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It’s hard enough to maintain order in your own closet, let alone one you share with your significant other. After all, shared closet organization means melding two personalities, two wardrobes, and fitting double the number of shoes into a tiny space.
If that mental picture sends you into panic mode, don’t worry. It’s totally normal to be a bit stressed about giving up space that was once all yours. In an ideal world, you would both have spacious closets of your own, but sometimes that is just not possible!
Shared closet organization is totally doable. You just need some creativity, smart planning, and an open line of communication with your partner to make it happen.
Read on to learn how to successfully share your closet space with your significant other. These practical tips will help you divide your space, stay organized, and hold onto your sanity:
Declutter first
The biggest key to shared closet organization is to limit what goes inside it. Before you start arguing with your partner over who gets the highest shelves, you each need to cut down on the amount of stuff you are trying to ‘import’ from your individual closets. That means clothes, shoes, accessories, costumes, and tools, for example.
Organize your closet together
Even if your partner doesn’t have the tidy gene (and claims to trust your judgment), it’s important to organize your closet as a team. This will avoid all kinds of issues, including discarding something that has sentimental value to holding onto things that your partner really doesn’t care for anyway unnecessarily.
- Map Your Morning Mayhem: Discuss your routines. Who’s the early bird needing quick access? Plan their essentials accordingly.
- Categorize & Conquer: Before the sorting chaos, group items by type (tops, bottoms, shoes) and season. This makes tackling each mountain easier.
- Zone Out for Efficiency: Group similar items together (workout clothes, work outfits, PJs). This saves frantic searching in the rush.
- Ask the “Love & Wear” Question: Hold each item and ask, “Do I absolutely love this?” and “Have I worn it in the past year?” Donate anything that gets a double “no.”
- Be Ruthless with Duplicates: We all have that “just-in-case” shirt. Be honest, will you ever wear both blue button-downs? Keep the favorite, give the rest the boot.
- Utilize the “Maybe Box”: Unsure about an item? Toss it in a “maybe” box for later review. If it sits untouched for a few months, you know its fate.
Above all, remember this:
You don’t need to split your closet space 50/50 if you don’t want or need to. While working on shared closet organization, focus on organizing your clothes in a way that makes it easy for both of you to get dressed efficiently in the morning.
Store off-season items elsewhere
Limit your stuff to the basics. Store the pieces you wear every day front and center, and stash off-season items—like skirts, shorts, sandals, and bathing suits—in your coat closet or a bin under the bed.
Label storage boxes
If you’re low on drawer or shelf space, store dress shoes, scarves, belts, and hats in baskets or shoe boxes.
Just make sure to label or color-code each person’s boxes, so it’s easy to find what you both need when you’re scrambling to choose an outfit before work.
Take advantage of every inch
When you’re tackling shared closet organization, you need as much space as possible to keep your things organized and accessible.
Use high shelves to store bins. Mount sturdy hooks on the back of the closet door And take advantage of open floor space to store a shoe rack or small dresser
Designate a place for dirty laundry
No matter how tiny your closet is, make space for a laundry basket or hamper. Having an easy place to stash your dirty clothes means they won’t end up in smelly piles on the floor. If that won’t keep the relationship strong, we don’t know what will.
Take advantage of vertical storage space
Vertical storage space is a serious game-changer. Even the smallest, most poorly designed closets have plenty of vertical storage possibilities.
Here are five:
- Install wall hooks to hang belts, hats, robes, and handbags
- Use key racks as jewelry displays
- Save shelf space by storing sweaters in a hanging organizer.
- Hang a shoe rack on the back of your closet door.
- Use a towel rod for scarf and tie storage.
Storage Solutions for Sanity
- Label EVERYTHING: Avoid “mystery bins” of forgotten treasures. Label shelves, boxes, and baskets with clear names or photos.
- Color-Coded Coordination: Assign each person a color for their storage containers. Instant visual cues for a harmonious closet.
- Folding vs. Hanging: Consider your preferences. If folding is a chore, install extra hanging rods. Love sweaters? Invest in space-saving hanging organizers.
- Dirty Laundry Designated Zone: A hamper or basket keeps clothes off the floor. Bonus points for a lid to contain the inevitable gym sock aroma.
Maintain the Magic
- Purge regularly: Schedule quarterly decluttering sessions with your partner. Keep the love flowing and the closet clutter-free.
- Embrace flexibility: As seasons change and needs evolve, adapt your storage. Move shelves, swap baskets, and be open to adjusting the layout.
- Open communication is key. Talk about what works and what doesn’t. Be willing to compromise and find solutions that keep both of you happy.
Need help with your Houston home organization project, whatever it is? Struggling to combine households or to finally get all those moving boxes unpacked? Just Organized by Taya can help. Get started by booking an appointment here.
Working with Taya and her team is easy. You can book an appointment easily on her website, or contact her directly at 832-271-7608
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