Description of a Messy Closet

The Downside

• A messy closet makes finding what you need when you need it difficult. While tossing items randomly into the space may seem easier, this lack of organization ultimately wastes both time and effort. You must search for needed items. You may have to move or remove a large volume of clothing and personal items to find what you need. You then have to put all of it back into the space. If your tendency was toward chaos before, you likely won't sort and replace the items carefully, leading to a further mess.

The Cost

• Keeping your space orderly and tidy does not have to involve a large investment of time. The initial cleaning will likely take the most effort on your part, but maintaining the space should be reasonably quick and simple. The degree of cleanliness is up to your individual taste. The most difficult part of the process may be adopting and sticking to a program of personal discipline.

Some Solutions

• To keep your space tidy and accessible, you should practice making a space for each item and returning it to its place once used. Some steps that may help ease the process include utilizing clear containers that allow you to see the items stored inside for quick identification and ease of sorting, labeling boxes so that you know what is inside and putting seldom-used items in the least accessible areas, such as on high shelves or in the bottom of the closet beneath more regularly used pieces.

The Payoff

• Once organized, you can open the door and take a visual accounting of most of the items stored inside your closet. When you need an outfit or have to quickly retrieve one of your belongings, you will have the satisfaction of going right to the item you need. Properly folded, hung or stored, your clothing will be more presentable and ready for use. Your belongings may escape damage and unnecessary wear through proper storage. And when your closet is well presented, you will not have to hide the shame of your mess from friends, family or yourself.