(A big “thank you” to porch.com for sponsoring this post!)

It’s hard to feel lonely when you’re constantly surrounded by your nearest and dearest. But if you live in a crowded household, a lack of privacy can become a problem. Many parents know their children’s presence can be felt in virtually every area of a home—even when they’re not around. As a result, many parents simply give up on having personal space. However, it’s often possible to carve out a cozy retreat in the master bedroom.

Personal Furnishings

While there are certainly exceptions to the rule, many parents don’t put a lot of thought into their bedroom décor. Since kitchens and living rooms typically serve as the main centers of household activity, most parents opt to focus their efforts on those areas. However, if your bedroom’s furnishings lack any semblance of a personal touch, it’s only natural that this space won’t feel as if it’s truly yours. With this in mind, make a point of implementing bedroom décor choices that reflect your personality. Repainting the walls in your favorite color and picking out sheets, bedspreads and curtains that you truly love can have a tremendous impact on the way you feel about your bedroom. Additionally, purchasing chairs, loveseats and other furniture specifically for your bedroom can add an air of laidback relaxation to the space.

Entertainment Center

When looking for effective ways to unwind, many people head straight for their favorite TV shows, movies and video games—and the best way to enjoy these things is with a top-shelf entertainment center. Just because entertainment setups are commonly associated with living rooms doesn’t mean you can’t have one in the bedroom as well. Parents interested in enjoying their favorite visual media in the comfort of their bedroom should consider purchasing TVs, streaming devices and gaming consoles specifically for this area.

If you lack the space for a full-blown media cabinet, wall-mounting your bedroom television can be a great way to save space. Furthermore, if you’re uncomfortable mounting a TV on your own, a number of professional handymen can carry out the job in a timely manner. Motor City residents are sure to appreciate the wide variety of TV mounting services in Detroit.

Reading Nooks

There are a plethora of advantages to reading on a regular basis. Not only does reading improve memory function, it also helps most people relax and set their minds at ease. For maximum impact, reading should be done in a quiet spot, and, as any seasoned parent can attest, such spots can be hard to find in a busy household. Consider creating a bedroom-based reading nook.

Fortunately, this project can be undertaken on virtually any budget, and you only need a little bit of free space to bring this plan to fruition. Simply clear out one corner of the room—preferably one in the immediate vicinity of a window—for a comfortable chair or loveseat and a bookshelf or two. You may discover that creating your own reading nook will help you rekindle your love of the written word in a spot that’s all your own.

(A big “thank you” to our friends at housetipster.com for sponsoring this post!)

A well-organized closet is the heart of a well-kept bedroom. It will streamline your morning routine and make you feel like you have much bigger closet. And ultimately you will fell less stressed—and more motivated to tackle the day ahead!

Keep reading for 13 great ways you can take back control of your closet space. Then be sure to check out www.housetipster.com for even more great home management hacks.

Tips to Reclaim Your Closet Space

1. Declutter

The first step to keeping your bedroom closet neat and organized is by removing items that you don’t use. A closet may seem like an obvious storage place, but most of us would be better off by finding another storage area for items we want to keep but aren’t likely to use on a regular basis.

2. Start from Scratch

At first, this may seem overwhelming, but the reward that you will get is worth the effort. First, take all items from the closet then access the actual space that your closet has. (By this time, we assume that you have already decluttered the closet by removing items that you no longer use.) Then, sort all of the items based on style, color, or use. Make sure you come up with a consistent approach to categorizing your items that will really work for your personality.

3. Store Frequently Used Items Within Reach

Make sure the items you need to use on a daily basis are the easiest to access. Those you wear less frequently can be stored near the back of the closet or on a high shelf.

4. Let There Be Light

This is a brilliant idea that many homeowners overlook. But if your closet it dark adding a light source can make a huge difference when it comes to being able to see what you’re doing and making sure you’re fully utilizing the available storage space.

