YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Keeping yourself and your things organized. How do you do it?

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Keeping yourself and your things organized. How do you do it? https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/keeping-yourself-and-your-things-organized-how-do-you-do-it Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 23 May 2026 18:03:36 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php JAileen on "Keeping yourself and your things organized. How do you do it?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/keeping-yourself-and-your-things-organized-how-do-you-do-it/page/3#post-1887556 Thu, 08 Feb 2018 20:59:13 +0000 JAileen 1887556@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I was out of town when you posted this. We were visiting my SIL. My MIL had a lot of possessions when she went into a nursing home. My SIL hated for *anything* to leave the family, so she has cluttered up her home with her mother’s things. I wanted to immediately go home and Kon Mari my entire house. Now that I’m home, I can see that our living spaces don’t look bad. (We benefitted from the fact that we couldn’t take anything that couldn’t fit in a suitcase). My closet is a horror, though. I don’t think organization is the problem. Volume of stuff is the problem. I rarely give our baseboards any thought. I vacuum them if they look dirty. If they still look dirty then I might use a damp sponge and maybe some Bon Ami. That’s as much attention as they get from me! Sal on "Keeping yourself and your things organized. How do you do it?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/keeping-yourself-and-your-things-organized-how-do-you-do-it/page/3#post-1886805 Tue, 06 Feb 2018 23:32:37 +0000 Sal 1886805@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Re jewelry (costume) I find I go in phases, so have easily accessible the pieces that I am wearing regularly, and in less accessible places the ones that are out of favour - but that I might want to keep.  I am slower to pass jewelry on because it is easier to store. This post has prompted me to be a little more ruthless with my shoes.  I have far too many pairs of evening shoes that I asked the forum about last year, and then did nothing.  There are two or three pairs that should go to allow my worn pairs to have better storage. Winter is hard with the mess and the layers and the constant wet gear around.   Anonymous on "Keeping yourself and your things organized. How do you do it?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/keeping-yourself-and-your-things-organized-how-do-you-do-it/page/3#post-1886800 Tue, 06 Feb 2018 23:22:02 +0000 Anonymous 1886800@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sara - your necklace holder looks as jammed as mine. Makes me crazy.  :)   Sara L. on "Keeping yourself and your things organized. How do you do it?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/keeping-yourself-and-your-things-organized-how-do-you-do-it/page/3#post-1886772 Tue, 06 Feb 2018 22:30:05 +0000 Sara L. 1886772@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ok, here's some photos.   #1 - I'm not nearly as organized as Angie - I'm doing well to get the scarves hung up, I don't worry about organizing them by color (although I would love it if someone else would organize them for me). #2 - Necklaces on wooden holder that DH made for me.  It's gotten somewhat overcrowded and I need to go through a purge the ones I don't wear anymore. #3 - Bracelets and rings in various boxes and holders. Anonymous on "Keeping yourself and your things organized. How do you do it?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/keeping-yourself-and-your-things-organized-how-do-you-do-it/page/3#post-1886763 Tue, 06 Feb 2018 21:51:35 +0000 Anonymous 1886763@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Angie - I am not surprised to read anything you wrote  For starters, a 1600 sq ft house is not considered small in Canada, in fact, it's on the larger side of average.  I'm interested in the fact that you don't use a dresser in your bedroom. I couldn't manage without one unless I had a armoire of significant size, but our coved ceilings prevent use of tall furniture . Anyways, cleaning and organizing is a function of our personality, I believe, and I usually  operate on the edge of chaos at any given time -  in my work life and in my personal life. (literally and figuratively  I used to pay for a cleaning service when I was a parent of a young child and working outside the home, but we've decided that expense is not a priority. I am still convinced I should be able to deal with it myself, and I have a very helpful and capable partner .  What I do notice though is with each passing year, my energy level for cleaning goes down.    I have never counted my shoes or bags - I'm sure I would be dismayed at the waste of $- but my bags and shoes have nowhere to live other than the 2-3 I use at a time.  I read somewhere that the minute you need to buy things to store more things, you have too many things. And that's where I'm at now. I have a handful of designer and designer-ish bags I am going to try to consign, and my shoes that go unworn are headed for the thrift store .  