News & Politics

Get The Hang of It: Organizing Your Closet

Our wardrobe experts recommend products to keep your clothing organized and in good condition.

Double the Fun
“Everyone to whom I’ve shown this simple, inexpensive product is amazed at the impact it has on storage space,” says Lani Inlander.
Double-hang closet rod, $9.99 at the Container Store.

Easier Mornings
“Use these to create categories of clothing—for example, pieces that are out of season,” Cathy Starnes says. “This way you don’t have to spend any energy when you’re getting dressed.”
Simple Division closet-rod dividers, $9.99 for 12 at the Container Store.

In the Clear
“Clear boxes allow you to see the shoes and eliminate the clutter caused by paper boxes,” says Robin Fisher.
Our Shoe Boxes, $1.89 each at the Container Store.

Kinder and Gentler
“Slim velvet hangers allow you to store more clothing, and they don’t leave marks on the shoulders of delicate shirts or sweaters,” Lauren Rothman says.
Huggable Hangers, $9.99 for ten at the Container Store.

Off the Shelf
“I love this scarf organizer because it allows you to see all of your scarves at once while maintaining a clean look,” says Margaret Lilly.
Komplement multi-use hanger, $7.99 at Ikea.

Jewelry Gem
Says Rosana Vollmerhausen: “I love this product because I can hang it right in my closet and my jewelry does not have to take up space on my dresser.”
Umbra Little Black Dress jewelry organizer, $19.99 at Bed Bath & Beyond.

Great Divide
“I use acrylic shelf dividers to organize stacks of sweaters or bags on shelves,” Alison Lukes Teer says.
Acrylic shelf dividers, $54 for four at clos-ettetoo.com.

Stack ‘Em Up
“Stackable jewelry trays are a great way to keep accessories organized,” Alison Beshai says. “They come in different colors and you can buy ones with compartments to organize rings and such.”
Jewelry-tray organizer, $9.99 to $14.99 at the Container Store.

Hot Rod
“A great way to view an outfit in your closet is to use an expandable valet rod,” says Joyce Neave.
Extendable valet rod, $26.99 (12-inch) or $27.99 (14-inch) at organizeit.com.

Clean Start
“I’m encouraging clients to try at-home dry cleaning and then take items to a dry cleaner every three to four wears,” Kaarin Vembar says.”It’s more cost-effective and is actually easier on fabrics in the long run.”
Dryel starter kit, $8.99 at CVS.

This article appears in the March 2014 issue of Washingtonian.

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