It’s common to have a closet that is overflowing, but the good news is that you can definitely make more room by using a few clever folding strategies. Marie Kondo is well-known, and her KonMari method is revolutionary for organizing your closet. Vertical folding is at the heart of it for clothing. You fold clothes so they stand up vertically, like files in a filing cabinet, rather than stacking them on top of one another horizontally.
How Does Vertical Folding Operate? See Everything at a Glance: You can see every item in a drawer or on a shelf when your clothes are upright, saving you the trouble of searching through stacks. As a result, you are more likely to wear items that you might otherwise lose and are less likely to forget what you have.
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Reduced Wrinkling: The weight on top of piled clothes can cause creases. By lowering this pressure, vertical folding minimizes wrinkles & ironing. Optimizes Drawer Depth: This is where the true magic of saving space occurs. By standing things up, you’re making effective use of drawer depth rather than wasting it on flat stacks. Making them fit snugly, like tiny rectangles, is the aim.
How to Vertically Fold Typical Items. Let’s apply common sense. This is how the vertical fold can be applied to various kinds of clothing. shirts & tops.
This is where the greatest effect will be felt. The Standard T-Shirt Fold. Place the front side of the t-shirt flat on a surface. From the collar to the hem of the shirt, picture a line running through the middle.
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Just below the shoulder seam, imagine a second horizontal line. Bring the shoulder seam over to the imaginary center line by folding one side of the shirt in that direction. Make it smooth. Now fold the sleeve back until it rests flat against the folded side.
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The shirt’s bottom should be folded up toward the collar. Your goal is to make a rectangle. The length of the garment will determine the precise folding point, but try to keep the shape compact. Lastly, fold this rectangle in half or thirds once more, depending on its size, so that it can stand alone like a little file or book. Depending on the size of your drawer, the desired shape should be about 4-6 inches wide and 5-7 inches tall.
Changes for Various Materials and Necklines. V-necks: Essentially, the procedure is the same. Just be careful to fold the V-neck neatly inward. Long-sleeved shirts: You’ll get a longer rectangle after the first fold, similar to a t-shirt. To get the desired compact, standing shape, fold this in half lengthwise a few times.
Stretchy materials: Use caution when working with extremely stretchy materials. To avoid distorting the shape, avoid overfolding or pulling too forcefully. A firm but not too tight fold is what you want.
Jeans and pants. When folded conventionally, these can occupy a surprisingly large amount of space. The Fold of Vertical Pants. Your pants should be flat with the front side up.
Smooth out any creases. Align the seams as neatly as you can as you fold one leg over the other. From the waist down to the hem, fold the pants in half.
Now fold them again into thirds or halves. The objective is to form a tight rectangle that is self-supporting. You may find that folding jeans in half once and then again works well. You may need to fold your pants a third time if they are thinner.
As an alternative, you could fold them into halves or thirds with the pockets facing up. This may make it easier to keep the shape. Handling Various Pants Styles. Jeans: More resilient denim folds and stands up nicely. Dress pants: To preserve a clean line when folding more delicate materials, firmly press the creases. Wide-leg pants: These can be more difficult.
After folding them so the legs are on top of one another, fold the whole thing in half lengthwise & then fold it into thirds. Finding the most compact shape for your particular pants may require some trial & error. Knits and sweaters. Since these are frequently heavy, careful folding is essential. Space-Saving Sweater Fold.
Place the sweater on a level surface. Inwardly fold one side toward the center. Over the folded side, fold the sleeve back. Fold the second sleeve back and repeat with the other side. Your shape ought to be long and rectangular. The sweater should now be folded from the bottom up to the neck.
Make a small, standing rectangle by folding it in half or thirds. If the sweaters are very large, you might want to fold them in half just once before putting them on the shelf or in the drawer. The secret is to avoid packing too much. Advice for Handmade Knits.
Stretching can cause wool and cashmere to lose their shape. Fold smoothly and gently. Think about other storage options: If your sweaters are extremely fragile or heirloom, you may want to store them in garment bags or acid-free boxes instead of jamming them into a drawer, especially if they are prone to snagging.
The vertical fold is still functional for daily use, though. Socks and underwear. These smaller items can greatly organize drawers and are ideal for vertical storage.
The Argument for a Pair of Socks. Steer clear of the ball: Although it may be tempting, rolling socks into a ball causes their elastic to stretch and becomes messy. The Flat Fold: Place a single sock flat. Put its mate right on top. To make a small, tidy rectangle, fold both socks in half and then in half again.
The sq\. Fold: Flatten one sock. Put its partner on top. Fold the toe to the cuff, then fold it again.
You ought to have a little square. Underwear: Maintaining Order. Briefs/Panties: Lay flat, fold in half to make a triangle, then fold into thirds to make a tiny, upright rectangle. Boxers: Fold in half lengthwise, then in thirds after laying flat.
Bras: Tuck one cup into the other to interlock the cups while lying flat. Next, cut the band in half. They are prevented from becoming tangled and crushed as a result. Setting Up Your Vertical Folds.
The arrangement of the folds is important once you have mastered them. Drawer dividers are your best ally. Make compartments: To prevent your vertically folded clothes from toppling over, drawer dividers are a must. They keep each item or category separate and upright, much like dividers in a filing cabinet.
Adjustable options: A lot of dividers can be made to fit different drawer depths and sizes of clothing. DIY solutions: You can also make your own compartments in larger drawers using shoeboxes or tiny cardboard boxes. Shelf Organization.