I've done all of this with my clothing, now it's time to attack the other stuff.  In general, I am also surprised by the number of you who have your boots/shoes stored at the front or back door , either on a rack or lined up against the wall. It makes me nuts if there is more than one pair of shoes in our front door area !  We are forced to let our winter boots sit at the back door while they dry - but I only "allow" one pair for each of us to sit there, otherwise it would look like a frat-house entryway.  We all have to run up and down the basement stairs getting or putting away boots on a daily basis. Can you tell I've had enough of winter?   Mary Beth (formerly LBD) on "Keeping yourself and your things organized. How do you do it?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/keeping-yourself-and-your-things-organized-how-do-you-do-it/page/3#post-1886718 Tue, 06 Feb 2018 20:04:42 +0000 Mary Beth (formerly LBD) 1886718@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I wanted to do a separate reply about baseboards:   I use a feather duster, when I'm dusting the house.    If the baseboards seem like they need more attention, I get a bucket with hot soapy water (usually dish detergent or liquid hand soap) and an old washcloth and towel, and go around and wash by hand.   I wear rubber gloves, because those baseboards get sprayed periodically for critters. Mary Beth (formerly LBD) on "Keeping yourself and your things organized. How do you do it?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/keeping-yourself-and-your-things-organized-how-do-you-do-it/page/3#post-1886717 Tue, 06 Feb 2018 20:01:43 +0000 Mary Beth (formerly LBD) 1886717@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I found myself with these kind of questions last summer.   I toyed with the idea of adding shelving, but that seems counterproductive to the whole minimalism path I'm trying (TRYING) to follow.   So I thought about what I wanted, and looked at pictures on Pinterest.   Then I started sorting and discarding stuff I wasn't using in my wardrobe. I have things at my place, and at my boyfriend's.   The storage is a little different between the two: Bags:  At my place:   they're stuffed with airpacks, and in the main compartment of my armoire on stackable bamboo shelves.  At the BF's:   they're stuffed with airpacks, and on a wire closet shelf above my clothes.   Right now, I think have 20-22 bags, including evening clutches. Boots: At both places, I keep them on the closet floor, against the back wall.  I stuff them with airpacks.   Currently I have four pairs of boots at my place, and five at mine.  When the weather is warm, all but two pairs of dressy boots live at my place. Hats:  My place:   Stored by season in a couple of decorative hat boxes I got on sale at Ross or Marshall's.  At the BF's:  on the wire closet shelf, next to my bags. Scarves, Jeans, Knitwear:  I hang everything by color, then category.   So my blue jeans are hung next to blue tops and blue scarves, green next to green tops + skirts, etc.   I also sometimes store my scarves crumpled on the chair, underneath whatever jacket I was wearing it with, and gloves. Sweats :  I have one pair of sweatpants, two pairs of sweater pants, and a sweater that fulfills a sweatshirt function.   (It that's in the laundry, I plunder the BF's stash).  They all live on a different wire shelf in the closet, with his sweats and sweaters. Jewelry and watches - my pearl studs and blue statement ring sit in a small vintage pintray on a shelving unit in the BF's condo.   The bulk of my jewelry is kept at his place, on the shelf below, in a big compartmentalized jewelry box.   I keep a smaller jewelry capsule at my place, in a jewelry box in the armoire.   I have two or three watches now, I think?   They're in the jewelry boxes.   I purged half a dozen watches, because I always check the time on my iPhone.   Even when I have a watch on my wrist. Any jewelry that is costume/not something I would wear in my normal life, I have stored in a couple of boxes in the guest room closet, where I keep theatrical and cosplay costuming and wigs. Anonymous on "Keeping yourself and your things organized. How do you do it?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/keeping-yourself-and-your-things-organized-how-do-you-do-it/page/3#post-1886700 Tue, 06 Feb 2018 19:28:43 +0000 Anonymous 1886700@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ In no particular order: Baseboard cleaning : I have a Miele vacuum cleaner and have a long handled attachment with brush to get at the baseboards. Several times a year,  I will use a damp cloth and wet wipe them. But the best thing that I did that cut down dust immensely was to put filters in  each of my vents. Seems dust is mostly a problem in the colder months so I only use them then and then make sure I use my long vacuum attachment to get into each room vent (s) and clean them once a year. I ditto using a damp used dryer sheet - it will also remove soap scum from your shower door and use a Mr Clean Magic eraser to clean the glass on the inside of my oven. I also have a steamer which I use to clean the floors, shower, and shower door. Blows that soap scum right off Regrigerator gets wiped down when it is at its emptiest . My DH redid my closet,  so one side can handle