Organized Interiors Blog

A Quick Guide to Donating Clothes and Organizing Closets

You’re ready to hit the big summer sales, but the bedroom closet is already stuffed full of clothes.

Fortunately, you can easily make room in your closet by donating or tossing the items you no longer wear.

Clearing out old clothes not only creates more space for the latest trends, but it also helps you keep your closet organized and tidy.

Do a clothes audit

To start, go through your wardrobe and pull out any tops, dresses, jackets, slacks or skirts that you haven’t worn in the past six months.

Some apparel you might only wear for special occasions, like a fancy cocktail dress or a suit, and it’s okay to keep those items.

Clothes that are suitable for a variety of occasions but you never seem to wear, however, are the items you want to remove.

Once a pile is put together, sort through the clothes once more to decide which items should be tossed and which should be donated.

When to donate

You have a blouse that has gone out of style, a dress you feel doesn’t flatter you and a jacket that is no longer the right size.

These are the types of clothing you want to donate. You can also donate any clothes that you simply don’t like any more.

Classic closet organizer system

When to toss

If a shirt has a hole or a bad stain that won’t come out, toss it. Clothes that are dirty or badly worn out are not worth donating, and many stores will simply throw them out anyway.

Sorting through your closet and getting rid of articles of clothing you no longer wear is a good practice to follow every year.

No one likes a cluttered closet and going through your clothes may even help you discover pieces you thought were missing. Use these tips to guide you through the process.

Where to donate

Finally, where should you donate your clothes in the greater Toronto area? It depends if you want to donate your clothes to community groups, charities, thrift stores or resale shops.

Here are a few organizations that take clothing donations to help others in some way:

Some organizations like OFCP have a free home collection service to collect clothes, shoes, coats, bedding and linen.

If you think somebody can benefit from used clothing, donate it instead of throwing it out.

Cool Father’s Day Closet Accessories

Searching for the perfect gift to get dad this Father’s Day? This year, why not get him something practical, a gift he can really use?

An upgraded custom closet can make life easier for dad (and make mom happy, too!).

Not only will the convenient storage systems help make dad more organized it’s a real time saver when everything can be found in its place.

Here are a few closet accessory ideas he might love, to complement his new closet system and his new routine.

Tie rack

Hanging numerous ties on one hanger can lead to ties getting tangled or falling on the floor. Folding ties often causes wrinkles. Install a tie rack in your dad’s closet so he can hang each tie separately.

This will make finding the right tie in the morning a breeze, ensuring they remain wrinkle-free and ready to wear.

Hidden document drawer

Update your dad’s closet with a hidden drawer he can use to store important legal documents and valuables.

If that isn’t enough secure storage, custom closets can also be upgraded with a personal safe.

Belt rack

Belts can end up in drawers, tangled in a heap, but a custom designed belt rack makes them easy to find and also helps maintain the shape of each belt.

Have our expert design consultants install a belt rack into your dad’s new custom closet. The sliding belt racks feature a low profile and can fit almost anywhere.

Watch winder and storage

If your dad has a nice watch collection, then we have the perfect upgrade idea. Custom drawers are designed to protect watches and feature Orbita watch winders to keep each watch, perfectly wound.

Add a glass cover and you have a high tech display of dad’s coolest watches.

This Father’s Day, give a gift your dad can use for years. These accessories add convenience to custom closet designs, provide better organization and are a smart solution for any space.

If you have questions about any of these accessories, please contact us or visit our showroom and we can demonstrate how all of them work.

How To Live Large In a Tiny Home

The newest trend, the Tiny House Movement, is becoming more and more popular.

Whether it’s a custom trailer, mobile home, small cottage or micro-condo, tiny homes are typically smaller than 500 square feet. Think you can live in such a small space?

Well, many young professionals, students and first-time buyers are jumping at the chance to live in these smaller spaces.

Advantage of micro-living

While an efficient, small structure in the great outdoors is one aspect of the Tiny House Movement, micro-condos are an excellent option in cities like Toronto.

These units can usually be found in larger condo developments, mostly downtown. One advantage for owners and renters is the access to the best of city living, usually within walking distance.

Micro-condos offer a great option to live efficiently in a great location for less. They also force people to get organized.

