes in perfect order, I still advise a seasonal weeding out. Move your “extreme” seasonal heavy clothing out of the mix so you can make quick and easy choices.
If you are a regular reader, you know about my small closet. And if you missed these posts, the category of closet organization will get you up to speed. You will read about everything from hangers to makeup organization ideas.
I’ve stored my off- season clothes in the unused half of my son’s closet for years. When he left for college, I promised I wouldn’t turn his room into something else, but now his room sure comes in handy for this. I simply have not had time to do this switch in one day. What a mess I have! It will take a few consecutive days to finish and I can leave it all out. Right now our weather is still not spring like. However, I need a change.
TIPS:
1. Make sure all your clothes are clean before you start. You don’t want to miss something AND it’s not smart to put things in storage that aren’t clean.
2. I have piles for Dry Cleaning, Consign, Donate. Call your consignment store to confirm what they are looking for. Early consignment pays off for some items. It makes no sense to consign your real summery clothes now–wait a couple months for that.
3. I store all my shoes and boots in their original boxes. The cardboard and stuffing for boots helps them keep their shape. Polish shoes before putting away (that’s my husband’s job) A little TLC will help them last for years. If something needs to go to the shoe repair, designate a box for that as well.
4. I group the clothing together by category and wrap it in the garment bags from department stores.
5. Now is the time to make your list of what you see missing in your spring wardrobe. You may not know that now. This is why I recommend to every client that it’s a great idea to keep an ongoing list in your closet (not your purse). When you go to get dressed, the gaps will be very evident. Write it down for your next shopping trip.
6. Try to envision some new combinations as you organize your clothes by CATEGORY first and then COLOR.
7. Weed out jewelry you don’t care for any longer and re-organize. If you don’t have a great system, check out my Jewelry Organization ideas.
8. I hang all my clothes (yes, even sweaters) I WILL take time to go through a drawer at a time to re-fold and weed out yard work, work out clothes and lingerie.
9. Sort out anything that needs to be mended or altered.
If you take the time to do this well TWO times a year, it will make such a difference. Anyone else out there with small closets taking on this same task?
