CHALLENGE

Despite my fantasy of becoming a minimalist and a recent downsizing of my wardrobe, I have a lot of stuff and not a lot of space.

Our apartment has typical, generic “builder basic” closets unsuited to maximizing space.

SOLUTION

Streamlining, space planning and a trip to the Container Store maximized space and saved me from investing in additional furniture and/or external storage.

LESSONS LEARNED

1) Clear the Clutter - Get rid of anything you don't love or use.  Think about the 3 F's and let things go if they don’t FIT, FLATTER and make you FEEL good.

2) Go vertical - Organizers tend to say "white space is wasted space."  Stackable shelves, door hooks and cubbies utilize available space from floor to ceiling.

3) Ensure frequently used items are easy to access -  In my case, seasonal clothes are moved to the sides, top and out of sight until the weather beckons them back into the rotation.

4) Group "like with like" - Grouping pants, skirts, sweaters, blouses, shoes, etc. together makes it easier to see what you have and find what you need.