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Custom closets can solve many of your storage problems, but you might still run into a dead end when trying to figure out how to properly store formal wear and other specialty clothing. Luckily, there are more than a few simple hacks to keep your closet orderly and your clothing wrinkle-free.
When you’re ready to arrange your specialty items, you should follow these 7 simple steps.
To keep your custom closet properly organized, you need to:
- Separate foldables from non-foldables.
- Invest in the proper hangers.
- Prevent deformation of coats.
- Dry clean when appropriate.
- Install racks and cabinets as needed.
- Give hanging clothes plenty of room.
- Always use garment bags.
Now it’s time to expand on each of these steps and get you on your way to keeping everything in its proper place.
Separate Foldables from Non-foldables
One of the biggest problems when trying to store your formal wear is just how quickly you’ll run out of hanging space. While many specialty clothing items do need to be hung up, other items don’t. Most polo shirts and designer tees can be folded, especially if they’re made of cotton. Even certain pants can be folded without creating creases.
Invest in the Proper Hangers
Hanging formal wear will help prevent creases and wrinkles, but just as important as the method of storage is the type of hanger itself. Wooden hangers are ideal for dress shirts, as they allow for proper air circulation and prevent unsightly marks on the shirt shoulder that many wire hangers commonly cause.
Wooden hangers also serve the dual purpose of keeping moisture out of your custom closet, preventing mildew and musty odors from taking hold.
Prevent Deformation of Coats
A continuation of the last point, coats and suit jackets require very specific types of hangers to prevent deformation. Wooden hangers with thick shoulder sections help keep coats from crumpling, especially if you’re not going to wear that particular item for a while.
Dry Clean When Appropriate
Not only can proper dry cleaning keep your garments free from stains and overall discoloration, but it can also keep certain items safer during long-term storage. While mothballs used to be the go-to solution for keeping wool clothing safe, a safer solution is to dry clean your wool garments and then store them with either lavender or cedar.
Install Racks and Cabinets as Needed
As Better Homes & Gardens points out, there isn’t a one-size-fits-all storage solution that works for everyone. For that reason, it’s best to install the racks and cabinets that you need.
If you have a lot of ties or scarves, for instance, a rack will work best for keeping everything in its place. You can even invest in a rolling rack if you like to move or rearrange your garments often.
Give Hanging Clothes Plenty of Room
One of the best aspects of having a custom closet is that you can completely overhaul the space to suit your tastes and needs. Dresses in particular tend to need quite a bit of vertical hanging space, as do some suits and coats.
A good rule of thumb is to designate upper portions of your closet for hanging rods and lower areas for cabinets and drawers, with the lowest areas (and the floor itself) saved for racks and shoe storage.
Always Use Garment Bags
No matter how you store your formal wear and specialty clothing items, you will greatly benefit from investing in some high-quality garment bags. Aside from keeping your items fresh and wrinkle-free, garment bags can also keep out moths and prevent musty odors from taking root in your closet.
Along with that, properly storing your items in garment bags will help in consolidating space. While you might typically need to keep some space between suits or dresses in your closet, you can feel free to line items in garment bags right up next to each other.
Conclusion
If you’ve been having trouble properly storing specialty clothing in your custom closet, you’re not alone. It’s important to remember, though, that you have options. By following these seven super simple steps, you’ll be able to keep all of your formal wear clean, fresh, wrinkle-free, and well organized!