CLOSETS
Tackling a closet is not for the faint of heart. It’s essentially an organizing project scattered with emotional land mines and decision-making trip wires. Just when you think you might be making progress, you’ll come across a dress that reminds you of an event you went to, or a sweater you wore almost every day that you were pregnant with your firstborn. And even if you make it through those hurdles, you may eventually find clothing that forces you to confront the size you were ten years ago. But if you create some goals and ground rules (see also “Rules for Getting Rid of Stuff,” this page), you can make it through to the other side relatively unscathed.
CLOSET CODE OF CONDUCT
1. The first rule of your cleaning your closet is to not talk about cleaning your closet. Not with your friends, who want to get their mitts on your giveaways; not with your mother-in-law, who will do a spot check to make sure all the scarves and sweaters she gave you are still in there; and not with your daughter, who all of a sudden will plead with you to keep some vintage something for her that she will never ever have any interest in. And if you’re married, you DEFINITELY do not want to talk about it with your spouse, since he or she will likely check on your progress and annoy you endlessly.
2. Be realistic. We cannot stress this enough. If you find a tiny pair of low-rise denim from your pre-pregnancy days, just say goodbye.
3. Go with your gut. If for whatever reason you don’t really like something in your closet, you probably will not grow to like it in the coming months. And you don’t want clothing you don’t like taking up valuable real estate.
4. Get rid of the guilt—whether someone gave it to you or you spent a lot of money on something and feel bad getting rid of it. DO NOT FEEL BAD. You should feel bad that it’s taking up valuable real estate in your closet instead of something you actually like! Instead, you can sell it online or in a store if it might have value, you can give it away to someone who might like it, or you can donate it to someone who might need it. All are good options, and none of them includes holding on to something unnecessary.
5. No backsies. Once you decide to get rid of an item, it cannot make its way back into your closet. That is a slippery slope. Stay strong, and keep the donation pile sacred.
RACHEL ZOE’S CLOSET
Establishing order in Rachel Zoe’s enormous closet is somewhat like competing in an organizing Olympics. We’ve actually discussed what would happen in such a competition, and we feel like we would totally CRUSH IT, but that’s neither here nor there. For the moment, RZ’s closet will have to be the closest we come to such a reality.
TIP/
Fitting this many jackets requires the help of a high-quality slim hanger. It’s an initial splurge, but the investment is worthwhile!
Extra-large bags and duffels line the top
Jackets hung by designer, color, and type
Delicate jackets wrapped for extra protection
Each stall divider labeled
NO DRESSER, NO PROBLEM
Lining up baskets on a shelf essentially creates a makeshift dresser. We created this one in a bathroom linen closet, but you can use any available closet shelf. Line them on the top shelf or underneath hanging items, or repurpose shoe cubbies—every inch of space is fair game!
TIP/
If you’ve already read Marie Kondo’s The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, then you know about the magic of file folding. If not, it’s a folding method that turns stacks of clothing upright so you can see everything you have. You will never have to turn your drawer (or basket!) inside out looking for a shirt.
His-and-hers baskets (“his” on the higher shelves and “hers” on the lower shelves) hold foldables, while hanging clothes remain in the closet
Shirts file-folded to maximize the basket and make them easy to identify
In-drawer dividers placed directly in the basket to keep small items organized
Stool placed at the bottom to make the top shelf easy to reach
THE SHOE CLOSET
Interior designer Julie Couch really knew what she was doing when she put this shoe wall in her master closet. She made sure each shelf was high enough to accommodate her highest heels, and she also made sure there was boot storage for her highest-heeled boots. A smart layout always makes our job easier (even if it means we waste a little time oohing and ahhing).
TIP/
If you don’t have built-in boot storage, adjust your closet shelves to accommodate tall boots, or use an adjustable bookshelf for shoe storage. If the shelf fits, use it!
Tallest boots placed in cubbies with a boot clip to hold them together
Heels and flats displayed on open shelving
Sandals, running shoes, and winter boots go in labeled shoe boxes on shelves and the floor
THE SCHOOL AND SPORTS CLOSET
Kids don’t just go to school anymore; they have about six hundred other clubs, sports, and teams that fill every remaining minute of the day. So when we are organizing for school-age kids, we try to account for each extracurricular activity (within reason!) to make the transition from uniform to uniform a bit easier.
