To fold or hang your clothes... that is the question. It's an easy one, actually, but it all depends on the particular clothing item, and how much storage space you have in your closet.
If you're looking to rearrange your closets and get more organized, then these top tips on what to fold, what to hang, and where should get you on the right track to closet bliss.
- Built-in cubbies are great for storing a variety of folded clothing that's easy to access
- Divided drawers can help you keep small, delicate items together
- Invest in the right type of hangers for your wardrobe needs
- Maximize vertical space with hooks and racks
- What to hang and what to fold
You deserve to look amazing any time you leave the house, so read on for more ideas on how to keep your wardrobe in excellent shape.
Folding Clothes for Beautiful Display
Bookcases and cubbies are a smart way to store folded clothing as well as display accessories. They're splendid for folded thick sweaters, jeans, and activewear like t-shirts and yoga pants.
Many people also choose to show off their shoe collections in this way. Keeping your shoes off the floor and stored neatly can extend their life and make choosing the day's proper pair a breeze.
Lots of closets have upper shelves that are hard to reach, but with a simple step stool, you can easily turn that area into storage for your carefully folded seasonal items like coats and accessories. Mesh-fronted fabric baskets are great at protecting the bulky things you love but don't need every day.
The pros at DASI Innovations recommend that you store like items together - this adds to the visual appeal of your closet and helps you find the things you want to wear much faster. To learn more, check out Effective Tips for Organizing Your Custom Closets.
Divide and Conquer
For many, keeping socks and underwear sets together and ready to wear can be a real challenge. But with some clever drawer inserts and dividers, your lingerie, hosiery, and undergarments can be folded neatly until they're wanted.
Looking for more inspiration? New York Magazine has a freshly updated list of twelve brilliant drawer organizers that can be utilized in a myriad of ways. Besides holding folded socks, underwear, ties, and scarves, these sweet drawer inserts are also ideal for storing sunglasses, pins, and other accessories.
Hangers Galore
To maximize the space in your closet, consider investing in a double closet bar. Available in stylish metallic finishes, two bars give you twice as much room for items that should always be hung, like dress shirts and suits.
You'll also want to make sure you're using the right type of hangers for your wardrobe needs. According to the well-known design site Home Stratosphere, there are 29 different kinds of hangers. Don't worry - there's no need to get that deep into it. Below are the main types to consider having in your closet:
- Velvet: These are great for camisoles, dresses, and anything else with spaghetti straps
- Wooden: Sturdy and reliable, these workhorses can handle suits and heavy winter coats
- Dress/Shirt Hangers: Ideal for formal and informal shirts
- Clip hangers: Clip hangers are superior at storing skirts and certain types of pants
Hooks and Racks
These days, there are more organizational accessories available than you can shake a stick at! Wall-mounted hooks come in various sizes and stylish finishes, and they can help you maximize your vertical space by hanging things all the way up to the ceiling. Specialized racks are built to help store other items that do well hanging, like pants, scarves, belts, and ties.
Know When to Fold 'Em
Still not sure what to hang up and what to fold? Lifestyle guru Martha Stewart has got you covered. Here is the definitive list of what you should hang versus fold to keep your clothes looking fabulous for years to come!
You should hang:
- Blouses
- Dresses
- Anything made from flowy fabrics like silk
- Linen clothing
- Dress pants/ slacks
- Jackets
Folded items:
- Thick, luscious sweaters
- Workout clothes
- Shorts
- Lingerie/ hosiery/ swimsuits
Could go either way, depending on space:
- Scarves
- Jeans
- T-shirts
Conclusion
Knowing how best to store your wardrobe can be quite confusing. As a general rule of thumb, you should always fold anything made out of a knitted material that can warp out of shape. Most business clothes should be hung to avoid wrinkles. Dresses and linen shirts should be hung up. Store your underthings and delicate items folded in special drawers or baskets.
