Read on for helpful hints on deciding what to keep and what to eliminate, along with strategies for maximizing your space. Use the following questions to help you decide whether to hang on to an item, donate it or pitch it, as well as when to call in the Closets by Design experts for help customizing your closet space.

1. Do I wear this item? A general rule of thumb is that if you haven’t worn an item in 12 months or more, it’s probably not a keeper. There’s some wiggle room here; if you are a skier but you happened to not make it to the slopes one year, obviously you’re not going to give away your ski pants. Use your best judgment to decide whether you will wear an item in the not-too-distant future.

2. Does the item fit me well? Again, there’s wiggle room. If you have a pair of jeans that doesn’t fit but you’re planning to dive into a new fitness routine, perhaps the jeans can serve as a motivator to accomplish your goals. Other items simply won’t fit anymore because you wore them years ago, say, in high school. Take a hard look at anything questionable to decide if it flatters you and reflects your current style. If not, off it goes!

3. Is this item “me”? Sometimes you buy a piece of clothing without thinking about whether you will actually wear it or use it. For example, maybe you bought an expensive handbag that ends up collecting dust in the back of your closet. If you don’t foresee using the handbag anytime soon, it’s best to cut your losses.

4. Is this a seasonal item? With the right storage systems in place, you can rotate seasonal items in and out with ease. Store your heavy coats and boots during the summer and your flip-flops during the winter. That way, you will only have current seasonal pieces in the rotation as you decide what to wear each day. It keeps your closet clutter-free and makes it easier to locate items on a daily basis.

5. Am I adequately protecting items? Heavy-duty boxes, boot trees, built-in drawers and other storage devices will help you preserve your items and protect them from dust, moisture and pests. Simply keeping your garments, shoes and accessories away from air and light lets you extend the life of your wardrobe.

After answering these questions, you should have a stack of items you don’t want to keep. Now you can decide whether to throw away each item, donate it or sell it. If you decide you want to make a little cash off your items, try a consignment shop or a website such as The Real Real or thredUP.

Think you could benefit from a customized closet solution? Please contact us to schedule a free in-home design consultation. We can help you get your closet in order and prepare for a brand-new, clutter-free year.

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Plan for Growth

Anticipate what your needs will be down the road, and build toward a home office environment that allows you to grow into your plan. Predict what future hardware you may need, and even if you don’t purchase it now, plan for where you’ll put it. Do the same with administration systems, product organization and other needs unique to your business.

By building for the future, you can avoid costly replacements and lost time when you outgrow your current situation. Closets By Design has a variety of home office solutions for your unique needs, and we’re here to help you determine the best options and layouts.

Organize Your Systems

Having efficient procedures and systems in place is vital to your success, especially if admin isn’t your favorite task. The key is to focus on what’s easy, streamline everything and weed out any extra work. Often for home businesses, systems arise organically as needs arise. This works well in the short term, but be sure to step back and reassess, as there may be better solutions.

When you think through your business systems, keep these main areas in mind:

• Filing and general administration — Can you access or track documents online? If so, don’t keep the paper. Visit Mary Organizes for a great tutorial on home business filing systems.
• Accounting — Can you digitize any systems to save time and space?
• Client and project management — How are you tracking your clients’ information and the deadlines for your projects?
• Product creation and storage — What do you need and want for your ideal workstation? Remember to plan for the future, even if you can’t do it all now.
• Supplies storage — Do you have a clear and organized storage system so valuable assets don’t get misplaced?

Odds and Ends

Once the major aspects of office planning are complete, it’s time to get creative with all of the bits and pieces you need for the perfect home office. Stay on schedule with massive wall calendars. Capture ideas with whiteboard walls. Tame that tangle of cords. Shred old papers. Buy that comfortable chair you’ve always wanted. Whatever it is that makes your office inviting and functional, take care of it now so you can start 2015 with a fresh and efficient office space.

To read more about organizing your home, read De-clutter Your Home for the Holidays and Organize Your Pantry to Avoid a Holiday Disaster.

If you’d like to discuss storage solutions for any area of your home, please contact us.

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