How to Organize your small bedroom closet

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By Cathy Bendzunas
User-Submitted Video

Organize your small bedroom closet

I was such a lucky child. I grew up with a huge closet. Unfortunately as an adult I have not been so lucky. Almost every house I have lived in has had tiny little bedroom closets. I have developed ways to make the most out of my small bedroom closet over the years. The main key is to be organized and think about how you use things before you plan your organizing system.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

3 large boxes or trash bags
Underbed storage box
extra closet bar
Steel hanger cascaders

Step 1

Pull everything out of your closet and give it a good cleaning. Closets tend to be the most neglected area in the house when it comes to cleaning.
Step 2

Take 3 bags or boxes. Personally I use a box for things I will give away, a laundry basket for things that need repaired or washed and a bag for things to be stored. I also keep a small trash can by me because you will find things you need to throw away.
Step 3

Now go through all your clothes and accessories. Be honest with yourself and ask if you will ever wear that item again. Most of us only wear on a regular basis about 20% of what is in our closet. My rule of thumb is if it doesn't fit anymore, or if I haven't worn it in a year, it gets put in the "give away" box. While you are going through your clothes, check to see if anything needs repaired or cleaned and put it in the laundry basket.
Step 4

I know there are some pack rats out there that can't stand the thought of giving their things away even if they will no longer use them. If I start thinking like this, I remind myself that it is selfish for me to keep something I will probably never use again when someone out there would love to have it and actually wear it.
If you still can't stand the thought of parting with it, then pack it in a box, write the date on the outside of the box, and store it in your attic or garage. When you come back to it later, see the date on it and realize you haven't needed anything out of that box since then, you may be more willing to part with your unused things.
Step 5

Now that you have everything sorted, it's time to design your new closet. You may want to install an extra closet bar (you can find at any hardware store) about 2 feet lower than the other bar.
I look at every bit of space I have in my closet and think of how I can use it. The floor can hold a shoe shelf or a large basket for purses. I also keep a box in the corner for things to give away. Anytime I buy a piece of clothing, I try to find something in my closet to give away.
The shelf above the bar can hold plastic boxes for shoes, sweaters or purses. The back of the door can hold a shoe bag or over the door hooks for often used items of clothing such as robes and jackets.
Step 6

When I do put my shoes back in, no matter what storage method I'm using, I try to group them together. Sneakers in one area, boots in another, dress shoes in another, etc.
Step 7

Hanger Cascaders

I do the same with my clothes. I group them first by what they are. Tops go together,dresses all go together pants all go together,etc. Then I will go through my tops and arrange them by color, blacks, then browns, then blues, etc. Do this with each category of clothing. Hang the long things such as pants and dresses on the top bar, shirts, shorts and other short things can hang from the bottom bar.
To give me even more hanging space, I use hanger cascaders. I use the steel ones as the plastic ones are too flimsy.
Step 8

Under bed storage solution for out of season clothes

Your closet should look great and will be alot easier for you to find things when getting dressed.
Take your out of season clothes that you do still wear and put them in an underbed storage box. If your bed is too short, you can buy the bed lifts that go on each leg of your bed at Walmart or your hardware store. This will give you more storage room under your bed.
Wash or take to the dry cleaners the clothes that need cleaning.
If you have trouble letting go of your things, immediately take your "give away" box to the thrift store.
Put your things to be repaired, in your sewing basket or take to your dry cleaners to repair them.