From The Straits Times    |

Love the latest runway trends, or thinking of switching up your spring pastels for fresh and cheery summer outfits but have no space in your wardrobe? Here are some of my top tips on how you can better organise your wardrobe and look for creative ways to maximise your wardrobe space so you can fit more in.

1.   DECLUTTER & DETOX
Make the most of your wardrobe by clearing out all those unwanted items that are taking up space. First, empty out your wardrobe then sort your clothes into three piles: One for frequent wear (e.g. work clothes) and weekend casuals, one for special occasions or evening dinners, and one for clothes that you no longer wear – decide which of these are for discarding and recycling, and which can be donated to a local charity.

2.  ORGANISE FOR A QUICK CHANGE
Getting ready in the mornings can be a mad rush, so make life easier by organising your clothes – this may mean more precious snooze time, and less time digging around for your outfit of the day. Arrange your clothes first by type: Separate your tops from bottoms; and keep the dresses together, and skirts together. Then sort your clothes by colour so you can mix and match your outfits quickly even if you’re still half-awake!

3. CUSTOMISE YOUR WARDROBE NEEDS

Top 10 tips on organising and maximising your wardrobe space PAX wardrobes

Knowing the types of clothes you have will determine the number of shelves or hanging racks you will need. If you are all about dresses, have more long hanging racks so that you will always have room for the dress you have yet to buy; if you love being in the comfort of your T-shirt and jeans, shelves with a depth of 35cm are best for folded clothes so you won’t have to reach too far in to get them (a good tip is to stack a maximum of 5-7 pieces, so that you can still easily reach the bottom ones). Or try the Pax wardrobe planner to customise your ideal wardrobe combination so you can maximise storage space! Go to www.ikea.com/sg/planner_pax for more details.

4. LOOK BEHIND, LOOK INSIDE, LOOK UNDER

Top 10 tips on organising and maximising your wardrobe space KOMPLEMENT pull-out multi-use hanger

There’s always some unused space to discover. There is always a place for an additional hook or other smart solution to increase storage possibilities. Attach hooks behind  wardrobe doors to hang your belts, or mount the IKEA Komplement pull-out multi-use hanger ($15) on the side of your wardrobe to organise your scarves and shelves – simply slide it out to grab what you need quickly without pulling out a bunch of other stuff you don’t need.

5. ONCE A WARDROBE, NOW A DRESSING ROOM

Top 10 tips on organising and maximising your wardrobe space KOMPLEMENT valet hanger

Double its function and convert your wardrobe into an instant “dressing room” too. Simply fit a full length mirror on the inside of your wardrobe door and hide it away when not in use, and add Komplement valet hangers ($5 each) which extend outside your wardrobe so you can hang clothes for airing, ironing, or trying on outfits.

6. CREATE ROOM FOR ADDITIONAL SHOPPING SPREES
Wardrobe interior fittings shouldn’t limit the space you have for your favourite clothes – create more storage space by adding a hanging storage system like the Skubb storage ($16.90/pc with six compartments), which comes with hook and loop fasteners for easy and flexible hanging.

7. HIGH PERFORMERS

Top 10 tips on organising and maximising your wardrobe space GARNITYR box with lid

Maximise the use of vertical space by adding an extra box above your hanging clothes or on top of your wardrobe to make more room. Store clothes you seldom wear and out-of-season clothing in boxes that can slide easily into higher, hard-to-reach shelves so that you can protect them from dust as well. The Garnityr box with lid ($15.90/pc) has a handle on one side so you can slide the box out; there is also a label holder to help indicate the items within for an easy overview of what you’ve stored.

8. ORGANISE & ACCESSORISE

Top 10 tips on organising and maximising your wardrobe space KOMPLEMENT jewellery insertTop 10 tips on organising and maximising your wardrobe space KOMPLEMENT divider for pull-out tray

A great outfit is complemented with matching accessories and jewellery, which is the same for a complete wardrobe too. Keep necklaces untangled and earrings together in the velvety felt Komplement jewellery insert ($10-$15), which come with compartments to reduce clutter and help extend the lifespan of these accessories too. Store your shades, bangles and other clunky items in the transparent Komplement divider or pull-out tray ($20) so you can survey your beloved trinkets at a glance.

9. DISPLAY & SHOW OFF YOUR BELOVED BUYS

Top 10 tips on organising and maximising your wardrobe space KOMPLEMENT tray

Do you keep your shoes and bags in the wardrobe too? Stacking and piling them can cause them to go out of shape; why not display your prized possessions instead? Have wider shelves to place your bags on and arrange them in rows; use a bookend to help keep them upright. Or place them lying sideways in Komplement soft felt trays ($45/3-pack) in your shelves to protect them from scratches and dust.

Top 10 tips on organising and maximising your wardrobe space KOMPLEMENT shoe rail for pull-out tray

Put shoe trees into shoes that will go out of shape, and place the expensive ones in shoeboxes. Show off the rest of your shoe collection on the KOMPLEMENT shoe rail or pull-out tray ($10/2-pack), which keeps high heels elevated for safe storage and display. That way, you have a great overview of your entire collection and know what colours you’re not buying enough of!

10. LIGHT UP
Finding clothes in deeper wardrobes can be difficult, especially when it’s so dark inside that you can’t see what’s within (especially when you’re in a hurry!). Brighten up your wardrobe space with Komplement LED lighting strips ($59). The lights come on when the door is opened, so you don’t have to turn on the other lights in the room (and disturb your sleeping partner)! What’s more, they don’t emit much heat, so they’re ideal for narrow spaces.

For more great wardrobe organising ideas, check out IKEA Singapore’s Bedroom Storage section at www.ikea.com/sg/bedroom_storage

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