As the seasons change, it can be a daunting task to prepare your wardrobe for colder temperatures. The transition from swimsuits to snow boots can often make finding space and staying organized difficult, especially if you’re dealing with limited closet space. With these expert tips, the seasonal closet switch can be tackled with ease, so you have more time for cozy movies and hot chocolate this season.
- Barbara E. Tanaka is a professional organizer and the strategic home design and organizing advisor at Real Estate Bees
- Peter Martinez is a fashion stylist and the co-founder of Leather Skin Shop
Switch Out Seasonal Items
As the temperatures drop, tank tops, shorts, and sundresses are no longer being reached for. To maximize space in your closet, it’s time to switch out any items that are no longer appropriate for the season to free up space for winter gear. Move summer clothes to storage bins or to an unused closet.
Purge Your Closet
Evaluating your closet on a seasonal basis will keep the clutter at bay, ensuring that only the items you actually wear are taking up precious storage space in your home. This step is especially crucial if you’re looking to buy new items for the winter, so get ready to donate, sell, or upcycle. Martinez notes that it’s a good idea to take an extra look at the winter clothing you’re unpacking, as you may want to get rid of items that won’t fit you this year or are out of trend. “Keeping a donation bin inside your closet can make this easier,” Tanaka notes.
Choose the Right Clothes Hangers
Since sweaters and jackets can often be bulky, taking up ample space in your closet, it’s a good idea to invest in slimmer hangers to allow more items to fit. “For thin sweaters, try folding them in half and draping them over the hanger to prevent stretching or misshaping,” Tanaka advises. Martinez also suggests utilizing a scarf hanger to keep winter scarves well organized and easily accessible for styling.
Bring on the Storage Bins
For Martinez, storage bins are the ultimate organization savior no matter the season. Both daily essentials and off-season items can be kept dust-free and organized with the help of bins, but storing boxes and bins according to frequency of use is key. For the most frequently used items, he advises keeping these at eye-level for quick access. Also, as an expert in fabric care, Martinez notes that delicate wool and knit pieces are best stored in breathable fabric bins rather than plastic ones.
Utilize the Floor and Door
For hanging closets, floor space often goes unused. In the winter, Tanaka reminds us that utilizing the closet floor can be a great way to maximize space by lining up larger pairs of boots and shoes for the season. The floor space in your closet is also a great place to store bins and drawers. Don’t forget over-the-door organizers, which provide vertical storage space for winter socks, gloves, and hats.
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