coats, jackets, pants and the other side is 2 tiered for tops. I have shelving above this with bins to accomodate handbags and shoes. I also have a rolling cart in my closet in which I store my winter essentials - gloves and scarves. Also on the 2 tiered side of the closet I put in a shelf between the 2 tiers and specialty baskets in which I store my sweaters. I use a painters brush to dust the cabinets in my kitchen and am lucky when I redid my kitchen almost 2 years ago that I have bottom pull out cabinets and pull outs in my pantry - I always know what I have . My DH is in the process of redoing his closet (it has  only taken him 22 years) and boy the stuff he had in there - 1/2 of the stuff did not belong. He kept a bag of socks that had holes in them, books from library sales,  tons  of xrays, a telescope ? (don't ask), film cameras, etc.  We also have a dresser and armoire in our room, and underbed storage drawers - where I store the extra sheets and blankets. I don't have a lot of jewelry so no problem there. I also do not have a problem with discarding stuff. Just finished reading Marie Kondo's 2 books and then started cleaning out the sentimental stuff. Angie on "Keeping yourself and your things organized. How do you do it?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/keeping-yourself-and-your-things-organized-how-do-you-do-it/page/3#post-1886621 Tue, 06 Feb 2018 16:52:53 +0000 Angie 1886621@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ WOOHOOO. I love being obsessed with the state of our home. This thread makes me happy.  I am a very neat, organized, and pristine person - and our home reflects this. I am constantly on it. We have WHITE furniture and dogs. Enough said.  Lisa, I spend a good amount of time DAILY cleaning up (although we have a regular cleaning service), straightening up, putting away, and tidying up.  I am CONSTANTLY doing it when I am at home. It's second nature to me and our home is "visitor ready" 99% of the time. I am a pedantic control freak - rightly or wrongly. It's the nature of this beast.  We live in a small 1600 square foot house in the city. I share a small walk-in with Greg. No drawers. I do not swap out my seasons. To answer your questions: <ul> <li>Bags - stacked neatly on wardrobe shelving, and on hooks behind the wardrobe door. I have 26 bags. </li> <li>Boots - ALL in my wardrobe on the floor on shoe racks. Tall boots on the ground. I'm not a shoe gal, and don't have that many pairs.</li> <li>Mitts, hats - in a basket in the wardrobe. A few in the coat closet.</li> <li>Scarves - separated by season, and neatly folded in piles on wardrobe shelving. </li> <li>Jeans - hung on hangers.</li> <li>Knitwear - folded and hung on special hangers. </li> <li>Sweats  - folded on wardrobe shelving. (EVERYTHING is neatly folded). </li> <li>Jewellery and watches - daily pieces in a big Chinese box by our bed. Other pieces hung on hooks in the wardrobe. I don't have a lot though. </li> </ul> Our cleaners wipe the baseboards every fortnight. I use a magic eraser from time to time, and since we don't have small children - the house is not that scuffed up.  I clean the fridge once a week, and re-arrange the pantry so that I can always see what I have. I am always tidying closets......it's a sickness. I know I am extreme. Now you know why I don't sleep....   kkards on "Keeping yourself and your things organized. How do you do it?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/keeping-yourself-and-your-things-organized-how-do-you-do-it/page/2#post-1886523 Tue, 06 Feb 2018 12:12:07 +0000 kkards 1886523@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ if only i knew the answer!...honestly, i pay someone to take care of the baseboards....as for the rest of it.....i have 0 organization skills...and i'm one of those people for whom out of site is out of mind...so i prefer shelfing over draws which makes this even more of a challenge Gail on "Keeping yourself and your things organized. How do you do it?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/keeping-yourself-and-your-things-organized-how-do-you-do-it/page/2#post-1886521 Tue, 06 Feb 2018 11:54:08 +0000 Gail 1886521@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Baseboards what are those ?? Haha mine are a big mess as I clean them less than regularly. I have a mirror jewelry armoire which worked well up until about a year ago when it became overly stuffed. I have done a minor purge but a lot of what I have is very sentimental and I'm having trouble. My boots are all on the floor in my closet they go in boxes stored in a pile under my hanging clothes during the summer. I did purge 5 pairs this winter. Everyday coats hang in mud room I have storage benches in there and wet boots hang out on a towel on the floor in there after snow . I live in PA so we do get a fair amount of snow. Purses are stored on shelves in my closet , not idea as they frequently fall off as they need to be in a basket of some kind which i don't have .Scarfs go on hooks on the back of my closet door and winter ones go in containers in a closet off my kitchen. I just reorganized them and purged some as it was a mess. I have a good amount of storage which was plenty 13 years ago but I have managed to fill it all up and I cannot blame anyone else anymore as my 3 children have all moved out!   