Although the leaves aren’t quite changing colors and the weather is still a little muggy, September is the perfect time to start thinking about organizing your clothes for the fall season. Getting a head start on decluttering between seasons will put you one step closer to enjoying the things you love most without having a bunch of clothes you won’t be wearing in the way.
5 Ways to Organize for the Season Change
1 – Start with clothing and accessories you rarely wear.
We all have those t-shirts, shorts, and accessories that we’re hanging on to just in case we plan to wear them. Truth be told, they’re probably never worn and are only collecting dust. Sure, they may go great with ‘that one outfit’, but ask yourself how often you really wear it.
Go the KonMarie way and start with one space at a time, be it your closet, dresser, under the bed, or anywhere you keep clothes, shoes, and accessories. Go through the items you rarely wear and decide if you want to keep it or get rid of it.
2 – Downsize other household items.
After you’ve gone through your clothing, shoes, and accessories, it’s time to tackle household items. This could be old decor, outdated electronics, kids’ toys, old books and magazines, and so on. The idea is to get rid of items you no longer use and are simply taking up space.
Remember to make two piles – throw away or donate – to help with putting action behind getting rid of the stuff.
3 – Clean out storage spaces.
It’s easy to keep piling each season’s stuff onto the next, until you find your closet, garage, or attic packed to the roof with who knows what. Before you decide to pack away this season’s things, go through and clean out the storage space to get rid of items you’ll no longer use or need.
Keeping your storage spaces organized and filled with things you know you’ll use will keep it from getting too cluttered.
4 – Choose compatible storage solutions.
Storage is key to decluttering and keeping things tucked away nice and neat. Consider the items that you’ll be storing away until next year and purchase solutions to accommodate. Here are some ideal solutions based on what you may be storing away:
- Rubbermaid totes are ideal for seasonal decor.
- Vacuum sealable bags are great for storing clothes in a space saving way.
- Plastic totes with wheels fit perfectly under the bed and are perfect for seasonal accessories or shoes.
- Boxes and/or bins can store loose items and be kept in the tops of closets or in free garage (or attic) space.
While deciding what to store away, be sure to not mix a lot of different things together. Keep like items stored together and choose the best solution. For example, if you have a lot of summer shoes, you may want to use a bigger sized tote. For a smaller amount of items, choose something small.
5 – Use a labeling system.
What’s in that box? Where did I put such-and-such? Instead of being stuck searching through boxes to see what’s in them, incorporate a labeling system that will tell you exactly what’s in a box, bin, or tote.
The most frugal route is to use duct tape and permanent markers. Write what’s in the box on the duct tape, tear it off, and place it on the box. Another label solution is to use your computer and labels purchased from Wal-Mart or Office Max. Regardless of what you choose, when you tuck the box away, be sure to face it label side out.
Keep your home organized between the seasons with these practical tips and solutions!
Michelle is a freelance writer, blogger, and author of several Amazon best-selling nonfiction books. Her work has appeared on sites such as Yes I Can Help You, JustinaFord, Mom For All Seasons, Christian Marriage Adventures, and Proverbs 31 Mentor. She has worked side-by-side with well-known business women such as Wendi Schenkel, Carla Du Pont and Dr. Radisha Brown. It is Michelle’s desire to make your words become a reality through her gift of writing. You can share her passion on her blog, The Healing Life, and acquire information about working with her at Michelle Huddleston Services.