Tips for Organizing the Closet in Your Central Florida New Home

The holidays have ended and it’s time to pack up your lights and decorations. If you are like most, than you probably have been stuffing items in your closet to get them out of sight, just to find out weeks later your closet won't open without items crashing out of it. Since Central Florida new homes are not built with basements, closet space is a hot commodity and keeping your closets organized will optimize your storage space as well as make it easier to find what you need, when you need it. It can be hard to find the time to clean an area that is hidden behind closed doors, but make the time to get your closets organized and I promise it will be easy to maintain.

One of my favorite items for organizing is using color-coded storage bins with lids. Use red or green bins for Christmas decor, and orange for fall or Halloween decorations. Use clear bins for general items. Alternately, label your bins. Ornament boxes are very helpful because they save space and protect the ornaments. Hang wreaths on closet racking, and bundle your lights or use a storage wheel.

The beginning of the year is a great time to get your documents ready for tax season, so go through files, bills, and receipts, organize them, and get rid of those you don't need. Make file folders that are labeled specifically. If you don’t have a file cabinet, use a cardboard or plastic file box to easily store your files.

While you are trying to find room for the new clothes and goodies you got for the holidays, it’s a great time to get rid of clothes, shoes, and purses that you don’t wear anymore. If they are in good condition, you can try selling your items to a consignment shop, and you can always donate to Salvation Army or other thrift stores. Keep a list of donated items and get a receipt if you plan to write this off on your taxes.

Organizing your clothing can be very personal. Some people like to organize their clothes by season while others like to hang them by color or style. Find a way that works best for you and hang your clothes accordingly. Don't make it too complicated or else it will be hard to keep up with! Considering adding shelving to optimize your space — you can add a double row of racking or free slide racking for more hanging space. Use over the door hangers to for belts, scarves and ties. Stack folded items, like jeans, on top of your wire shelving. Pack bulky items that you don’t often use (like sweaters) in a thin container you can store under the bed.

Don’t forget about your kitchen pantry! Use tins or canvas bins for loose items like individually bagged chips or fruit snacks — this saves space over bulky store packaging and it is convenient to have all the snacks in one container. Group like items together. For example, put all your cereal boxes, breakfast bars, and oatmeal on one shelf. Macaroni, sauces, and rice can be on another shelf. When you are unloading your groceries, put the new items in the back so you eat the older items first. Having an organized pantry will also save you money at the grocery store by allowing you to easily scan your pantry and make a list of what you need.

With organizing, there is no right or wrong way. Find a layout that works best for you and will be easy for you to maintain.

Our spacious Orlando, Lakeland, Winter Haven, and Tampa new homes feature ample closet space for getting your life organized. For more decorating tips, follow us on Pinterest or visit the Highland Homes website.