Life Desk :
If your brain issues an avalanche warning every time you reach for the handle of your wardrobe, it’s probably time to get organised.
Gadgets and organising accessories that are now readily available on sites like Amazon, Pepperfry and eBay mean that you can fit more into less without having to add wooden shelves. Use these accessories or turn to DIY solutions (cardboard sections for drawers, shower rings to hang up jeans and shorts, labelled boxesbags for shoes etc) and you’ll never have ‘nothing to wear’ again. Experts tell you how to do it right:
Clear and categorise
Always impeccably dressed herself, stylist, Khushnaz Turner, a mother of two, knows that an organised wardrobe is crucial for punctual professionals. Turner, who offers style tips on her Facebook page (Kat-Diaries) and on Instagram says, “A window into my take on fashion and an ensemble of great looks for every occasion,” says, “What’s the point of investing in the latest handbag or that dress you just had to have if you can’t find it when you want it.”
Organising, says Turner, “can save you a lot of time on busy mornings.”
“One thing I do with my wardrobe as well as with the kids’ cupboards is to organise clothes by different looks. So, office wear is placed together, party wear is arranged separately. For the kids, there’s party wear, outdoor clothes, uniforms…everything is organised according to categories, so you don’t lose time looking for things.” She adds, “You can also organise your clothes according to colour. Jeans can be folded and pancake-stacked, but, again, arrange them according to colour and do the same with tops, so you can find what you’re looking for quickly.” Formal dresses, she says, should ideally be placed on hangers. “Some even choose to arrange dresses according to style, so, from left to right, your wardrobe would go from strapless numbers to long-sleeved dresses.”
“Never hang saris, especially embroidered ones. Put them in a bag and if you have winter woollies for holidays abroad, vacuum-pack these in bags (vacuum-seal bags and air pump kits are available online). These save space and keep bugs out of your clothes.” Turner also advocates letting go of items one hasn’t used for a year.”Donate them, dump them or sell them. You can even sell your used handbags online.” Finally, she recommends using transparent shoe bags or shoe boxes and hanging up scarves, belts and ties on hangers or hooks. “As far as possible, you should be able to see your collection so you can mix and match easily.”
Light it up
A couple of years ago, online furniture store Urban Ladder introduced a new dimension to their business, says designer, Nishajyoti Sharma, “We used to do only loose furniture, but about two years ago, we started developing modular wardrobes and a year back we launched modular kitchen furniture -these wardrobes and kitchens are put together by assembling factory-manufactured modules in customer-specific configurations on site.”
Sharma’s role involves designing these pre-fabricated wardrobes based on customer requirements.
Ergonomics, in her opinion, “is rarely given due importance and it’s assumed that ready wardrobes are the ideal height. This is not the case.You should have the hanging rod shifted to a height that’s suitable for you or use pull-down hanger rods if you’re built smaller. This will keep your back from being unnecessarily strained.” For the same reason, Sharma also feels that the area above seven feet should be used as a loft area, “only to store items that you don’t regularly access.”
“If space is a problem in your room, it’s a good idea to install sliding doors on your wardrobe instead of swing doors which would eat into the traffic area.”
Sharma also recommends using compartment trays in drawers. “You can use these to organise everything from jewellery and ties to innerwear. “And shelves, she says, are essential. “Ideally, it’s a good idea to have configurable internals, tracks and channels that allow you to shift the positions of drawers and shelves. One panel needs to be fixed in a standard seven-foot wardrobe so that the structure is properly supported, but everything else can be adjusted.”
Lighting is another factor that Sharma feels needs attention. “If your bedroom is not well lit, it’s a good idea to have lights fitted in or right outside your wardrobe, so everything is easy to spot -there are a number of options available today: in-built lights, decorative lights for outside the wardrobe, LED spot and strip lights, and even wardrobe rail lights with in-built sensors.”
Stock like with like
With a shoe rack even in her office, celebrity stylist Ami Patel, naturally starts off with a tip on how to store her favourite accessory. “Most people usually dump their shoes in a pile at the bottom of the wardrobe.I’d organise them on a rack, ideally, arranging sneakers on one side, flats together and then heels.”
Conceding however that limited space is often a challenge people face, Patel says, “If you don’t have the space for a rack, you could stack shoe boxes one on top of the other and have labels with pictures that show you what’s in which box.Alternately you can use sectioned, pull-out shoe organisers which can be tucked under your bed, or use hanging racks.”
Likewise, with clothes, Patel recommends stacking formal wear and casual wear separately, so you know which pile to look in for what item.”For lingerie, buy large storage boxes which you can store in the cupboard, section these with cardboard, and organise your lingerie by colour and style.”
