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Best Storage Secrets for Clothes
Closets and dressers don't need to be pricey. Here's how to fold, file and hang your way to beautifully stored clothes using what you have
While our space typically dictates what we have room to store, it's often how we manipulate our clothes and linens that will determine how much will really fit (and how organized it will look). Knowing how to fold and store your clothes properly is not only aesthetically pleasing but will help your belongings last. And while I'm a huge fan of using what you already own and not going out and buying fancy containers, there are some products that my dresser drawers simply cannot live without.
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| Clothes pileup usually starts in and around the laundry room (or wherever the linen basket lives). For starters, it's important to do a full cycle of laundry so that you know the full extent of your clothes and linen collection. That way there won't be any surprises after you have lined the shelves and drawers with clothes only to find out you have another load going in the dryer. |
Folding Your Stuff
Items that are best folded on shelves: jeans, sweaters (think bulkier items). Use shelf dividers to keep your folded piles from toppling over. If you don't want to go out and buy shelf dividers, repurpose open containers and bins.
Pliio is the newest closet tool on the market; it promises to do the folding for you. I just bought two sets for my T-shirts and I am one happy customer.
A large, flat surface will make folding seem less like work while making your clothes neat. An ironing board surface will work in a pinch, as it's the perfect height.
Items that are best folded on shelves: jeans, sweaters (think bulkier items). Use shelf dividers to keep your folded piles from toppling over. If you don't want to go out and buy shelf dividers, repurpose open containers and bins.
Pliio is the newest closet tool on the market; it promises to do the folding for you. I just bought two sets for my T-shirts and I am one happy customer.
A large, flat surface will make folding seem less like work while making your clothes neat. An ironing board surface will work in a pinch, as it's the perfect height.
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| Drawer How-Tos Socks: Even though rolling them will keep them together, they lose elasticity this way. Instead, lay two single socks flat, one on top of the other, and simply fold them in half. Panty hose and stockings: These are best rolled from the feet toward the waistband and folded over the opening to keep them from unraveling. Drawer dividers: They'll keep your socks corralled while leaving space for other items in the same drawer. |
by Gast Architects
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Linen Closet
Towels: Best folded lengthwise into thirds and then folded in half, twice. That way the rounded edge faces out without being bulkier than the middle.
A fitted sheet will no longer be your enemy after you see the Martha Stewart way.
Storing linens: There are two ways I recommend: in a set (fitted and flat sheet with the matching pillowcases) or like with like (all of the pillowcases stacked together, for example).
Towels: Best folded lengthwise into thirds and then folded in half, twice. That way the rounded edge faces out without being bulkier than the middle.
A fitted sheet will no longer be your enemy after you see the Martha Stewart way.
Storing linens: There are two ways I recommend: in a set (fitted and flat sheet with the matching pillowcases) or like with like (all of the pillowcases stacked together, for example).
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Clutches and Purses
Empty the contents of your purse before it's stored. Crumbs can attract bugs, pens can leak and batteries might corrode. Not to mention the extra weight of a purse might wear out a handle when it's hung. (Many people now hang purses on individual hooks.)
Purses: If you've got the space, display purses on a shelf with tissue paper stuffing. The paper will keep their shape and help them sit better.
Clutches: They're best filed within the constraints of a shelf divider, open bin or drawer, since they're flat.
Empty the contents of your purse before it's stored. Crumbs can attract bugs, pens can leak and batteries might corrode. Not to mention the extra weight of a purse might wear out a handle when it's hung. (Many people now hang purses on individual hooks.)
Purses: If you've got the space, display purses on a shelf with tissue paper stuffing. The paper will keep their shape and help them sit better.
Clutches: They're best filed within the constraints of a shelf divider, open bin or drawer, since they're flat.
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Take Advantage of Unused Space
Notice how there's open space below the hanging garments? Put it to good use. You can store everything from purses and folded jeans to shoes and hats in this area. You could also place a labeled bin full of scarves and accessories there. The sky's the limit!
Notice how there's open space below the hanging garments? Put it to good use. You can store everything from purses and folded jeans to shoes and hats in this area. You could also place a labeled bin full of scarves and accessories there. The sky's the limit!
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Hanging Out
It's obvious to hang coats and dresses, but what are some other items that are better hung than folded?
Pants: They'll keep their crease best if hung lengthwise from the bottom. You also won't get a weird bubble where the pants were folded over the hanger bar.
Blouses or T-shirts: If they're made of thin materials that prove challenging to fold, they always get hung in my closet.
It's obvious to hang coats and dresses, but what are some other items that are better hung than folded?
Pants: They'll keep their crease best if hung lengthwise from the bottom. You also won't get a weird bubble where the pants were folded over the hanger bar.
Blouses or T-shirts: If they're made of thin materials that prove challenging to fold, they always get hung in my closet.
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Give Boots a Boost
Tall, slouchy boots can be a burden to any closet. Here are my favorite ways to keep them in line.
Easy: Boot inserts for short and tall boots.
DIY version: Placing wadded-up tissue paper or even a bottle of wine in each boot will help them stand tall.
Luxury: Hang them if you've got the room.
Tight on space: Clear boot boxes can fit two or three pairs and live stacked on a shelf.
Tell us: What folding tricks do you have up your sleeve? Are there items that you prefer to hang? Please share the methods to your organized space below.
More:
Get More Out of Your Closet
10 Elements of the Perfect Closet
How to Style Your Closet (Almost) Like a Celeb
Tall, slouchy boots can be a burden to any closet. Here are my favorite ways to keep them in line.
Easy: Boot inserts for short and tall boots.
DIY version: Placing wadded-up tissue paper or even a bottle of wine in each boot will help them stand tall.
Luxury: Hang them if you've got the room.
Tight on space: Clear boot boxes can fit two or three pairs and live stacked on a shelf.
Tell us: What folding tricks do you have up your sleeve? Are there items that you prefer to hang? Please share the methods to your organized space below.
More:
Get More Out of Your Closet
10 Elements of the Perfect Closet
How to Style Your Closet (Almost) Like a Celeb
Ideabook published on April 11, 2012.
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p.s. This was a terrifically helpful ideabook! Can you do one on the best way to store food in kitchen cabinets sometime? My cabinets are a jumble...
Oh, also one thing that helps me maximize space is *thinner* hangers! Definitely makes you gain space. I get ones that are anti-slip: either velvet or plastic with an anti-slip texture- or maybe you can glue some velvet strips on the shoulders of your existing hangers, so the shirts don't slip off.