Suzanimal on "Keeping yourself and your things organized. How do you do it?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/keeping-yourself-and-your-things-organized-how-do-you-do-it/page/2#post-1886503 Tue, 06 Feb 2018 10:15:10 +0000 Suzanimal 1886503@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ lisa p, I'm glad you posted this, too. It sounds like, to some degree, we all have the same issues with keeping up with everything. (Except, Ms Mary. She's got her shit together. ) I have to admit, it makes me feel a little better knowing that I'm not the only one struggling.  I got a little motivated last night and managed to let go of a few handbags. I ended up re-homing them which made me feel better because I know they will be loved and used. I can't remember her name right now but the lady who writes the funny goodbye posts to her clothes inspired me to find my unused things a better life. Zibbets on "Keeping yourself and your things organized. How do you do it?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/keeping-yourself-and-your-things-organized-how-do-you-do-it/page/2#post-1886422 Tue, 06 Feb 2018 02:12:07 +0000 Zibbets 1886422@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Belts on a big hanging ring, scarves on a velvet hanger thing with lots of "fingers," some necklaces and bracelets on a velvet t-bar doodad that stands on my dresser (delicate ones and those that tarnish are in boxes in a drawer.) Gloves and hats in open boxes on closet shelves - one box per family member. Jeans, cords and khakis folded on a closet shelf. Boots standing in a line along my bedroom wall, more in boxes in the basement.  Now, I own way too many of each item, but organization efforts have been made.  Runcarla, I love the ice cube trays for earrings. Brilliant! I mostly use the spray and wipe method for baseboards. MsMary on "Keeping yourself and your things organized. How do you do it?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/keeping-yourself-and-your-things-organized-how-do-you-do-it/page/2#post-1886416 Tue, 06 Feb 2018 01:52:34 +0000 MsMary 1886416@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ They have wipes at Costco that come in a box and in the box they are in, like, foil packets. Not perfect but better than all those plastic cylinders. tulle on "Keeping yourself and your things organized. How do you do it?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/keeping-yourself-and-your-things-organized-how-do-you-do-it/page/2#post-1886408 Tue, 06 Feb 2018 01:28:39 +0000 tulle 1886408@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Are Magic Erasers really so bad?  I can't feel guilty about them, especially when I think of how many things I was ready to repaint or replace until I scrubbed them with those erasers and saw them return to nearly-new. The Chlorox wipes do give me pause (all those plastic cylinders) but there are times and places where they just make sense... About owning less:  there, too, I'm all for moderation.  I may have gotten by when I was twenty with one pair of boots, one heavy coat, and two dresses--one for Summer, one Winter (actually, I still sort of do that)--but I'm older now,  and though I spend most days in jeans and sweaters as I did then, it takes more for me to feel good about how I look in certain situations. A bit more variety and a lot better quality make a difference, and I'm grateful that I have 10 handbags instead of two. Jenn on "Keeping yourself and your things organized. How do you do it?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/keeping-yourself-and-your-things-organized-how-do-you-do-it/page/2#post-1886372 Tue, 06 Feb 2018 00:09:12 +0000 Jenn 1886372@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Purses/totes - the one I’m using hangs on a hook in the entryway. The others are stacked precariously in an upper shelf in my closet. I need to do a purge. I don’t want to do a purge. Winter boots/footwear/scarves and gloves - mostly sit just inside the door. We have a spacious entryway, but it’s more the nexus of the house than a secluded mud room, and the back door opens right into the living room. The shelf in photo 1 holds scarves and gloves, some shoes, and school things. Usually, my son’s fencing bag takes up all the space beside it, so it normally looks much less tidy. We each have a hook for current coats and there’s a hall closet for other coats (and catch-all home stuff like picture hangers and extra lightbulbs and an AC unit). That basket under the coats is almost exclusively for the socks I find strewn everywhere, but sometimes, the backpack and shoes make it inside. Jewelry literally hangs on nails in the bedroom wall. My jeans and sweaters fit okay on shelves in the closet. We don’t talk about the baseboards. Anonymous on "Keeping yourself and your things organized. How do you do it?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/keeping-yourself-and-your-things-organized-how-do-you-do-it/page/2#post-1886360 Mon, 05 Feb 2018 23:15:50 +0000 Anonymous 1886360@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I keep reminding myself the stress of clutter reigns over the pain of losing unworn things I feel I wasted money on but it’s a struggle! Anonymous on "Keeping yourself and your things organized. How do you do it?