5. Add Hooks

If you take a close look inside your closet you will likely find several open spaces you can take advantage of by integrating hooks. They will add extra space that you can use to store additional items such as handbags, belts, and even shoes. You can also add hooks both on door create additional storage space.

6. Color Code Your Closet

Another great method is color coding. It will make it easy for you to know where your items are located. Simply group items with similar colors together. Although this may be a tedious process, it is one of the best and quickest ways to sort your closet and make it look neat and well organized.

7. Use Wicker Baskets

Wicker baskets can be used to store extra handbags, shoes, and even clothing. Be sure to measure before buying to make sure the baskets will fit in your closet and still be big enough to fully utilize the available space.

8. Mount a Pegboard

Adding a pegboard in your closet will help to increase the space you need to store items such as accessories and jewelry.

9. Use a Shoe Organizer

Disorganized shoes can consume a lot of space. One of easiest ways to organize the shoes in your closet is by using a special shoe organizer.

10. Start Labeling

Labeling will not only make your closet look organized but will also make it easy for you to locate important items.

11. Add a Mirror

If you have space, adding a mirror in your closet will make it look bigger and more appealing.

12. Hang Items Strategically

You need to come up with a good system to hang your clothing. For instance, you could hang all shirts in one area, dresses in another area and pants in another. Also, consider categorizing by seasons, occasions and length of the clothes.

13. Keep Drawers Tidy

Drawers in your bedroom closet should also be kept neat. Use a drawer divider to store smaller items such as underwear, socks and belts.

Do you have favorite closet organization tips? We’d love to hear about them! Comment below.

Organization Tips: How to Declutter Your Front Entry

Organizing Ideeas – Donate or Discard to Remove Clutter

It does not look good if your guests or family members have to trip over a heap of clothing and shoes to get into the house. A modest front entry can look welcoming if it is organized, clean, and warm. Remove every single item from your front entry and return only those that are necessary. Pack up the rest out-of-season or outdated clothing and accessories and keep them in separate boxes or bags. Label them for either donating or tossing away. In this way, any closet in the entry will look roomier and the place will look spacious.

Cubby System for Shoes

We take off our shoes after entering the house and just toss them away, which eventually turn into a big pile of mess. An open tray can be a nice but simple solution, which can hold even the bigger shoes. If you have a big family, a wooden/plastic cubby system will be handy where each of the family members can get a couple of cubbies for their shoes. An adjustable cubby system will be the right choice in this case so that you can store every type of shoes – from large work boots to small flip-flops.

Organization Tips – Solution for Smaller Items

A built-in shelf or a small table in the front entry will be a good addition for holding the smaller items. Place a small tray or catchall over the table or shelf and put the smaller items like keys, coins, hair clips, headbands, and wristwatches there. A small section in that built-in shelf can be used for placing gloves, baseball caps, flashlights, and other similar items. The umbrellas can go to a plastic bin placed beside the door or that small table.

Hooks for Bigger and Smaller Items

Coat closet may take much space if the entryway is small. So, hooks are a better solution. Those hooks can be used for hanging handbags, hats, and backpacks too. Hooks can also be handy in hanging one or two sports items too like tennis rackets. You can keep your soccer or tennis equipment in a bag and hang it from a hook.

It is difficult to keep a front entry, where different types of items are stored together, look clean and organized. However, this place can also be tamed with the help of a few pieces of furniture and the change of one or two habits like keeping everything in their place instead of just throwing around after coming home. These home organization tips will help you keep that place decluttered and organized.

For more organizing ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Simple Ways to Turn Your Bathroom Into a Spa

(A big “thank you” to our friends at TheBathOutlet.com for sponsoring this post!)

Here are a few simple tips and ideas to give your bathroom the relaxing atmosphere of a day spa.

