Merchandise your Closet

With a background in luxury retail boutiques it’s hard for me to not look at a closet and think how can I make this space efficient and beautiful enough that someone would want to shop in it. Thankfully those principles can carry over very easily to our own spaces. If we visit our closet every day then it is important to organize our space in a way that supports our needs. They say your home is your castle and at this point since it’s where we are spending all of our time we may as well make it as enjoyable as possible! No that last statement did not give you permission to go ahead and order everything off your amazon cart. Save for a few small inexpensive items and some tried and true merchandising techniques you most likely have everything you need already.

Often because we cannot see our collections in their entirety people continue to accumulate at a rapid pace, unaware of what they actually have. Then the items we loved get tucked away in a closet or stuffed in a drawer to live out their life in forgotten solitude. But don’t despair, if those items still make your heart flutter (it is completely natural that many won’t anymore) then they should be pulled back into the light to be displayed and appreciated every time you walk by. Yes clothing and accessories serve a function by keeping us protected and warm but they are also a nonverbal representation of who we are and what we like. I often like to make the parallel to clients that clothes are just another form of art that also happens to be wearable. With this in mind we should display these items to welcome us in and tell our story. Much like an art instillation or a retail store, a cluster of hanging hats, a rainbow of shoes, a library of clutches creates special moments that serves two functions. It invites you to experience the contrasts or similarities but more importantly it allows you to see what you have. If your entire jewelry collection is stored in a million little boxes, inside a shopping bag, stuffed in the back of your closet, nine times our of ten you will not wear a single piece. Investing in a jewelry box, felt drawer display, hanging display will allow you to see exactly what you have as an entire collection. This will allow you to make a fast and informed choice while getting dressed, reveal any buying trends you may not have noticed (you have 6 brown leather bags) and any gaps in your wardrobe.

Similar to a retail store, “merchandising” or displaying your items nicely also allows you to rotate pieces you wear often and pull items front and center that haven’t seen much action. If it continues to sit then it get rid of it. You don’t have to have a massive walk in closet and miles of shelf space to employ these principles. Here are three inexpensive examples of how to create these special moments right now without installing a new closet.

Create A Clutch Library

A perfect way to style a vacant dresser top and display your collection. These clutches are resting on their sides so they stand nicely. Here you can just see the “spines” of the clutches so you get a nice sampling of the color, texture and patterns creating a special moment here. To solidify this area as an intentional destination and not a drop zone I used two book ends that weren’t being utilized in the house. A little greenery with some easy to care for succulents and it feels like a treat every time you walk by or check one out for the night.

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CREATE HANGING STATIONS

In smaller closets you need to be more efficient with space. Using the backs of doors to store shoes or create hanging stations are two common options. In this closet installing two inexpensive command hooks creates a destination for full outfits. Pulling looks out ahead of time and saving them on the hanging stations will save time and take the stress out of figuring out what to wear last minute. Another great way to use the hanging station is to pull items out of the closet that haven’t been worn in a while and place them front and center on the hooks. If the look is right in your line of site and you still don’t end up wearing it after a week then it’s time to say goodbye.

turn SHELF SPACE into display space

Clustering accessories that compliment each other is another great way to create an eye catching display and save time. Shelves are an opportunity to showcase your favorite items, think curio vs the kitchen catch all drawer. Which is more pleasing? If you feel like your shelves are too stuffed and there isn’t enough room to create clean displays then you might want to think about storing out of season items away. Reclaim precious closet real estate by storing seasonal items in the attic or basement, protected in bins and garment bags, or simply purging items you haven’t worn in a year or more. Stylistically your outfit is already half made since you have preassembled the accessories. From there you can just hold up a garment and see if it works well together.

Hope these tips help to create a space you love to live in.

XO,

Kathryn