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/keeping-yourself-and-your-things-organized-how-do-you-do-it/page/2#post-1886358 Mon, 05 Feb 2018 23:13:52 +0000 Anonymous 1886358@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ You are so right and I am struggling with places to put so much, too. I definitely have excess of shoes, bags, jewelry and have (as mentioned) overrun my guest room. I know I emotionally shopped the past few years and somewhat reasonable amounts of stuff exploded, even with donating tons. Here’s to getting clutter free and losing one anxiety trigger. Admittedly, I will never be spartan but I know I can do better! Anonymous on "Keeping yourself and your things organized. How do you do it?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/keeping-yourself-and-your-things-organized-how-do-you-do-it/page/2#post-1886350 Mon, 05 Feb 2018 22:40:04 +0000 Anonymous 1886350@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm so glad I posted these questions , as a few things have become clear:  I'm not the only one who doesn't pay enough attention to baseboards (you realize that was metaphorical when I asked that particular question, but not really....) and that more of you are using environmentally sketchy cleaning methods that I expected (Mr Clean erasers, Clorox wipes etc....which I use  too and feel so guilty about when I do) and that I have far, far too many handbags and shoes/boots.  Having a place for every single thing is the key, and it's not new news to anyone here.  But why is it so hard to implement?  If I were to hold fast to that rule, I would own 2 or 3 bags and 2 pairs of boots. Which is what I had when I was a lot younger.....making me shake my head at having turned into some kind of over-consumer. There is no way I am wearing all of these shoes and bags, and yet .  I actively dislike visual clutter, and don't even care to have jewellery boxes on my dresser.  Clutter is such an anxiety trigger for many people - me included - and when I get crazy over cleaning and putting things away, my anxiety level rises to where I am threatening to sell our house  and throw out all of my clothes (like this past weekend) and assorted junk from our house.   I love how so many of you have chimed in here and hope that we've all come away with something of value. I know I have!   Suzanimal on "Keeping yourself and your things organized. How do you do it?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/keeping-yourself-and-your-things-organized-how-do-you-do-it/page/2#post-1886337 Mon, 05 Feb 2018 22:03:56 +0000 Suzanimal 1886337@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Ms. Mary YOU are the luckiest girl in the whole wide world. I love it!!! I can't get over how cool that is. tulle on "Keeping yourself and your things organized. How do you do it?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/keeping-yourself-and-your-things-organized-how-do-you-do-it/page/2#post-1886256 Mon, 05 Feb 2018 18:47:33 +0000 tulle 1886256@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Obviously, this subject is on everybody's mind!  It's a constant battle for me, but some things are working better than others: Handbags, which used to tumble from the high shelf in my closet (often hitting me in the head) are now "filed" in rectangular wicker baskets on that shelf--large bags in one, medium & small bags in another--all in cloth bags. This system has really worked well; they stay put.  A third basket on that shelf holds scarves and gloves. I keep whichever bag I am using most at the moment on a chair in my room. Heavy outdoor boots go in the coat closet in our front room (in a jumble on the floor.)  Streetwear/indoor boots are in my clothes closet (in an even worse jumble on the floor.)  Shoes are a constant organizing and storage challenge. Jewelry, ditto. Currently brooches are in one box, everything else in another, and I don't like the way they tumble and tangle, but don't care enough about jewelry to spend much time on the problem. Bulky clothes are annoying, but what can you do?  I hang jeans in the closet, going through them every so often to keep only really wearable ones on hand. Sweatpants, sweatshirts & bulky sweaters go in one easy-access box under my bed, cashmere sweaters in another. As for baseboards:  where we live most of the time now, a big old craftsman-style mountain house, most of the baseboards are dark stained wood, very easy to keep up.  For the few rooms here (and in our other house in town) which have white woodwork, I swear by Mr. Clean Magic erasers, used with a little cleaning spray, and a small jar of matching white paint kept handy for touching up nicks.  Also, caulking makes a HUGE difference to the look of baseboards, and the neatness of the entire room.  Kudos to you for tackling all this, AND the stove, fridge, etc.  You must be very ready for Spring! Sara L. on "Keeping yourself and your things organized. How do you do it?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/keeping-yourself-and-your-things-organized-how-do-you-do-it/page/2#post-1886218 Mon, 05 Feb 2018 15:48:36 +0000 Sara L. 1886218@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'll try to remember to take some photos when I get home tonight. <ul> <li>I don't have many purses and I don't change them out often so they fit on a top shelf in my closet.