Just Got Paid: Pretty Organized

By Michelle Friday June 19, 2009

A fabulous closet full of clothes is only as fabulous as it is, you know, actually navigable– and not stuffed to the gills with wrinkled clearance items you forgot you owned.

Not that I would know anything about that.

Since I was married lo these many years ago, D and I have moved 8 times. When you move that much, your pack rat tendencies go out the window pretty quickly. I get rid of old clothes frequently, and yet, given that D and I live in a 600 square foot apartment with limited closet space, I still struggle to keep my wardrobe from developing opposable thumbs and strangling me in my sleep with that scarf Bubby knitted me in 1993. In the interest of preventing your own closets’ cadre of fanatics from consolidating their power, this week, I’m sharing a few of my favorite wardrobe-wranglers from $2-125.

Little Things

Hanger Clips

Even if your shirts and jeans are under control, those belts and scarves and headbands can seem to multiply faster than Bank of America’s overdraft fees, and wreak just about as much havoc. The good news is that, even if you’re really low on cash, you can probably afford a bag of hanger clips. I found my pack of 10 or 12 at Bed Bath & Beyond for something like $4.00– less after I used one of their ubiquitous coupons (which BB&B will take after they’ve expired, by the way). Just load a bunch of clips on a plastic hanger et voila– your belts and assorted wispy things have been tamed.

Hook Racks

One of the best ways to make use of limited space is to find new space. Start by reclaiming your walls with a hook rack for your various and sundry accessories. I have a beautiful faux-antique wrought iron rack purchased on clearance at Anthropologie, which currently features a few similar decorative options in the $20-40 range (and probably has some on sale in their stores). I hang all my hats and bags from it as a kind of functional wall art. I also have a cheap white plastic hook rack I screwed to the wall in my closet (try a big box store for these and spend $5-10), from which I hang my necklaces without fear of their tangling.

Over Door Organizers

I don’t know what I’d do without my over door shoe organizer. I can cram about 16 pair into a 24-pocket canvas number (skinny sandals double up). The plastic versions are perfect for organizing jewelry, bras and other tiny accessories, and all without spending more than $15.

Underbed Boxes

Crowd out the monsters with an underbed storage box for less than $10. These are ideal for out-of-season clothing and other occasionally-worn items still worn frequently enough to keep. Just one piece of advice– out of sight, out of mind means you should only use the space under your bed to store pieces that have a highly-defined purpose and that you will not forget you own.

Good candidates: Swimwear for folks who only go swimming on vacation, specialty apparel like scuba gear, petticoats, thigh high boots, etc., lingerie that is only worn with one or two items (e.g.: strapless bras for folks who only own two strapless dresses), non-clothing items like extra pillows for guests or travel bags.

Bad candidates: Anything else, even if you only wear it occasionally. TRUST ME. You will forget it’s there until the next move.

Big Solutions

Vintage Furniture

Okay, class– if you’re low on closet space, but you have some extra square footage in your bedroom, you’re an ideal candidate for… what? Anyone? That’s right– an armoire, also known as a wardrobe.

This is what folks used to use in the time before closets– pretty much from the Big Bang until 1900 or so. As far as I’m concerned (and this goes for most contemporary furniture in my opinion), the few you can find in stores are overpriced pieces of glorified cardboard. Forget that $1200 nonsense and get thee to an antique auction. There you’ll find tons of old solid wood armoires at bargain prices because supply is relatively high and demand– in this age of the walk-in closet– is so incredibly low.

D and I purchased this beautiful Art Deco mahogany armoire from Direct Auction in Chicago for $125. Yes, $125.

If years of sitcom-watchery have scared you away from auctions, try Craigslist or eBay. Amongst the Ikea flotsam, there is often a vintage bargain to be found.

Rolling Closets

If you’re looking for something contemporary yet discreet, many home and big box stores offer rolling, fabric-covered wardrobes for extra storage– and under $100. Just be careful when bargain-hunting, as some of the under-$40 options have received complaints about flimsy construction.