Angie's LIST Guide to
Closet organization

Your bedroom closet should contain things that you would use in your bedroom, including clothing and shoes. If you are organizing your child's bedroom closet, toys that are not frequently played with as well as old stuffed animals that your child doesn't want to get rid of can be stored in the closet.

If you have a lot of clutter in your closet, go through it and decide what types of items you will be keeping and which you will either sell or donate to charity. When deciding if you would like to keep an item, think of how long it’s been since you last used it. If it has been more than a year, chances are you no longer need it.

The items you plan to keep should be organized with other like items.

Clothing -  Clothing can be organized according to season and type. For example, clothing that you would wear to work in the summer months would be grouped together, as would casual clothing you would wear in the winter. If you do not have enough space to store clothing of all seasons in your closet, consider packing away in air-tight bags or bins. Keep these indoors if possible, as exposure to moisture or outdoor air – including that in the garage – can cause mildew and mold.

Jewelry - Keep jewelry that is frequently worn towards the front of the closet, and use a jewelry tree to keep chains from getting tangled together. Jewelry organizer bags can also be purchased and used for earrings, bracelets and broaches. These bags often have a loop that fits over the head of a regular sized hanger. If you have jewelry that has sentimental value, but you do not plan to wear, it can be packed up and stored.

Shoes - Shoes should be organized according to type and color. For example, black high heels would be grouped together, as would white sneakers. Shoes can be stored on shelves, shoe trees or under the bed in zipped organized bags.

Accessories - Scarves, bags and other accessories should be organized by color. These items are used frequently and with both casual and formal outfits. Organizing by color is the easiest way to find what you need in the future.

Hiring a professional organizer to get your closet clutter under control, and to teach you how to avoid a mess in the future could be helpful. Because this is what they do for a living, professional organizers will have ideas and suggestions for trouble spots, and will be able to provide multiple solutions for storage problems, big and small.

When making your hiring decision, be sure to ask about:

Experience - Ask your potential organizer about their professional background, including any cleaning companies they may have worked for in the past. There are professional organization certifications available in the United States, so be sure to ask whether your organizer has obtained any kind of official certification in the field.

Expense - Fees should be established before any work is done to avoid confusion. Typically, professional organizers charge by the hour. A fair hourly rate for a professional organizer ranges from $55 to $85, although inexperienced organizers will likely charge much less.

Reputation - The best way to find an experienced and reputable professional organizer is by searching Angie’s List to see who members in your area recommend. Members have exclusive access to organizer ratings and reviews of recent services in members’ homes.

Time - Ideally, professional organizers will take their time getting your closet organization project perfect, but will not dawdle just to earn a higher fee. Your closet did not become unorganized in a short amount of time, so be prepared for the organizer to be in your house for several hours, or in and out for several days. If you feel that the organizer is taking too long, speak up so he or she has a chance to explain the process so you understand how to maintain your closet space in the future.