</li> <li>I have bins by the front entryway assigned to each family member for mittens, hats, scarfs.  There's also cubbies for the kids' shoes and hooks for coats. It's not wet here so we don't need winter boots or a mudroom for drying.</li> <li>I store necklaces on a hanging rack that DH built for me.  Bracelets go on a holder on a shelf or I stack them on pretty wine bottles.  Rings in various holders and baskets.</li> <li>Scarfs are tied on a towel rack that DH installed in a closet. </li> <li>I fold and stack jeans and sweaters.  I don't have much hanging space.</li> <li>I have a house cleaner who comes every 2 weeks.  They deep clean different areas of the house on a rotating basis so I don't worry about baseboards.  They need to be painted but they're not dirty.  </li> </ul> MsMary on "Keeping yourself and your things organized. How do you do it?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/keeping-yourself-and-your-things-organized-how-do-you-do-it/page/2#post-1886217 Mon, 05 Feb 2018 15:38:22 +0000 MsMary 1886217@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am the luckiest girl in town because I have a whole room to store my pretties! I have specially built-out cabinets for purses, shoes, and jewelry. And I hang my jeans and keep my sweaters in a drawer. You can see pics of my arrangement here: <a rel="nofollow" href="https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/unveiling-the-woman-cave-show-me-your-closet">https://youlookfab.com/welookf.....our-closet</a> Christina F. on "Keeping yourself and your things organized. How do you do it?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/keeping-yourself-and-your-things-organized-how-do-you-do-it/page/2#post-1886214 Mon, 05 Feb 2018 15:24:22 +0000 Christina F. 1886214@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I could write a novel here, but the fact is that I live in a tiny NYC apartment, but I have a lot of stuff, and there just isn't a place for everything, so a lot of it (especially cold weather accessories) sits out on top of other stuff. I can name a few things I do: I got a necklace holder with arms to drape the necklaces over, and a little fabric tray with compartments for the longer necklaces and other items. I have some of my purses on shelves with wire shelf dividers in between. The rest go in deep storage in our one closet. I have a scarf hanger, which I hang with my coats on our coat rack (we have one bolted on to the wall, with hanging space like that of a closet). My problem with scarves is that I don't put them back, and the weather varies enough from day to day that I switch them out. The only place I can put them where cats won't sit on them is my bureau top, so they cover my nicely organized jewelry. As for baseboards, I can't see most of mine, and wouldn't think to clean them if I did. (We outsource deep cleaning because we're awful at it. It's that or live in squalor, basically.) Almost every foot of wall has some kind of furniture in front of it. We have a lot of bookshelves for our tiny space.... Diana on "Keeping yourself and your things organized. How do you do it?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/keeping-yourself-and-your-things-organized-how-do-you-do-it/page/2#post-1886213 Mon, 05 Feb 2018 15:21:22 +0000 Diana 1886213@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ OK, so I'm basically a mess but here is how I try (emphasis on *try*) to keep these things organized. purses:  I use these hanging purse strap things that someone on YLF recommended.  Currently they are hanging on my closet walls but in the past I have put them on the backs of doors as well.  The few bags that I use very often are usually just sitting on the floor or hanging on a door handle for easy access.  Something like this, although I think mine are sturdier. <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.amazon.com/Storage-Dynamics-JB4853-Purse-Holder/dp/B002BZZOQC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1517843052&sr=8-1&keywords=purse+hanger+for+door+strap">https://www.amazon.com/Storage.....8&qid</a> winter boots: in season I keep them out in the front hall.  There is a shoe rack there where i keep in season regular shoes but honestly the really gross and dirty snow boots just get set on the floor close to the door.  I take them off immediately upon entering my home.  I don't want them any further in my house getting salt and sand on everything.  Out of season, I keep them in the back of the coat closet, where there is a shoe rack for out of season shoes. scarves:  Scarves are a mess.  I have a lot (since I knit, among other things) all over the place.  Ones in heavy rotation for the current season are generally on my coat hooks in the front hall along with the coats.  Others are inside the coat closet on hooks or hangers.  Indoor scarves are hanging on hooks inside my closet door.   hats/mittens/gloves:  again, I have way too many.  I have a large plastic bin that I keep them in off-season (I wash them and pack them into ziplock bags for additional protection against moths during the warmer months.) The bin lives in the linen closet (basically there was room in there, so that's where it went). In season, they are honestly lying around all over the place - on the bench in the front hall, in various purses, on chairs, etc.  