What Do You Like or Dislike About Your Current Closet?

You know it’s time to do something with your closet because it simply isn’t working anymore.

Maybe you’re tired of digging through piles of clothes looking for one specific shirt. Maybe you can never find the pair of shoes you’re looking for. Or maybe your closet has slowly become the catchall space for everything that doesn’t seem to have a home anywhere else.

If you’re planning a closet remodel, it can be tempting to jump right into looking at beautiful photos online and dreaming about custom shelves, drawers, and storage systems. But before you start removing shelves or shopping for organizers, there is one important step that can make the entire process easier.

Take some time to figure out what you like about your current closet, and what you don’t.

It may not sound exciting, but this simple exercise can help you create a closet that actually works for your daily life instead of just looking nice in a picture.

Grab a piece of paper or open the notes app on your phone and start making a list. As you walk through your closet, pay attention

to the things that frustrate you and the things that work better than you realize.

Let’s start with the door

It sounds simple, but the type of door on your closet can have a bigger impact than most people think. If you have a traditional swinging door, does it take up valuable floor space in your bedroom? Have you ever wished you could put a dresser or chair in a certain spot, only to realize the closet door gets in the way?

If you have sliding doors, are you constantly moving them back and forth just to find what you’re looking for? I have seen many closets where homeowners become so accustomed to the inconvenience that they hardly notice it anymore, until they stop and really think about how often it happens.

 

 

Take a look at your hanging space

Do your closet rods fit the way you actually use your closet? Long dresses, coats, and robes need different space than shirts, pants, and jackets. Sometimes homeowners assume they need a larger closet when what they really need is a better arrangement of the hanging space they already have.

You might discover that some areas feel cramped while other areas aren’t being used efficiently at all.

 

Lighting often gets overlooked.

Have you ever stood in your closet wondering if that shirt is black or navy blue? Or found yourself moving clothes around because the corners of the closet are too dark to see clearly?

Good lighting makes a tremendous difference. It not only helps you see your clothing, but it also makes the entire space feel more inviting and functional. If your closet feels dark or difficult to navigate, make a note of it.

 

Now think about your shoes and purses.

Do they have a designated place, or do they seem to end up wherever there is room? Many homeowners tell me they spend more time searching for shoes than they care to admit. If your shoes, purses, or accessories are constantly piled on the floor or tucked into random corners, that’s a clue that your storage isn’t meeting your needs.

As you’re working through this list, you may already be noticing patterns. Maybe certain areas of your closet work well while others create daily frustration.

That’s exactly why I created my free Closet Guide. It will help you think through your storage needs, gather ideas, and start creating a plan before making any major changes. Grab your free Closet Guide here.

Shelf space is another area worth evaluating.

Do you have enough shelves? Are they positioned where they’re actually useful? And don’t forget to look up. Many closets have unused vertical space above the highest shelf. Sometimes adding another shelf can create more storage than you expected without requiring a major renovation.

 

As you’re making your list, try not to focus only on the frustrations.

I know that can be difficult.

When you’ve spent years dealing with a closet that doesn’t function well, it’s easy to see only the problems. But there are usually a few things worth keeping. Maybe the hanging space works well. Maybe you like the location of a shelf. Maybe the closet itself is a good size, but the organization isn’t.

The goal of this exercise isn’t to complain about your closet. The goal is to understand it.

Every frustration, inconvenience, and daily annoyance is giving you valuable information about what needs to change. And every feature you still like tells you what might be worth keeping.

The best closet remodels aren’t created by copying someone else’s design. They’re created by understanding how you live, what you store, and what drives you crazy every morning when you’re trying to get dressed.

Before you remove the first shelf or buy the first organizer, spend some time getting to know your current closet a little better.

You may be surprised by what you discover.

And those discoveries will help you create a closet that feels less frustrating, more

 organized, and much better suited to the way you actually live.

Stay tuned as I continue sharing the process of creating a closet that works for you and your lifestyle. And if you’re If you’re ready for ideas and inspiration, grab my free Closet Guide here.