The Organizer

Dear Devorah,

No matter how much I try to organize my kids’ closets, they always seem packed and impossible to keep neat. We don’t have a ton of space, and I feel like I’m constantly stuffing things wherever they fit. How can I make their closets more functional without getting rid of everything?

– Lost in the closet

Dear Lost, 

Let’s face it- most people don’t have closets big enough to hold all of their clothing, and even those with spacious walk-ins often find that their kids’ closets are a game of Tetris—things crammed in every direction, making it impossible to find what they need. And let’s be honest, even if you do have enough closet space, without the right systems, it’s still going to end up looking like a clothing avalanche waiting to happen.  

So, where do we start?  

Step 1: The Great Closet Purge  

Before we even think about organizing, we have to clear some space. Overstuffed closets don’t magically stretch to fit in more clothing (trust me, I’ve tried). The first step is going through everything and deciding what can be donated, passed down, or finally retired after taking up valuable space for way too long. A good rule of thumb? If it hasn’t been worn in a year, doesn’t fit, or has seen better days—it’s time to let it go.  

Once that’s done, we tackle seasonal rotation. There’s no reason thick winter sweaters should be taking up prime real estate in July, just like summer dresses don’t need to be in the way when you’re reaching for a cozy sweater in December. 

Under-bed bins or top-shelf storage are perfect for out-of-season clothing—the kind of stuff you don’t need access to every day.  

Step 2: Categorize Like a Pro

Now that we’ve made some breathing room, it’s time to categorize. Keeping like items together—shirts with shirts, school tops separate from weekend clothes, pajamas in their own section—makes it so much easier to find what you need and keep things neat. 

Categorizing by color takes it a step further. Not only does it look great, but it also works like a cheat sheet for putting things away—no thinking required. A quick glance tells you exactly where everything goes, making it even easier to maintain order. 

One of the biggest complaints I hear from families is that cleaning help never knows where to put things. The solution? Labeled shelves and color-coded systems. This can be as simple as colored iron-on labels or small color-coded Sharpie dots on the clothing tags—red for one size, blue for another, green for yet another. (Pro tip: Label by size instead of name so hand-me-downs don’t get confusing later.) A simple system like this keeps everything organized, even when multiple people are putting clothes away. I also recommend keeping a clear reference chart in the laundry room or closet, so anyone folding knows exactly where things belong. 

Step 3: Closet Organization Must-Haves

Now, let’s talk about the real MVPs of an organized closet: dividers, racks, and all those little upgrades that make a big difference.

Shelf dividers are a total game-changer. If you’ve ever tried to grab one sweater only to have the entire stack collapse like a poorly played round of Jenga, you know the struggle. Dividers keep piles standing tall, so you’re not left wrestling with a leaning tower of polos every time your kid gets dressed. 

Drawer dividers are another must-have. Without them, opening a drawer turns into a mini earthquake—socks rolling into t-shirts, pajamas disappearing under tights, and suddenly, nothing is where you left it. Dividers keep everything in its lane, so you’re not digging through a tangled mess every morning.

Shoe racks deserve a special shoutout. The bottom of the closet is prime real estate, yet it often becomes a black hole of mismatched shoes and forgotten bags. Enter: wooden shoe racks. I love these because they work beautifully in closets and don’t break the bank (just $17 at Target!). And they’re not just for shoes—they create extra storage for bins, folded clothes, or accessories while making everything look more polished. Plus, no more searching through a pile of sneakers to find the other half of a pair.

Matching hangers may seem minor, but trust me, they’re a game-changer. They don’t have to be fancy, but when they coordinate, they instantly upgrade the look of a closet and help maximize hanging space. A small change, but a big difference.

Extra shelving is a lifesaver for those needing more folding space. One of my clients recently moved into a new apartment and needed more storage but wasn’t keen on investing in a pricey built-in for a temporary space. So, we got creative—an inexpensive cube unit turned into extra shelving that gave her plenty of room to neatly fold and store clothes. Thinking outside the box (or in this case, inside the cube!) is a simple way to maximize closet space without breaking the budget. 

At the end of the day, the key to an organized closet isn’t just having enough space—it’s using that space wisely. With the right systems in place, even the tiniest closet can feel spacious, functional, and (dare I say?) enjoyable to use. No more clothing avalanches, no more endless digging—just a closet that works for you instead of against you.  

Happy Organizing,

Devorah