• Declutter and simplify. It’s easy to let excess products and grooming tools take over your vanity, shower, and tub. Toss anything you no longer use, store anything only used occasionally, and find attractive storage containers for daily essentials.
• Utilize the right storage. If you have a medicine cabinet, use it to store everyday items like toothpaste, floss, mouthwash, toiletries, and other essentials. If your bathroom lacks storage try incorporating jars for small items and baskets for larger things, like towels.
  
• Choose calming colors. Light shades have a soothing effect. When choosing colors for décor and paint try shades of white, light blue, and neutral tones such as tan and beige. Also, see if you can incorporate natural elements including potted plants, flowers, and fragrance.
• Luxurious Final Touches. Finish off the transformation with luxury bathroom accessories such as soft towels and aromatherapy.

With a bit of work and creativity you can experience a spa-like setting on a daily basis—and likely for less than the cost of a single visit to your favorite day spa.

When Your Bathroom Needs More Help

Are you struggling to image a spa-like atmosphere in your outdated bathroom? Even if you’re not ready for a serious renovation project, it may be worthwhile to budget for a mini-facelift.

• Remove all clutter and clean the bathroom.
• Identify eyesores. Are there stains? Damaged paint, worn countertops, or chipped sinks? How about outdated faucets, hardware, or colors you can’t stand?
• Try cleaning things that look like they need to be replaced. Barkeepers Friend is an amazing inexpensive product that can remove hard-water buildup and stains on counters that look like they need to be replaced. (Be sure to follow all product instructions, including using gloves.) Even a chipped porcelain sink may look like new when thoroughly cleaned.
• Make a list of priorities and budget for minor repairs. A new faucet and cabinet hardware can make a huge difference. Also, don’t forget about the little things. A classy toilet bowl brush holder or a container to store extra rolls of toilet paper can also help.

Investing in a Bathroom Facelift

Choosing to spend some time, creativity, and a little money on an inexpensive bathroom facelift can be a great investment. After all, you’ll get an opportunity to enjoy that part of your home on a daily basis. And if you ever decide to sell your home having a great looking, well-staged, bathroom will be a huge asset.

Garage Organization: Tips to Start off the New Year

Figure out how much space you have

The first step is to find out how much space you really have for storing. Do to that, make an layout of your garage and determine on the space that is available. A good trick is to park your car in it as you normally do, and open all your car’s doors. No make an outline of your car with opened doors, using tape or chalk. Leave some extra space when you make the outline. Close the doors and remove your car. Now you will know exactly how much space you have to use as storage.

Decide on what you need to store in the garage

Knowing how much space you have, try to decide which things need to be in the garage. Doing that, you will automatically make decisions about what to keep in your house. Try to keep only the truly necessary stuff and decide what you will sell, donate or toss.

Ask yourself how to divide your available space

Divide your stuff into categories. Choose for each category an area where you will be storing it. This way you will always know where to look when you want to clean your car or to find seasonal items. Remember to keep stuff you need often in an area that you can reach easy. Items that come out only one or two times a year, like Christmas decorations, you can keep in a more remote or higher place. Also, don’t forget that large, heavy items should be stored at the bottom.

Best ways for organizing storage

• Use shelving, bins and boxes

Shelving is the best friend for anyone that wants to store stuff. You can choose between open shelving, closets or combine these two. You can re-use old cupboards or shelves. Get some bins, boxes and buckets to put your smaller stuff in them.

• Categorize and Label

You can either categorize by use or by items. So you can store all your rags at one place, or put the rags used for car cleaning with your other car cleaning materials.

Labeling all your storing items is essential to find your stuff but to also knowing in a second where something belongs to.

• Use your walls and ceiling

Walls can be made available for a great amount of storage. Use pegboards, hooks and wire racks to store everything, from bicycles and shovels to tools and pots.

There are great options available to use the higher parts of your garage for storing. If you need that space, it is worth having a look at those options. Also, hooks to hang your bicycles or other items are a great option.

Need more garage organization ideas? Check out these 19 ideas.

