15 tips to organize your closet like a pro

Closet clutter can be frustrating, but with a few hours a day - or a whole day - you can put everything in order and get rid of all the chaos and catch up on organization.

To help you in this - not so arduous - task, the expert and personal organizer Fernanda Piva, founder of BellaOrdine gives the tips. According to the professional, keeping the house in order "brings the client a sense of well-being, quality of life, since living with the mess is very stressful and exhausting. When your space, whether personal or professional, is organized, youIt's horrible to waste hours looking for an outfit, a document, or spend the weekend cleaning up the mess," she explains. So "ooh, laziness" and get to work!

15 professional tips for organizing your closet

According to Fernanda, the biggest difficulty her clients complain about is defining the right space for each type of garment, and the most common doubts are how to deal with humidity and which clothes should or should not be hung on the hangers:

1. make annual disposals

The important thing is to take a moment to decide what to keep and what to move on to a new path. If you are attached to things and clothes, here is a formula to make your life easier, divide everything into categories:

• Throw Away Don't donate bad pieces of clothing: if you wouldn't use it because of the state it's in, it's not for someone else.
• Donate Do a good deed and bless someone else's life with clothes that were once useful to you, but are now just taking up space. If you're not sure if you want to keep the clothes, think about whether you've worn them in the last year. Worn them? Think twice. Not worn them? Donate them!
• Maintain Your current clothes, the ones that fit you, that have a good fit, and are in good condition. These get a free pass into the closet.

2. each thing in its place

Determine the spaces for the items and clothes, so you can always store each item in the same defined place and the organization will remain.

3. place identification labels

Labels make it very easy to put everything back in its place, especially if you don't have the habit of always returning something to the same place, for example, because you can't remember where it was or which is the most appropriate place for it.I don't know where to put it".

4. standardize the hangers

According to Fernanda, the standardization of the hangers contributes a lot to the visual issue and makes it easier to fit them on the rod: "For coats, suits, and party clothes, the ideal is to use specific hangers. They are different and can change the look a little, but they preserve the fabrics better, avoiding deformities".

See some options below:

5. protect delicate parts

If your closet is tall enough, store dresses in the largest space in the closet so that they don't have a folded hem. If your closet is not tall enough, put party clothes folded in half at the waist on hangers that won't let the garment slip - like velvet hangers, for example.The ideal is that not only the dresses, but all the party clothes are stored on the side of the closets, so that the pieces stay together and are not moved back and forth all the time, which helps in the organization and conservation of these more delicate clothes.

6. clean and sanitize the shoes

The ideal world would be to have a separate shoe rack outside the closet, but if you don't have room for that, no problem. The right way to store a shoe (even in a shoe rack!): first, let the shoe breathe. As soon as you take it off your feet, give it some time to "breathe". Then, brush the sides and soles to remove the dust and dirt that sticks to the street. You can evenBetter to take it out before putting it away and not end up dirtying other pairs.

7. take care of each part according to the manufacturer's instruction

"According to the organizer, for the piece to be brand new, the washing needs to follow the manufacturer's instructions to the letter. This is because each fabric has a type of weave (thinner, thicker, more open, closed, among others), and one is always more delicate than the other. Therefore, before throwing everything in the machine, readCollect the ones that are the same, choose a washing program that is suitable for them as well.

8. moisturize the leather

After six months - or more - of being stored in the back of the closet, it's time to wear that leather jacket. And then you notice that it doesn't look very attractive, with a few white spots. A beautiful piece of leather is one that almost shines. But, for that, some care is needed. Moisturizing leather is very simple. Wipe the entire piece with a damp cloth. Then, a clothThe last step is to wipe it with a cloth or cotton swab with almond oil. Once dry, it can be put back in the closet.

9. abuse the organizers

Hives are 100% welcome, as are boxes. There are also specific organizers, as in the case of scarves and ties, which can be used according to the quantity, according to the personal organizer.

Here are some products to help you with this task:

10. use creativity to reuse products with other functions as organizers

Do you know those glasses that we have in the pantry? Of olives, jellies... And milk cartons?

11. baskets vs. boxes: which is better?

Baskets are as good organizers as boxes, but a specific type is always recommended depending on the situation. For the kitchen and laundry areas, the personal organizer recommends plastic baskets, and for the intimate area, wicker or fabric baskets.

Some options for you:

12. replace the season's clothes

Fernanda explains that the best way to change the clothes in the change of season is to opt for transparent plastic boxes, with small holes for air circulation. The space-bag plastic bags are super indicated and should be at the top of the closet.

