Monthly Archives: September 2009

Crammed Closet Tips

Your closet can easily get over-run with clothes, shoes, storage items, hidden holiday gifts and more. If your closet has become the bane of your existence, then you have come to the right place. We have assembles these clever tips and tricks to help you learn to love your closet. Create usable space with only some small adjustments.

If you have a big closet or an extremely packed closet, then you may need to schedule quite a few hours or even a day to spend focusing on the problem. Most closets have one thing in common: inadequate storage space.

You probably do have enough storage space, but the arrangement is all wrong. Just like homes, the square footage can be low, but the layout can make all the difference. Think efficiency. You want the things that you use most to be front and center. Accessibility is important when you’re creating usable space.

Make the most of square footage. This is where you should sit down with a pen and paper and start drawing up designs. You don’t have to get fancy, but figure out where your belongings will go before you start.

This can be a lot easier if you categorize your clothing. Hanging shirts, pants, skirts, and dresses in their own sections of the closet can help you quickly get ready in the mornings. Plus, by hanging short items all together, you free up some space below. A lot of times, simply rearranging the order of clothing is all that it takes to start organizing.

There is no hard-fast rule here. If it is easier for you to keep your work clothes in one section, work-out clothes in another, and your casual wear all separated, then by all means, do it that way. Some people like the uniformity of arranging by color.

It may be a good idea to get some other minds involved in your design. Friends or family members may have some creative ideas if you’re running short. You may need to invest a little money to implement your design, but you don’t have to spend a fortune.

Find spaces in your closet that aren’t being used and install shelves, cubbies or extra rails. You’re not stuck with the standard bar and shelf that most closets have. If you started with a completely empty space, what would you do with it? Is there a way to make that happen? Do you need special spaces for certain things like photos, electronics or hobby supplies? Design the closet that fits your belongings.

Save extra space by using space saving hangers, called slimlinehangers. They grip clothing with their velvety finish. They’re super thin, yet really durable. They make your clothing hang in a tiny amount of space. Install hooks for tote bags, purses and robes. Install drawers or use bins for ties, belts and socks. When everything has a place to go, it won’t be crammed in any longer.

About the Author: Rick Miller is on the staff of Only Slimline Hangers, a leading online resource for slimlinehangers which are space saving hangers, non slip hangers and slim line hangers. For more information, please visit http://www.onlyslimlinehangers.com.

Transitioning to a Small Space

Living your life in a small space can be either a nightmare or a rewarding experience. It all depends on how you look at it, your attitude, and your organization skills. Here you can learn how to appreciate the minimalist lifestyle, organize your space, and enjoy living the small life.

Many people choose to live in a small space, such as a small apartment, because of cost or proximity to their jobs. If it isn’t your choice to live in a tiny environment, then you may find yourself being forced to change your habits. But, if you prepare, embrace the positives and get ready for a few sacrifices, you can really learn to love a tiny space. Just because it’s small does not mean that it cannot feel like home.

Some people choose to live in a small space, even a camper trailer, to escape the consumerism that has consumed us. Lots of families get caught up in buying things because they’re hip, more attractive, on sale, you name it. We waste so much money on things that are not necessarily needed, but wanted. We do this so much, that it has actually become a detrimental addiction for many people. Forcing yourself to switch gears from acquiring possessions to deleting them from your existence can be more of a struggle than you might anticipate.

Make a list of benefits for yourself. Concentrating on and embracing the positives will help you to transition into living in a small space. Get excited about how you are breaking free from what society and advertising has led you to believe that you need. Think about how only 100 years ago we only owned dishes, farm equipment, maybe a desk and maybe a mirror to pass down to our sons and daughters. In only one or two generations, we have gone from having what we need to having whatever we want. What do we have to show for it? A lot of bankruptcy and debt. Break free and live simply.

Okay, so you’ve decided to take the plunge and live life minimally. That doesn’t mean that you have to throw away everything that you own. Pay attention to what you really need and use on a daily basis. Keep things that make your home yours, like artwork, mementos, and photographs. Figure out what you just can’t live without and then see how much room is left. Narrowing down your belongings is liberating! You can give so much to charity or needy friends and neighbors. You can sell things that may be worth money and save even more.

Think about how to fill the small spaces that you have and how you can utilize wasted space, such as space near the ceiling. Use specialty hangers and space saving hangers in your closets to double the space available for clothes. Use companies like YesterTec for small space furniture. They even have an armoire that opens up to be a full sized kitchen. There are a lot of surprising “luxuries” on the market that can keep your small space from feeling small. Be creative and have fun coming up with clever ways to use your spaces!

About the Author: Rick Miller is on the staff of Only Slimline Hangers, a leading online resource for slimlinehangers which are space saving hangers, non slip hangers and slim line hangers. For more information, please visit http://www.onlyslimlinehangers.com.