Do you struggle to find space for your and your family’s clothes? Are you dealing with minimal closet, drawer and storage space?
If you are, then we know how frustrating it is every time you try to put away the clean laundry.
But it doesn’t have to be that way! We’ve gathered our top tips and folding techniques to help you maximize space in your small closets and drawers.
Use Dividers or Boxes
Group by Type and Size
Maximize your drawer and shelf space by grouping clothing (t-shirts, tanks, pants, shorts, underwear, socks, sweaters, etc.). It will also make finding a specific piece of clothing easier, as you always know exactly where to look.
Fold Uniformly
Fold all items to be roughly the same width by using one or more of the folding techniques described below, especially if you use dividers.
Folding Techniques
KonMari Method - File, don’t stack
This is a very versatile technique that is ideal for most types of clothing. It involves folding each piece of clothing into a compact, upright rectangle, which is then folded into thirds. This allows each item to be “filed” in your drawers.
Filing your clothes makes it easier to see everything and allows you to choose what you want to take out, without disturbing the rest of the clothes. When clothes are stacked, they inevitably end up falling over or being a jumbled mess once you’ve removed a few items.
Each item of clothing uses a slightly different technique:
T-shirts and long-sleeve shirts:
Lay your shirt front side down on a flat surface. Fold one side to the middle, folding the sleeve back and down, then repeat with the other side. Fold the bottom up almost to the neckline (about an inch or so below) so you are left with a rectangle. Now fold the rectangle over itself into thirds. This will leave you with a neat little “package” that can stand on its own!
Pants:
Again, lay the pants front facing down on a flat surface, and fold one leg over the other. Fold the crotch area in and bring the hem of the pants up to the waistband, creating a rectangle. Now fold your rectangle into thirds.
Underwear:
With the underwear on a flat surface facing up, fold the crotch to the waistband, then fold each side in towards the centre. Once again, fold into thirds!
Socks:
The same principle applies to socks; fold the toe up to the top of the sock, then fold in thirds.
Rolling Method (also known as Army or Ranger Roll)
Rolling is a simple method, best used for travel, but can also be used in drawers. It helps to keep your clothing wrinkle-free while also saving space.
For t-shirts and long-sleeve shirts, start the same way you would with the KonMari method by laying the shirt flat, and folding each side to the centre. Then simply roll tightly from the bottom to the top.
For pants, fold one leg over the other, then roll from the bottom up, tucking in the edges as you go.
Flat Fold
The best folding technique for bulky items, like sweaters, is the flat fold. Lay the sweater on a flat surface and smooth out any wrinkles. Fold the sleeves neatly toward the centre, then fold in half horizontally. Depending on how bulky it is, you could fold it one more time vertically. For hoodies, fold the hood back to the centre first, then fold the sleeves in, and fold the bottom to the top. The flat fold allows sweaters to be easily stacked and prevents stretching.
The most important thing is to pick a folding technique that works for you and stick to it. It may take a little extra time to learn at first, but it will make a world of difference in keeping your small space tidy and organized.
Need help getting started? Contact us today! Our team of professional organizers will show you the best techniques for folding and organizing clothes to maximize your small space!
We offer free phone or video call consultations, or you can book a 30-minute in-person consultation for $50+tax.
You can also send us videos of the areas you need help with via WhatsApp at 604-446-3939, and we would be happy to provide you with an estimate.