13. bedding

There is a very easy way to find the coordinated set, and it's not magic! The professional teaches the tactic: just keep all the pieces of the set together and folded. Put the pillowcases and the bottom sheet inside the top sheet, forming a kind of "package".

14. hats and caps do not need to be wrinkled

They can be stored in closets, niches, boxes, chests (including those for box beds). Fernanda also reinforces that if you have little space, place one inside the other to avoid crumpling.

15. maintain order on a daily basis

Once the closet is organized, the best way to keep everything in place is daily maintenance. Don't leave anything out of place. Define a place for each thing and, as soon as possible, put each piece back in its place.

30 closet organization ideas for inspiration

Now that you have learned how to put order in your closet with the tips of a professional, here are some super practical ideas that work.

1. store items you hardly use on higher shelves

Use the "hot, warm or cold" method. If the object is used constantly, it is hot and needs to be in a place that is easily accessible. If it is used occasionally, it can be stored in a place that is not very accessible. And if it is used infrequently, you can put it in places that are more difficult to access.

2. separate the clothes by type

Blouse with blouse, pants with pants, dress with dress, and so on, with all the pieces. It's organized, visually more beautiful, and you just have to look around to find the piece you need.

3. organize your clothes by color

After you have sorted the pieces by type, how about organizing them by color? Doubts? Just think of the color sequence of the rainbow, or, even easier, visualize a box of colored pencils. The organization is visually more elegant and attractive - and, again, makes it easier to find a piece.

4. make dividers in the underwear drawers

The best way to store underwear is in drawers and preferably in hives to make it easier to see all the pieces.

5. keep your items in organizer boxes

If you only have one piece (or a few) of one type of clothing or something that doesn't fit into any other group to store together, use boxes!

6. organize the layout by item types

If clothes are hung up, separate a sequence of the same item, such as: skirts, shorts, dresses, pants, and so on, always keeping an "accumulation" of the same type of clothing. This will make it easier to locate.

7. use specific boxes, drawers or hangers to store tissues

Yes, there is an infinite number of models of hangers, but it is important to use those that are specific for each piece, since they were created with a differentiated design, developed especially to not leave marks on the fabric.

8. the best way to store belts: hang them on special hangers

They can be made of wood, plastic, or attached to the cabinet, as in the picture. The important thing is to keep them all hanging, ensuring that the piece lasts longer without cracking, for example, besides taking up less space in the cabinet.

9. the bags can stay in dividers

The acrylic partitions make the space cleaner, and contribute even more to a better visualization of the pieces.

10. but they can also stand next to each other

Party bags are less used than other bags, so they can be stored with protectors and with padding to prevent deformation. Padding is also recommended for leather and oversized bags.

11. dividers hold the ties and give the feeling of everything in its place

There are options of joinery, plastic, rubberized... The important thing is to be able to store these items in an organized and separate way in drawers. It is worth resorting to popular stores, even, to buy separators for underwear and socks, since you can store ties in them as well.

12. store suitcases and travel bags in the uppermost part of the closet

Since they are large and take up a lot of space, they should ideally be kept as high up as possible, because only if you are a super traveler do these items need to be used more often. You can store the smaller suitcases inside the larger ones, further reducing the space taken up in the closet. If you have items that you rarely use, it is worth storing them properly inside the suitcases.

13. a good old-fashioned rack or coat rack is great for everyday items that need to stay close at hand

It is a great idea to keep a jacket handy or that bag that you use almost every day, as well as being another decorative item for your room or closet.

14. if you don't have a shoe rack, hang each pair of pants on a hanger

It is essential to use hangers for dress pants, mainly because the fabric is thinner and more delicate. By leaving them on hangers, you ensure that they do not crease and look good enough to wear. Jeans and sport shorts can be folded and stored in drawers, niches or also on hangers.

15. learn the right way to fold socks and save space in your drawer!

Attention: do not "ball" your socks! Although this is the method that almost 4 out of 5 people do, this procedure stretches the weave and can, over time, deform the sock, so choose to put the pair together and fold them in half, or make a roll.

16. pajamas and sweaters also need a specific corner

You can store pajamas and nightgowns in drawers, while those in cool fabrics should be put in baskets or boxes. If the nightgown or baby doll is made of a lighter fabric, gently fold it into a small square. If it is a nightgown made of a firmer fabric, fold the pieces together, forming a small packet.

