CLOSET THERAPY

Hello 2013! With the new year in full effect its time to reorganize. Now, if you know me, you know that my closet is my sanctuary. Well, kinda sort of.... Its getting back there. slowly but surely. (Packing for any trip leaves my closet looking like a small typhoon hit it)

See, I was blessed with an oak walk in California closet in my small NYC apartment. Numerous movable and stackable shelving with a scarf rack, hat rack, shoe display and a large area for all my accessories to breathe. Proud to admit it, I actually signed my lease in that closet (well aware that it was bigger than both my bathroom and kitchen).  What girl would refuse such a luxury in a NYC apt! 2 years later, I honestly dont know what I would do with out her (her being the most beautiful wood sectioned shelving I have ever had).

& now......(drum roll) Its come time to give her a face lift.

This weekend the shelving will be moved to make room for more shoes (eek) and my clothes will be pulled down from their color coordinated and work & play sections for donation .

Here are a few organizing revamping tips that have worked for me and hopefully you can put to good use.

Revamp Tip #1: Get rid of wire hangers. One of my favorite movie scenes to reenact - click link* I personally prefer wooden hangers with rubber coating on the ends, not only do they keep the clothes from slipping but they look gorgeous in my closet. If your short on room, buy thin felt hangers all in one color. Trust me, when your closet has matching hangers everything looks so much better.

Revamp Tip #2: Discard dry cleaning bags! When your dry cleaning comes back, immediately remove your clothes from the bags, throw out the hangers and replace with your new ones. Not only are the plastic bags bad for your clothes but they are even worse for your health. Tip - Go Green with your dry cleaning, find a local organic cleaner in your neighborhood.

Revamp #3: Donate, Donate Donate! When was the last time you wore that blazer? Those jeans that you swearrrrr one day you will fit into again? How many pashmina's do you really need?  Not only does it rid your closet of clutter but you are doing something good for others. This brings me to the next tip......

ReVamp Tip #4: MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITE ONE! Go thru the remaining clothes in your closet and do the following. Place stickers on your clothes ( I prefer the tags on the inside). Every time you wear an item take the sticker off and discard. If by the end of 2013 the sticker is still on - get rid of that item and donate!

Having less items in your closet will make it easier to pick out what to wear and actually find what it is you are looking for. You will have more options of mixing and matching and you will see what pieces are missing and which ones not to buy.

ReVamp Tip#5: Are you a chachki lover? I am! Through0ut the years, Ive collected more costume jewelry than one should.Check these bad boys out Click Here. These bracelet tiers from The Container Store are phenomenal! They keep my bracelets organized and completes the look of my closet. I also use their necklace and ring displays in black velvet, you can truly go nuts in this store. 

 If your pinching pennies, hang a bulletin board on your wall, stick a few thumb tacks in it (choose the clear tacks) and hang your pieces. This allows you to keep your jewelry  organized, tangle free and on display when you need to match your accessories in a time crunch.

ReVamp Tip #5: Tackle your storage needs. Best way to figure out what storage is needed is by looking at your closet on its worst possible day. When clothes are thrown, shoes are tossed and clothes are piled onto one hanger. Look for wasted space and think about storage pieces that are not only functional but appealing to the eye. Matching the storage pieces to your hanger colors or wall paint will give your closet a more built in organized  & cohesive look.

ReVamp Tip#6: Can you see and reach your items? Change or add extra lighting. You can easily purchase lighting that mounts on the wall with sticky tape for the darker areas in your closet. Throw in a step stool and paint it to match your closet for the hard to reach places. These small changes will make such a big difference.

ReVamp Tip#7: Little tips...Are you a hat collector? Hammer nails into your wall and display your hats. Shoes - If you do not keep your original shoe boxes, purchase clear stackable cases that make it easier to match your outfit with your shoe and gives your closet a cleaner look. They also protect your shoes from dust and dirt.

Last but not least ReVamp Tip #8.  Take your time & Work in sections. It's so easy to become overwhelmed if you dump all of your closet out. Don't do that - Ive done it before and I had a melt down. I suggest, putting on some music and start small. & before you know it, one section will be tackled and you will be energized to complete another or even better the rest.

Remeber to Vacuum, dust and Febreeze your closet!

Let me know how these tips work out for you and send me your before and afters! Id love to share them with the blog.

HAPPY ORGANIZING!