How to Organize a Hall Closet

Have you lost last year's winter coat or suddenly misplaced your vacuum? It may be that these items have fallen into the black hole that is your hall closet. A common dumping ground for miscellaneous items in the home, the hall closet can be a wonderful storage location, if utilized properly.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bins and baskets
• Labels
• Marker

1. Purge the items you don't use and don't need. Try to routinely repeat this purging process throughout the year.

2. Itemize the contents of the closet. Evaluate what is there and why. Store or throw away items that shouldn't be in the hall closet. When you are left with what is appropriate for the hall closet, make a list itemizing those items and tape it to the back of the door for an easy guide to what is inside.

3. Sort and categorize the items, placing similar items in labeled containers such as baskets or bins.

4. Sweep, vacuum and clean everything in the closet, including the floor, shelves and corners.

5. Move remaining items back in, deliberately placing them in functional locations and in proper groups.

Tips & Warnings

• Clear plastic containers can be great for seeing small items and other pieces that may be easily misplaced.
• To see the contents of a closet, try adding a battery operated light to a dimly lit or unwired closet.
• Adjustable shelving may be helpful if your hall closet contains items of various sizes.
• Move out items throughout the year according to their seasonal usefulness. Items like winter coats, scarves and other gear can be bulky and space-consuming. Removing them when not in use gives you extra space, keeping in-season items at your reach.