Say Yes to the Dress…If Space Permits

Published April 13, 2018

Spring is officially here. I have to admit I love this time of year with the cherry blossoms blooming and the city looking so beautiful.

But it’s also the time of year that I look at my closet and realize there is no room for anything on my spring wardrobe wish list.

I have come to the realization that I have accumulated a cornucopia of items that I no longer wear. And since my closet is not getting any larger, every inch is valuable real estate.

If this sounds like your closet, it may be time to do a thorough spring cleaning and make room for everything you are coveting for the season.

I love the feeling of purging the closet and giving away gently used items that may be able to land in someone else’s closet and breathe new life into them.

When we stage a home, one of the first areas we recommend tackling are the closets.

Prospective buyers would like to see the size of your closet areas. When they are packed with all your personal items in a haphazard fashion it becomes difficult for the purchaser to see the size and organization of the closet.

And we all know how crucial closet space is inside a home.

First up is to empty absolutely everything from the closet. Divide the items into three categories.

The first is the “Yes” category.

This section of items are the absolute must-keeps that you will not part with under any circumstances. The next category is the “No” pile.

These are items that you are sure you will never use or wear again.

These items will go to friends, family and charitable organizations.

The third category, and probably the most difficult is the “Maybe” category. The best way to fill this category is by following this rule: If you haven’t used or worn the item in two years, it’s time to let it go.

Once you have cleaned out the closet it’s time to put the kept items back in an orderly fashion.

I always recommend to clients to invest in organization. Hanging shoe organizers, for example, are fantastic for vertical storage.

Hook and scarf hangers are also great for saving space. Look for storage cubes and other ways to make your closet efficient and easy to access.

If you really want your closet to look great you may wish to organize your items by type of clothing and colour.

If it’s a storage closet, consider grouping similar sports items together. Hats, gloves, scarves and other items all grouped together make for easy accessibility and the look is clean and organized.

Finally, don’t try to do it all in one day. Give yourself a weekend to take on
this project.

You may find yourself moving from one closet to the next as it does become addictive.

When it’s done give yourself a pat on the back for a job well done.

Oh, and maybe a little spring shopping after all?

*Photo credit: Zillow Group

Barb Lunter is a freelance writer with a passion for home decor, entertaining and floral design. She also runs Blu Dog Staging & Redesign. bludogstagingandredesign.com