Organizing your garage has not to be something difficult to do. If you plan it correctly and use the available space smartly, you will be suprised with how simple it can be done. Let us know what Garage Organization: Tips to Start off the New Year you have!

For more organization tips on Stagetecture, click here.

Have you thought about a cleaning chart? What I find is the hardest part about keeping a home clean with multiple people is for everyone to do “their part”! In my household of two teenage sons, a 5 year old daughter, a husband and a cat, it always seems like no one wants to take responsibility for cleaning up! I’m sure this is true with college roommates, and anyone else who has to share a living space with other people. Take a look at our home organization ideas on Pinterest here!

How a Cleaning Chart may Keep Your Household Sane

A cleaning chart or roster can be an essential ingredient of a happy household. If you’ve ever lived in a share house, and been forced to put up with a filthy housemate, then you’ve already had a taste of the types of problems that cleaning rosters are intended to solve. They can be great for homes where there are lots of people and lots of cleaning tasks to do, and they also work well for busy people or anyone else who wants to make keeping the house clean a little bit easier. In its simplest form, a cleaning roster is a high level schedule of regular household cleaning tasks.

How To Make Your Cleaning Chart

Start by making a master list of all the cleaning chores that need to be done.  You may want to brainstorm the list first, and then go over the house considering each room to see what you might have missed.

The next step involves organizing these tasks into those that must be done daily, a couple of times per week, weekly, monthly, seasonally, and yearly.  To get you started, here are some examples of tasks that might be in these categories:

Cleaning Chart Daily:

Dishes, cleaning floors and other surfaces, and putting away paperwork;

Cleaning Chart Every few days:

Laundry (depending on how many people are in your household), mopping, and vacuuming;

Weekly:

Vacuuming (if your house doesn’t accumulate much dust), dusting, and general cleaning in areas that don’t get much use;

Monthly:

Ceiling fans and light fixtures, walls, windows, air vents, and deep vacuuming in nooks and crannies;

Cleaning Chart Seasonally:

Outdoor areas, HVAC units, windows, and appliances;

Yearly:

Spring cleaning, and other deep out-of-the-way cleaning that you only do once a year, such as attics and basements.

Note: Don’t just copy the cleaning roster above!  Well, actually you can if you want… but you’ll find it much more beneficial to design one of your own that is tailored to the needs of your household.

Designate Tasks

Next, decide how many people are available to do which cleaning tasks.  Create a rotation so that nobody has to do one particular job every time.  Make sure you take into account what each person can and can’t do.  Some things might be impossible or dangerous for little kids, and you should be careful about assigning too many tasks to family members who work long hours.  Try to get everyone involved in cleaning and remember that kids who do some housework tend to have higher levels of responsibility, maturity, and self-esteem.

Molly Maid has some great cleaning charts for kids, adults, and more, here.

Create Your Chart

The best way to create your cleaning roster is using the computer.  In fact, you can download roster templates from various websites that allow you to shortcut the process a little.  Or, almost equally as easily, you can make your own using a simple program like Microsoft Excel.  Start by recording each of your family member’s work or school schedule, and then start assigning tasks to the available time accordingly.  It might be a good idea to choose times of the day for certain tasks.  For example, general tidying up is a daily task that works well just before bed.

If it’s the first time, you may also want to allow for some flexibility; pay attention to what works well and what doesn’t, and then be prepared to go back and make some changes later.

Need help in creating a cleaning chart? Spending for Less has some great ideas!

Cleaning Chart for the Entire Family:

Perhaps the biggest challenge is getting everyone to follow the cleaning roster!  In order to overcome this difficulty, you may want to post it in a place where it will be easily seen, like the refrigerator.  Also, if you find that it’s tough to get the kids to do their work then it’s worth considering creating a rewards system.  For example, if all of the tasks are completed by the end of the week, then they get a prize or treat. This sort of technique can be quite motivational; you’ll find that rewarding them for doing their cleaning works much better than punishing them for NOT doing it.