Over-the-door unit to hold uniforms for basketball, tennis, and volleyball
Acrylic drawers on shelving to keep swimsuits and loungewear together
Clothes hung on nonslip hangers to avoid them from falling off
Tote hangers hold backpacks upright
Stacking acrylic shoe holders take advantage of the floor space
THOMAS RHETT AKINS’S CLOSET
For anyone who thinks women always own more clothing than men, let us be the first to tell you that is not always the case. Sometimes they own way, way, WAY more…But in all fairness, country music singer Thomas Rhett is known for his great style, and we wanted to figure out a way to store everything appropriately while showcasing his favorite items.
TIP/
When tight on space, don’t forget to look up! There’s usually additional storage options at the top of a closet, and it’s a perfect spot for bulky luggage or seasonal items.
Special-occasion boots and dress shoes stored in shoe boxes on the top shelf
Running shoes (the clear favorite!) are displayed on the shoe wall
Casual shoes stored in shoe boxes in the center column
Hats are stored in pull-out drawers to keep them free from dust
Shirts, sweatshirts, and jackets hung separately
BARE-BONES CLOSET
Some closets come with nothing but a hanging rod and, if we’re lucky, maybe a shelf. So we try to come up with some creative solutions to maximize the space. By now you’ve caught on to our penchant for over-the-door storage. It’s just so helpful that we encourage everyone to feel as passionately about door units as we do. And don’t get us started on our love of carts. Who wouldn’t want one?
Baskets for travel and linens line the top
Hook added for hats
Closet doors used for running shoes and sandal storage
Rolling cart can easily be moved out of the way
THE BALLROOM CLOSET
You could honestly hold a high school cotillion class in this closet. You could probably even hold a small wedding ceremony and reception in this closet. In fact, the term closet might not really apply here. Nevertheless, when we set out to organize it (honestly, it was pretty well organized already), we wanted to go the extra mile to make it even more picture perfect.
Activewear tops and bottoms in first stall on the left
Shirts, sweaters, jackets, dresses, and pants hung in separate stalls
Accessories, winter items, and undergarments put away in drawers and cabinets
Tennis and workout clothes hung according to color and type
Athletic shoes stored on the floor while dressy shoes are displayed on shelves
Earrings and necklaces displayed in acrylic organizers
Watches stored in stacking acrylic cases
Bracelets placed on velvet holders to keep them from scratching
SMALL SPACE CLOSET
Do you have any idea how much we wanted to add an over-the-door unit to this closet? Yes, you probably do…And it was downright painful that the rod didn’t fit on these charming original doors. But when other options fail, hooks will never let you down! We were able to hang the handbags, and take advantage of the floor space by creating a “chest of floor drawers.”
TIP/
Stacking shoe boxes on the floor helps optimize vertical space and keeps your shoes dust-free!
Lesser-used sandals and heels go on the upper shelf
Handbags hung on a door hook
Denim folded into modular drawers
Most-used sneakers and boots stacked in floor shoe boxes
HIS SIDE OF THE CLOSET
Every now and again we get to organize the husband’s side of the closet. It’s usually the bottom of the priority list, but sometimes we get to spend a few minutes sprucing it up. This closet was definitely a Nashville-specific project, since we had to account for multiple cowboy hats!
TIP/
Since sandals are less bulky than other shoes, you can typically store more than one pair in each shoe box.
Hats lined up on the top shelf
Shoes organized in order from dressiest to most casual on a tilted shelf for easy identification
Wooden shoe inserts
Sandals put away in shoe boxes
THE ADULTS-HAVE-ACTIVITIES-TOO CLOSET
Kids aren’t the only ones who play tennis and go swimming! And for those lucky enough to have hobbies (we personally don’t have hobbies outside of eating and sometimes sleeping), we are more than happy to create a dedicated space in the closet for everyone’s swimsuits, yoga clothes, and tennis skirts.
Cold-weather activewear stored on top shelf
Tote bags suspended from hooks on the upper rack
Swimsuits and cover-ups folded in lined baskets to protect the delicate material
Tennis skirts and jackets neatly hung with hangers evenly spaced
KACEY MUSGRAVES’S CLOSET
When Kacey Musgraves started building out her new closet she asked us to help with the layout. We’re often called in after a closet is built, so to be able to choose the shelving and the placement of the hanging rods, and even install a special accessories station, made the project extra special. Not to mention the fact that we were able to organize rainbow-fringe handbags, cactus high heels, and his-and-hers cowboy boots.
Handbags hung on tote hangers
Sunglasses, jewelry, and accessories in stacked clear lidded cases
Painting of Elvis crying placed by Kacey at the last minute!
Special shoes and handbags on display
Long necklaces on a gold horseshoe hook
Seasonal clothes and extra hats in upper baskets
Her clothes on the right, his clothes on the left