Once in a while I'll pick them all up and chuck them back in the bin.   I think honestly I need to keep a small bin for them in the front hall area but there's nowhere to put one.   Jewelry: a mishmash of boxes and bags.  The only thing I wear very regularly are rings and watches.  I have a little dish to put those in when I take them off at night, plus an additional small ring box (not really meant for rings, I think it's actually an antique snuff box or something, but it's pretty).  Other than that, I have a few random boxes and jewelry roll things that hold other types of jewelry.  I admit some of it is in a shoebox.  A lot of my nicer jewelry comes in its own small boxes, which I find annoying honestly, because it's hard to pack those away neatly.  Hence the shoebox.   Jeans/sweats/sweaters: folded up on shelves.  I have a thing that's basically a tall skinny set of shelves with a wardrobe door, plus a few shelves in the closet.  I dislike dressers so I don't use them.  The sweater thing is admittedly a problem because I have so many, and hand knits are bulky.  But what can you do.   Baseboards: haha that's funny.   BrieN on "Keeping yourself and your things organized. How do you do it?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/keeping-yourself-and-your-things-organized-how-do-you-do-it/page/2#post-1886209 Mon, 05 Feb 2018 15:05:55 +0000 BrieN 1886209@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I haven't seen anyone mention Swiffer Wer sheets. I use those all over the house including baseboards and countertops.. texstyle on "Keeping yourself and your things organized. How do you do it?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/keeping-yourself-and-your-things-organized-how-do-you-do-it/page/2#post-1886207 Mon, 05 Feb 2018 14:46:39 +0000 texstyle 1886207@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ When we moved to our current house we gained a lot of closet space, but we do work at home most of the time so the 2 extra office (aka bedroom) closets are pretty much office only with a few exceptions of some jackets. That really just leaves one good sized walk in for our clothing. We do have a pantry closet too so the closet is only clothing, shoes and handbags.  It works, as long as I keep editing out things I don't wear. I also stuff my handbags and store on the top shelf of the closet, along with boxes of shoes I'm not currently wearing. I've edited my shoes down quite a bit too - but still feel that I have "extra". We also have a two tier shoe stand at the front entry for shoes we are currently wearing (no shoes house). I have a shallow dresser drawer that works for jewelry - I keep it in open boxes so I can see what I have. I also have an old accordion wood cup holder that is used as another necklace holder on display near my dresser mirror. (we have sort of farmhouse modern style). We keep baseboard paint on hand and do touch ups every year or so (same for wall paint, which we did recently and what a nice difference to touch up!) - but it is dusty out here and hard to keep baseboards totally clean. I wipe them down - esp. in the living area and bathroom with just water and a little simple green. The paper dust from toilet paper creates a whole other level of dust. Helena on "Keeping yourself and your things organized. How do you do it?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/keeping-yourself-and-your-things-organized-how-do-you-do-it/page/2#post-1886205 Mon, 05 Feb 2018 14:44:46 +0000 Helena 1886205@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Lisa, we live in a newer home (10 years the spring), so we do have bigger closets as compared with older homes ... but still poorly designed for winter mess and gear. I think it should be illegal to build a new home in Canada without a mud room! cindysmith on "Keeping yourself and your things organized. How do you do it?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/keeping-yourself-and-your-things-organized-how-do-you-do-it/page/2#post-1886199 Mon, 05 Feb 2018 13:27:10 +0000 cindysmith 1886199@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I currently live in an RV, so I am very much storage-space-challenged. I've been in this RV for almost 8 years, so I've had to get creative. I've also had to purge, ruthlessly. My first few months in here, it was summer, so all my winter things went under the bed. My first seasonal changeover brought that practice to a screeching halt and I purged a Honda accord trunk full of clothes and almost 100 pairs of shoes (the shoe purge started about a month before we moved in here and went on for about a year after, and there was a lot of churn looking for the right multifunctional shoes). In the end, here's what I have found works for me: * thin sweaters go on hangers in my tiny little closet * my hangers are all those slimline velvet ones, and they are all the same color of screaming pink * I use the pop tab trick on my coathangers to double my hanging storage * thick sweaters and base layers get folded and stuffed into drawers/cabinets in the bedroom (lately, this has become an over stuffed sausage situation as I have acquired more fluffy