But, when you're selling your house, all bets are off.
You know that prospective buyers touring your home will open all your closets to see how big they are.
They want to know if their stuff will fit.
Closet and cabinet space can make or break a deal for house hunters, so my challenge to you is to clear some closet space to make them every home owner's dream: spacious and organized.
No matter which closet is your biggest obstacle, I have a few easy solutions that could just leave you wondering what to do with all of your extra closet space.
Answer: leave it clear for your buyers' imaginations!
Here are the common closet problems and solutions for each.
If your linen closet is overflowing
Store one extra set of bed sheets in each bedroom.
Fold clean towels neatly on a shelf in your laundry room.
Put the extra blankets to use by draping one neatly across the foot of your bed.
Reduce the number of sheets and towels you store by getting rid of ones you don't use or love.
Store quilts and flannel sheets in plastic bins under a bed during the warm months.
Reduce the number of sheets and towels you store by getting rid of ones you don't use or love.
Store quilts and flannel sheets in plastic bins under a bed during the warm months.
Reducing clutter, and keeping things organized and hidden make closets look bigger. Photo: Shades of Blue Interior |
If you lack space for cleaning supplies
Keep a small cleaning caddy under a bathroom sink.
Place every item in the room it is intended for: extra laundry detergent in the laundry room, dish soap under the sink, garbage bags in the bottom of the trash can.
Create a small space for a broom and dustpan combo next to your washer or dryer.
Look for hidden places where you can hang brooms, mops, dusters, and other tools. Inside a closet, on either side of the door opening is always a place that's out of sight unless it's a walk-in closet.
If your coat closet is jammed
Hang a row of hooks in your entry to catch backpacks and purses.
Pare down the coat selection to two coats per person, and either part with the rest, or put them in a space-saving bag, out of sight until the move is over.
Keep hats, scarves, and other small items in a box on the shelf.
If your pantry is out of control
Stop buying in bulk. Unless you have an abundant and well-organized basement or garage storage, it might be worthwhile to put your bulk wholesale membership on temporary hold. Nothing shrinks a cupboard like an over-sized supply of food and paper goods.
Empty prepackaged snacks out of their boxes, and use a matching plastic or glass containers to organize the snacks.
Double your shelf space with a few risers to stack things like cans or spices.
Toss out-of-date packaged foods, old spices, and nonperishable foods you bought years ago and have not used.
If your bedroom closets leave something to be desired
Store folded clothing in baskets or boxes that match, preferably light-colored containers, the way the baskets and bins look in this photo from A Bowl Full of Lemons via Good Housekeeping.
Invest in slim hangers that match.
Get into the habit of rotating your clothes seasonally so that half of your clothing is out of sight at all times.
Add additional, compact storage, such as a free-standing drawer unit, a small bookcase for shoes, or a double-hung closet rod.
Hang a mirror. Even a small one makes a space feel larger.
If you own a "junk closet”
Inventory the contents and define a purpose for the space. Then, find homes for random items that do not fit with the purpose.
Prepare yourself to part with infrequently used items. It's not called a "junk closet" because it's filled with your most beloved belongings, is it?
Hide odds and ends in pretty storage boxes like matching canvas-covered boxes and a set of coordinated hatboxes. There are plenty of choices at discount and dollar stores. These containers will unify the space rather than draw attention to its hodgepodge contents.
You'll find plenty of other tips for staging your own home in my eBooks. You can download now and start planning your home staging immediately.
Top Photo: Real Simple