– Mumbai Mirror
If your brain issues an avalanche warning every time you reach for the handle of your wardrobe, it’s probably time to get organised.
Gadgets and organising accessories that are now readily available on sites like Amazon, Pepperfry and eBay mean that you can fit more into less without having to add wooden shelves. Use these accessories or turn to DIY solutions (cardboard sections for drawers, shower rings to hang up jeans and shorts, labelled boxesbags for shoes etc) and you’ll never have ‘nothing to wear’ again. Experts tell you how to do it right:
Clear and categorise
Always impeccably dressed herself, stylist, Khushnaz Turner, a mother of two, knows that an organised wardrobe is crucial for punctual professionals. Turner, who offers style tips on her Facebook page (Kat-Diaries) and on Instagram says, “A window into my take on fashion and an ensemble of great looks for every occasion,” says, “What’s the point of investing in the latest handbag or that dress you just had to have if you can’t find it when you want it.”
Organising, says Turner, “can save you a lot of time on busy mornings.”
“One thing I do with my wardrobe as well as with the kids’ cupboards is to organise clothes by different looks. So, office wear is placed together, party wear is arranged separately. For the kids, there’s party wear, outdoor clothes, uniforms…everything is organised according to categories, so you don’t lose time looking for things.” She adds, “You can also organise your clothes according to colour. Jeans can be folded and pancake-stacked, but, again, arrange them according to colour and do the same with tops, so you can find what you’re looking for quickly.” Formal dresses, she says, should ideally be placed on hangers. “Some even choose to arrange dresses according to style, so, from left to right, your wardrobe would go from strapless numbers to long-sleeved dresses.”
“Never hang saris, especially embroidered ones. Put them in a bag and if you have winter woollies for holidays abroad, vacuum-pack these in bags (vacuum-seal bags and air pump kits are available online). These save space and keep bugs out of your clothes.” Turner also advocates letting go of items one hasn’t used for a year.”Donate them, dump them or sell them. You can even sell your used handbags online.” Finally, she recommends using transparent shoe bags or shoe boxes and hanging up scarves, belts and ties on hangers or hooks. “As far as possible, you should be able to see your collection so you can mix and match easily.”
Light it up
A couple of years ago, online furniture store Urban Ladder introduced a new dimension to their business, says designer, Nishajyoti Sharma, “We used to do only loose furniture, but about two years ago, we started developing modular wardrobes and a year back we launched modular kitchen furniture -these wardrobes and kitchens are put together by assembling factory-manufactured modules in customer-specific configurations on site.”
Sharma’s role involves designing these pre-fabricated wardrobes based on customer requirements.
Ergonomics, in her opinion, “is rarely given due importance and it’s assumed that ready wardrobes are the ideal height. This is not the case.You should have the hanging rod shifted to a height that’s suitable for you or use pull-down hanger rods if you’re built smaller. This will keep your back from being unnecessarily strained.” For the same reason, Sharma also feels that the area above seven feet should be used as a loft area, “only to store items that you don’t regularly access.”
“If space is a problem in your room, it’s a good idea to install sliding doors on your wardrobe instead of swing doors which would eat into the traffic area.”
Sharma also recommends using compartment trays in drawers. “You can use these to organise everything from jewellery and ties to innerwear. “And shelves, she says, are essential. “Ideally, it’s a good idea to have configurable internals, tracks and channels that allow you to shift the positions of drawers and shelves. One panel needs to be fixed in a standard seven-foot wardrobe so that the structure is properly supported, but everything else can be adjusted.”
Lighting is another factor that Sharma feels needs attention. “If your bedroom is not well lit, it’s a good idea to have lights fitted in or right outside your wardrobe, so everything is easy to spot -there are a number of options available today: in-built lights, decorative lights for outside the wardrobe, LED spot and strip lights, and even wardrobe rail lights with in-built sensors.”
Stock like with like
With a shoe rack even in her office, celebrity stylist Ami Patel, naturally starts off with a tip on how to store her favourite accessory. “Most people usually dump their shoes in a pile at the bottom of the wardrobe.I’d organise them on a rack, ideally, arranging sneakers on one side, flats together and then heels.”
Conceding however that limited space is often a challenge people face, Patel says, “If you don’t have the space for a rack, you could stack shoe boxes one on top of the other and have labels with pictures that show you what’s in which box.Alternately you can use sectioned, pull-out shoe organisers which can be tucked under your bed, or use hanging racks.”
Likewise, with clothes, Patel recommends stacking formal wear and casual wear separately, so you know which pile to look in for what item.”For lingerie, buy large storage boxes which you can store in the cupboard, section these with cardboard, and organise your lingerie by colour and style.”
– Mumbai Mirror