Organizing Your Coat Closet

by Mary Ann Romans | More from this Blogger

02 Jan 2008 07:18 PM

Is your coat closet an eye sore? When you open the door, do hats, scarves and mittens tumbled down on your head? Can you never find that other boot or glove when you need it? Now that January is here, why not organize that coat closet? It will help organize your life and make it easier to com in and out of the cold.

This is part of a continuing series on organizing your home. We have started with the front entry of your home and developed a system to deal with incoming mail. The coat closet is next on our list, since it is often found near the entrance and can quickly turn into a nightmare, especially in the winter time, if it isn't properly organized.

The first thing we are going to do with the closet is to pull everything out. Make sure you have enough time to do this, or work in sections. It took me about an hour to completely reorganize my coat closet about two weeks ago. If it has been a while since you've tackled it, it might take even longer. Establish zones in the closet for everything. Each family member should have a section for hanging coats, with a spare section for guests if you can manage it. If possible, install shelves or use racks with clear bins to hold accessories, such as hats and mittens.

Go through each item before you put it away. It usually isn't necessary to have an array of coats. Anything that is similar or serves the same purpose should be sold or donated. Anything that hasn't been worn in the last two years, no matter how expensive, hasn't earned a place back in to the closet.

For my family, I have one winter coat, one medium weight jacket, one thinner fleece jacket that can be worn alone or as an extra layer, and two hooded sweatshirts that I layer on and wear around the home during the day (we keep our home in the low 60s to save oil). My husband has a winter coat, a rain coat, a medium weight jacket and a fleece jacket. His dress coat is stored in the attic until needed. The kids each a winter coat, a second coat or snowsuit or set of snow bibs (so they can happily get wet in the snow outside and still have something dry), a rain coat, a lighter jacket, and a layering sweater or jacket.

On the side of our closet, install hooks to hold your purse, bag or backpacks.

Boots and shoes that are worn everyday can live in the closet, as long as there is adequate space. I place the kids shoes and boots on shelves and the adults on the floor of the closet.

Coming soon: keeping clutter off of flat surfaces and organizing the family room.

Mary Ann Romans writes about everything related to saving money in the Frugal Blog, technology in the Computing Blog, and creating a home in the Home Blog. You can read more of her articles by clicking here.

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Organizing Your Front Entry

New Year's Resolution: A Clean and Clutter-Free Home

Tips to Help You De-Clutter Your Wardrobe (1)

Tips to Help You De-Clutter Your Wardrobe (2)

Tips to Help You De-Clutter Your Wardrobe (3)

Learn more about Mary Ann Romans

Mary Ann Romans is a freelance writer and mother of three children. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, the kids and a 16-pound cat.

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