sweaters, knowing I'm about to have an actual walk-in closet in our house) * necklaces hang from curtain clips on a curtain rod mounted on the wall. I'll be expanding on this idea in the walk-in closet, except using driftwood wrapped with colorful yarn in place of curtain rods As for that walk-in closet, it isn't overly large and must be shared with DH and his gun safe that holds all of his hunting rifles and his clothes (and DH has more clothes than I do!) I'll be using: * a chest of drawers to hold sweaters, socks, underwear (same for his side). I'll probably sort socks and undergarments into little collapsible fabric bins inside the drawers * stacked closet rods, with tops/shirts on the upper and pants on the lower. DH has less hanging clothes than I do, so one rod will likely suffice for him * little handmade trinket dishes to hold rings, pendants, and cuff bracelets * some sort of tapestry/fabric wall hanging to display pins and brooches * some decorative hooks to hold my outerwear * a couple of shelves to hold boots and high-tops * shoe racks for sneakers and slip-ons * I don't have many belts, so one specialty hanger that holds belts will suffice Specifics you asked for: * purses/totes... I have one bag, one clutch, and one spare wallet. I'll probably put the spare wallet &the clutch in dust bags on a shelf so i can see them and be reminded to use them (likely one of those soft sided shelf units that hangs from the closet rod) * scarves... I bought some scarf hangers to hold scarves on a closet rod. The fluffy ones that won't fit through those holes in the hangers will probably go in that soft sided shelf unit, or maybe on a curtain rod on the wall with the driftwood jewelry hangers * gloves... probably in a soft sided shelf unit also, as my collection is probably about to expand thanks to the suggestions in my winter accessorizing thread LOL * hats... I gotta figure that one out. Maybe curtain clips from a driftwood wall hanging? Or soft sided shelves? * jeans... they hang with pants currently, and I'll keep it that way * baseboards. I don't have them and I won't have them in my house, because I remember the monthly baseboard cleaning my mom did. Once we were of an age to help with housekeeping and chores, WE were the ones crawling around the house with a damp cloth (mild dish soap and water) wiping down the baseboards once a month without fail. Nope, not gonna do it. I just won't have baseboards. My allergies don't need any unnecessary dust-cathers. No baseboards allowed. No chair rails, no crown molding, none of that, nope, no way. dakotacheryl on "Keeping yourself and your things organized. How do you do it?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/keeping-yourself-and-your-things-organized-how-do-you-do-it/page/2#post-1886198 Mon, 05 Feb 2018 13:10:11 +0000 dakotacheryl 1886198@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Lack of closet space is the bane of my existence. The best way I've handled this is by practicing a "One in, at least Two out" philosophy until my wardrobe size shrunk significantly. My purses live in the guest room closet (so does my work wardrobe) either in a hanging sweater organizer, or on top of a row of low shoe storage shelves on the floor of the closet. I really culled my purse collection and it all fits. My work shoes are stored in that closet in clear Container Store shoe boxes using those low shelves. Work ankle boots are also stored there in their original boxes. We are talking a dozen pairs total. Boots are stored in their original boxes under my bed, except for snow boots which in the winter live close to my kitchen door. My casual shoes are stored in Container Store clear shoe boxes on the floor of my tiny Master Bedroom closet, or in a hanging shoe organizer on the back of my bedroom door. Wool hats, scarves, shawls etc. I store in a cedar chest in the guest room. Silk or cotton scarves I fold up and place in ziplock bags and store in the same sweater organizer that holds some of my purses. Off season clothes are stored in basement closet. My jeans and casual pants are hung on the lower bar of our tiny closet. I don't have many pairs of jeans left (maybe 4 total) as I just don't care for them lately...prefer casual pants, khaki pants etc. Hubby has a large jeans collection but his are folded in his armoire. My jewelry collection is all over the Master Bedroom and Bath. I have a fairly large jewelry box that hold all earrings, rings, bangle bracelets and some necklaces. I have a tie organizer that holds some long necklaces, and hang my most worn necklaces in my bathroom on little clear adhesive hooks that hang on the wall near my sink. I also have a dish in the bathroom that I deposit my watch, most worn bracelets etc in when I get home at the end of the day...and a little covered covered dish that I put my wedding rings and earrings that I wear the most in. I hate wearing jewelry at home and take it off immediately. I have a Vera Bradley folding organizer that holds the majority of my Trollbead bracelets and I keep that in my bathroom drawer so I can choose a bracelet to wear every day. Baseboards are a PITA to keep clean. Luckily the only painted ones I have are in the Master Bath. I wipe down monthly with Clorox Wipes. All others I get to a couple times a year.