17. set a specific drawer or box for the beach clothes

Your beach kit also needs a specific place. Store everything in a drawer or box, accommodate the bikinis, swimsuits, and beach shorts. Be careful with the pieces that have a bulge, they can't get wrinkled. Store them carefully so they are impeccable next summer.

18. blankets and quilts don't need to take up all the space

Thin and light blankets should be stored in roll form. Small comforters can also follow the roll style. Large comforters should be folded. The ideal place to store these items are niches or suitcases.

19. bath towels are also organized

This technique works for all the following types of towels: face towels, traditional body towels, and bath towels. Hand towels and mouth towels (the very small ones) can be folded simply, since they are small pieces.

20. gloves and cuddly scarves for next winter

Photo: Reproduction / Organized House

Store in boxes, baskets or drawers, in rolls, folded or simply one on top of the other. If possible, put a silica bag next to it, to avoid humidity in these delicate pieces.

21. do not store shoes in cardboard boxes

Prefer plastic or acetate boxes with openings. Avoid cardboard options, which are more susceptible to humidity. By standardizing the boxes, the look becomes cleaner. The openings make it easier to see the shoes that are stored.

22. attention with high boots

If you are going to store your boots inside the closet, beware: use fillers to keep the boots with the shafts high, or store them on hangers with hooks.

23: There is also a place for pantyhose

The correct way to store is to create a roll. Stretch the open stocking out on a surface. Fold one leg over the other and roll from bottom to top.

24. glasses, watches and other accessories

The idea is brilliant, to say the least. Who wouldn't be happy with one of these? Besides being organized, it's very pretty. But if you don't have one of these, a specific box for watches (with pillows) and another for glasses (with individual spaces) is enough.

25. to store coats and cold clothes

Coats can be hung on hangers, but if they are too bulky they should ideally be folded at the top of the closet.

26. pashiminas

Blankets, scarves, and pashiminas can be kept in drawers or in transparent boxes. Try to fold them all the same size, and don't fold them too much. This prevents them from getting too many marks.

27. not everything can go on the hanger

Attention to fabrics: knitwear and woolen garments cannot be hung up, as they are heavier and run the risk of losing their original shape.

28. hooks! what do I want you for?

If your closet has doors that open to the front, you can use the back of the door to hang hooks. There is also the possibility of placing hooks behind the bedroom door as well. They are great allies for organization and decoration.

29. how to store fitness clothes

Some fitness clothes are made of dry fit, that very soft fabric. Fold the clothes with this fabric in a square shape, and store each "square" of clothes standing upright, one behind the other. That way they stay organized and don't fall apart when you take one out of place.

30. same size T-shirts

The rule is clear: all in the same size. If you can't make them all the same size, use a mold. You can find one to buy, or you can make one at home, with cardboard. You just need it to make all the pieces the same size, it's very simple.

Find an expensive organizer? See three do-it-yourself options

There are infinite types of organizers, from the most basic to the most beautiful ones, which beautify the closet just by being there. Some you can even find in popular stores. In case your eyes choose the most beautiful, and most expensive, of course, you can try to save money by creating your own organizer. It is not difficult, all you need is a little coordination, creativity and a few materials. Check out some ideas:

1. organizer basket

This type you can find at shopping mall stores, and they are very pretty, but the price is higher. Try to make them at home and you will see that it is not so difficult.

2. organizer box

This box is really cute! Not only can you use it to organize items in your closet, because of its size, but it is also ideal to be used in the office, with small items that easily get lost. You can also put together a kit, with 2 or more pieces, and give it to someone.

3. beehive organizer

The idea here is to make a beehive-type organizer that can be used in any drawer for easy organization. You can make it in different sizes to hold various types of items, such as socks, underwear, and whatever else you like.

Closet organized and smelling nice

After you put these tips into practice, your closet will certainly have a whole new look. And here's an extra tip: leave "smells" in the closet!

1. scented sachet for cabinets and drawers

This is another idea that can also be used as a gift. It is simple, inexpensive, quick to make, and leaves your closet perfumed, smelling like your clothes are always clean.

2. scented water for clothes, sheets and fabrics

Another idea to keep your clothes - and all the other fabrics in the house, such as sofas, pillows, curtains, etc. - smelling good for longer is scented water (also called in some places sheet water).

The first step to getting your closet organized is to create a motivation. Think of a good reason for this change. For example: your search for clothes will become easier, and each change of clothes can be done much faster. And to carry on with this organization don't be afraid to let go, check out things to eliminate from yourcloset.