Most of us wear some type of clothing 24hrs a day, 7days a week. So this makes our wardrobe home to some of our most commonly used household items.
Spring and autumn is the perfect time of the year to declutter, organise and refresh your wardrobe. Then you will be ready for summer and winter when they arrive. A small amount of time spent on this hard working storage area will generously reward you with a smooth morning and perhaps, a few extra minutes in bed each day.
Did you know that 20% of your wardrobe is worn 80% of the time? Wow, that’s a huge amount of clothing not being worn!
When it comes to making changes to a wardrobe, I believe if we can’t see it, we won’t wear it. Visibility plays a major part in what we choose to wear each day. This means the visible space in your wardrobe is the most important space of all. So, in this space we need only those items that fit us and we love to wear.
So how do we achieve this?
-
Declutter
When decluttering your wardrobe only do one section at a time. This might be tops, trousers, dresses, socks or underwear. Doing one section at a time keeps the process manageable so you can finish the section in one go.
Take out your chosen section and put it on a bed or table. Make a decision on each piece. One by one, only put back items that you love, fit into and are happy to wear. Place them in the visible areas of your wardrobe. You need to easily see them.
If you have clothes you want to keep, but don’t often wear, and space is available, put them in the non-visual space of your wardrobe. You can keep items that only have annual wear, items with sentimental attachment or those that don’t fit, but it works best if they are out of view. By keeping these items out of view they are not visually competing with your working wardrobe.
-
Hang
There is no right or wrong way for arranging a wardrobe. You may like your clothes grouped in season order or by colour. I personally like to store similar items together, so that trousers, dresses, shirts and jackets are hung together in groups.
Uniform thin hangers will take up less space. Hangers with a felt covering will hold garments with larger necklines so they won’t fall off.
-
Fold
Folded items on a shelf need to be kept to the front. Clothing at the back will not be seen or warn. A tub or container works well in that awkward space at the back of the shelf. In this, you can keep seasonal things like gloves, scarfs, purses and clutches.
-
Display
If wall space allows, displaying items increases visual contact. Display scarfs, ties, bags or jewellery. If you have something special that you just love, but never wear, give it a display area so you can enjoy its beauty.
So remember, to see is to use, wear and enjoy. Use visibility to your advantage.
If you would like a hand to help declutter your wardrobe and establish a system tailored for you, call me. I’d love to understand your needs.
