How to Simplify Your Morning Routine...and get out the door with time to spare

So many of us hit the ground running every morning.  Fighting the clock and feeling overwhelmed has become the new norm.  We may not have the ability to add an extra hour to our days, but we can find ways to save time and feel more prepared to tackle our busy days.  Here are a few helpful tips to make your morning routine run more smoothly and have you out the door on time.

1. Pick out your outfit the night before.  The last thing we want to do is think about tomorrow before today is even over, but it is by far the very best way to be prepared for the next morning.  Those slacks you were planning on wearing may need to be pressed or you may have forgotten that blouse you were planning to wear is at the dry cleaners.  Those few extra minutes at night will make your morning less hectic.

2.  Keep your clothing in one place.  Having to keep your undergarments out in the bedroom and not in the closet is a sure way to add time to your routine. Getting dressed is far less time consuming when you are organized and have everything in one place.  Having to go back out into the bedroom to grab a cami to wear under blouse is a time-waster.  So is having to find a pair of socks or gathering up your bra and panties for the day.

3.  Put a hamper in your closet.   Who wants to waste time going from closet to hamper and then back to get dressed?  No one!  We all are looking for ways to simplify our lives, not complicate them.  It is far more time consuming to undress and dress in your closet to then have to take the dirty clothes to the hamper - or worse leave a pile of dirty clothes on the floor.

4. Get your shoes off the floor.  And while you're at it, out of boxes.  Having them out has several benefits.  It helps remind us of what we already have and also will prevent purchasing duplicates.  We've all brought home a pair of shoes almost identical to ones already in our closets only because we forgot of the ones we already have...out of sight, out of mind.  Then there's the biggest reason of all - it saves time!  No more need to dig through boxes or hunt around on the floor.  Things more accessible will save time, but also make getting ready that much easier. And if you're concerned about dust, think about getting glass doors to go over the shoe shelves.

5. Separate your accessories.  Is there anything less aggravating than pulling out a necklace to find it tangled up with another?  Avoid that frustration.  Remember the drawers you will make sure you have in your closet for your everyday undergarments?  Well add an extra drawer and make sure it has a jewelry insert - viola, problem solved.

6.  Arrange accordingly.  Assess your inventory and make cuts.  If you don't love it, doesn't fit well, has pills, doesn't make you feel fabulous - get rid of it!  Separate like items together.  Pants with pants, skirts with skirts, etc.  Once you've done that arrange them by color.  Most follow the lightest to darkest rule.  I personally prefer to arrange whites, grays, blacks, and then the order of the rainbow.  Find what works best for you to ensure you keep up with it.

7.  Reflect on it.   If your closet has the room, a mirror is always a good idea.  One last glance before heading out the door will make you feel confident.  

Click here to schedule your closet assessment with one of our professional closet planners.

MAKING THE MOST OF SMALL CLOSETS IN DELAWARE AND BEYOND

DOES YOUR SMALL CLOSET NEED A PROFESSIONAL CLOSET PLANNER?

If you live with a small closet, then you know the struggles you face to keep things well organized.  Finding a place for all your clothes is a feat into itself.  With limited space and perhaps even a single rod or wire rack in your closet it may be time to make some improvements.

A set of fresh eyes may be helpful in finding creative solutions to those everyday headaches.  The very best professional closet planners ensure the improvements made to your closet add value to your home and your everyday living.  Homes on the Delaware shore are generally smaller in scale so finding room for all your essentials is crucial.  A professional closet planner will map out the most efficient design based on your specific needs and closet measurements.  

Designing a pretty closet may seem easy, but if an accurate assessment is not done it will be all for naught.  There is nothing pretty about unmanageable shoes, or more stressful than inadequate shelves for things like gym bags, purses or stacks of folded clothes.  Oh, lets not forget the wandering hamper that has found a temporary home under the blouses where there should be a double rod. There is a better way!  Let us walk you through the process.

THINGS TO CONSIDER:

BUDGET

This is one of the most overlooked areas.  For whatever reason people are uncomfortable talking amount money.  Whether you hire a professional or not, you need to have a clear understanding of what you want to spend on the project.  If drawers are in the plan, but put the project over budget, that's perfectly fine.  Consider using open shelves for now to keep you within your budget and add the drawers when you want to invest a little more into your space - that's totally doable!  Just make sure the designer plans for standard width shelf stacks to avoid special order drawers in the future.  (HINT - the more moving parts in a closet the more it will cost - i.e: drawers, doors, pull-out hampers, pants racks, etc.).  

HANGING CLOTHES

As much as a  designer may want to see your closet "as is" they also need to know if you're planning a major purge.  If you have a dozen pairs of jeans hanging in your closet that have not been worn in years you may want to donate them to clear your space for the things you do love and wear.  Freeing space of clutter also clears the mind and leads to a far less hectic life.

Does your closet have the dreaded single rod?  Do you have more wasted space than usable space under your short hanging clothes?  If so, double hanging may be in order.

