Wood Coat Hangers

Tips for a quick wardrobe clear-out

Wardrobe organisation consistently ranks as one of the top issues when it comes to getting a home in order.

Your wardrobe shouldn't be a work of art; instead, it should work for you.

If you're the type who wants to see all your pink shirts together, go for it. But if mornings are harried and you'd prefer to see outfits already pulled together (jackets over shirts, with necklaces strung on the hanger), don't get sidetracked by the naysayers.

The key to an organised wardrobe is what works for you and your lifestyle.

Five ways to close the door on wardrobe organising:

1. EDIT, EDIT, EDIT - Did you know that you tend to wear only 10-20 per cent of what is actually in your wardrobe? So, the absolute first thing you should do when facing a wardrobe clean-up is to identify what you can get rid of.

If you are short on time, place a box or a bag in your wardrobe. Any time you open the door, force yourself to remove one article of rarely or never-worn clothing and put it in the box.

If you find yourself putting on that same shirt that never looks good, toss it right in. When the box is full, take it to a charity shop, swap it with a friend or use the items as rags. Just don't put them back on hangers.

2. MAKE A PUNCH LIST - Some items in that wardrobe would probably be useful if you could just get them to a skilled seamstress or tailor (or even just the cleaners). From missing buttons to ripped hemlines, pull out any item that needs a little TLC, and deliver them by Friday of this week. By next week, you'll feel like you have a few "new" pieces to wear.

3. NO WIRE HANGERS - While wire hangers will do in a pinch, invest in some slim, wooden hangers. Not only will nice hangers maximise wardrobe space, they will help your clothes last longer, too. Wooden hangers hold clothes in place much better, resulting in fewer unsightly shoulder bumps and wrinkles, which require cleaning and ironing that's hard on fibres.

4. HOOK ME UP - Hooks are among the hardest-working organisational tools. Hang a few on the back of your wardrobe door, or if you're lucky enough to have extra wall space, there, too. They'll keep everything from robes and hats to purses off the floor and in sight.

5. PRACTICE THE FIVE-MINUTE RULE - One of the biggest sources of wardrobe consternation - the dreaded piles of clothes on the floor or disorganised jumbles of sweaters - can be tamed in five-minute windows. Most people project that cleaning out a wardrobe will take at least an hour or two, and since they don't have that kind of time to spare, skip it entirely.

Papi Luc: Sustainable Wooden Toys and Clothes Hangers | Apartment ...

It seems like "sustainable" products are either easily homemade and free, or insanely expensive. I prefer the "homemade and free" version. :)

I regularly use wood from my neighborhood. It is far more satisfying to harvest your own raw materials and build something.

Here are a few of my projects that are made with local materials:

http://jwolski.com/wordpress/?p=211

http://jwolski.com/wordpress/?p=243

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http://jwolski.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/5.

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