Professional tips for an organized closet

Photo courtesy Karen Wright

Lately you find that getting yourself together in the morning resembles an Olympic event (for which you lack the flexibility) and your closet looks more like a rummage sale after a rampage than a boutique (even though most of those carefully chosen pieces cost you a pretty penny).  Jumbles of shoes crowd the floor, mountains of sweaters slip off of shelves, and boxes filled with accessories you don’t even know you own threaten to spew their contents at any moment.  These are signs that you need help. 
 

No matter the price you paid, poorly cared-for clothing ends up looking cheap—and nobody wants to look cheap regardless of how honest you are when asked “Where did you find that?”  You also don’t want get a better workout getting dressed than you get at the gym—sweaty and red-faced is no way to arrive at a destination provided you didn’t run or bike to get there.  If you are working hard to look good by buying things you like to wear, caring for your clothing and accessories is an important first step.

Professional organizer Karen Wright started the Huntsville based company Life Simplified in 2008 based on the philosophy that being organized makes life more relaxed and enjoyable.  Wright’s organizational skills appeared at an early age and, after sharing the benefits of her talent with family and friends for years, she realized Huntsville could use a professional organizer.  Her business grew quickly to include home, office and closet services and recently expanded to include Weddings Simplified and Senior Transitions (she is one of only four Certified Relocation and Transitions Specialists in Alabama.)  

Closets Simplified is the division of Wright’s company that can save your closet.  With many happy clients in the Huntsville area, she offers the Examiner 5 Tips for an organized closet:

1. Purge, Purge, Purge…If it doesn’t fit, get rid of it.
2. If you don’t feel good in it, don’t keep it.
3. Place items that you wear often within easy reach. 
4. Store out of season items up high or under a bed until you will need them again.
5. Group like items together (i.e. blouses, pants, skirts, dresses).

She also encourages the use of wooden hangers.  “They keep your clothes in great shape and also make your closet feel like a boutique!”   

If the idea of tackling your own closet is too much to face, Wright creates a system of organization for her clients that works for the long term.  With Closets Simplified, it’s more than just cleaning up for a client.  “One of my goals is to give my clients the ability to stay organized . . . and to maintain results with easy maintenance tips that work for them.”  Because each person is different, Wright personalizes systems for clients based on their unique goals. 

So stop the avalanche of accessories that threatens your life each morning and makes getting dressed a bigger challenge than it needs to be.  Find space for things you have and get rid of those things that you don’t wear.  An organized closet is the first place to begin for a well-edited wardrobe and a relaxed experience when it comes to dressing.
 

 All photos provided courtesy Karen Wright.