Closets Are Meant To Be Used!

There is something about January that makes me clean out  cabinets and drawers.  I love it!  But, even though I go in my closet every day, I can’t say that it is clean and organized. I’ve just got to share my closet thoughts with you!

CLOSET S ARE MEANT TO BE USED….I’m voting against sterile, organized closets.  Anyone can purchase various shelf fixtures, multi-hanger units, plastic containers, and rolling baskets to completely organize a closet. There are many places to purchase the closet-organizer materials: via television infomercials, specialized container stores, “do-it-yourself” hardware stores, or discount catalogs (just to name a few).   However, there are those of us who miss the sturdy wooden rods and shelves of yesteryear. Closets smelled better then.   There seems to be something so impersonal about white wire filling every space in the closets.  More importantly, there are good reasons for never organizing your closets and continuing to fill them to capacity.

First of all, filled-to-capacity closets help you make a good impression when people come to visit. There is no need to have a cluttered look to your home.  Just place in closets any objects that fall into the following categories: 1) seasonal clothes, tools, toys, and decorations; 2) souvenirs, memorabilia, and knickknacks which you are not willing to discard but you have no desire to display; 3) possessions such as electric card shufflers, gadgets for unscrewing light bulbs and all “Ronco” products which you might need someday; and 4) umbrellas of various sizes which you have purchased or found.  By storing the above items in closets you will be prepared if “Heloise”, “Martha Stewart” or any other homemaker extraordinare comes for an unexpected visit. Visitors will be amazed with your home décor and not distracted with a mishmash of trinkets, gadgets, and other trifles.  Always remember Closet Rule Number One: Never, Never let anyone but yourself open a closet. Visitors must know that closets are not a part of your “open house.”

Stuffed closets provide a sense of accomplishment.  Because closets tend to get (yes, this could be an understatement) over-crowded there are always hours of work available for closet cleaning.  The rainy season provides a perfect opportunity for this activity since you need to find a couple of those hidden umbrellas anyway.  Choose one closet to stack, hang, and discard according to your inclinations. Closet cleaning is an individual activity; do not accept help.  There are cleaning choices that can be made only by you. Choosing plastic storage bins, paper bags, or just neat piles is a decision that varies with the closet cleaner! Make a note when engaging in this activity to buy lots of trash bags and to alert charity thrift stores that a huge donation will be forth coming!    A not to be ignored benefit to cleaning a closet is that a space to restuff is again available. Remember Closet Rule Number Two: Show off the clean closet to family and friends and enjoy the oohs and aahs of admiration.

Full-to-bursting closets also serve as the EMS (Emergency Services) unit of your household.  Store gifts you have been given and cannot use in this closet. In an emergency, when the gift-giver arrives, all you have to do is bring out the object for temporary display. These closets can also store recycle items which are the gifts you receive and can use as an “I need a gift” emergency. This is the perfect place for storing all of the great bargains you have picked up at garage sales, thrift stores, and end-of-the month department store sales. Definitely this is the place to store those “you’ll never believe how much I saved on this” items. The emergency closet takes away pressure. There is never cause for alarm when a  “white elephant” gift for fun parties is needed.   Your emergency closet will also enhance your community reputation. Local charities rise up and call you blessed because you are always able to put donations in the charity bags that are hung on your door.   This closet can handle the direst emergency of all.  When the unexpected minister, principal, or neighbor arrives at your door a true closet stuffer can deposit dirty dishes, piles of toys, newspapers, craft projects, and/or forbidden snacks in the emergency closet in less than three minutes.  Don’t ever forget Closet Rule Number Three: The emergency closet is a place to toss quickly; do not worry about form.

The best reason for having chock-full closets is to provide children with hours of enjoyment.  My first closet memories began when I was a young girl. On special days my grandmother would let me play in her closet.  There were so many options.  I could dress up like a lady; have department store sales, or make a cozy lair for day dreaming.  There were also boxes of ancient family pictures to peruse.  Not only did I love Grandma’s closet, but my dolls and paperdolls loved it too!   Grandma’s closet was a hiding place for us.  When the Jewel Tea man came to sell his household products, Grandma and I would hide in the closet if she didn’t have the money to pay her bill!  If Mrs. Teeny from down the street came to visit and Grandma didn’t have time to talk all afternoon, into the closet we went.  Best of all, no matter how many times I hid, I could always scare my grandpa when he came home from work and I jumped out of the closet!  Grandma’s closet was a happy haven for me.

My mother continued the closet tradition by allowing my sons to invade her closets.  They found materials that allowed them to become clowns, hunters, aliens, and fishermen.  Her closets also provided quiet places for being alone and thinking, plus great hiding places for hide ‘n seek games. Of course, one of their favorite games was to hide from Grandpa and scare him when they jumped out of the closet! (Wonder who taught them that skill!) Closet Rule Number Four is a tradition in my family: Always allow children and their imaginations to play in your closets.

As I look at the latest gadget that enables one to hang eight winter coats on a single fold down hanger I can’t help but wonder, “Why would anyone want to hang eight coats on one hanger? You would never be able to hide Christmas and birthday presents way out of sight.”

Do understand there are some rules of etiquette for closet stuffing.  Open food items must be discarded after the immediate emergency.  Heavy objects should be stored low to protect body and limbs.  Males should never share storage closets with females.  Their storage items are not compatible.  How can you possible put an antique lace doll in the same space with smelly fishing waders?  Never have a written inventory of the closet contents.  A wonderful part of being a closet aficionado is appreciating the sense of expectation and adventure when opening a closet.  The final Closet Rule is to always be able to keep the door closed!

This article has inspired me.  I am in the process of having a carpenter come in and build three more closets.  Who knows what I will need to store in the next few years?