If you’re battling against a super messy house and you haven’t tried a cleaning roster before then give it a shot. If you get it right, then it can generate great results.

This article was written on behalf of Housework Heroes. Get in touch to learn about their cleaning franchise opportunities, or if you want some further reading, then take a look at their article on eco cleaning tips.

For more home cleaning tips on Stagetecture, click here.

The Best Ways to Achieve a Quick Home Sale

Invest in a good home inspection

The last thing a seller wants to hear is that a homeowner’s inspection exposed a serious problem. This can cost lengthy delays, added expenses and possibly the loss of a sale. Before going through the trouble of finding the right realtor, negotiating a fair asking price and clearing out your home for showings, invest in a home inspection. Companies like HomeTeam specialize in home inspections for buyers, sellers, and realtors. The small financial investment you make will pay large dividends by reassuring you that everything is in check. If the inspection should reveal a problem that needs your attention, you can take care of it before you list your home.

Curb Appeal will Help your Home Sell Quicker

The best way to attract potential buyers is to make your home stand out. While you can’t change the design of your home, you can make it attractive on the outside. Take a stroll around the property to see what areas need the most attention. If you have a fence that’s a few years old and showing signs of wear, you can either paint it or replace it. Around your home, it’s beneficial to remove branches and debris, trim shrubs and make any minor repairs to your driveway, walkway or deck. Also, make sure to mow your lawn for the listing picture. Many people looking to buy their dream home check new listings daily and here first impressions really matter.

For a Quick Sale try Staging your Home’s Interiors

A potential buyer wants to walk into a home and imagine their furnishings in it. If your home has a lot of clutter it may appear smaller than it actually is. This can turn away a potential sale. Instead, clean out your home and put extra items in temporary storage so that it appears open and large. There are also a number of ways for short money that you can make it attractive and stage your home to sell faster and to attract more interest in the property. Add a fresh coat of paint to bedrooms, your kitchen, living room, and dining room. Replace curtains with sheers that brighten up the interior. Also if your hardware on closets, doors, and cabinets is outdated, replace them. The same goes for faucets in your kitchen and bathrooms. These minor changes will allow the home to show well and get your asking price.

Depersonalize for a Quick Home Sale

While you love the colors and enjoy seeing the family photos displayed on hallway walls, someone looking to purchase your home may not. Someone looking to buy a home wants to see a clean slate with lots of potential for their finishing touch. For a quick home sale, remove the knick-knacks, take down the pictures and paint walls that have bold colors. A neutral palette and a clean space let a buyer use their imagination to customize it to their liking. If you choose not to do this, many will not be able to see past it and decide instead, to simply walk away.

Get a Reputable Realtor to Sell your Home Faster

Of course, you can declutter and add curb appeal and still not sell your home quickly if the asking price is out of line with the value of the neighborhood. Signing on with an experienced realtor can play a vital role in selling your home quickly. The longer a home sits, the more likely you are to reduce the asking price. Instead, sign up with someone who knows the area, the recent home sales and what it takes to attract buyers. An experienced realtor will know what a fair asking price is for your home and the area. This will get you the best chance for achieving a fast sale and help you to close on the other end in a timely fashion.

Before putting your home on the market for sale make sure that you invest in a home inspection, make minor repairs and stage your home so that it looks its best to potential buyers. By doing this, you’re giving yourself the best chance possible for achieving the ultimate goal, a quick sale.

For more home selling tips on Stagetecture, visit our archives

Creative Ways to Give your Mudroom Makeover a Lift

Image via: Seattle Custom Cabinets – Photographer – Tim Schultz

Embrace Home Organization in your Mudroom

If your mudroom is small, a few brilliant ideas may provide the solutions you need to revamp it. Add an entryway table or wall shelves to create a central area to keep wallets and keys as you step into the house. This will also help save time when running out the door in the morning! You can incorporate drawer organizers into the mudroom which will help you to declutter it. They are perfect for keeping items contained in one place, avoiding unnecessary space wastage. Mudroom organization can be a challenge but can be kept under control with these easy tips.