Use them sideways: The vertical folding principle is still applicable if you have shelves rather than drawers. Clothes should stand upright after being folded. To keep them neatly propped up, you may need a stack of books or a tiny file holder. Categorize: Put related things in one group.
Pants on one shelf, all of your t-shirts on another. This makes it simple to locate what you’re searching for. While vertical folding is the best option for drawers, rolling is another great way to save space, especially when packing or using items that are less likely to wrinkle. When Does Excel Rolling Work?
Casual attire: After being rolled up, T-shirts, sportswear, pajamas, & casual dresses frequently look good. Travel: Since rolling clothes can compress them and keep them from moving too much in a suitcase, this is a traditional use for them. Soft fabrics: Certain cotton blends and jersey knits manage rolling well without causing undue creasing. How to Roll Well.
Lay flat: To begin, smooth out any significant wrinkles by laying the garment flat. Most items, such as t-shirts, should be folded in half lengthwise. You may first fold longer items, like pants, in half widthwise. Roll tightly: Begin at one end of the garment & roll it up as tightly as you can while maintaining a consistent roll.
Secure if necessary: You can use a rubber band, a thin ribbon, or even just tuck a corner in to keep something compact if it tends to unroll. Steer clear of rolling. Formal attire: To prevent permanent creases, it’s best to hang or fold suits, blazers, dress shirts, and delicate materials like silk or linen with care. Bulky sweaters: Although they can be rolled, doing so usually results in them taking up more room and losing their shape more frequently than folding them vertically. Beyond simply adding more hangers, there are other ways to make the most of your hanging space, which is equally valuable.
Cascading Hanger Technique. For anyone with limited space for hanging rods, this is a lifesaver. How it operates. Specialized hangers: You can purchase cascading hangers with loops or hooks that let you hang several clothes vertically from a single hanger on the rod. DIY method: Using an S-hook can also produce a comparable effect.
After hanging a standard hanger on the rod, fasten an S-hook to its bottom. Next, hang a second hanger from the S-hook. For as many clothes as your rod can securely hold, keep going down this path. advantages of cascade.
You can instantly free up a lot of space on your rod by doubling or tripling your hanging area. Keeps outfits together: Dressing is made easier by the ability to hang an entire ensemble (top, bottom, and possibly even a light jacket) on a single cascade. Excellent for seasonal storage: Perfect for storing out-of-season clothing. Slimline Hangers.
Uniformity: Making the switch to felt-covered, velvet, or slim hangers can have a significant impact. Because they are significantly thinner than wooden or plastic hangers, you can fit more on your rod. Non-slip: The non-slip surface of many of these slim hangers keeps clothing from slipping off, especially lighter materials like blouses or tanks. A tactical hanging order.
Put like with like: Hang all of your blouses, dresses, and pants in one group. This facilitates browsing. Think about the weight of the garment: Sturdier hangers are better for heavier items like coats.
The slimmest options can be used with lighter items. Make sure all of your hangers are pointing in the same direction because direction is important. Although it’s a minor detail, it makes the appearance tidier & more effective.
Let’s face it: sometimes the biggest barrier to having more closet space isn’t how you fold, but rather what you fold. It’s crucial to do a thorough declutter before you begin reorganizing. The Rule of “Have I Worn This in a Year?”.
Be truthful: Go through each item in your closet. Something is a good candidate for decluttering if you haven’t worn it in the past year (or two, if it’s an item for a very special occasion). Exceptions: Take into account items that you might only wear a few times a year but are absolutely necessary (such as a beloved winter coat you only need for a few weeks or a formal gown for a particular occasion).
“Maybe” pile: Put it in a “maybe” box along with a date if you’re not sure.
It’s time to give it up if you haven’t reached for it by that date. Categories to Think About When Decluttering. Clothes that don’t fit well: They’re too tight, too loose, or simply no longer attractive.
Items that are damaged include pilling, holes, stains, and stretched-out clothing that is beyond repair. Outdated styles: Trends are ephemeral. Consider donating an item if it feels noticeably outdated and you don’t wear it on purpose to look retro.
“Just in case” items: Clothes that you store “just in case” you need them in the future. They are occupying important space if that day never arrives.
Duplicate items: Save the best one or two black t-shirts; do you really need five nearly identical ones? How to Organize Decluttered Items. Donate: Well-maintained clothing can be given to shelters, thrift shops, or charities. Sell: Designer or more expensive goods may be worthwhile to sell online or at consignment stores. Reuse or recycle old towels, t-shirts for rags, or textile recycling facilities for items that are no longer usable.
Folding is essential, but there are a few other clever ways to increase the amount of space in your closet. Shoe Storage Options. Shoes can take up a lot of room in the closet. Shoe racks that are vertical.
Make the most of the available wall space by utilizing vertical space with over-the-door shoe organizers or tiered shoe racks. Storage beneath beds. Discrete storage: Under-bed storage bins are great for out-of-season boots and shoes you don’t wear every day. Storage for accessories.
Jewelry, hats, belts, and scarves all require a place to live. Pegs and wall hooks. Easy access: Attach scarves, belts, or even frequently used bags to hooks on a free wall section or the back of your closet door. Trays and small bins.
Containment: To keep jewelry, sunglasses, and other small accessories organized and stop them from scattering, place tiny trays or bins on shelves. Seasonal Changes. Store out-of-season goods somewhere else: During the warmer months, store bulky sweaters and winter coats in under-bed bins or another storage space, & vice versa. This allows you to have more space in your closet for your current wardrobe. You’ll be astounded at how much more room you can make in your closet by using these folding strategies, brutally decluttering, and clever storage options.
It’s more about clever, useful planning than it is about magic.
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