A sneak peek into the home of professional organizer Oksana Bellas of Vancouver, BC, Canada and owner of Order Matters.
I wish Oksana lived a bit closer... she's just north of where I-5 ends in Vancouver, BC... not to be confused with my Vancouver, Washington... and Washington state not DC :) You'll be able to tell from her photos that we share a love of FUNCTION MEETS FABULOUS!
HER ORGANIZED SPACE: Clothes closet
HER ORGANIZING TIPS:
1. LOVE MATTERS:
Before organizing even begins, it is key to invest only in the items you love. Buy quality pieces, which flatter your body. I have learned over the years that clothes, shoes, and accessories I barely wear are the ones about which I was sort of unsure or had to buy for a function.
2. LESS IS MORE and EMPTY IS GOOD:
Be a ruthless editor! Do not keep items that you have not worn in months or longer, are no longer in style, that are worn, that do nothing for your figure, or do not fit. If you have a hard time with editing, bring in a close friend, whose fashion sense you admire, to assist you. I edit my closet at least 2-3 times per year and each time I find things that I can live without. Also, as I buy something new, I try to remove clothes to make room.
3. COMPARTMENTALIZE and STYLIZE:
Bags should be with bags, dresses with the other dresses, shirts with shirts, and so on. That way, looking for a button-down white shirt will be simple as you will have all your shirts in one section. I get a high from the way an organized space looks. The times when it not only meets my functional, but also fabulous requirement, I am more likely to maintain it.
4. PROTECT:
You have invested in items you love. Now take the time to care for them. Storing your winter wardrobe properly is critical. I have learned the hard way that even in the cleanest of spaces, moths can build a home and ruin the loveliest of woollites. Schedule yourself to rotate your wardrobe as seasons change (I have dedicated a blog post to this matter, check out: http://ordermatters.com/blog/?p=345 ). Promptly mend the clothes that are requiring repair. Keep a canvas bag or a small basket in your closet to collect clothes for dry cleaning. Have a designated basket or spot for clothes that are still clean, but need to be ironed.
5. GET INSPIRED:
I love to shop my own closet and put outfits together, especially with items I kind of rediscover. Take pictures of newly found combinations and pin them on a bulletin board in your closet or office so that next time you are not sure what to wear, you can turn to some fool-proof outfits to save you time.
*If you're a professional organizer + you'd like to be featured on "The Organizer's House"... drop me an email and let me know!
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