Get organized

So, as an owner of a micro-condo, how do you maximize your space and make it livable? Get organized! Along with downsizing and getting rid of stuff you no longer need, you should consider installing custom cabinetry.

Custom cabinets are designed to fit in perfectly with your unique home, helping you to eliminate clutter and use your space wisely. Putting your stuff behind closed doors eliminates visual chaos and allows you to relax in your tiny environment.

Big sleep comfort in a small space

Customized options also allow you to choose smart solutions like wall beds so you can make the most of your space.

Wall beds are great solutions for smaller condos because when they’re not in use, they fold up into a surrounding cabinet on the wall.

It can become your whole bedroom or you can use a wall bed to create a guest room.

Don’t sacrifice style for function

Micro-condos might be small, but they can still provide the same functionality as a larger home and be just as organized with the right customized designs.

If you’re in the market for one of these tinier units, don’t forget to book a free in-home design consultation with Organized Interiors to make the most of your small space.

Laundry Hampers: The Secret To Hiding Your Dirty Laundry

When family and friends come to visit, the last thing you want is for them to see your dirty laundry strewn about the house.

Not that this is a regular occurrence, but when it happens you never quite forget it.

You can quickly stuff clothes in a portable hamper or basket, of course, but bad odours may not help “hide” the evidence and candles and flowers can only help so much.

Fix your dirty laundry problems once and for all by investing in a customized solution that not only hides clothes but also conveniently helps keep them sorted.

Built-in laundry hampers

Built-in laundry hampers are designed to fit in with your stylish cabinetry, help organize your home and keep it smelling great.

You don’t need to have just one, consider the advantages of having three hampers built into your laundry room; one for whites, one for colours and one for darks. No more additional sorting.

Add a laundry hamper to your closet

Built-in hampers can also be integrated into walk-in closets or dressing rooms. With ready-to-go inserts with handles so you can simply pick up and load in.

Rather than throwing your jeans and blouse on the floor as you’re getting ready for bed, you’ll want to keep a clean room knowing a hamper (or three) is in easy throwing distance.

Customized storage solutions hide not only your dirty clothes, but the entire hamper as well.

To learn more about built-in laundry hampers and other smart laundry solutions, visit our laundry room page.

Essential Closet Accessories for His and Hers Closets

One of the things a successful marriage is built on is compromise.

However, one thing you should never have to sacrifice for your loved one is storage space.

Customized storage solutions allow you to tailor a closet to individual needs – you and your spouse can keep personal belongings separate without making them hard to find.

To make the most of your his and hers closets, be sure to consider these essential closet accessories.

Closet accessories for His Closet

Drawer dividers help you organize smaller wardrobe pieces like socks, underwear, scarves and ties.

Pullout tie racks are extremely useful if you wear a tie to work and have a large selection. The racks keep them organized and wrinkle-free.

Using a pullout shoe rack is one way to prevent you from tripping over your footwear. It also protects them from scuffs and damage. Having all of your shoes in one place can save you a bit of time in the morning and keep your bedroom looking tidy.

If you hate ironing and want to keep your pants from looking wrinkled, install a pant rack. A pullout rack makes it easy to see all of your pants at once, helping you decide what to wear with a shirt or jacket.

Another thing you’ll like about pant rack is that the pants actually stay on them. With a hanger, pants often slide off and get wrinkled.

If you have more than one wristwatch then a watch winder can keep them organized and properly wound.

Closet accessories for Her Closet

An elegant mirror helps you find the perfect outfit to wear each morning before heading out the door.

A velvet-lined jewellery drawer protects your favourite accessories and prevents them from getting tangled or lost.

If you find yourself fishing through drawers for earrings, bracelets, necklaces and rings a jewellery drawer will get you organized.

A pullout scarf rack offers the perfect place to hang fashionable scarves and belts.

Premium wooden hangers are an essential in any closet because they extend the life of your wardrobe and look great in your closet.

When you are putting together an outfit or simply want a place to hang your dry cleaning, a retractable valet rod is a must. This has become a favourite accessory for many people once they have them installed.

For more ideas visit the closet accessories section of our website or talk to one of our design consultants by scheduling a free in-home consultation.

Their years of experience and creativity can transform an average closet into an efficient and organized space that you’ll love.