The Evolution of my Organised Wardrobe

I have always been organised, it’s just the way I am. Sometimes people are just programmed to be neat freaks in the way that others are untidy. I have always liked order and control. Years ago before organising became a “thing” and experts like Marie Kondo and Mrs Hinch worked their magic online and in books, I was keeping my house clutter free, tidy and organised.

An example of this is that for as long as I can remember I have opened my post, removed any stamps for charity, put the envelope in recycling and dealt with the contents. I cannot imagine a pile of post and envelopes and junk mail piled up waiting to be sorted, it just creates another job and stresses me. 

Since I downsized to a flat from a house four years ago I have been trying to make the big fitted wardrobe work. I have tried lots of different ways of organising it and finally I have come up with a way which works for me.

Functionality is very important in any space and I need to be able to access my clothes easily so a practical layout is essential. A format which makes choosing an outfit easy is my main concern when getting ready and I also don’t want clothes to get ruined.

The most important rule of my wardrobe is that NOTHING goes in that is not washed. If I have worn it it cannot go back in before being washed. The second rule is that I must always put things back in their place. Not doing so results in an extra job another day.

Behind my bedroom door I have a rack to hang jackets or clothes that I may wear again. (usually cardigans.) All my shoes and bags are neatly in boxes under my bed. Hats and gloves are in my two hat boxes on display and belts in the drawer of the little table in my room.

I do have two very high up shelves at the top in my wardrobe where I store closed boxes of things like a few old nostalgic things and Xmas decorations. These are in boxes so I can cope with them in my wardrobe. Yes, I know it’s weird but I like a clean wardrobe.

My hanging clothes are all colour co-ordinated as I base my outfit each day, on the colour I feel like wearing. One side of the wardrobe has red, burgundy, orange, yellow, blue. The other side has purple, grey, white, neutral, black and black patterned. All other patterned clothes are hung in the section of their most prominent colour.

  

There are folded sections for vest tops, nightwear, jumpers, jumper dresses, scarves, leggings and jeans. All my underwear is in little drawers at the side or baskets. I also have folded sections for bedding as my airing cupboard has no shelves.

 

On one side there is built in shelving where my underwear boxes and bedding go and on the other side I have added a small rail just for coats and jackets. The main rail is long but has a slight dip in the centre so I push the clothes away from the centre where possible.

I bought a fabulous set of plastic cubes that you put together yourself which are perfect for my folded clothes and light enough to go in the bottom of my wardrobe. (There are pipes under the floorboards and I have no idea how much weight I can put on them.) The clip together cubes are by Songmics on Amazon. I can put them in any configuration I choose and take them apart and re-assemble if I change my mind.

Yes, it does take slightly longer to put all my clothes away neatly, but it is quicker in the long run. I can assemble an outfit really quickly and stay within my co-ordination safe zone. I won’t apologise for my love of co-ordination…. That’s how I am.

The wardrobe doors slide and, to be honest, it would be so much easier if they opened out, but as I rent I shall just be grateful to have such a big wardrobe.

As mentioned my shoes and bags go in my under bed boxes and I also keep them tidy for easy access I have a box of shoes and sandals, a box of boots and a box of trainers and plimsolls. For bags I have one box with little purses, make up cases etc. I have another one with shopping type bags. The next one has small handbags and the last has medium handbags with two larger ones sitting on top. 

 

Hat boxes and drawers with belts

My wardrobe organisation has evolved and I am sure it will evolve further. I am thinking of making the scarf cubes into cubes that open at the top instead of the front, this may or may not work but will be worth trying. Bob the mannequin stands beside my wardrobe and is a brilliant place to put my outfit for the next day.

Apologies for the photos, the colour  on some of them is not the best. I shall try harder in future. 🙊