The Smart Way To Organize Closets Without Getting Rid Of A Thing

It seems that despite our best efforts, closets can become a cluttered mess in the blink of an eye. All it takes is one morning where you can't find something suitable to wear, and the next thing you know, all of your clothes are off the hangers and your accessories are strewn in messy piles. It might seem like the only way to get truly organized is to declutter your closet and get rid of half of your belongings, but there might be a second option. What if we told you that you can organize your closet without getting rid of a single thing? Instead, all you need are semi-transparent boxes to hide the clutter while keeping it accessible.

By using these bins, you can group like items together, creating permanent homes for them. This can mean that your winter hats go in one bin and your folded T-shirts go in another. The semi-transparent feature allows you to see where each item is placed, making it easier to grab the correct box. However, you also don't have to keep the inside perfectly organized because you can't see completely into it. This gives you the freedom to be slightly messy while still looking tidy. Here is a closer look into this storage solution. 

Reducing the visual clutter in your closet can be tricky because you want to remove certain things from your direct view, but you also want to be careful not to make it too difficult to find those items. After all, "out of sight, out of mind" has some merit to it. That's why many professional organizers don't recommend using opaque storage bins for items you plan to use often, as it will make it more difficult to locate them. This is a common misstep — in fact, it's a storage mistake that even HGTV's Nate Berkus made in the past. When the organizers of Home Sort came to reconfigure his house, one of the things he learned was that you need transparent bins to actually see what you own. Using opaque ones can lead you to rummage for what you're looking for, creating the same kind of mess you had before implementing the storage solution. 

But having a completely clear container doesn't do much to hide the visual clutter of the small odds and ends in our closets. Because of this, it's best to meet in the middle and choose semi-transparent bins. You can still make out what is being stored inside, but it's not all on full display. This will not only allow you to stuff more items inside since you're not overly worried about presentation but also grab what you need quickly.

Do you want to recreate this look in your own closet? There are several different kinds of bins you can invest in. First, source larger semi-transparent boxes to store the items you don't reach for very often. These can be your off-season clothing, clothes you don't really fit into anymore but don't want to get rid of, and sentimental pieces you like owning but no longer wear. For these, choose larger storage containers with lids so you can stack them in the back of the closet or on an upper shelf. And example of this would be the 13-Quart Iris Bins, which cost $35 for a six-pack, on Amazon. They're just transparent enough to make out which items are inside.

Next, you can move onto storing your smaller items that make your open shelving look messy. This can be anything from accessories like scarves and hats to more compact shoes like sandals and flats to items that easily tumble like purses. Corral all of these items into medium sized semi-opaque boxes. An example of these are the stackable box drawers from MUJI, which cost anywhere from $19 to $40 depending on the size. Once everything is in a bin, your closet should look much neater.