In case your space is not enough for shelves, consider magnetic boards in your mudroom makeover which come in handy for hanging items. Multipurpose furnishings are also perfect for small spaces. A small bench fitted with shelves underneath can accommodate different objects. You can also alter the space at the bottom of the stairs to function as a locker room, a storage area, or a stair closet.

Get Creative with Small Space Storage Ideas

Baskets are a must-have if you plan on increasing storage and reorganizing your mudroom. They provide beauty and are convenient in that they put clutter out of sight. Shoes, toys, hats, and small umbrellas can fit in strategically-placed baskets, enhancing the home organization. You can also subdivide your mudroom space from floor to ceiling and allocate it to different family members to ensure easy cleaning and maintenance.

A decorative shoe rack can easily organize your shoes while adding beauty. Its size will depend on the space available. If you entertain a lot, you know it’s wise to make use of every available space. We love these mudroom makeover organization ideas from Wayfair.

Add Mudroom Seating for a Comfortable Spot

Adding a seating area to your mudroom makeover, regardless of the size, is a great idea. It will be convenient for young kids who need to sit as they put on shoes on their way out. A creative way to provide seating is to use a folding stool which can be easily stored when not in use. An altered cabinet top can be used as a bench. It can be modified further such that it can be pulled out for use or pushed back when not in use.

Use Hooks and Cubbies for Quick & Simplified Organization

As you focus on home organization, consider your children. Low hanging hooks your children can reach will help them to store their coats, bags, and hats easily. Magnetic or adhesive hooks on walls and behind the door are great ideas. Hooks can organize keys, gloves, hats, and belts nicely because they take up very little space. Wall pegs can also function as hooks, providing more storage in your mudroom. Cubbies arranged against a wall make a good storage area for books, shoes, and sports equipment.

Designate a Space for Everyone in the Family

A great way to manage a mudroom makeover is to create a space for everyone. If all family members have their own private area in the mudroom, it becomes easy to locate items and enhances the family organization. Kids learn how to stay organized through storing things carefully. Vertical spaces provide more room and can incorporate many items at once.

Add Pizzazz to Your Mudroom Makeover Decorating

Creative painting and small space decorating ideas, beautiful hardware, wallpaper, and attractive light patterns add life to your mudroom. The type of colors and the color patterns in the room will determine the transformation. An antique wall clock can also inject beauty while adding function. Select flooring objects that are resistant to dirt and easy to clean such as tiles. A rug will not only capture dirt but also prevent it from spreading to other areas of the home.

A mudroom makeover can make use of better space in your family home as well as keep you organized. Use these mudroom decor and organization tips to transform your entry and help keep your family lifestyle enjoyable instead of chaotic!

For more organization ideas on Stagetecture, look through our archives.

Easy Decorating Tips to Attract Tenants for your Rental Properties

One of the biggest differences in making this personal transition is the way in which you decorate your house. What might appeal to you for a house that you’d want to live in might not be the best choice for a rental property? Rental houses need to appeal to broad ranges of potential tenants. With that in mind, here are some of the best ways to decorate for rental properties.

Decorate in a Way Your Rental Properties Can Be Maintained:

You may be determined to be acting landlord of your property. However, many people set out with this goal in mind, only to learn that they aren’t cut out for the job. That’s why rental management companies like Cedar Management Group are in business. They get renters, clean and maintain your rental property, and collect rent every month. Choosing decorations that are easy to clean and maintain, even for a management company that doesn’t have a hand in their choosing, is a great way to organize your thoughts when picking furnishings and decorations for a rental home.