If you only have a handful of knee length dresses and an even smaller collection of maxi dresses, formal gowns and/or robes then you may want to consider housing them on one long-hang rod to avoid one small section of medium-hang and one small section of long-hang in your closet. (HINT- Clothes move less freely when on rods under 18". Sharing say a 24" rod or longer allows the clothes to move along the rod more freely, but cuts down on the material cost of your closet as well)

SHELVING

If you have a single rod surrounding your closet then you may find the shelf above it less than convenient when trying to reach that favorite sweater of yours. And let us not forget the shoes floating around on the floor.  There truly is a solution far less expensive than adding a closet addition to your home.  Many do not realize it takes as little as 12 inches to add shelves for shoes or folded clothes.  And as little as 18 inches for drawers, hampers, baskets, etc. The possibilities are endless and why taking a full inventory is a must  (HINT - did you know if a woman were to chose an 18" hamper and shelf stack opposed to a 24" she would be losing precious storage for shoes or folded clothes?  By increasing by only 6" she will have enough space to double her stack of clothes or increase her shoe storage by 30%). 

NOTICE HOW DROPPING THE SHORT HANG ROD ON THE LEFT  ELIMINATES  WASTED SPACE AND ALLOWS FOR SEVERAL ACCESSIBLE SHELVES FOR FOLDED ITEMS..

ACCESSORIES

This is when you can start customizing a space more specific to your everyday needs.  Some people like open shelves to see everything at a glance, while others prefer to utilize doors to conceal or keep things free of dust.  Surprisingly, some small walk-ins are still large enough to add a few drawers for undergarments and such.    

 Polished Chrome, Brushed Chrome or Oil Rubbed Bronze finish selections as well.

Pull-Out hampers not only keep things tidy, but make laundry day a whole lot easier. 

Available in Three Sizes: 18 Inch Holds 12 Pairs of Pants; 24 Inch Holds 18 Pairs of Pants; 30 Inch Holds 24 Pairs of Pants

 

Pull-Out Slack Racks with Hangars for those who do not hang their pants by the waistband or cuff are always great.

Three Tier Jewelry Organizers are Available as a 18, 24 or 30 Inch Drawer Insert

Drawer Inserts are fabulous for keeping things neat.

Lingerie Dividers can be used for bras, panties, socks and so much more.

Belt Rack with Full Extension Slide Holds 6 Belts (pictured in polished chrome) — Available in Polished Chrome, Brushed Chrome and Oil Rubbed Bronze

Storing belts can be effortless with a full extension belt rack that can be tucked away when not in use and then pulled out when needed.  The same can be done with ties.

 Full extension slide-out tie rack holds 15 Ties

Handles and knobs should not be overlooked! It can easily change the personality of a space when chosen wisely 

CROWN MOULDING CAN BUTT UP TO THE CEILING OR SIMPLY BE INSTALLED AGAINST THE TOP OF ANY HEIGHT SYSTEM FOR A DECORATIVE , FURNITURE TYPE LOOK.  

FINISHING TOUCHES

Please, do yourself a favor and do not overlook your handles or knobs.  It is by far the easiest way to dress up a less expensive door or drawer front and is most certainly the jewelry of the closet, much like moulding.  It truly can take ordinary to extraordinary! When used wisely it adds little to the cost of the project, but adds so much  to the look and feel of the space.

You are only going to do this once.  This is an investment in your home and your everyday life.  So take your time, seek help from a professional closet planner and don't be cheap.  Prudent, yes....cheap, no.  Keep things in perspective, have a budget, trust your closet planner and have FUN with it! 

If you should have any questions, please comment below.  We are here to help simplify lives one closet at a time.

How Prepared Is Your Closet For The Dreaded Cold & Flu Season?

Cold & Flu Season Is upon us and will likely stick around until March. Now is the time to take stock of our closets and fill in the gaps of any well needed supplies.  Our lives are busy between work, school, preparing dinners, running errands, etc. - the list is endless.  We encounter a lot of people and a lot of germs.  The last thing any of us can afford is coming down with the dreaded flu.  A well stocked closet of germ fighting cleaning products is one of our best defenses. 

Whether you keep your cleaning supplies in your linen closet, pantry, under the kitchen sink or even in your laundry room make sure you have antibacterial soaps, cleaners and hand sanitizers to ward off those pesky germs.

HERE ARE A FEW TIPS TO HELP KEEP YOU AND YOUR FAMILY HAPPY AND HEALTHY IN 2017.

• Get the flu shot.  Most local pharmacists can administer the flu shot. You may want to call ahead to see if an appointment is necessary.
• Wash your hands....a lot. 
• Sanitize your hands  when soap and water are not handy.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Always consider staying home to avoid making co-workers and classmates sick if you come down with the flu.
• Clean your home and office regularly.  Hard surfaces are a breeding ground for germs.  There are the obvious places like door knobs, and telephones, but don't forget the coffee pot handle, the buttons on the copier, light switches and the refrigerator door handle.
• Maintain a healthy lifestyle.  Get adequate rest - more if you fall ill to the flu. Drink plenty of fluids, eat well, and don't forget to get regular exercise.

$500 OFF YOUR NEXT PROJECT AT CLOSET ENVY DESIGNS!

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STOP TRYING TO FIND THE MATCHING EARRING OR CUFF LINK.

Is your jewelry storage less than adequate? Jewelry inserts are what you need. Depending on the size of your collection you may need a single tray insert, a 2-tier jewelry insert or even a 3-tier insert.  Request your free consultation to find out how we can simplify your life.

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