organize the closet

hangers: the ultimate space-saver

 

I may sound like a type A, you've-written-too-many-closet-stories editor, but this idea really works and it's one of my favorite closet tricks: The easiest way to find space in your closet is to switch out the mish-mash of wire, plastic, fabric, and wood hangers for one uniform hanger. When you use the same hanger, the hangers nest as they slide together, which saves valuable inches on your rod. Even more fantastic, your clothes sit at the same level, making everything look neat and keeping little tops from getting lost and snagged under other clothes.

On the quest for the all-perfect hanger, I spent an afternoon in my friend's closet, trying out different hangers from the Container Store, Bed Bath & Beyond, and HSN with her wardrobe. We're hung up on this slim, flocked Joy Mangano hanger. Read on for why this hanger won us over (it's not just because it comes in a dozen colors) and to find out which hangers didn't make the final cut. Check out the hangers in action below -- the start of an organized closet (need to buy some more!)

{image via HSN}

why we loved the Joy Mangano hangers (these ones):

1. They are as slim as the wire hangers from the dry cleaners — but much better for your clothes (no shoulder puckers or stretched-out knits.)
2. Camisoles and spaghetti straps stay on these hangers because of the flocked texture (if your closet is crazy jammed, you still may need finger clips or clothespins to keep straps in place.)
3. They are so versatile: we tested out with camisoles, tops, dresses, jackets, sweater dresses, scarves, and pants. If you get the finger clips, you can hang skirts from these hangers too. (I own a set of wooden clamp hangers for my skirts, which work well but are a serious space-suck.)
4. They're affordable ($40 for 36) and come in a kaleidoscope of colors. Holy crow, someone finally realized that organizing stuff doesn't have to be beige and boring!
5. Another bonus of these Joy Mangano hangers: they carry kid hangers for the size XS crew, like my teeny friend Sue-Anne, since most adult hangers are large enough to create shoulder bumps in small tops.

the rejected hangers:

tubular plastic hangers: Cheap to buy in bulk, check; come in lots of colors, check; work with most clothes -- not even close. These hangers work just fine for my husband's oxfords, but Sue-Anne and I noticed the quick slide-off and the great shoulder bulge with our clothes. 

plastic hangers with hooks: These Olka hangers solve the slide-off problem we faced with camisoles and strappy dresses, but the length of the hanger is a smidge longer (so we had some shoulder bulge issues). I own these hangers and dislike how strappy tops get lost — tops hang low in the shuffle, because the hooks are on the bottom. These hangers also take up more space on the rod.

wood hangers: The different shapes do what they're meant to do, but wood hangers take up about three times as much space as the HSN hangers. And they're pricey to buy in bulk.

fabric hangers: If you're someone who's lucky enough to have a spare closet, then by all means, have at it with fabric hangers. For the rest of us living with space issues, these pricey hangers are not a space-saving choice, and, to be honest, look too granny for my style.

*Bed, Bath & Beyond sells flocked hangers in packs of 50 that are virtually identical to the HSN hangers — but they don't come in all the cool colors.