Choose Durable yet Versatile Rental Furniture

You’ll probably choose renters who will take good care of your property, but you still should decorate only with pieces that can take a beating. Resilient carpets will protect your hardwood floors from scratches and versatile materials like tweed and microfiber will protect against stains and wear and tear. Sturdy shutters will outlive flimsy blinds. Also, consider washable paint throughout your interiors so that stains can be removed with a damp cloth. Consider the same materials for your rental home that you would have with kids and pets to protect your interiors.

Consider Minimal Decorating Ideas

In the end, you shouldn’t decorate that much. You should think more about the color of the walls and the floors than about the items that will cover them. Leave this to the tenant. Choose instead to invest in a makeover of your home that will make it appealing to a broad range of people. This has more to do with countertops and toilet seats than area rugs and drapes. Leave some of the decoration ideas for your rental properties to the tenant. It’s cheaper for you and actually, makes your home more rentable.

Decorating your rental properties can be difficult at first. It’s easy to create elements that you personally enjoy, which don’t appeal to a lot of other people. It’s usually good to create a neutral but friendly space, one which prospective tenants can imagine imprinting upon with their own decorative sensibilities. Good luck with your new rental property!

For more ideas for your rental property look at our home staging archives.

Simple Tips for the Best Mens Closet Organization

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Closet Organization: Only Keep What You Need

One of the biggest problems facing men’s overstuffed closets is that they’re full of clothes the closet owner doesn’t need. Some people are simply lazy and haven’t cleaned out their closets in ages, while others are attached to certain garments or feel wasteful throwing out items that are not full of holes.

To organize your closet, take everything out and dump it on your bed; go through each piece of clothing one item at a time and assess when you wore it last. Apart from formal wear, if you haven’t worn something in one year and it’s in good repair, donate it to charity. Most charities will come to your door to pick up your castaways, so don’t think giving away your clothes is going to become an arduous chore you don’t have time for. Every year, repeat this process to make sure your closet stays organized.

Mens Clothes: Store seasonal apparel

Another way to organize your closet clutter is to store seasonal apparel. In the winter, take all your summer clothes and store them in a suitcase, then do the same in the summer with your winter apparel.

When you shop, throw out something old

Lastly, every time you go shopping and buy something new, get rid of another garment from your closet that’s looking a little old or is no longer trendy to ensure you maintain approximately the same volume of clothing.

Mens Closet Organizer: Hang like garments together

Stop wasting time rummaging around in your closet by using two simple systems that will help you retrieve individual garments. First, hang all garments that belong in the same category together — i.e., sweaters next to sweaters and dress shirts next to dress shirts. At all costs, avoid hanging clothes by color family. This system will simply make a big mess of your closet because people tend to think “I want to wear a sweater,” rather than “I want to wear something brown,” so use the more intuitive grouping system of clustering similar items together; this is the correct approach when figuring out how to organize your closet.

• Sweaters:

For heavy sweaters that will stretch out if placed on a hanger or for cashmere and other delicate fabrics, you’ll definitely want a shelf, so get one immediately if your closet doesn’t have one built in.

• Pants:

If you have two or more pairs of black pants or multiples of any other color of pants, use multitiered hangers to save space

• Shoes:

Use a shoe rack so you can see all your footwear laid out instead of jumbled up. Make sure to buy a floor shoe rack, however, because the ones that hang over closet doors don’t provide proper support for men’s shoes. Squeeze as many shoes as possible onto your shoe rack by placing shoes in opposite facing directions.

We love these tips for Men’s closet organizational tips from Esquire magazine.

Closet Organization: Make small accessories visible

While it may seem like a good idea to place smaller accessories like ties, belts and the like in a drawer, the truth is that you might end up wearing them less often because when you can’t see them, you’ll forget you own them. Get the most out of your wardrobe by purchasing a set of hooks or even a small rack to throw over your door and hang your accessories. These sets can be extremely cheap, so don’t be reluctant to look for one even if you’re on a tight budget, and the ones that go over your door require absolutely no time or effort to install.

For more closet organizing tips on Stagetecture, click here.